Automotive clear coat finish question (probably noob!)

[chuffed-addick]

Hi All,
Found this place a while ago and some great advice, so thought I'd sign up and post my question.
I've now sprayed 2 guitars, made the usual impatient mistakes and had runs and overspray/ burn through, all of which I've solved or learnt from.

The one thing I'm having issue with is the clear coat I've used. It just doesn't seem to have hardened properly! It went on ok, and left it at least 3 weeks after spraying before sanding orange peel off and buffing. Since then it seems that even standing the things on carpet leaves a mark on the finish, not deep just enough to be noticeable. one of them has got a mark from where the cliplock strap has rested on it in the case too.

I wondered if anyone would know why this is? only thing I can think is it didn't get hot enough during the buffing stage as have been doing all the work by hand. Would this affect it? Any help greatly appreciated as can't find anyone else having this issue!
Here are pics of the finished guitars out of interest.
first one, bit blurry but british racing green

Second is bit of fun I had with masking tape!

 

[Cagey]

Modern automotive paints don't dry, they cure, and it can take a very long time. You can often speed that up considerably by using a catalyst, then more still by either infrared or ultra-violet "baking" (depending on the chemistry). The catalysts are highly toxic, so regular folks rarely use them. The baking gear is fairly expensive, so again, regular folks rarely use it. All that adds up to: automotive finishes aren't practical/suitable for consumer use.

You don't say how long the finishes have been on the guitars, but if it's been less than 6-8 weeks I'd expect them to still be somewhat soft. Not to be a doomsayer, but if they're straight enamels, they may never harden to the point you'd like. On the other hand, a catalyzed enamel will cure very hard. Unfortunately, once it's shot, it's shot. The catalyst needs to be mixed in the paint at application.

 

[dmraco]

what he said.  But is does depend on the type of clear you use.  I have sprayed House of Kolor clear and you have a VERY specific window.  Do not touch it for about a week.  IF you leave it longer than a month, GOOD luck polishing that...HARD as nails!  Refer to the instructions on your specific clear.  What brand are you using?

I will say spraying heavy coat and not allowing a flash time will slow down the cure process that CAGEY describes.  IF you got runs, you may have sprayed too thick.

 

[chuffed-addick]

Thanks for replies, I used standard clear coat from Halfords (based in UK) rattle cans. Pretty sure I did go too thick especially on first one, about 4 coats leaving about 20 minutes between each. Live and learn then I suppose least I know for next time I guess