Rustoleum Professional High Preformance Enamel (Semi-Gloss White)

[Rocketbuilder]

I picked up a can of this paint a while ago, thinking it looked pretty good, with all the claims of higher output and faster coverage, and professional high performance.

Nope.

When I used this paint for the first coat on my Bullpup 12D earlier today, the paint surface was nothing but a mass of tiny bubbles. The paint is now mostly dry, and still patches of bubbles remain. Not good. (And yes, I did follow the instructions on the can.)
So, it looks like all the paint will have to be sanded off, and the rocket will not fly at a club launch until September, though hopefully I'll be able to fly it on a smaller engine at the rapidly shrinking field near me before then.

Has anyone else had any experience with this paint?

[dixontj93060]

Standard stuff. Been around forever. I've never had a problem with it. What primer did you use? How/when did you last coat before finish coat? When/how did you remove last sanding material before top coat?

[Rocketbuilder]

I never had primed my rockets, but I've never had any problems because of it, even with other white enamel paints, including another kind of Rustoleum white enamel paint. This was the first coat, so there were no other incompatible coats underneath it. The sanding material from the tube and fins was removed using a can of compressed air and a dust cloth.
It's either me or the paint, but since I've painted other rockets exactly this same way, using extremely similar paints, even using the same nozzle on a can of a different kind of Rustoleum white enamel paint, I suspect it is the paint. It may not be that the product itself is inherently flawed, it could just be my can.
I dunno.

[AfterBurners]

Sorry to heard about what happened.

I had the same problem with their automotive finish. I believe it's the same kind you used? Mine was Gloss White. I bought 3 cans and every can turned out the same. PITA I still have the 3rd can in the cabinet, not sure why I saved it? Time to toss it. Their 2x Ultra coat works well and so does Duplicolor products. I never went back to using that particular formula.

[Rocketbuilder]

Sorry to heard about what happened.

I had the same problem with their automotive finish. I believe it's the same kind you used? Mine was Gloss White. I bought 3 cans and every can turned out the same. PITA I still have the 3rd can in the cabinet, not sure why I saved it? Time to toss it. Their 2x Ultra coat works well and so does Duplicolor products. I never went back to using that particular formula.

Yeah, it's weird to get such bad results with Rustoleum paint. I've never had anything but good experiences with them until now. Just a few minutes ago, I painted some fins for a 3' diameter build, and the flat black enamel went on beautifully.
I'll be going to the hardware store today for a new range box, so I guess I'll pick up a new (different!) can of paint while I'm there.
And maybe some more sandpaper. It looks like I'll need it.

[AfterBurners]

Yeah, it's weird to get such bad results with Rustoleum paint. I've never had anything but good experiences with them until now. Just a few minutes ago, I painted some fins for a 3' diameter build, and the flat black enamel went on beautifully.
I'll be going to the hardware store today for a new range box, so I guess I'll pick up a new (different!) can of paint while I'm there.
And maybe some more sandpaper. It looks like I'll need it.

It will work out fine. Like I said the Ultra 2x Painters Touch works good. Good luck

[Disaster_Guy]

I have had similar issues with the black pro paint. I now only use Ultra 2x Painters Touch.

[Rocketbuilder]

Thanks guys. I wasn't able to make it to Lowe's tonight (though I did get myself a fancy new range box at Harbor Freight ), but when I do I'll look for the Ultra 2X Painters Touch.

[jpummil]

Does Lowe's sell the 2x Ultra Rusto? I had to get mine at Home Depot...

[AfterBurners]

Not sure about Lowes, but Home Depot does

[cwbullet]

The Lowes in my area carries it.

[dixontj93060]

I have found Menards to have the widest selection and best sales on 2X.

[o1d_dude]

Primer works wonders.

[Rocketbuilder]

Well, apparently my Lowe's does't carry the 2X, so I picked up some regular Rustoleum enamel. I've always had good results with that. (Knock on cheap imitation wood. )
As for primer, I'll check to see if I have any. If I do, I might use it, if not, forget it. I'm too cheap, and I just bought a bunch of paint today.

[awseiger]

This happens to me when I paint too thick and it's humid out. Happens with every kind of paint I have used...

I'd say just use *Really* thin coats.

And the Rustoleum White primer is incredible stuff. If you use really fine grit sandpaper you can get a glossy finish on your rocket before you paint, making your gloss become even glossier and beautiful

[Rocketbuilder]

I got the first coat of paint with the bubbles sanded down pretty good, and shot some regular white enamel Rustoleum paint on it. I put it on little thick is some places, but it still went on without a hitch. I guess it really is that type of paint.
It's sort of a semi-gloss right now, and after one or two more coats of paint and some sanding with fine grit sandpaper as per awseiger's advice, I'll decal it and give it a coat of gloss clear.
Hoping to have it ready for a club launch on the 21st, but we'll see.

[sodmeister]

That`s really too bad , I myself quite like the paint (gloss white ,gloss black and gloss red used) lays nice and dries fast.I always use a primer ,Duplicolor being my favorite ,but Rustoleum`s own automotive gray primer is also a great one.

Of course ,lacquers are still my favorite (Duplicolor makes some very nice acrylic automotive lacquers ,just a little smelly is all !)

Heck......Krylon even works great for me But like anything else, preperation and knowing your paint goes a long way ,as does trial and error (I always hated that part)

Cheers

Paul T