Tremclad Paint Problem... | GTAMotorcycle.com

Tremclad Paint Problem...

Franko!

Franko!

Well-known member
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I am in the process of painting my front fender with tremclad. However I am doing something wrong.
I wait about 24 hours between coats, wet sand with 400 grit, and spraying a light coat. I always get this:
fender.jpg

Am I still spraying too much paint, not waiting long enough between coats, or something else?
 
Franko! said:
I am in the process of painting my front fender with tremclad. However I am doing something wrong.
I wait about 24 hours between coats, wet sand with 400 grit, and spraying a light coat. I always get this:
View attachment 29561

Am I still spraying too much paint, not waiting long enough between coats, or something else?
Click to expand...

are you cleaning the surface after the sanding and with what?
 
I clean it with a new micro fiber cloth. I can't use any alcohol or solvent, as it smears the tremclad.
 
You didn't read the instructions on the can.

With Tremclad you must apply the second coat within 2 hours or wait 48 hours.
 
I am using the fast drying "professional" tremclad. The can says second coat after 1-2 hours, or after 24 hours. Would the hot weather speed up or slow down the drying time?

I will let it sit for a while and try again next week. That should give it enough time for all coats to fully dry. (I hope)
 
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The Tremclad is reacting to the old paint. I can't remember but I don't think you can spray enamel over a lacquar base or vice versa. Strip it all down and start over. Make sure you prime the fender first.
 
That's called "shrinking" which is a reaction with whatever's underneath. Strip it, prime/seal it, and avoid using tremclad if at all possible.
 
"orange peel" thats typical with those spray cans...google it up and how to prevent it. It will likely require wet sanding...
 
sportbiker_kev said:
That's called "shrinking" which is a reaction with whatever's underneath. Strip it, prime/seal it, and avoid using tremclad if at all possible.
Click to expand...
Thanks.... The only reason I am using tremclad is because it is a close match to Honda's Fighting Red (R134) and cheap.
 
Tremclad is junk, it's not for nice shiny finish, you'll never get a nice smooth shine. Use it for your rusty patio furniture. If you want a decent finish, use the automotive spray cans and seal with clearcoat.
 
RetroGrouch said:
Tremclad is junk, it's not for nice shiny finish, you'll never get a nice smooth shine. Use it for your rusty patio furniture. If you want a decent finish, use the automotive spray cans and seal with clearcoat.
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I agree, but the closest color match at Canadian Tire was tremclad "safey red". I don't want to spend too much on a 26 year old bike with 110,000 Km. To use automotive paint, I would have to pay a shop to mix up the colour, and spray it. My guess at the cost is $150-200 -or- try tremclad for $9 and see if I can get ok results.
 
whichever paint you go with, the wrinkles are caused by the solvents in the top coat affecting the material underneath. Your going to have to take that material all off and start over or the wrinkles will just continue to form.
Its just a front fender, you'll spend way less time taking all the finish off and having a do over than trying to repair the mess you have.

Fast dry vs. regular dry= when the air temp goes up and the humidity follows fast dry becomes regular dry, the drying is essentially an evaporation process.
 
@RetroGrouch: Thanks for the link. Might be a winter project.

@crankcall: Interesting... I was just reading up on "solvent pop"

It is good enough for now. You can't see if from 3+ feet and I want to go for a ride tonight.
I will try an additional coat in a few weeks.

Thanks to all!
 
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I don't know if formulations have changed but enamels like Tremclad have to cure. While they might be dust dry in a few hours and touchable shortly thereafter they aren't cured and there can be numerous refinishing problems. Spray bombs aren't as workable as automotive paints.

Try a good NAPA outlet to get a colour match in a spray bomb.
 
You can get some pretty decent results with tremclad if you work it right... But the issue to your problem has already been described.
 
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