Help…I can’t seem to paint my engine cover without it cracking - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

caverman · 03-17-2010, 04:29 PM

I need help with figuring out what I’m doing wrong with painting my engine cover and how I can now fix it.

I taped off my engine cover and then wiped it down with a wet paper towel that had a couple drops of Dawn dish soap and then let it dry. I picked up a can of Rustoleum for Plastic at Home Depot.

The first time I sprayed it came out almost perfect. There were a couple minor specks/dirt in it. So my friend talked me into lightly sanding and re-spraying. I sanded a couple pieces out and let it sit overnight. In the morning I re-sprayed and it did this cracking you see in a couple spots. So, I sanded out most of the cracking and let is sit over night again. Spayed it the next afternoon when it was about 65 outside. I got some cracking again. Re-sanded....waited overnight....resprayed. This time it didn't crack. Waited several hours or so and sprayed some clear over it. On one side it immediately cracked. Other side is fine. I re-sand (can't get all the cracking out but got most of it)....re-spray....all is good. I let it sit overnight and then this morning I let it sit out in the sun for a good 3+ hrs. Bring it in let it cool down for about 30 mins. Re-spray the clear and it freakin starts immediately cracking. I'm done now....I've lost the battle. Have no idea what to do.

BTW: in between coats I've been wiping it down with the stuff I use to clean my granite. It's a mix of 70% water, 30% alcohol, and a couple drops of dish soap. I wouldn't think this would cause the problem but maybe it is???

Fishdadddy · 03-17-2010, 04:38 PM

The Dish soap is definitely a BAAAAAAD idea

2SS10RS · 03-17-2010, 04:47 PM

I had the same problem on a 09 Dodge Challenger RT, I painted the engine cover to match the car and cut the middle section out and put some door screen in between. The first paint I used was exactly the same as what you used and I had the problem, so I tried sanding and spraying again-still the same thing, eventually I went and got some primer, primed the areas then painted and no problems.

caverman · 03-17-2010, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishdadddy

The Dish soap is definitely a BAAAAAAD idea

It's like 2 drops to a 1/3 alcohol and 2/3 water. You think that is an issue?

Fishdadddy · 03-17-2010, 04:54 PM

I'm not sure that is the entire problem but dish soap and paint don't work together. I would sand, clean with water, dry and wipe with a tack cloth. Then apply several light coats of paint. Almost looks like you are laying on too much paint. Or having a bonding issue.

Sevn86 · 03-17-2010, 04:54 PM

Did you spray primer first? If so then i dont know why its doing that...i used Rustolum and my engine cover is fine...i didnt even sand my cover but i did apply 3 light coats of primer before i sprayed my three light coats of paint...

Fishdadddy · 03-17-2010, 04:55 PM

What does it say on the can about clean up and prep?

Fishdadddy · 03-17-2010, 04:56 PM

Oh, and definitely prime first before any type of painting. This is a must do step for any type of good paint job.

REEFBLUE93 · 03-17-2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2SS10RS

I had the same problem on a 09 Dodge Challenger RT, I painted the engine cover to match the car and cut the middle section out and put some door screen in between. The first paint I used was exactly the same as what you used and I had the problem, so I tried sanding and spraying again-still the same thing, eventually I went and got some primer, primed the areas then painted and no problems.

I've done touch up on various parts of my car as it's old. I had the same exact problem that you're describing until I did what the person above mentioned. You're going to need to sand it with like a 1200 grit, clean it good and prime it. The primer adheres to the plastic and the paint adheres to the primer.

TIE FIGHTR · 03-17-2010, 05:01 PM

^^^ they're all right...soap is where you're going wrong.

Plus you can get a can of Sandable Plastic Primer at any auto shop in the paint section. Spray the primer, sand it smooth (1000 grit or >), repeat if necessary, then paint over it.

Look in the Cosmetics section here, and the DIY section too...lots of folks painting plastic parts in there with no issue.

VChula · 03-17-2010, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REEFBLUE93

I've done touch up on various parts of my car as it's old. I had the same exact problem that you're describing until I did what the person above mentioned. You're going to need to sand it with like a 1200 grit, clean it good and prime it. The primer adheres to the plastic and the paint adheres to the primer.

You can't use any type of primer on plastic. You'll need one with a flex additive. Auto-zone has primers with "adhesion promoters" specifically for use on plastics.

DevilKnightFalcon · 03-17-2010, 05:06 PM

You may want to sand it a little too to give the paint a better surface to grip too. Here are some pics of mine that I had done at a shop

caverman · 03-17-2010, 05:08 PM

The can says "No Primer Needed" right on the front. So...no....didn't primer it.

I've got to go get a hose clamp for my CAI so I'll look over in the paint section while I'm there and see what they have.

R1CH · 03-17-2010, 05:14 PM

Sounds like you've got a headache... Yeah, I'd cut out the dish soap first. If you have some rubbing alcohol; I'd try cleaning it with that.

