Author Topic: Paint still sticky after 3 weeks?  (Read 10982 times)

Offline Moneypit440

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Paint still sticky after 3 weeks?
« on: October 01, 2013 - 11:20:48 PM »
I should probably stick to changing light bulbs.  I had mild surface rust in Challenger trunk pan.  On the advice of a friend who is an excellent restorer of classic VW's, I bought POR-15 kit and applied the marine clean, metal ready and POR-15.  I wanted to at least approximate the exterior color, so I bought my finish coat and primer at a local retailer.  They actually scanned the car electronically to match the color.  I brushed on the primer, 2 coats.  I sprayed the finish paint, also 2 coats, using the little disposal aerosol sprayers.  It seemed to work well and I don't think I laid it on too thick.  Temp was in the low 80's and I parked it outside for 2 days after painting, garaging it at night.  Trunk was open and it got plenty of sun on warm days.

On day 3, I made the mistake of putting the trunk mat in and going to a car show, so that my 1970 could lose a "classic car" show to a 2011 Challenger (another story).  When I got home the mat was stuck.  I managed to remove it, but it left rust stains on the new finish.  I wiped those off the next day with paint thinner on a rag.  Now, two weeks later, the trunk pan is still sticky to the touch.  Where did I screw up and what do I do?  Some areas wiped down to the POR-15 when I scrubbed off the rust stains.
1970 Challenger R/T 440 Magnum/727 Torqueflite
1970 Cuda 383 Super Commando/A833 4-speed
2010 Challenger R/T Automatic w/Magnacharger/CAI/Catback Exhaust Upgrade




Offline HemiOrange70

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Re: Paint still sticky after 3 weeks?
« Reply #1 on: October 02, 2013 - 05:08:12 AM »
was the primer the same paint as the finish coat (ie: oil based) and was the primer dry before you applied the topcoat?

Offline DocMel

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Re: Paint still sticky after 3 weeks?
« Reply #2 on: October 02, 2013 - 03:17:59 PM »
Classic sign that either

1. One product reacted chemically to the other on the wrong side:   Paint stays soft, an incompatibitity of products

OR

2.  Your finish coat:  Did you have hardener added to it?   

Offline cudasteve72

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Re: Paint still sticky after 3 weeks?
« Reply #3 on: October 02, 2013 - 04:47:59 PM »
por 15 does not like being coated over the top of.  I have even had trouble putting it on top of its self.  Did you scuff the por 15 before you laid any thing over the top of it. To me it sounds like that is the area where something went wrong.  :2cents:
1972 Cuda Custom 70 clone  416 stroker 481/531 hp/
2006 Grand Cherokee SRT8 (daily)
1970 Challenger convertible 340 (Dad's)
1967 Dart gt slant six all original 40,000 miles driver but needs restoration (Brother's)
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (wife's)

Offline torredcuda

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Re: Paint still sticky after 3 weeks?
« Reply #4 on: October 02, 2013 - 06:44:04 PM »
POR 15 is fine being topcoated and it should not affect the drying of the  topcoat. My guess is no/too little hardener or too many coats of paint with not enough time to dry in between.
Jeff
72 Barracuda 340/4spd  Torred
70 roadrunner 383/auto  In-Violet
70 Duster 360/auto drag car  (Petty Blue soon)
04 Ram 2500 5.7 Hemi

Offline Moneypit440

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Re: Paint still sticky after 3 weeks?
« Reply #5 on: October 04, 2013 - 09:36:35 PM »
The primer is urethane.  I used two coats, probably about an hour apart.  The first seemed dry to touch when I applied second.

All paint was applied in direct sun with temp in 80s.  I lightly sanded primer, then applied topcoat (DuPont acrylic) using a disposal aerosol sprayer.  Dealer said no hardener was needed, or that it would be premixed, I don't recall which.  They also said second coat could be applied after 30 minutes, which I did.

The primer required an activator, which I used.  It went on and dried well.  Top coat is still sticky.
1970 Challenger R/T 440 Magnum/727 Torqueflite
1970 Cuda 383 Super Commando/A833 4-speed
2010 Challenger R/T Automatic w/Magnacharger/CAI/Catback Exhaust Upgrade

Offline 'Cuda Hunter

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Re: Paint still sticky after 3 weeks?
« Reply #6 on: October 04, 2013 - 10:36:47 PM »
I would have to say that at this point since it is still sticky, get your rags and thinner and get the sticky paint off.

