used wrong temp paint in cold climate, now what?

[freshstart]

I just repainted my trunk and wing. With the advice of the paint "expert" at the local Martin-Senor paint shop I used the 70F-85F degree clear reducer. One problem, I live in Portland Oregon where it's now 45F degrees and won't get up to 70F until late next spring!!!

I asked the guy if I should use the cold climate stuff but he said the warmer stuff was fine, even though I don't have an oven to bake this on like body shops do.

So now I have these parts that look great but the paint is soft after drying in my 55F degree shop overnight (it's been about 24 hours since the final coat of clear). What do I do? Do I just crank the heat and turn my garage into a home-made bake oven until the paint hardens up and cures?

I shoulda just gone with my instinct and used the one for my climate. Friggin parts-store "expert strikes again!

[rustamd]

I should had been fine. What clear did you use? And what ratio did you mix? Also how many coats of clear and were they heavy coats?

[freshstart]

I used Martin-Senour 8888 clear and TS-3 solvent. The ratio was 4 clear, 3 solvent, 1 hardener. I mixed one quart and added 3/4oz fisheye eliminator.
There are 3 coats base, 3 medium coats clear.

I cranked the heat in my shop and office last night... this morning the parts are better but still too soft to buff. You could def still scratch them with your fingernail.

[rustamd]

I haven't dealed with that clear but i'm more than sure that you added WAY TOO MUCH reducer(solvent). Most clear coat require only 10%-15% of reducer.

[freshstart]

the instructions were very specific on the mixing ratios. The range was 4-2-1 to 4-3-1. The first one if you were shooting two coats of clear, the sencond for three coats.

I think you are right though... now that it's been a few days it's hardening up fine. Thanks!

[DINANFIVE]

could u just put them in ur house?

[freshstart]

in the house is better than nothing, but we're talking HOT here! The hotter the better, like at least over 70F.

They've cured fine now, and I've learned something along the way too!