A question for paint experts

[Kevin Garrod]

I've been spraying a small piece of plastic trim for the Jag in the garage and as it's so cold and damp it has dried to a very matt finish. If I flat it down well with wet and dry then lacquer will it be Ok, or do I need to start again? I will apply the lacquer indoors, I just need to get SWMBO out the house.:?

[flying farmer]

imported post

I had to respray a second had bumper for SWMBO's Escort a couple of years ago using some of Halfrauds paint. The basecoat on that had a matt finish, but the laquer made it shine. Good match too.

I dont think I would recommend flatting before laquer though. Cellulose used to get a white bloom if it was damp, don't know how it affects modern paint, try test spraying something small under better conditions, and see how it comes out

Neil

[Duncan Skye]

imported post

Hi Kevin,

After a pretty neat pirouette a couple of years ago, I had to respray the bumper of my Mondeo. It used modern water-based paint so could be sprayed with ease in the garage. These were autumn temperatures thatI'm talking about, with no heating. The paint went on a doddle and dried within a couple of hours to a matt finish. I left it until the next day before spraying the laquer on, and that brought the shine up a treat.

Cellulose is known for 'blooming' if the temperature is too low or the humidity too high. I don't know which, but it's either or more probably,both. I guess warming the part up beforehand and getting some heat in the garage atmosphere - say for half an hour before spraying should get the temperature up and drive some of the humidity out. If it blooms, then try a respray on a warmer or less humid day, but as Neil says, flatting it down to get rid of the bloom wouldn't do much for the paint already on. I suspect that too thick a layer of fresh paint will drop the temperature of the component as it dries, inviting a condensation bloom. A couple of thin wafts with warmth in between are probably better than trying to crack the job in a single hit.

Warmth is the key and you do need to let the colour coat dry completely before applying the lacquer. Use more warmth here to be on the safe side, otherwise Summer sun temperatures can cause any volatiles left in the base or colour coats to gas off, blistering the lacquer.

Hope that is of some help,

Duncan, Skye

[Kevin Garrod]

imported post

Thanks guys!

The reason I asked about flatting off is because that is what it says on the tin (of the lacquer)

The colour match seems Ok so far, bearing in mind it was mixed by one of Halfords tame retarded monkeys.

I have the part hiding in the airing cupboard and will have a go with the lacquer over the weekend.

[Duncan Skye]

imported post

Kevin Garrod wrote:

Thanks guys!

The reason I asked about flatting off is because that is what it says on the tin (of the lacquer)

The colour match seems Ok so far, bearing in mind it was mixed by one of Halfords tame retarded monkeys.

I have the part hiding in the airing cupboard and will have a go with the lacquer over the weekend.

Yes the tin would say that, as it makes the presumption that there's already a cured finish to begin with which would have to be 'keyed' to take the new coating. If that's already been done before the colour coat goes on, then you shouldn't normally need to flat it down again, unless the finish of that coat had dirt pimples or an 'orange peel' effect that you wanted to get rid of. Lacquer has good smoothing properties though and can cover over a lot of minor irregularities. Keep the component warm and lay the side you'll see horizontally if you can, as that takes the best advantage of the lacquers' ability to flow and smooth itself out.

Keep everything dust-free, warmand good luck with it.

Duncan, Skye

[Kevin Garrod]

imported post

Well the finish is satisfactory and although the colour doesn't look quite right in this photo, maybe because of the flash or the fact that the old piece of trim isn't clean and polished..



Once fitted to the car I don't think anyone will notice!



There's just a small patch on the corner of the bumper that needs attention, it's been painted before by a DPO but looks very flat. It's going to have to wait for the warmer weather.