Topic: Paint questions

[greddm]

I got some acrylic enamel to paint my tank with, I will apply it with a spray gun. I purchase some enamel hardener to go with it, but the hardener says it's for use with oil-based paints... Now i'm really confused because I assume the acrylic enamel paint is water-based? I can't seem to find a strait answer on the internets and i'm ready to pull my hair out. I feel like i'm a smart enough guy, (I built a motorcycle after all) but this painting stuff is killing me. So here are my questions:

1. Can I use the enamel hardener with the Acrylic Enamel paint I bought

2. After the paint has cured, can I use some Duplicolor spray paint from the auto store to paint the stripes, or will that mess up the acrylic paint?

FYI, the metal has been prepped with a self etching primer, then I sanded the primer smooth.

[calj737]

Paints are "systems" designed to work with each other, from the primer, to the color, to the clears.

It is possible to mix and match components, but they all must be compatible with each other to work successfully together. Sounds as though you don't have the correct components. I always go to a single source for the entire product line to insure this doesn't happen.