Spray paint issues - running?

[karmajay]

Hiya! So my first project and I'm having a heck of a time with paint. I do have a coat of primer under this. Does it have a name? Is the cause the type of spray paint or technique? The temp at the time was lower 70s and I actually warmed up the spray can before spraying. Thanks!

 

[PHArchivist]

High humidity? How close was the object being painted? Were you heavy-handed with your coating? Was the can well-shaken?

 

[2keepandbear]

sometimes the gloss enamel can have issues with some other paints. When painting, remember you want long light strokes, not big heavy ones. Never try and boat a part in one or two passes. PHArchvisit could be right about the humidity though,

 

[Moviefreak]

I have run into this before with temperature differences.
If the painting is done outside but the paint was indoors as was the item bring painted, you could see this happen, especially if coming from air conditioned homes to sunny weather. Always let your can of paint and the item to be painted, sit out in the weather for a little while to allow them to all be the same temp, then paint in light layers and not too thick. Buildup coats to max coverage.

 

[joberg]

What kind of medium did you paint? Metal, resin, etc? Resin: wash it with mild soap and water (not too hot of course) and dry well. I always rub metal with acetone or alcohol (degreasing). Shake that can well, before, during your spraying (at least for a full minute!) I used that type of paint before and it's a "runny" kind of paint, short burst and re-spraying after 2 minutes will work.(patience young Jedi).
Others have mentioned the humidity/inside/outside context. Humidity is a concern for any paint (cold also). Good luck with the rest of your project.

 

[Buch]

As others have already said: Humidity and temperature!

Shake well, do small bursts in a sweaping motion, remember distance... one thin coat, let it dry, then repeat...

 

[karmajay]

Thanks all. I think maybe the issue was shaking and spray distance. I did not know you had to shake the can for so long of a period! Also, I have not built any spray hangers so I was holding the pieces so that may have caused me to spray closer.

Now I just have to decide if you can spray a coat over it or i have to sand it down again

 

[PoopaPapaPalps]

If nothing else works, switch to Krylon or Valspar. I have always had, and continue to have, problems with Rustoleum products.

 

[mattycsi]

Thanks all. I think maybe the issue was shaking and spray distance. I did not know you had to shake the can for so long of a period! Also, I have not built any spray hangers so I was holding the pieces so that may have caused me to spray closer.

Now I just have to decide if you can spray a coat over it or i have to sand it down again

You'll have to sand that back to get a smooth coat over those pits. It does look like heavy handed spray to me. Enamel is fickle, go with very light coats, don't think it has to be covered completely with each pass, build slowly. As others have said, try to make sure paint and job are similar temperatures and shake well.

 

[DizzyStrmtroopr]

pitting and runs are also a characteristic of 'rustoleum gloss protective', the paint itself sucks. I wasted a can and a few hours of work on a stormtrooper helmet cuz I thought they changed the labeling. id advise you sand it until even then reshoot it with 'rustoleum professional high performance enamel' that comes in chrome/silver label cans, not white label. it sprays finer and cleaner than the 'protective' stuff.

 

[robstyle]

Rustoleum is meant to be applied with heavier coats. Its targeted user base is towards garden furniture and such where a heavy application is desired. Its double whammy for gloss as it must be applied thicker to get the smooth surface for a gloss sheen.

Generally you want a rattle can paint thats thin (*RIP old formula Krylon) so it can be applied in dust coats. Less is more.

From the picture posted it appears the distance from the tip to the part being painted was too close with too heavy a coat being applied. If you MUST apply thicker coats in a hurry, use a heat gun between the coats. You dont want to cook the surface but rather just enough to where another coat can be applied. Trial and error, know your materials...

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Rustoleum is meant to be applied with heavier coats. Its targeted user base is towards garden furniture and such where a heavy application is desired. Its double whammy for gloss as it must be applied thicker to get the smooth surface for a gloss sheen.

Generally you want a rattle can paint thats thin (*RIP old formula Krylon) so it can be applied in dust coats. Less is more.

From the picture posted it appears the distance from the tip to the part being painted was too close with too heavy a coat being applied. If you MUST apply thicker coats in a hurry, use a heat gun between the coats. You dont want to cook the surface but rather just enough to where another coat can be applied. Trial and error, know your materials...