Help with Rustoleum scratching?

[kazetsukai]

Hey all, I'm working on the solar slideout system for the roof. I'm using Rustoleum High Performance Protective Enamel, Oil Based. Day two after the paint has dried I can still easily scratch the paint with anything, even with my fingers.



My process so far:

• Cutting metal to length
• Taking the rust off with a wire brush
• Thoroughly cleaning off any oil residue using degreaser
• Power wash
• Dry
• Rustoleum Primer, two coats
• Rustoleum White enamel, two coats

What am I doing wrong?

[Flipmode]

That seems like typical results. I love rustoleum but one of the drawbacks is it takes weeks to get that durable enamel hardness. I've seen people put a hardener additive in it but not sure how much of a difference it makes.

I think rustoleum takes exceptionally long before it gains its durability, though I don't think any high gloss single part paint will gain hardness quickly. 2 part automotive paints and epoxies gain their hardness quickly but come with several tradeoffs...

[Danjo]

Rustoleum is a solvent-based paint. You probably just need more time

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by kazetsukai

Hey all, I'm working on the solar slideout system for the roof. I'm using Rustoleum High Performance Protective Enamel, Oil Based. Day two after the paint has dried I can still easily scratch the paint with anything, even with my fingers.



My process so far:

• Cutting metal to length
• Taking the rust off with a wire brush
• Thoroughly cleaning off any oil residue using degreaser
• Power wash
• Dry
• Rustoleum Primer, two coats
• Rustoleum White enamel, two coats

What am I doing wrong?

I've found rusto takes at least a month to get to full hardness - before that it's easy to scratch.

[Phatman]

What Musigenesis said. Absolutely !!

[kazetsukai]

Originally Posted by Flipmode

That seems like typical results. I love rustoleum but one of the drawbacks is it takes weeks to get that durable enamel hardness. I've seen people put a hardener additive in it but not sure how much of a difference it makes.

Originally Posted by Danjo

Rustoleum is a solvent-based paint. You probably just need more time

Originally Posted by musigenesis

I've found rusto takes at least a month to get to full hardness - before that it's easy to scratch.

Originally Posted by Phatman

What Musigenesis said. Absolutely !!

Thanks guys, if that's the case so be it, just as long as I wasn't screwing it up somehow.

[Rucker]

Originally Posted by kazetsukai

Thanks guys, if that's the case so be it, just as long as I wasn't screwing it up somehow.

Enamel paint first dries (loses the solvent), then cures. Curing is an oxidation process and takes 2-4 weeks, longer if the paint is thicker.

I think the lakes and ponds in New Hampshire are still in ice-out! You need low humidity and 70 degree temps for fastest cure time.

[kazetsukai]

Originally Posted by Rucker

I think the lakes and ponds in New Hampshire are still in ice-out! You need low humidity and 70 degree temps for fastest cure time.

Currently in KY.

[skoontz]

I am one of those who used the hardener with my Rustoleum paint job. The paint could resist at least my fingernail after 2 days, although it may have still be setting up afterwards. This is what I used, just following the instructions:


https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...t?cm_vc=-10005