Applying the cp overlay after paint: how long to wait?

[TheShanMan]

I plan to apply my last coat of paint tonight, and I want to apply my CPO ASAP to get my cab back up and running. I'm hoping that waiting a day is long enough to let the paint dry/cure before installing the CPO, but I'm no expert on paint so I don't know if that's long enough or not.

Obviously I don't care about letting the paint cure from a durability standpoint since it's going to be under the overlay anyway (only reason I'm painting is because Randy recommended it for surface prep). I just want to make sure it wont cause problems in the long run such as overlay separation due to the paint flaking off or something like that. So I'm seeking the experts here to tell me the minimum amount of time you think I must wait before applying the overlay.

I'm using Krylon spray primer/paint, if it matters, and this is for a sheet metal cp.

[TheShanMan]

No one really knows the answer to this? I'm assuming it's OK after a day, but after spending $75 on the overlay (it's a big one due to all the swappable panels I have), I don't want to learn after the fact that I should have waited longer!

I will go ahead and proceed with installation tonight if no one has any input.

[javeryh]

What does the can of Krylon say?  Usually it will say recoat in 4-6 hours and ready for use in 24 hours or something like that.  Spray paint might be considerably less time.  You could also try contacting the manufacturer or looking on their website or something... 

[Malenko]

at LEAST 24hrs    if you have an overlay, why did you paint it?

[TheShanMan]

As I said, because Randy recommended it as surface prep.

Actually I think the can says something like 1 hour. Nothing about 24 hours. I just figure that even though it's dry it might not be fully cured and might cause adhesion problems down the road.

Any other thoughts would be appreciated, and thanks guys!

[thatitalian]

ALWAYS BETTER TO WAIT! TAKE YOUR TIME! I would be inclined to wait 48 hours just to be safe! Imagine if you put it on and it ****s up!

[TheShanMan]

Yes, I definitely want to wait as long as necessary, but I've got kids saying "when can we play games again?" (ok, I'm dying to play again as much as they are). So there is a need to balance waiting long enough, with wanting to play ASAP. Is your 48 hour suggestion based on anything real such as lots of experience with painting? Or are you just throwing that out there "just to be safe"?

[Ginsu Victim]

Instructions

1. Apply paint

2. Let dry long enough to wipe dust away

3. Apply art

Warning: May lose or damage art during this waiting period.

[TheShanMan]

Warning: May lose or damage art during this waiting period.

Huh? I don't understand what you mean.

[Ginsu Victim]

See this?



It flew right over your head...

[TheShanMan]

I already know that. Would you mind landing the bird so I can understand now?

[Ginsu Victim]

I was just joking, but I was too subtle I guess.

Next time I'll wear clown shoes.

[Malenko]

MOST spray paint sets in an hour or so, 24 hrs is more then enough time for rattle can paint to cure

[grichard]

Enamel spray paint will dry in a few hours depending on brand and thickness but it will still be "soft." It takes nearly a week sometimes to fully harden or cure depending on brand and thickness. In my experience the longer you wait the better off you'll be. Especially if you have to remove the CPO after it touches down and reposition it - could pull paint off the metal if it's "soft" enough.

[TheShanMan]

Ginsu, I'm just dense I guess. I figured you weren't being serious - I just didn't understand the humor.

I am reluctantly willing to wait a while if cure time is longer than a day as grichard states. Anything I can do to improve cure time, like put it out in the sun? Next couple of days are supposed to be upper 90's here, and humidity isn't high here in Oregon. Will that help? It would be REALLY nice to apply the CPO Friday night (3 days) or Saturday morning (3 1/2 days) if possible, so whatever I can do to speed up the curing!

[Ginsu Victim]

After I wrote it, I knew it was weak, but I left it up anyway.

[miles2912]

The whole let the paint dry thing is so that you do not develop gas under your vinyl artwork.  It also lets the art stick to a surface as opposed to bare wood.

I let mine dry for a week, but was waiting on the artwork.  I would imagine that humidity and air flow/circulation would make a big difference here.  But a few days should do it.

[TheShanMan]

Just a reminder to those who have missed this point: my panel is sheet metal.

I've decided not to do it tonight, meaning it will be at least 48 hours, and I'm still leaning towards Friday night or Saturday Morning (3 or 3 1/2 days).

I'd like to ask again: Will putting my CP out in the sun in upper 90's, low humidity weather speed the curing?

[WunderCade]

Yes, if the humidity is low it will help.

[Blanka]

Just wait a whole week. Then the paint is really tough. How many weeks are in the cab up till now? Guess one more is no problem? And for use you need the whole cab to have hardened out, not only the part under the CPO.

[thatitalian]

Just wait a whole week. Then the paint is really tough. How many weeks are in the cab up till now? Guess one more is no problem? And for use you need the whole cab to have hardened out, not only the part under the CPO.

Exactly!

Plus the kids waiting will just enhance the experience even more! Just like Christmas!

[TheShanMan]

I'm not painting the rest of the cab. All original Centipede, in pretty good condition. And the cab has been fully functional for many months now, so this is actually like taking candy away from a baby. OK, you've got me leaning towards Saturday morning instead of Friday night - an extra half day. But it will probably take more convincing to make me wait more than 3 1/2 days.

I do appreciate everyone's input, BTW - it has all been helpful!

[Ginsu Victim]

You could do it Friday night or Saturday morning. Either of those should be fine.

[Chadwick]

This is a very subjective question you are asking.  Proper surface prep (sand/prime/sand/paint) is going to be a bigger factor than anything else.  IF you did your surface prep correctly, 24 hours is plenty of time to cure for Krylon spray paint before putting your CPO on.

[TheShanMan]

I actually thought the adhesive on the CPO was going to be stickier. Installation went great, including a little bit of peeling back and re-applying. I have swappable panels, and I figured the inner part of my panel (the part that's actually swappable) would be easier to apply so I only let those parts cure for a day. No problem there either, including a little peeling back.

So in retrospect I wholeheartedly agree with Chadwick's advice.

[javeryh]

Pics!!!   

[TheShanMan]

They will be coming! I've been excited for a long time to post to the control panel database thread.

I must say, it looks awesome. I'm totally thrilled with the results.