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Technical Can I put clear over Oil Based Enamel?...and I may have screwed up.

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Budget36, Sep 20, 2017.

  1. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member

    So a couple of weeks ago, my daughter and myself, finished sanding down her car, masked it off and went to Tractor Supply for a gallon of matte black...it's a "Majic" brand, so I really only noticed the "enamel" on the can-note to self, take glasses with you to read fine print" and after spraying it,my kid asked me what "oil based enamel is"...hmmn...dunno, only ever bought enamel and lacquer back in the day.

    So reading the can-here's the screwed up on my part-seems I was supposed to use a hardener with it...I didn't, just the reducer.
    It's been a few weeks, and she wants to wet sand it down to even things out, and have me clear it...now...it's possible this paint might have decent UV protection...I don't really know...some internet searching has me to think this paint my not fully cure for a few years because I didn't use a hardener with it.

    So, bottom line, can I clear it...and if so, suggestions for a clear to use.

    Thanks
     
  2. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,817

    BJR
    Member

    I think you are screwed. But what do I know.
     
  3. I think it's alkyd enamel. Doesn't REQUIRE hardner, but hardner will make it, well, harder. I've used all kinds of paints that recommend hardner without using it and never had a problem.
     
    Truckdoctor Andy likes this.
  4. john worden
    Joined: Nov 14, 2007
    Posts: 1,827

    john worden
    Member
    from iowa

    Locate tech support for the product and ask them.
     
    Jugornot and Budget36 like this.

  5. reverb2000
    Joined: Apr 17, 2005
    Posts: 441

    reverb2000
    Member
    from Houston TX

    Don't clear it. The clear will harden and the oil will not be able to evaporate the vapors

    Sent from my HTC One M9 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  6. KoolKat-57
    Joined: Feb 22, 2010
    Posts: 3,073

    KoolKat-57
    Member
    from Dublin, OH

    They're local in Columbus Ohio.
    Here's their contact info........Majic Paints
    1920 Leonard Avenue
    Columbus, Ohio 43219
    Local: (614) 253-8511 Toll Free: (800) 848-1898
    Fax: (614) 258-3062
    Email: [email protected]
    Give them a call, we are east coast time!
    KK
     
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  7. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member


    Slap head....I shoulda had a V8...

    Okay, thanks...and back to your regularly scheduled programming.
     
  8. fordcragar
    Joined: Dec 28, 2005
    Posts: 3,198

    fordcragar
    Member
    from Yakima WA.

    You might try a test panel to find out what could happen.
     
  9. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member


    I'm more concerned about long term...i/e, I've have to mix the paint again, spray it, wait a few weeks, clear it...then wait a year to see if it starts going to hell...

    Or are you saying spray a test panel, wait a few weeks, clear it and a problem should show up then?

    It should be obvious I don't do this fora living;)
     
  10. Slopok
    Joined: Jan 30, 2012
    Posts: 2,919

    Slopok
    Member

    If you do end up using clear it will no longer be matte black unless you use flat or matte clear. Just wet a section with water and that's how it would turn out.
     
  11. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member


    Yes, I had planned to use a flat clear, thanks
     
  12. Are you planning on using a urethane clear? You are taking a real chance if you are of the strong solvents in urethane paints eating into the enamel and causing a serious mess especially when a hardener wasn't used. If you go for it and it has dried enough to not react with the clear then you will definitely have to sand the whole car down to have any chance of adhesion of the clearcoat now that it has been a few weeks. If it hasn't dried enough it will all wrinkle.
     
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2017
  13. fordcragar
    Joined: Dec 28, 2005
    Posts: 3,198

    fordcragar
    Member
    from Yakima WA.

    The enamel will take quite a while to completely dry, so I would agree that you shouldn't clear it or put anything over it that might be harder. If you seal in with a topcoat the enamel will probably cause checking or cracking of the outer finish ; which would be the solvents from the enamel trying to escape.
     
  14. ceege
    Joined: Jul 4, 2017
    Posts: 204

    ceege
    Member
    from NW MT

    So how does it look sanded? That can look cool.
     
  15. metlmunchr
    Joined: Jan 16, 2010
    Posts: 861

    metlmunchr
    Member

    According to the guy who owns Southern Polyurethanes, you can spray clear urethane over alkyd enamel but you have to use hardener in the enamel if you plan to clear it. Also, you let the car sit overnight between the enamel and the clear.

    Seems like the simplest thing to do is sand the car, shoot another coat of your black using hardener, and then shoot the urethane clear the next day.
     
  16. ceege
    Joined: Jul 4, 2017
    Posts: 204

    ceege
    Member
    from NW MT

    I don't think so. Catalyzed doesn't like UN-catalyzed.
    Especially fresh
     
  17. fordcragar
    Joined: Dec 28, 2005
    Posts: 3,198

    fordcragar
    Member
    from Yakima WA.

    I don't think that the owner of Southern Polyurethanes understood that the enamel didn't have hardener added to the paint before it was sprayed.
     
  18. ceege
    Joined: Jul 4, 2017
    Posts: 204

    ceege
    Member
    from NW MT

    I agree
     
  19. southcross2631
    Joined: Jan 20, 2013
    Posts: 4,413

    southcross2631
    Member

    I used to use a lot of that paint on my dirt track cars. Orange and blue. It does not need hardener ,but will not have much UV protection and will fade in the sun in about 4 months without hardener. At least it did in the hot south Ga. sun.
    I never tried to clear it , but I would wait about a month and scuff it and re shoot it with more paint with hardener. Sort of using your original paint job as a base.
    When I was racing dirt cars I was more concerned with keeping the fenders on the car than the paint.
    It looked good at 100 mph from the grandstands.
     
    Jugornot likes this.
  20. Mark Roby
    Joined: Sep 29, 2015
    Posts: 96

    Mark Roby

    While you may have your answer already, I would not clear over that. I think reverb2000 has it right


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

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