Problems with spray can painting

I remember having this problem as well. Although hobby paint is designed to be sprayed directly onto plastic, I've never been successful at it. Bare plastic does seem to attract a lot of dust but I think there's more than a dust problem going on here.

First of all you should get into the habit of priming. This lays a good foundation for the color coats. Then mist on the first two or three color coats before applying the wet coats as this will provide a good tooth. Also, before spraying, warm up the spray can in hot (not boiling) water first. This will help it to flow better.

Finally, try to dig up some articles on spray can painting by Pat Covert. He's the master at it and he did a lot of writing for ScaleAuto. I think he wrote a book as well.

HEY,
Also you should wash the model in a mild detergent before painting, that way any pelease agent used to get the plastic out of the mold duuring manufacturing hets cleaned off. And ya, you should get use to priming, it only take about 2-3 coats, and it dries pretty quick.

Randy

If it truly is dust it is probably settling on the model while the paint is drying. You can eliminate a lot of that by putting the model under a box whie it is drying. For something like your Ford I'd use a shoebox. Cut big holes in the ends and top (the top is actually the bottom since you'll flip it over when you put it over the model), and cover them with coffee filters. That will let air circulate but keep the crud from settling on it. Be sure and blow the box out before you put it over the model.

FWIW, when drying smaller parts I just put one of the cone-shaped coffee filters over them while they dry. Same thing, the air can circulate dut the dust is kept out.

HEY,
That is a great idea scott. I usually just use the box the model came in bacause you know ittl fit if your building a car. But i have never cut holes in the top and put cofee filters on it.

Randy

QUOTE: I usually just use the box the model came in bacause you know ittl fit if your building a car.

Good point and a good idea. The stuff I build usually outgrows the original box pretty quickly so I didn't think of that. Whatever you use, just keep it around with the coffee filters on it and then use it whenever you need it.

Good tip Scott!! I'll be trying it out!!

Murray

HEY,
Meeeeeeeeeee 2

Randy