Painting my @&!^*(%!!!! Cabinet

[SirPeale]

This is a converion, not from scratch.

The original paint job (painted over original art) was crap, so I stripped it down to the wood.

Then I used a layer of primer.  The primer came out with an eggshell like texture.

Then I started going over it with Gloss Black.  Latex.  I'm using a foam roller.  

Thin coats, of course.

I get to the second coat, and let it dry the 24 hours everyone recommends.  I still have the eggshell texture, but it's glossy.  I'm looking for a smooth surface.  It looks good, but this isn't what I want.

So, I go to sand it.  I choose 220 grit, and start sanding lightly.  I figure to sand the high spots off, and then start layering paint on top.  

I get to an edge, and W H A M!  A huge layer peels right up!  Crap!

So, exactly how long am I supposed to let this stuff cure before sanding it?  Or should I at all, and am I stuck with the 'eggshell' texture?

[Apollo]

It's a bit of a tough question. Is the original cab ply or mdf? If it is mdf you have stripped the upper surface off by sanding it back to wood and it will be very difficult to get a decent surface on it, if it is ply you are fine.
You need a primer specifically designed for "hard to paint" surfaces i.e. surfaces with powdery surfaces or laminates etc. It costs more but believe me it's worth it.
The reason it all peeled off is because your primer is wrong and isn't adhering to the surface properly. Strip it back and buy the right primer.

[SirPeale]

It's a bit of a tough question. Is the original cab ply or mdf? If it is mdf you have stripped the upper surface off by sanding it back to wood and it will be very difficult to get a decent surface on it, if it is ply you are fine.
You need a primer specifically designed for "hard to paint" surfaces i.e. surfaces with powdery surfaces or laminates etc. It costs more but believe me it's worth it.
The reason it all peeled off is because your primer is wrong and isn't adhering to the surface properly. Strip it back and buy the right primer.

Yeah, it's plywood.  It's an old Moon Patrol cabinet.

Why this particular primer?  Is it something that goes one smoothly?  Are you sure it's not adhering correctly, as it's still kind of 'tacky.'  After all, it is latex based.

What kinds of primer can you recommend?

[Apollo]

Well I don't know what it would be called where you are. In New Zealand the best stuff is Dulux primerlock. I suggest asking your paint supply place for a primer for hard to paint surfaces. Also are you using a water based primer? If the paint that was on --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type-- was oil based you may have problems. Use an oil based primer.
If you can just pull all the paint off then it's not adhereing properly. If it is still tacky then it's not dry, what's the temperature where you are?

[SirPeale]

Well I don't know what it would be called where you are. In New Zealand the best stuff is Dulux primerlock. I suggest asking your paint supply place for a primer for hard to paint surfaces. Also are you using a water based primer? If the paint that was on --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type-- was oil based you may have problems. Use an oil based primer.
If you can just pull all the paint off then it's not adhereing properly. If it is still tacky then it's not dry, what's the temperature where you are?

I really didn't think the surface would be that 'hard to paint.'  It's smooth.  The primer has adhered to it quite well.  Of course, it's also had more time to dry as well.

The temp here has been around 80 degrees F.

I don't know what the cabinet was originally painted with.  What did they paint Williams cabinets with in 1982?

[Brax]

Humidity is probable a worse enemy. I'd be tempted to leave it a week even to ensure it has cured. You might want to seal it as well in case an oil based paint was used.

[said7]

bottom line is that nomatter how many coats and sanding your always gonna have a slight texture.

It will never be as smooth as laminate. I added 3 coats of poly eurethane after my paint job and that made it pretty smooth. I had a spraygun and a compressor so it was easier to avoid texturing.  

[SirPeale]

That must be how the boys at Williams did it - with a spray gun.  I had the opportunity to check out a Moon Patrol at FunSpot not long ago, and it was slippery smooth.  Very nice.  I was trying to duplicate the feel, but, alas, I suppose I won't be able to without spraying it.

Ah well, I guess I'll go with 'texture.'