Major Painting DISATER!!!

[Ookazoo]

OK, so I had this genius idea in my head that I would paint the cover for my calculator (A TI-84 + (http://education.ti.com/educationportal/sites/US/productDetail/us_ti84p.html)). I used white Krylon fusion for plastic, and I covered the 3 rubber nubs with liquid band-aid, then picked it off later. All was well and dandy.

Then I decided to make it BF2 themed, and protect it with clear coat, so I got some sticker paper and Rustoleum clear enamel. I printed out the stickers and put them on, no problems. I sprayed on the clear coat, went off for a few minutes, and when I came back it looked like this:

http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/images/806205200001.JPG

Here is a close up:
http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/images/35205200005.JPG

Madness!!!

Here is what I think happened and why:
I think that I put too much paint on the messed up side. When I had painted white initially, it looked kind of cracked, like a really dry desert. The nozzle on the white paint was weird, it was angled up, and it painted in a vertical line, not a circle. In retrospect I think I couldn't get an even coat because I couldn't hold the paint can at the necessary angle. It would have to be more than 90 degrees, and the paint would come out at that angle.

So, is my theory correct? Also, I'd like to start over on this, how do I get the white off without damaging the plastic underneath? Then, how can I paint it so that this doesn't happen again?

[SgtM]

Yeah, you put too much clear on in 1 coat. I had this problem quite a few times. Best thing to do is get some 400 grit sand paper and start sanding. Have a look at the link in my sig to see pictures of my messed up mouse. Better luck next time! +rep for a cool theme on a calculator.

[tybrenis]

The paints interacted with each other and as a result you got horrible orange peel. Next time use paints that are compatabile with each other - like two enamels made by the same company, or as a clearcoat use an acrylic cover.

[Commando]

That effect you accomplished is called spider webbing or crackling. Don't fret there is a solution.

Here's what you did wrong:
- 2 different brands of paint (not that big of a deal but probably didn't help things).
- Almost certainly your problem. The coat times between coats of paint or clearcoat. This is usually opposite of what you'd think. Usually you only have 1 hr to finish all your coats including the clearcoat. Now, this changes between brands of paint, so you see why the first point didn't help.
- Lastly, they might have been two different types of paint. Enamel, Urethane, Acrylic, etc.... In that case you were doomed from the beginning.

Now the Solution. SgtM is all over it. 400 grit and elbow grease. Get as much of the paint off as you can. Then smooth the surface out with 900 grit. Then repaint using the same brand paint for each step, starting with a sandable primer, then a color coat, then a clearcoat. On the clearcoat lay the first coat down really light. Then follow up with several more coats.

Remember the coat times for color and clear, primer isn't that volatile. You should probably be done with the whole process in under 2 hrs. It differs by brand of paint. Some will cure in a day and you can sand and paint the next day. Read the directions. Read the directions. Read the directions. Duh, we all know how to spray paint, it's the coat times that will bite you.

Hope this helps.

[Ookazoo]

Sgt M: yeah, I think it was too heavy. I saw a big drip on it when I looked at it last. Oh well, now I've learned.

Tybrenis: If it was a reaction between the paints, wouldn't the whole thing be orange peel?

Commando: Thank you very much! I will take all of your advice to heart, because I think you know what you're talking about (There is an airbrush in your sig). Here are the coat times that I used: (no primer) color, 1 hour, color, 7 days, stickers, clear, DOOM! I'm a little confused though, I realize that I should wait the time it says on the can, but then do I wet sand it? What is the exact order of coats, sanding, and time in between? Also, when to my stickers fit into this?

I'll try again

[Spawn-Inc]

to me it looks like the clear coat acted like a paint thinner. i found a spent fire extinguisher and decided to strip the paint off. i used this thick gel paint thinner and thats exactly what it did to the paint on the fire extinguisher. it was rubbery and came off very easy.

[Ookazoo]

Spawn: That makes a lot of sense! I think that the clear coat got into the cracked part of the color coat and thinned out the paint.

[Spawn-Inc]

its must have been strong enough to also lift some of the colour from the calculator too. what brand was it(clear coat)?

[Ichbin]

as a little joke to lighten the mood,

at least you have a stucco themed calculator lol :P

[Ookazoo]

Haha! That matches my old house. (I'm in SoCal).
The paints I used:
Krylon fusion for plastic (White)
Rustoleum clear coat enamel on top of that

[si-skyline]

from the picture i would leave it.. i quite like the patten it has made,
its cool that it went around the plane and logo