Plasti-Kote Clear Super problem, turns to dust!

[jbgron]

Hi guys,

A few months ago I used Plasti-Kote Clear Super to clear coat a few of my pedals, they looked great and I was pleased.  However, last night I noticed that the clear coat looked all powdery and not shiny like it was.  I was shocked when I found I could scratch it off with my thumbnail and the clear coat literally turned to dust as I was scratching it off.

Has anyone else had this experience?  Can anyone recommend a good long lasting clear coat to spray directly onto an aluminium enclosure?

Thanks,

jbgron

[anchovie]

I use the same Plastikote stuff but I put full-face labels on my pedals. I stopped masking off the sides when I discovered that any overspray would crumble off by itself. AFAIK, anyone who's spraying paint or varnish onto aluminium is using a primer first.

[chi_boy]

What kind of suface prep did you do?

Can you post any pictures?

[jbgron]

Thanks for the replies guys.  I think the problem is I didn't use any primer    The only prep I did was to wet sand the enclosure and then clean with alcohol before I sprayed 3-4 coats of Plasti-Kote.  I also use full face labels and the clear coat over them is fine, its just on the bare aluminium that's the issue.

Sorry I don't have any pics, I just cleaned off all the clear coat with some steel wool.

Cheers

jbgron

[chi_boy]

I've done 2 "bare aluminum" type boxes. One had minimal prep and the other was sanded util shiny and then cleaned but not touched with bare fingers befoe clear coat. The minimal prep box flaked off. The second box still looks new.

IMHO, the removal of the dark grey oxide from the surface is important for paint adhesion.

GP