Enamel Not Curing

[Mr Biggz]

Used Duplicolor Fleet Hibuild enamel paint to paint my Final Drive. Unfortunately, I got some nibs in there.

It has been 7 days since I painted the Drive and I was feeling the thickness of the nibs and they are just peeling off. Any advice as to why the paint hasn’t cured yet?

[Hellgate]

How did you prepare the parts? Where they stripped to bare metal?

[Jake]

This is a question for Duplicolor. Sounds like it may be a QC issue.

[Mr Biggz]

Stripped to bare metal, sanded smooth, primered with the Hibuild primer, wet sanded with 600, 800, 1000 and then painted.

[Hellgate]

It sounds like you prepped it nicely.

What are the weather conditions like? Cold and wet, or hot and dry?

[Mr Biggz]

Sunny dry 80 degrees California.

[Hellgate]

Hummm... I'm stumped.

Is it tacky still or had it dried and not sticking to the metal?

[chrismalm]

I searched the interweb for Duplicolor Fleet and found this review. Hope it helps. It sounds like you invested hours in the prep and it looks like glass, but it didn't stick. Maybe 1000 grit doesn't have enough "tooth" and 600 would be better.

Duplicolor Fleet.jpg

[Mr Biggz]

Hellgate - it’s finally dry and not tacky, but soft like taffy. To make the cast iron surface smooth, before primer I sanded with 320, then I sanded the primer with the fiber grits. I must’ve put in at least 12 hours of prep.

Chrismalm - that might be the culprit. I put light coats on, but maybe not light enough? I also put an extra coat or two, which I thought would be okay. I probably should have stuck with the 3 coats and that it. Dang this blows...

[Hellgate]

That was my next question, how was the paint applied. Too thick of a coat can make it gooey and dry very slow.

[Jake]

Chris hit the nail on the head. The surface is too smooth, I have experience in the paint industry as a Paint Specialist, mostly architectural with some industrial as secondary.

The prep work you did is fine for lacquer, not for Duplicolor enamel. Prep work is everything. Follow the instructions the manufacturer gives you ! https://www.duplicolor.com/wp-content/t ... n-tips.pdf

Enamel has to have a scuffed surface to adhere to, a primed surface sanded with 1000 grit is too smooth. If you think I’m wrong, contact Duplicolor.

As I said previously, this is a question for Duplicolor, their product, they’re the experts.

[Mr Biggz]

Chris hit the nail on the head. The surface is too smooth, I have experience in the paint industry as a Paint Specialist, mostly architectural with some industrial as secondary.

The prep work you did is fine for lacquer, not for Duplicolor enamel. Prep work is everything. Follow the instructions the manufacturer gives you ! https://www.duplicolor.com/wp-content/t ... n-tips.pdf

Enamel has to have a scuffed surface to adhere to, a primed surface sanded with 1000 grit is too smooth. If you think I’m wrong, contact Duplicolor.

As I said previously, this is a question for Duplicolor, their product, they’re the experts.

Appreciate it Jake!