On Wed, 12 Apr 2006 10:41:20 -0500, Mike wrote:

I have 2 flat metal parts made out of steel. I want to paint them flat
black. I was recommended Rust-o-Leum 7777 as a perfect match for the
paint color and finish.

I first stripped the old paint with a spray-on stripper and than spray
painted. Looked great, but I wasn't pleased with how hard the finish was.
It scratched with my finger-nail.

I re-read the directions and realized I did *not* use primer. Of course I
was ****ed off, but I decided to redo everything.

I stripped the paint again using the same, nasty spray-on stuff. I then
rinsed with water, and used a wire-brush attached to my electric drill to
get most of the old stuff off. I then wiped it down with a wet rag and
let dry.

This time I used Rust-o-leum primer first, then applied the same spray
paint. But it seems the finish is even softer than before.

What am I doing wrong? I'm about to give up on this seemingly simple
project. The cast-iron parts that I painted are just fine.

--Mike

RustOleum is more decorative than durable. Urethanes and epoxies are
much more durable. If you can't find the color you want as a stock
item, you can buy paint in cans, mix to get the color you want, thin
with appropriate thinner and spray. If you don't have a compressor,
you can buy little Pre-Val oneshot sprayers that work with a can of
propellent.

Balderdash and poppycock. When I refinished the headlight buckets for my
Roadster, I sandblasted them, applied 2 coats of Rustoleum red primer,
then 2 coats of Rustoleum Copper Enamel. Once *dry*, the finish is
beautiful, and plenty hard. I test the finish as I type: Dragging the
thumbnail at right angles across the finish as hard as practical, the
finish is absolutely unmarked. I agree, however, Rustoleum is not as
hard as a good cured epoxy or urethane.
JR
Dweller in the cellar

Don Foreman wrote:

RustOleum is more decorative than durable. Urethanes and epoxies are
much more durable. I


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On Wed, 12 Apr 2006 19:40:39 -0700, JR North
wrote:

Response bottom-posted

Balderdash and poppycock. When I refinished the headlight buckets for my
Roadster, I sandblasted them, applied 2 coats of Rustoleum red primer,
then 2 coats of Rustoleum Copper Enamel. Once *dry*, the finish is
beautiful, and plenty hard. I test the finish as I type: Dragging the
thumbnail at right angles across the finish as hard as practical, the
finish is absolutely unmarked. I agree, however, Rustoleum is not as
hard as a good cured epoxy or urethane.
JR
Dweller in the cellar

Don Foreman wrote:

RustOleum is more decorative than durable. Urethanes and epoxies are
much more durable.

Perhaps "durable" is a subjective term. If Rustoleum results are
acceptable, it is definitely more cost-effective. I use it on some
projects. There is no way I'd paint a car or any part of a car with
it, YMMV. Even acrylic enamel (e.g. Delstar) delivers considerably
better gloss (distinction of image) and durability than Rustoleum.

JR North wrote:

Balderdash and poppycock. When I refinished the headlight buckets for my
Roadster, I sandblasted them, applied 2 coats of Rustoleum red primer,
then 2 coats of Rustoleum Copper Enamel. Once *dry*, the finish is
beautiful, and plenty hard. I test the finish as I type: Dragging the
thumbnail at right angles across the finish as hard as practical, the
finish is absolutely unmarked. I agree, however, Rustoleum is not as
hard as a good cured epoxy or urethane.
JR
Dweller in the cellar

Don Foreman wrote:

RustOleum is more decorative than durable. Urethanes and epoxies are
much more durable. I




Agreed.

the only thing I've found better than Rusty Metal Primer is Epi-Bond,
but for the price difference!

Richard