Problems touching up paint

[John Chesher]

I am applying touchup paint to paint chips on my '81. Several weeks ago, I applied 3 - 4 coats with a trimmed match from a book of matches, waiting maybe 15 - 30 minutes between coats. (The paint seemed to be drying really fast.) I didn't realize until later, but it took several days for these coats to dry to the touch. When they did, the results was a dull finish. This weekend, I applied one coat on Saturday. Looked dry and glossy on Sunday, so I put another coat on. I'm trying to build up the paint thickness to above the surrounding area, so that I can then wet sand it down. Anyway, I took a look Monday night and these new coats were not dry. Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong, any problems I might have when this finally dries, and how to correct? Thanks! Oh yeah, if it matters, I had the paint mixed at a local Auto paint supplier. It is pretty thin. They said it could be sprayed, if that is what I wanted to do...

By the way, I'm pretty new to the site. You guys provide more Vette info than I ever could have dreamed!

[Stephen L.]

Re: Problems touching up paint

Some paints require "hardeners" to be mixed in, just before use. Possibly that is the type of paint you purchased, thus it won't dry correctly. Anything that is mixed with the hardener then will set up in a short period of time so you can't store that "mixed" paint

[John Chesher]

Re: Problems touching up paint

Thanks Steve, but I doubt that is the problem. The shop spent plenty of time with me, knew I was an amateur and was going to use it to touch-up chips. I wouldn't think they would guide me toward a 2-part paint for that kind of work, plus they never mentioned hardener.

[David N.]

Re: Problems touching up paint

Steve,

I think that since you are building up many layers of the paint, as these coatings get thicker, that as you apply a new coat, the thinner in the new layer re-wets or "thins" the underlying coats of paint.Then all of the paint has to dry to sandable condition. Since you said that the paint was thin enough to spray, it also sounds like it is too thin. Most of the touch-up paints I have used are of thicker consistancy. Sort of about equivilent to 20W motor oil. Have you tried parking your Vette out in the sun for a day?

David Nims member #19639

[John Chesher]

Re: Problems touching up paint

Anyone see a problem with the time interval between coats, either the first few where they were only 15 - 30 minutes apart, of the last couple, which were 24 hours apart?