Can't paint to save life / Rustoleum & Rollers / Matte Black

[Violet]

I repainted my flame red Astra GSi a couple of years ago and did quite a good job - there were a couple of minute runs here and there, but I didn't care.

My current diamond black GSi is proving to be a complete pain in the arse. The metallic substance in the paint doesn't seem to have any 'uniformness' when putting it on. It's mixed properly, but in some areas, there's a blob of black, and when flatting it off, you get variations between metallic and non-metallic. Also, no matter how must hardener or thinners I messed with (less and more), it just wanted to run all the time!
It's a base coat, so lacquer is on top, which to be honest is proving to be a nightmare to get flat and shiny.
I'm also having the problem of flatting off and having primer coming through. As much as I want this car to look nice, I absolutely loathe all this prepping/painting bollocks where one mistake can mean you have to start all over again.

As much as I like diamond black, I'm 50/50 on either getting some of that rustoleum black paint and rollers or just doing the whole thing in matte-black rattle cans??

[Violet]

Notice runs:

[pie]

if the primers coming you aint put alot of paint on to start with buddy

[Violet]

Just two parts on the edges (the top line just below the windows). Went through, I used two tins of 1/2 a litre paint, I did put loads on, I think I was being a bit OTT on the rubbing back, especially if I went through the lacquer as well.
I'm going to rattle can some diamond black on the bits that have gone through and redo the lacquer again.

[RobJenko]

where was you spraying, was it warm? you dont put hardener/activator in with basecoat paint, just base coat thinners (i advise 60% paint to 40% thinner to start with) was the metal warm to start with before painting? what size nozzle on your gun are you using?

[HARBER07]

How are you applying it? - Cans / gun?. I found my basecoat went on beautifully with a Gun (also 81L). And I never ever flat back my basecoat (unless there is a run in it), I just wait for it to flash off and apply the next coat / lacquer. I do have the advantage of being able to get the garage up to about 50 degrees though. Quick guide of how I sprayed my GSi if it helps:

Flat surface to about 600 grit
Acid etch bare metal
2 coats of high build primer
Flat to 800/1000 grit
1 light coat of base, followed by 1 uniform coat of base, then 1 more 90° to the previous coat.
1 last light coat of base
flat to 1500+ grit if needed (I didn't)
3-4 coats of lacquer (flat in between if needed)
I gave it a full 24hrs curing time before the final flat and polish.

*If its running too much is being put on at one time!
*My basecoat was 50/50 (base/thinners) I believe.
* I was using a proper gun, so I turned the pressure up quite a bit for the lacquer which helped.

Hope something helped there lol

[Violet]

I've not had enough luck so far with the base coat. I spent days on prepping with cleaning, sanding, priming and did a really good job.
When it came to spraying (which I've done before with success at my amateur level!), it sprayed OK for about 10 seconds, and then starting FARTING and SPITTING. Basically blew air then paint then air, etc. I cleaned the gun and sorted the pressure, but couldn't get it to run cleanly, so managed to be careful, although there was no way it would've been perfect with that condition. I cleaned the gun about three times.

I've painted base coat before in Suzuki Iceberg Blue and it was A1, I didn't have to flat it off - which is good as it always seems to change the tone with metallics in there.

Thanks for your help, I doubt I'll ever use this compressor (it's quite a decent one, but it's doing strange things) again as it's pointless, so will try it soon with rattlecans, I like doing a proper job, but I'm a bit worn out with it all. It doesn't look too bad, but I'll be driving it everyday.

[HARBER07]

How old is the Basecoat? And where did it come from?. And where abouts are you?, as I'm travelling across the country tomorrow and I have 2 liters of spare 81L lmao.

[Violet]

Basecoat was new when I bought it and applied it, which was about 4 months ago! I got it from a specialist paint shop. It's a perfect match tbh, I've used them a few times before.

I'm on the Wirral!

[*BenH*]

If your gun is spluttering it sounds like a air leak, around either the fluid tip or needle packing piece. Maybe one has a damaged seal, or they are not tight enough. Took me ages to find that out with my gun.

[HARBER07]

Paint sounds like it should be fine then. I sprayed mine with paint that had sat on the shelf for 6 months and that came out fine. Wirral - Ellesmere Port direction?. I'm In Colwyn bay for a few days after today. Could give you a look if it helps at all?