How long should i let the paint dry?

[LittleOne]

I have primed my helmet and was wondering how long i should let it dry? ( Krylon white primer )

 

panda says 1 week between each different coat of paints...is that a realistic figure? here is what i want to do...primer is done...I want to paint Khaki on, then some gloss white...i am just wondering if you gotta wait long after the primer stage...

Edited April 11, 2011 by LittleOne

[Smitty]

You can put your first coat of paint over the primer the same day the primer is sprayed. In your case I would use the following schedule

 

primer

wait one hour

khaki

wait at least a week - two weeks if you can hold out that long

gloss white

 

Primers can basically be topcoated immediately. Paints are a different story. You have a recoat window usually 2 to 4 hours. Even if the paint is the same color and brand you have to put multiple coats on within a few hours of the first coat. Once your recoat window has expired you have to wait for the paint to fully cure or else you will cause the first coart to lift or wrinkle which will leave an unwanted texture in your finish.

[LittleOne]

You can put your first coat of paint over the primer the same day the primer is sprayed. In your case I would use the following schedule

 

primer

wait one hour

khaki

wait at least a week - two weeks if you can hold out that long

gloss white

 

Primers can basically be topcoated immediately. Paints are a different story. You have a recoat window usually 2 to 4 hours. Even if the paint is the same color and brand you have to put multiple coats on within a few hours of the first coat. Once your recoat window has expired you have to wait for the paint to fully cure or else you will cause the first coart to lift or wrinkle which will leave an unwanted texture in your finish.

 

 

thanks, yes i can hold that long.... after the khaki

 

 

for the gloss white can you tell me how you would proceed? like multiple coats of it within a short amount of time?

[pandatrooper[TK]]

This is what I usually do.

 

- primer (Let dry 5 mins between coats, 2-3 coats)

- top coat (I let the primer dry for about 30 mins before top coating (top coat is 3-5 coats for a helmet, letting dry 5 mins in between each coat).

 

The best way to layer paint is to actually still have it be slightly tacky between coats, this promotes adhesion. If leave it for a week and then top coat it again, and you chip the helmet, this is where the chip will occur - between the separate layers of paint. You can use this to your advantage if you want the chipped look. Mask the chips, paint it khaki and let it dry a week before top coating white.

 

After the top coat is done, leave it a week to cure fully.