Paint - Stewart Systems issues

Lots of sanding today. After having the paint run, solvent pops and orange peel, I had to sand the orange coat back and try to get it smooth. It’s now much better than it was, but it’s not the great finish that I had originally unfortunately.

The paint running was due to not laying down a tack coat after letting the paint cure overnight. Unfortunately, I followed the instructions to the letter, which said anytime the paint has cured, be sure to scuff it with scotch-brite, which I did. I then laid the “wet” coat. To those that have spray painted before apparently it’s common knowledge to always lay a tack coat first. But I’m a novice and didn’t know what a tack coat was for, so I chose to follow the instructions to the letter.

To top it all off I received the paint for my interior fabric from Stewart’s Systems today - Battleship Grey - with “not for use on fabric” stamped on the side. Originally I rang them to make this order and it was very clear what I needed it for (to paint interior fabric) at the time. It falls in the same basket with selling me grey primer/filler as a base for the orange paint, yet after delivery someone told me that a white coat is more appropriate. I rang them about it and they confirmed that yes, their white primer is more suitable. I thought they would have told me this when I ordered over the phone, but no, they quite happily sold me the grey primer.

I wanted so hard to like the Stewart’s Systems process, but right now I’m struggling. They promote the products by saying that if you haven’t spray painted before then you have an advantage over someone who has, but that’s simply not true. Anyone who has spray painted before will know the basics and a few do’s and don’t’s. I’m sure I’ll have learnt these by the time I’m finished, I just wish I wasn’t learning on my aircraft that I’ve put so much time and care into building.

Here’s where I’m at today, the gloss is the result of wiping over with a damp cloth, with the imperfections are quite apparent up close. Hopefully the final coat is an improvement.