I just finished building my T-6 Texan (top flight kit) and I'm having to paint some ABS stuff. I'm using lustercote (monocote paint), missle red in color. Now, before I go on, I should tell you that the paint I'm using was bought back in December, and was under half full when I started this project. The cowl was a yellowish color, and it painted up real nice--might need one more color to bring the true color out. however, the plastic centerpiece on the bottom of the wing, and some little fake air intakes were white abs plastic. When I painted these, the color turned out real "washed out." Kind of pinkish. I'll get some pics later. eventually I ran out of paint. I probably got at least 3 or 4 coats on them, but still no real darkening of the color. Did I miss something? I didn't primer it. I know this would have helped, but wouldn't you think after 3 or 4 coats it should start darkening up some? I could be that there wasn't enough dye left in the can by the time I was painting these items (they got painted after the cowl). I'm going to go and buy another can later on this week, but was wanting to know if I'm doing something wrong. Should I go ahead and sand it all off and primer first? What's the deal? Is it because it was white to begin with? I've painted red over white walls in the house before and it took forever to completely cover. Just wondering if this is the same sort of deal or not....
thanks...

2Slow,

From this far away, I would say you either have a bad can of spray paint or the ABS surface wasn't sanded prior to spraying. My suggestion would be to leave what paint is on the parts and to just fine sand everything to roughen up the surface. Get a new can and try again.

I've used Rustoleum and had very good results with about 3 coats. I didn't use a primer but I made sure I dulled up the ABS surface before spraying. They carry a good selection of colors and most of them are fuel proof.

JC

JC,
thanks for the response. I've already light sanded the plastic, so I'll give it another try later on this week!

2slow,
I'd put down a primer coat too. Not only does it give your paint a constant color underneath, it will help the paint bond better. Once you lay down the primer coat, wet sand it with 400 grit paper to give you a smooth surface. If you have to, lay down 3-4 coats of primer. This is one thing primer is designed for, to help smooth the surface and fill in any small defects, and to give your paint a better surface to bond to.

If you want a good finish coat, after the primer lay down 3-4 coats of your "color" and wet sand with 400 grit paper between each coat. This will give you a final coat that looks like it has "depth" to it.

Hope this helps.

Ken

Thanks Ken, that's exactly what I'm looking for--depth! I'll give it a try. Would I sand it after the final coat, or leave it be when I'm satisfied? I'm guessing not, but just want to make sure!

2slow,
No, leave the final coat unsanded. After a few "base" coats the last coat should be smooth as glass. You can give it clear coat for the final coat. This will give it a little more shine, and seal the paint too.

Ken