Paint Finish

[basement]

Hello, is it just me or anytime you use a rattle can to paint with the finish product never is the same then if you had used a gun and compressor? For example, I removed the cars radiator cleaned it up primered it and plan on spraying a couple coats of hi-temp gloss black. But I know from past experiance even after the paint has had a day or two to dry that you can still run your finger nail along the paint and leave an impression. I don't expect factory quality but I would like the finish to with stand normal everyday abuse. Any suggestions or ideas what I might be doing wrong?

[Mt.St.BigBlock]

Hi basement,
  Yes, my luck with rattle cans has been mixed at best. One suggestion with painting that radiator,
keep the paint thickness buildup at the absolute minimum or the radiator won't work as a radiator
anymore!! A good cleanup and lightest coat of color to do the job. No primer needed or desired on the
core for sure, tanks...OK, but still keep the buildup at a minimum. Good luck :thumbs:  Jeff

[basement]

Well, it's day 2 and going to apply the final coat tonight. I've been putting several coats on but very sparingly with plenty of dry time inbetween. And sofar the results look very good. The paint seems to be hardening up nicely. Oh for sure about painting the cooling fins. Infact I've only painted the frame and upper and lower portions of the radiator and have stayed clear of putting any paint on the actual business portion of the unit. Thanks for all the replies to what probably seems to most people as a simple problem but to someone like me can be quite frustrating.

[Tropicalcats]

Thanks for all the replies to what probably seems to most people as a simple problem but to someone like me can be quite frustrating.

That's what I love about cc.com. No silly questions, No problem to simple. Just good people looking to help restore these classic beauties