arrggg just put a motor in it and a coat of clear, then just get it to the muster. Paint it afer lol

5. With your Etch Primer mixed, apply 2 coats. You must allow at least 5 minutes between coats, this is called flash off time. It is important to allow it to flash off between coats. For acrylic to cure, the solvents must evaporate, if you put it on too thick or too quickly, the solvents get trapped in and create little bubbles that become Pin holes when you sand. The ideal temperature for painting acrylic is 25-28 degrees. If it is cooler you need to leave it longer to flash off. If its only 20 degrees, you will need to leave it for about 15-20 min between coats. If it is more than 35 degrees don't paint. It will flash off too quickly and you will get pin holes. Despite common belief, it won't burn unless the car body is about 75 degrees or over. People mistake the solvent pinholes for heat bubbles. They are totally different. Leave for at least 3-4 hours

If i'm using etch primer on bare metal, but not using any spray putty;
How long do i need to leave the etch to shrink back before i lay colour on?

Adam - Don't put your colour directly over etch.

After your etch has been on for an hour you need to put on primer or primer/filler. If it is the next day then lightly rub the etch with a red scouring pad. The primer when rubbed flat will give you the base for the colour.

Etch just seals the surface and is only a light coat - it won't provide any build material. Opinions vary but I put on an etch, 2 coats of primer/filler, sand with 320 dry, then 2 coats of primer/filler and then wet rub with 800 grit, then the colour.

It is worth taking the extra steps because what looks good on the colour is only as good as what is underneath.

Thanks GT, but isn't that timeline in regards to how to wait until you put your filler over the top?

Or am i mixing up terms here, when i said not using spray putty, i meant not using surfacer.

.....Not sure, I'm not a painter, but ask Phat Kat, he'll know..........

PS. PK, i'm painting acrylic, i presume the 3-4 hours between etch and primer filler isn't affected by acrylic/2pak?

My moke won't be a show pony.

It wont???