I have been using rustoleum hammered from the can in multiple colors, but they always end up not fully drying. They end up being tacky and can have dents form in the paint if something heavy is left on top of it. I've spray painted multiple different pedal enclosures, did it in different temperatures and humidity (including the recommended temp/humidity), as well as trying different colors in different cans. The tackiness tends to happen regardless of amount of paint sprayed on. In order to get the hammered effect from it I have to spray it a little heavy before it starts to drip.

So I'm starting to think this is a problem with the quality of rustoleum rather than what I'm doing. I feel like I've tried everything and am out of options. What do you guys do to get solid hammered enclosures? There a different brand you use?

Really appreciate any advice!

Don't know if this is available in the US, but in UK I would use Hammerite https://www.hammerite.co.uk/task/paint/. Unfortunately like all reformulated non-solvent paints it does take a while to dry about 24hrs.

Cool I'll look into it! Does it dry completely for you? Also do you get it in a container or spray can?

I've used a LOT of Rustoleum hammered paint, and haven't had an issue - after I let painted things sit for about 90 minutes, I chuck them in an old air frier (that can dehydrate) and let them sit at 50C for about another 1.5-2hrs.

Paint will be soft when it first comes out, but once it's sat and cooled it goes incredibly hard.

Quote from: henryd12 on May 30, 2024, 06:21:39 PMCool I'll look into it! Does it dry completely for you? Also do you get it in a container or spray can?

It does dry completely and is available in spray cans and tins. You must apply it in a warm dry atmosphere though. I always prime the surface first although it is not always necessary so long as the surface is clean.

Quote from: tonyharker on May 30, 2024, 05:49:01 PMDon't know if this is available in the US, but in UK I would use Hammerite https://www.hammerite.co.uk/task/paint/. Unfortunately like all reformulated non-solvent paints it does take a while to dry about 24hrs.

I agree Hammerite is a good option, but I'd say it takes longer than 24hours to dry fully. It stops being tacky pretty quickly, perhaps 8 hours or so, but it remains slightly soft for quite a longer time - a few days - and heavy weights or even fingerprints can get left in it. Of course, this depends on the temperature. Hot dry weather speeds up the process. Baking it as drdn0 recommends would also be a solution. Once it's properly dried and hardened, it's bombproof.

Quote from: ElectricDruid on May 31, 2024, 06:54:00 AMBaking it as drdn0 recommends would also be a solution.

Or take up residence in a sunny and mild-windy location..

Some people use a toaster oven to dry the paint on enclosures.  The temperature setting starts at 150°F for some of them and you might really want one closer to 120°F.  Maybe you can jam the door slightly open.

Quote from: antonis on May 31, 2024, 07:03:44 AM

Quote from: ElectricDruid on May 31, 2024, 06:54:00 AMBaking it as drdn0 recommends would also be a solution.

Or take up residence in a sunny and mild-windy location..

I live in QLD Aus, where we had over 100 days straight at the start of the year where at no point did the temperature drop below 25c (77f), and most days were over 33c (92f). Even then, enclosures needed baking or they never got truly hard!

If you don't want to get a dedicated toaster oven you can use an unused pot or pan and lid on the stove at lowest temp. Once mostly dry and the smell is gone I'll do that for clear coats and it helps smooth the finish.