Paint sucks, or maybe its just me.

[D1337]

So i try to paint some mice to just practice and get the feel for everything, so i don't ruin projects that cant be sanded and repainted.

Ive "painted" two mice.
My first mouse came out horrible and cant be re sanded :( which is my fault..

the one below in the picture is why im making this post.
I sanded the mouse with a fine grit, 220 (dont remember it exactly)
primed it and it went on smooth, no scratches from sanding visible.(the grey)
painted it, also smooth (black), one layer <.<
then used a clear coat..

everything looked fine when i left it, when i came back it appeared as if the clear coat had shrunk and made almost like a pattern on top of the mouse.

Picture (a small section of primer got stuck to my tape and caused that grey area)

http://i5.tinypic.com/5yirjwo.png

Im pretty sure all the paints were enamel, and they were all bought like 2 weeks ago. I didnt read the instructions but, yeah. Any idea's wtf im doing wrong?

[Bucko]

I didnt read the instructions but, yeah. Any idea's wtf im doing wrong?

RTFM!

I'll bet you didn't leave the paint to cure enough before doing the clear coats. It's important to read what the drying times are and recoat times are before spraying. You also are best off using the same brand paints.

[D1337]

paint was on for a good 6 hours, and i noticed the warping clear coat after like 3 hours =/

ill spray some random plastic thing tommorow and follow the instructions, see if it fixes it lol.

[Oneslowz28]

You have to read back of the can and see what the flash time is between coats . Then once you have all the coats of primer on read what the dry time is before you apply any other paint coat. when that time is up do the same with the base and then let it dry then after 3 or so hours apply the clear and wait atleast 24 hours before wetsanding and buffing.

[crazybillybob]

Looks like you maybe using incompatible types of paint and clear. Rule of thumb enamel over lacquer, not lacquer over enamel. The solvents in some of the paints will eat the type of paint off.

Now the drying time that everyone mentioned are ok, but sometimes it takes trial and error to find out what's the correct drying time (normally only true when your mixing brands of paint).

The other thing that will cause the problem your seeing. Moisture, humidity in the air will cause clear to bubble and cloud up. Try painting a sample the same way you did your mouse, but after each coat take it into your house (assuming that it's air conditioned or your have a dehumidifier)...See how that turns out.

One more possibility, the base surface wasn't clean, Just handling an Item can transfer oils from your hands to the part. These oils will cause the issues you see. Always wipe the item your going to paint down with denatured alcohol, mineral spirits, or even rubbing alcohol before you paint (after wiping down don't touch it an leave it dry 10-15 is normally ok..but you can tell by looking at it if it's still wet).

Sorry this is so long...Painting has allot of steps and plenty of places to make mistakes. You'll get it, trust me I've had to sand back a thing or two myself :)

CrazyBillyBob

[Dilphat]

painted it, also smooth (black), one layer <.<
then used a clear coat..



so you painted it in one go??? wow, that could also pose a problem. you should take your time with the paint and put multiple layers, than just use one layer. because a panel before and i just used one coat and put one coat of clear. when i finished and let it dry, i came back and all i saw was like this veiny looking thing across the whole panel.

edit:looks like what happened to sgtm's first time painting a mouse.

[Commando]

crazybillybob, whom I learned most of my painting secrets from off of this forum is way right.

Look at the coating times. Let me say that again, look at the coating times.

Dude, that's your problem. Most paints, including my fav(Duplicolor), have really specific coating times. That's time between coats. It's usually not what you'd think, like wait longer. It's go faster or wait a really long time.

Most spray paints you should finish all coats within an hour or finish the color coats and then wait a week(yes, a week) before painting the clear coat.

Pain in the but? Absolutely, that's why I aspire to move to real automotive paints one day. Not quite as finicky just way more expensive.

Hope this helps.