Elbow grease and a do over.
"All riches begin as a state of mind and you have complete control of your mind"  -- B. Lee

Offline GranCuda1970

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Re: Paint still sticky after 3 weeks?
« Reply #7 on: October 05, 2013 - 05:43:18 AM »
Try warming up the area it is stored at with a Big BTU heater not pointed at the car, object to increase the area temperature to at least 80 degrees. 1st if it does not crack like a desert it will harden and if it looks good and does not have flies and gnats sticking out of the paint.

Offline torredcuda

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Re: Paint still sticky after 3 weeks?
« Reply #8 on: October 05, 2013 - 09:07:16 AM »
Which Dupont acrylic-enamel. urethane?? Do you have the data sheet or the can still? Most paints require a hardener.
Jeff
72 Barracuda 340/4spd  Torred
70 roadrunner 383/auto  In-Violet
70 Duster 360/auto drag car  (Petty Blue soon)
04 Ram 2500 5.7 Hemi

Offline dodj

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Re: Paint still sticky after 3 weeks?
« Reply #9 on: October 05, 2013 - 09:14:26 AM »
 :iagree: with docmel and cudahunter. Incompatibility of products. It will likely never dry completely. No fun, but break out the rags, thinner and elbow grease.
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
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Offline Moneypit440

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Re: Paint still sticky after 3 weeks?
« Reply #10 on: October 05, 2013 - 10:15:54 AM »
I just had a buddy that restores cars look at it.  He says rags and lacquer too.  Believes they failed to put the hardener in the paint when mixing.  I have another quart from them for cuda trunk pan that I need to return.  How can I trust it now.  I bought it on the same day from the same store.

The primer is urethane 421-19 whatever that means.  The label is mostly covered now so other than that and urethane I can't read much.  As said above, I mixed it with a separate activator.

That trunk gets hot when I drive and it gets more sticky, so I see no point in a bake job.  This one is a wipe off.
1970 Challenger R/T 440 Magnum/727 Torqueflite
1970 Cuda 383 Super Commando/A833 4-speed
2010 Challenger R/T Automatic w/Magnacharger/CAI/Catback Exhaust Upgrade

Offline 72cudamaan

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Re: Paint still sticky after 3 weeks?
« Reply #11 on: October 05, 2013 - 10:39:21 AM »
Did the paint come in a quart or pint can? If so, I doubt the store put anything in the paint. You would have had to added
any catalyst just prior to spraying. If there was a hardener added, your paint would be dry in the can.
If I cant fix it, it's broke
 
Andy  (phukker whither)

Offline torredcuda

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Re: Paint still sticky after 3 weeks?
« Reply #12 on: October 05, 2013 - 12:59:34 PM »
 :iagree: Pot life( or how long before the paint harderns) is only a matter of hours after the hardener is mixed with the paint. You always mix the paint JUST before shooting it. Where did you buy the paint? You need to find a store with a good paint guy as the one you dealt with doesn`t sound like they know what they are doing! The other quart of paint is probably fine if you get the correct hardener,  what is the type of paint??? Also ask for the data/tech sheet for the paint as it will tell you everything you need to know about mixing, pot life, spraying temp and so on.
Jeff
72 Barracuda 340/4spd  Torred
70 roadrunner 383/auto  In-Violet
70 Duster 360/auto drag car  (Petty Blue soon)
04 Ram 2500 5.7 Hemi

Offline GranCuda1970

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Re: Paint still sticky after 3 weeks?
« Reply #13 on: October 05, 2013 - 11:33:45 PM »
I've only ever used the PPG and deltron if it has no hardener it will not turn out good.

Offline Moneypit440

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Re: Paint still sticky after 3 weeks?
« Reply #14 on: October 06, 2013 - 10:12:59 AM »
 :stirpot:
Did the paint come in a quart or pint can? If so, I doubt the store put anything in the paint. You would have had to added
any catalyst just prior to spraying. If there was a hardener added, your paint would be dry in the can.

Yes to cans.  And it ain't dry in the can.
1970 Challenger R/T 440 Magnum/727 Torqueflite
1970 Cuda 383 Super Commando/A833 4-speed
2010 Challenger R/T Automatic w/Magnacharger/CAI/Catback Exhaust Upgrade