I painted my tail light bezels black a couple of weeks ago. They turned out pretty good for a rattle can job. The painted I used is called Krylon Fusion. It's good for just about every kind of paint surface. Best of all, it says that is doesn't require any sanding or priming... I did still do some sanding though. Check it out

03-17-2010, 04:29 PM	#1
caverman Drives: '69 SS Convertible Join Date: May 2009 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 7,111	Help…I can’t seem to paint my engine cover without it cracking I need help with figuring out what I’m doing wrong with painting my engine cover and how I can now fix it. I taped off my engine cover and then wiped it down with a wet paper towel that had a couple drops of Dawn dish soap and then let it dry. I picked up a can of Rustoleum for Plastic at Home Depot. The first time I sprayed it came out almost perfect. There were a couple minor specks/dirt in it. So my friend talked me into lightly sanding and re-spraying. I sanded a couple pieces out and let it sit overnight. In the morning I re-sprayed and it did this cracking you see in a couple spots. So, I sanded out most of the cracking and let is sit over night again. Spayed it the next afternoon when it was about 65 outside. I got some cracking again. Re-sanded....waited overnight....resprayed. This time it didn't crack. Waited several hours or so and sprayed some clear over it. On one side it immediately cracked. Other side is fine. I re-sand (can't get all the cracking out but got most of it)....re-spray....all is good. I let it sit overnight and then this morning I let it sit out in the sun for a good 3+ hrs. Bring it in let it cool down for about 30 mins. Re-spray the clear and it freakin starts immediately cracking. I'm done now....I've lost the battle. Have no idea what to do. BTW: in between coats I've been wiping it down with the stuff I use to clean my granite. It's a mix of 70% water, 30% alcohol, and a couple drops of dish soap. I wouldn't think this would cause the problem but maybe it is??? Attached Images __________________ *-2010 Camaro* 2SS \| M6 \| VR w/White Stripes \| 1 3/4" KOOKS - 3" Magnaflow \| LPE 3.91 gears \| ADM tuned \| Halltech w/ADM Scoop \| Spohn/BMR Trailing Arm/Toe Rod \| BC Coilovers\| Pedders FE4 ZL1 swaybars \| Cradle/Diff/Radius Rod bushings \| VMax TB \| Morimoto Projectors \| MGW shifter \| Red Calipers Build Journal

03-17-2010, 05:01 PM	#10
TIE FIGHTR Cousin of Foo Drives: 2010 2LT RS BLACK/BEIGE Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 614 View My Garage	^^^ they're all right...soap is where you're going wrong. Plus you can get a can of Sandable Plastic Primer at any auto shop in the paint section. Spray the primer, sand it smooth (1000 grit or >), repeat if necessary, then paint over it. Look in the Cosmetics section here, and the DIY section too...lots of folks painting plastic parts in there with no issue. __________________ 'I wish I was the full moon shining off a Camaro's hood' ~ Pearl Jam Wishlist

03-17-2010, 05:08 PM	#13
caverman Drives: '69 SS Convertible Join Date: May 2009 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 7,111	The can says "No Primer Needed" right on the front. So...no....didn't primer it. I've got to go get a hose clamp for my CAI so I'll look over in the paint section while I'm there and see what they have. __________________ *-2010 Camaro* 2SS \| M6 \| VR w/White Stripes \| 1 3/4" KOOKS - 3" Magnaflow \| LPE 3.91 gears \| ADM tuned \| Halltech w/ADM Scoop \| Spohn/BMR Trailing Arm/Toe Rod \| BC Coilovers\| Pedders FE4 ZL1 swaybars \| Cradle/Diff/Radius Rod bushings \| VMax TB \| Morimoto Projectors \| MGW shifter \| Red Calipers Build Journal

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03-17-2010, 04:38 PM	#2
Fishdadddy Drives: 2010 2SS/RS ; 1970 Firebird Formula Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 1,252 View My Garage	The Dish soap is definitely a BAAAAAAD idea

03-17-2010, 04:47 PM	#3
2SS10RS Drives: over the speed limit Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: south o' the mason dixon line Posts: 504 View My Garage	I had the same problem on a 09 Dodge Challenger RT, I painted the engine cover to match the car and cut the middle section out and put some door screen in between. The first paint I used was exactly the same as what you used and I had the problem, so I tried sanding and spraying again-still the same thing, eventually I went and got some primer, primed the areas then painted and no problems.

03-17-2010, 04:54 PM	#5
Fishdadddy Drives: 2010 2SS/RS ; 1970 Firebird Formula Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 1,252 View My Garage	I'm not sure that is the entire problem but dish soap and paint don't work together. I would sand, clean with water, dry and wipe with a tack cloth. Then apply several light coats of paint. Almost looks like you are laying on too much paint. Or having a bonding issue.

03-17-2010, 04:55 PM	#7
Fishdadddy Drives: 2010 2SS/RS ; 1970 Firebird Formula Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 1,252 View My Garage	What does it say on the can about clean up and prep?

03-17-2010, 04:56 PM	#8
Fishdadddy Drives: 2010 2SS/RS ; 1970 Firebird Formula Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 1,252 View My Garage	Oh, and definitely prime first before any type of painting. This is a must do step for any type of good paint job.

03-17-2010, 05:06 PM	#12
DevilKnightFalcon Drives: 2010 Camaro 2LT/RS Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,406 View My Garage	You may want to sand it a little too to give the paint a better surface to grip too. Here are some pics of mine that I had done at a shop

03-17-2010, 05:14 PM	#14
R1CH Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS 6M Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bonaire, GA Posts: 258	Sounds like you've got a headache... Yeah, I'd cut out the dish soap first. If you have some rubbing alcohol; I'd try cleaning it with that. I painted my tail light bezels black a couple of weeks ago. They turned out pretty good for a rattle can job. The painted I used is called Krylon Fusion. It's good for just about every kind of paint surface. Best of all, it says that is doesn't require any sanding or priming... I did still do some sanding though. Check it out