Topic: Paint texture tachometer housing

[zabzob]

I painted my tach/speedo housings with Rustoleum satin black, then thought, why not a satin clear coat? Should protect it better. I've read horror stories about Rustoleum clear over base wrinkling the paint underneath... sometimes it's fine, sometimes it's not. I let mine dry for over two weeks, including a letting them heat up a couple of times in front of our gas fireplace. I did the satin clear on the inside of one ring and I'm looking for opinions on the texture. Looks wrinkly to me.

The only good comparison I can find is this red hood which is also quite textured.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/2k-clear-over-alkyd-enamel-rustoleum.1159436/#post-13651015

So I don't know. Is it ruined or is this normal for a satin clear?

[PeWe]

It does not look like stock gauges.
I used Rustoleum satin black on an old ugly tachometer.

Very difficult to see difference when compared with 2 NOS K6 gauges.

I should not use clear on top of it.

For more robust paint, use 2k.
There are 2k satin black on rattle cans to be found.
Spray Max one brand.

[ekpent]

Was it smooth before clear coat ? Might be a case of 'orange peel' reacting to each finish.

[denward17]

Did you scuff the surface before shooting the clear?

[Mark1976]

   It's not ruined, but that happens when any one (or more) of a number variables present themselves. Try lightly wet sanding with a 2000 or 3000 grit sandpaper, don't try to remove the texture as much as knock it down, then shoot (spray) 2 more light coats. Keep the temp in the 70 degree range,  it'll allow the clear coat to flow (hopefully dry a little slower), cheap aerosol clear coats just dry too quickly (shrink) leaving a textured finish as such. In the end you may still have to strip it off and go with a higher quality paint. Technically it's called, "ya get what you pay for".

[PeWe]

I have seen paint reacting badly when painting over one paint with another.
I remember one costly experience when spraying gold stripes over a good fresh paint on my K6 tank early 80's.
The paint cracked, despite both were 2k.
Paint remover and forget it...
Automotive paint not cheap then either.