flat black then satin clear

[EDB]

i just painted my truck on the cheap using rustoleum flat black paint. i followed directions from one of the enthusiast magazines, the painting wwent well but i would like to apply a satin clear for some better durability.

how long do i let the paint cure for before applying the clear?

what prep is needed before applying clear?

do i need to sand or can i just tack cloth it and shoot?

[Len]

i just painted my truck on the cheap using rustoleum flat black paint. i followed directions from one of the enthusiast magazines, the painting wwent well but i would like to apply a satin clear for some better durability.

how long do i let the paint cure for before applying the clear?

what prep is needed before applying clear?

do i need to sand or can i just tack cloth it and shoot?

The questions you're asking are impossible to answer unless someone used the same products under similar conditions. The clear may react with the Rustoleum causing it to wrinkle or it may not bond to the black and peel off a short time later. The amount of time the Rustoleum needs to harden depends on the temperature and you may find that info available from the manufacturer. Black Zero Rust would have been a good choice with or without clear and I'd probably be more help because I've used it a hundred times. If the Rustoleum is the same as the Zero Rust I'd tell you to wait at least a week then scuff it prior to applying the clear. If the Rustoleum was applied allowing proper flash time between coats it may be ready in a week but if you piled it on one coat after another it could take months before the solvents have left the surface.

[EDB]

what would you use to scuff paint with before applying clearcoat

[another2centsworth]

Use a gray scotchbrite. But shoot a fender first. Or save bagging and masking, pull the hood and shoot it. After it dries (24hrs) put it back on and drive it for a week or two in the sun. See what happens. You really should strip the whole truck down to metal or original paint and do it right with 2K products.

[frostje]

Why the hell would you ever use rustoleum unless you want to finish a toy wagon. I've seen people try to brush on, roll on , drench on that crap. I just dont know why people go through all that prep , then put absolute crap on. You are making more trouble for yourself down the road than you can imagine. Besides I've seen the vids of people touting the "50" dollar paint job before and believe me , it looks like hell. Even at its shiniest, it looks like hell. I hate to tell you rustoleum guys that you could go on ebay and buy a good ss or acrylic enamel in a GAllon size and buy maybe 15-20 hardener. SS on ebay ppg which is good stuff going for 50-60 gallon. Why do you even bother. Rustoleum is not a bargain at walmart and it looks like hell too. It is only meant to cover a surface you dont want to rust, it doesnt make it look great. It barely looks passable. I've seen this spread all over youtube. If your looking just to cover the surface get a roller or brush and go to town.

[All Dry]

Why the hell would you ever use rustoleum unless you want to finish a toy wagon. I've seen people try to brush on, roll on , drench on that crap. I just dont know why people go through all that prep , then put absolute crap on. You are making more trouble for yourself down the road than you can imagine. Besides I've seen the vids of people touting the "50" dollar paint job before and believe me , it looks like hell. Even at its shiniest, it looks like hell. I hate to tell you rustoleum guys that you could go on ebay and buy a good ss or acrylic enamel in a GAllon size and buy maybe 15-20 hardener. SS on ebay ppg which is good stuff going for 50-60 gallon. Why do you even bother. Rustoleum is not a bargain at walmart and it looks like hell too. It is only meant to cover a surface you dont want to rust, it doesnt make it look great. It barely looks passable. I've seen this spread all over youtube. If your looking just to cover the surface get a roller or brush and go to town.

Go easy on the guy, sounds like he has a lot of enthusiasm and energy ,But your right by the time he buys all those spray cans he could just take the car to Macco, But maybe he is just having fun with it. Mike

[Noviceguy]

If he followed the U-Tube guys they thin it out 50-50 with min spirits when rolling it out I cant see anything bonding to rustoleum theese u-tube guys suck allot of people in and that's when Len gets the oh oh whet the hell have I done anyway thanks for all you do Len making progress on the Goat but had major health setback will get back at it after the heat calms down can't take it like I used to.

[frostje]

If he followed the U-Tube guys they thin it out 50-50 with min spirits when rolling it out I cant see anything bonding to rustoleum theese u-tube guys suck allot of people in and that's when Len gets the oh oh whet the hell have I done anyway thanks for all you do Len making progress on the Goat but had major health setback will get back at it after the heat calms down can't take it like I used to.

True, thats why len runs the most informative, legitimate site for bodywork and paint. No site is as informative and probably the best way to support this site is to buy from the store here. I'm not here to push sales just it would seem a reasonable way to help keep this site working well. Youtubers and that 50 paint "SCAM" and i put that lightly devalues the work honest people do to do it right. Did they really think bodyshop owners wouldnt buy into that if it was any good, even maaco charges about 10x more for a legit paint job. If anyone comes to the site here and asks for rustoleum topcoat help I'd say go back to utube and keep watching advice from backyard hacks.