Problem with Clear.Please Help

[johnny933]

Hello,
New to podercoating. Im Hooked. Seems Great!
Coated serval pieces in different colors and loved the results. I've read a lot, so I think I did it right as I like the finish and the finish seems real strong.
Here's the problem..... I went to clear one part and the powder was basically falling out of the gun, turned the pressure down more and hit the part. It seemed pretty thick, but i said"hey lets try it". The color was dulled down big time! I even got some run's in the powder, like paint does when it's to thick.

Did I put to much on?
Would it be less dull with a thiner coat?

Dont beat me up to much, i'm just a newbie trying to learn. So far I can't complain as all the parts look great, untill the clear. Do I even need clear?
Parts are chrome color being used for a car. Some are undercarriage, some engine.

[bzer1]

Johnny,

I'm pretty sure that we've all had that same problem. I'm not sure what causes that to happen, but a partial cure of the chrome maybe half cure then coating with the clear might help. As far as the problem of too much powder goes, you might want to play with your gun until you get the correct amount coming out. What gun are you using? What is the pressure? I suspect the dulling is because of the amount of powder. However even with a thin layer of clear you can expect the chrome to become more silver and a little darker. This I believe is because when the clear begins to cure it bakes into the top layer of the chrome and causes the outer layer to darken just like trying to buff it will.

[Blademan]

for what it's worth...I had the same thing happen and after awhile I said hell...full speed ahead and cranked up the pressure and the stuff worked....I did spray to the off side to see what the cloud looked lke first though...njot much help...here...but I found out that toooooo low a preassure isnt good either....I think....(my wife says I dont) the powder loads up too much on a low preassure and when it goes.........it screws everything up///at least for me......

[gtbobay]

I'm still learning myself but I found that you can't aim the gun downwards, I always try to keep it upward and let the powder attract to the part. It's not like paint. I agree about not too low of pressure too, it seems to load up.

[Blademan]

got to go with the guys on the preassure...being cheap i try to use as little as possible and end end up with a pile on the booth floor.....

[johnny933]

Tried it again, with and the parts came out great! Did it on a metallic blue base and it didnt dull it and dried super smooth. Forgot to mention when it dulled it , it was on chrome. But from what i've been reading thats a comman problem .
Thanks for the tips and help.