How long to harden

rrlund · Jul 5, 2023

Implement enamel, sprayed on without a hardner. How many weeks should it dry before I attempt to sand down some major paint runs? I really don't want to clean it back to bare metal and start over, but I don't want to leave this mess like it is. I figured I'd use some real fine sand paper after it hardens good, then try to blend it with a buffer, and if that doesn't do it, spray another coat over it. More carefully next time.

Sure glad I'm not trying to make a living doing this.

JD Dave · Jul 5, 2023

The longer you wait the better. Putting it out in the summer sun will speed the drying process. I'd wait until you can't easily make a mark in the run with your fingernail.

Stephen Newell · Jul 5, 2023

Better let the paint dry a month before working on runs. Use a straight edge razor blade and shave the majority of it off before sanding. You can completely sand the rest of the paint off before you level a run otherwise.

glennster · Jul 5, 2023

go to a body shop supplier or order one on line. run razor. about ten bucks heres a link
run razor

rrlund · Jul 6, 2023

Thanks a million Glennster. I knew you'd have the answer. I just ordered one off Amazon since the nearest place that has one is 35 miles away.

showcrop · Jul 6, 2023

(quoted from post at 18:39:48 07/05/23) go to a body shop supplier or order one on line. run razor. about ten bucks heres a link
run razor

I have seen those advertised. So they really do work?

glennster · Jul 20, 2023

the run razor works good. we occasionally use them at the shop.

ptfarmer · Jul 21, 2023

When you don't use the hardener, and you have to break the skin off of the paint with a razor blade, sandpaper, buffing, etc to "remove" a run the paint in that area it will no longer be durable unless you plan on applying another top coat over the entire part.

showcrop · Jul 21, 2023

(quoted from post at 14:42:37 07/21/23) When you don't use the hardener, and you have to break the skin off of the paint with a razor blade, sandpaper, buffing, etc to "remove" a run the paint in that area it will no longer be durable unless you plan on applying another top coat over the entire part.

Once you "break the skin off" the paint underneath quickly hardens as the solvents are able to evaporate.

ptfarmer · Jul 21, 2023

(quoted from post at 15:01:43 07/21/23)
Once you "break the skin off" the paint underneath quickly hardens as the solvents are able to evaporate.

No, it does not, whoever told you that is wrong!

rrlund · Jul 25, 2023

Well, the run razor probably works if the paint is dryer, but all it wanted to do was gum up on the blade. I ended up pouring some thinner in a can, tossing in some shop rags and rubbing the whole grill back down to bare metal and repainting it. It would have saved me a week of messing around if I had just done that right from the start.

showcrop · Jul 25, 2023

(quoted from post at 05:51:17 07/25/23) Well, the run razor probably works if the paint is dryer, but all it wanted to do was gum up on the blade. I ended up pouring some thinner in a can, tossing in some shop rags and rubbing the whole grill back down to bare metal and repainting it. It would have saved me a week of messing around if I had just done that right from the start.

I assumed that those run razors worked on soft paint. This is good information!

glennster · Jul 25, 2023

if the paint is wet the razor will not work. if you catch the run while you are still shooting or immediately after, you can pull the run off with a
loop of masking tape, it takes a little finesse but you can get the run down and dust back over it.

gable · Aug 9, 2023

(quoted from post at 10:01:35 07/20/23) the run razor works good. we occasionally use them at the shop.

Great to hear Razor is also recommended here.

How long to harden

rrlund

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JD Dave

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Stephen Newell

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glennster

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rrlund

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showcrop

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glennster

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ptfarmer

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showcrop

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ptfarmer

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rrlund

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showcrop

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glennster

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gable

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