[Jay V]

Some local auto paint suppliers can also get SprayMax products.

I try to get supplies locally when practical. Bezos has enough money...

 

[realshelby]

Even at 90%? Remember, I'm in the jungles of south Louisiana.

I will see your Louisianan humidity an raise it! Houston certainly has plenty humidity to spare.
Humdity is a factor, but it is far less a factor than it used to be. Any paint that "cures" by solvent drying only is effected to some degree ( any laquer based paint be it nitrocellulose or acrylic mainly ). Pretty hard to get enamels to actually blush. Dry coats don't blush as easily. Blush is caused by trapped solvents under the surface of the paint. Any catalyzed paint dries mainly through chemical reaction so solvent trapping is hardly an issue.
Spray cans....well who knows what is in them!

 

[Geo Smith]

Some local auto paint suppliers can also get SprayMax products.

I try to get supplies locally when practical. Bezos has enough money...

Yea, I tried my local guys but was unsuccessful.

 

[Geo Smith]

I will see your Louisianan humidity an raise it! Houston certainly has plenty humidity to spare.
Humdity is a factor, but it is far less a factor than it used to be. Any paint that "cures" by solvent drying only is effected to some degree ( any laquer based paint be it nitrocellulose or acrylic mainly ). Pretty hard to get enamels to actually blush. Dry coats don't blush as easily. Blush is caused by trapped solvents under the surface of the paint. Any catalyzed paint dries mainly through chemical reaction so solvent trapping is hardly an issue.
Spray cans....well who knows what is in them!

True, Houston can be brutal. Just for grins, while awaiting the clear I'm going to practice with the paint on a scrap piece as you guys suggested. I need the practice, and it will encourage me to put together a paint area.

 

[Geo Smith]

With curiosity getting the better of me, I chose the fender again as my test bed. While I don't have the cleat yet, I figured I can try repainting the front fender with base, using the advice I've received here. Specifically, paint out of the wind, hit it wet, and paint the next coat while tacky. I know I will have to re-sand and paint the base coat again when the clear comes in, but a little practice can only help.

As you can see in the pics, the paint went on much more uniformly. The metallic bits are spread evenly, and the coverage is not splotchy. All in all, I'm please with the improvement. However, I'm surprised with how dull the paint is. It looks almost flat. Maybe the clear will address that?

 

[Geo Smith]

The conditions in my garage were 77 degrees and 76% relative humidity.

 

[Jay V]

(SNIP)
As you can see in the pics, the paint went on much more uniformly. The metallic bits are spread evenly, and the coverage is not splotchy. All in all, I'm please with the improvement. However, I'm surprised with how dull the paint is. It looks almost flat. Maybe the clear will address that?

Dull is good - for a base coat.

The gloss level of the clear will determine the final finish. The gloss of the base has no bearing on the final gloss.

 

[Geo Smith]

That's a relief, but that's what I suspected. I'm pleased with the uniform coverage. I expect my clear tomorrow. So. hopefully I can then wrap up.

 

[Salty Sway]

Clear will make an amazing difference. Looks good, believe you have a good base for the clear now.

 

[realshelby]

With curiosity getting the better of me, I chose the fender again as my test bed. While I don't have the cleat yet, I figured I can try repainting the front fender with base, using the advice I've received here. Specifically, paint out of the wind, hit it wet, and paint the next coat while tacky. I know I will have to re-sand and paint the base coat again when the clear comes in, but a little practice can only help.

As you can see in the pics, the paint went on much more uniformly. The metallic bits are spread evenly, and the coverage is not splotchy. All in all, I'm please with the improvement. However, I'm surprised with how dull the paint is. It looks almost flat. Maybe the clear will address that?
View attachment 60298
View attachment 60299

Is that paint labeled as a base coat? If not...I have no idea how it could be so flat ( gloss free ).
Still, practice is GOOD!

 

[Geo Smith]

Is that paint labeled as a base coat? If not...I have no idea how it could be so flat ( gloss free ).
Still, practice is GOOD!

It is not labeled base coat. But on their website, Dupli-color outlines the three steps required for best results. Basically, prime, color coat, clear.

 

[Geo Smith]

Painting silver metallic has been quite a learning experience. I've practiced on the front fender, and am getting the hang of it. My 2k clear arrived last night, and it looks like the rain will hold off until Saturday. Temps should be in the high 70s, with relative humidity around 60%. I took the rest of the week off from work, so I plan to paint the whole bike today. Fingers crossed.

 

[Salty Sway]

Best of luck

 

[Geo Smith]

Thanks bud.

 

[Geo Smith]

Degreased and wiped everything down with tack cloth. The base color coats went pretty well. The coverage was not as even as I would have liked, but I knew from the beginning it was not going to be perfect. Then I made the mistake of trying to even the tank coverage out with one last coat. It went from pretty even to pretty crappy.

Rather than trying to "fix" it more, I rationalized that the waves of metallic would give it character. I then further convinced myself that the clear coats would make the waves seem less noticeable.

 

[Salty Sway]

You'll be shocked at the amount of gloss with the clear, finish with heavy coats for a smooth deep finish.

 

[Geo Smith]

The clear went better than I anticipated, although it did not cover up my base color screw ups. But with so much shine, I can live with it.

Overall, I'm pleased with the results. In hindsight, I should have gone with non-metallic white, given my rudimentary tools and lack of skill. But it is 100% better than the crappy paint job done by the PO, and as Salty said, it's worth so much more if you do it yourself.

Thanks guys for all of your advice and encouragement, especially Shelby, Salty, and Jay.

BTW, one thing I noticed with both cans of clear. When spraying with the can tilted, say on the top of the tank, the nozzle acted up, jumping from a fan-shaped spray to a round one. This was even with full cans. I thought it may be a defective can so I opened the other one, only to experience the same thing. It was frustrating.

 

[Geo Smith]

You'll be shocked at the amount of gloss with the clear, finish with heavy coats for a smooth deep finish.

Yea. The next time I will go with heavier coats, but I'm pleased.

 

[Salty Sway]

Looks great, that is a great color

 

[Geo Smith]

Looks great, that is a great color

Thanks. It's Chrysler Radiant Silver from the late 80s. It has bigger metal flakes.