Why is painting so hard? Even a simple metal bracket.

[spasm3]

Here’s the chipping using my thumb nail. The primer is the brown coat underneath.

This is about 46 hours from applying the coat.

I am now applying a clear coat over this. I’m hoping the clear coat will perform better than the color.

View attachment 345382

If the base coat is not adhering well, a clear wont keep it down any better.

 

[Skid]

Cross linking only takes place in a 2k product.

That's certainly not true.

 

[spasm3]

Get a scrap piece of metal , prep it , and try the method i mentioned. Several thin coats, lots of time in between. First coat super thin and let it dry at least 30 min to an hour. Second coat thin as well , wait an hour. last coat heavier to gloss a bit.

Some primers need 24hrs before topcoating. I like rustoleum rust reformer. But it needs 24hrs before painting.

 

[#18FAN]

That's certainly not true.

Most people now associate cross link as a 2k products
Yes Enamels take solvent evaporation and oxidation to fully cure yes cross link.
Lacquers are solvent evaporation only

 

[Skid]

Most people now associate cross link as a 2k products
Yes Enamels take solvent evaporation and oxidation to fully cure yes cross link.
Lacquers are solvent evaporation only

I believe that this is the technical data sheet for the particular product: https://www.rustoleum.com/~/media/D...al/PRO-01_Professional_Enamel_Sprays_TDS.ashx

If this is the correct product TDS, it is alkyd based, which means it takes about a week to a month to cure.