[R-390] Epoxy paint toughness

[Gene Beckwith]

Gents,

Re painting problems and techniques...

Have used several different brands of paint including the Krylon type...all
with good success...

There are too many variables to say exactly what might have happened to the
"meter re-hab" project...but...

Seems as thought I recall a comment about a "Toaster Oven"  ??

Any idea what the actual temperature was?  Have seen tendency to 'crack and
line' when temps get too high...

Even the best quality paints can literally 'shrink' and hence 'crack' if
temps are too hight and sustained during curing process....

For suggestions on temperatures...I'm regularly using aprox.  150 degrees
max...utilizing the indicated temp indicator on the oven
itself...(digital)....note this is the minimum this oven will operater
at...the oven is in my wife's kitchen...and yes, I get to use it for paint
curing...

Did find one time, when my wife didn't know I was "baking," when she up-ed
the temperature...I discovered it after about 30 minutes...at 300
degrees...and Yep...there were signs of early cracking and spider webing...

Cooler temps are ok...the object is to remove solvent and 'gently' allow the
chemistry to work.  So, loooonnnnger and a bit cooler is fine...

And btw, before baking...use your nose...all hint of solvent should be gone
before heating...may take a bit of time...like several days...but, painting
is not a race...but a search for quality...so take ur time ... no solvent by
the nose test...then baking for two to three hours at minimum temps...in the
range of  150 degrees F...

Have done several St. J. Panels, knobs, and lots of other 19 inch custom
panels here for the station in a variety of colors without problem and good
durability...

I usually use Rustoleum...but have had good success with many others as
listed by others...sometimes, if the color is what I want, I use
it...regardless of the brand...so far so good...

Hope this helps...there has been enough stuff on the list over the past
several years to write a book...it is entirely possible to do absolutely
professional work with a spray can and patiences...

Good luck es 73,

Gene

W8KXR

Scott Seickel wrote:

> The epoxy should be as tough a paint as you can get.
> You probably did not let it cure long enough or the
> paint was not mixed well, or a bad can of paint.
> On a very high gloss finish you will get slight
> spider web type scratches that you can only see
> if the angle of the light is right.  How bad are the
> marks?
> I painted my meter covers with automotive epoxy
> and the finish is tough as you can get.
>
> Scott
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David P. Goncalves" <dpg@coe.neu.edu>
> To: <r-390@mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2003 6:01 AM
> Subject: [R-390] Epoxy paint toughness
>
> >
> > I've repainted my meter cases with black appliance paint from
> > Krylon; did it really nice a with zinc chromate primer, and an
> > hour long bake in my toaster oven.
> >
> > I packed these wrapped in tissue paper to carry to work; when I
> > unwrapped them, there were wear marks on the finish! How could this
> > be? The meters were packed into tube boxes, and the ride wasn't bumpy.
> > Isn't this paint supposed to be tough?
> >
> > Anybody have experience with this paint?
> >
> >
> > Dave Goncalves.
> > _______________________________________________
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> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390
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