Paint Curing

[Richardgregory]

If I had a choice I don't think I'd use latex paint again....coming from an oil or spray can kinda guy...I'm not convinced on its durability.  I guess It does have its pros but I notice it feels sticky/tacky to the touch.  I take it that it"ll go away after it cures properly in about a month's time (I hope).

So right now I will have to wait before sticking on the side art, unless I can just go ahead before the paint fully cures? 

Actually, if I had to do it again it'll be laminate instead.

[mgb]

Yeah, I wouldn't use latex.
If I did use paint (and I'm glad I didn't) I'd use nothing else other than Rustoleum Satin Black Enamel.

[yotsuya]

I use Valspar Satin Black Enamel myself. The key is to use enamel.

[dkersten]

even a good latex enamel will take 3+ weeks to fully cure.. I used Behr from Home depot and it took nearly 8 weeks to completely cure.  I can spray on oil based enamel and in the sun it will be completely cured in less than a day, in the shop at 70 degrees F all day/night it is fully cured in about 48 hours.  I won't roll/spray latex again.  Once fully cured, latex is VERY durable, but be prepared to wait a LONG time for that to happen. 

[DeLuSioNal29]

I usually apply the sideart after a few days of curing.  Never had any issues.

D

[lilshawn]

the main issues with latex are:

1: the main "solvent" in latex/acrylic paint is water....water takes forever to evaporate at less than ideal temperatures. trying to expediate this process can result in bubbles and/or peeling paint because the water evaporates from the surface leaving a skin of cured paint and the remaining water cannot escape.

2:  you apply it too thick and it takes FOREVER to dry... again, because the water evaporates from the surface leaving a skin of cured paint and the remaining water cannot escape.

thin coats is the key. just enough to cover your item.

oil would be best for a quick dry paintjob. The solvents in oil paints are things like "drying oil" (linseed)  that react with oxygen creating a tough solid structure and "alkyd" a form of plastic that sets when a stabilizer begins to evaporate from the paint mix.

While latex goes on nice and levels beautifully, you need to give it time.

[Richardgregory]

Thanks for the feedback. I might have put to thick a coat.  Regardless, I'm giving it 4 weeks and ready or not I'm applying the art.  Worse case scenario I will strip it all out I the future and redo.

[dkersten]

There is a difference between curing and drying.  Curing is the chemical process that takes place when paint is exposed to air, drying is just the solvents in the paint evaporating.  Latex cures at a very slow rate, even if temperatures are ideal and it dries quickly.  Until paint is cured, it can be cleaned with the same solvents that keep it in a liquid form, once cured however, that is not the case.