Gents, I'm attempting to repaint my OE air cleaner on my 71 Cuda. The original wrinkle paint has been flaking off along edges of the lid and showing a spec of rust here and there. So I cleaned everything in the solvent washer, the bead blasted the lid and housing completely to bare metal. Cleaned everything and wiped down with lacquer thinner, then primed with VHT brand rattle can primer. Allowing a day to dry, then scuffed lightly with ScotchBrite, wiped clean again, then painted with VHT brand black wrinkle paint applying multiple coats (EXACTLY per the directions) allowing dry time between coats. I even baked it in the oven (per instructions) and the results have been less than satisfying. It's wrinkled fine in some areas, but not others. Looks like I need to start over. Can anyone recommend another brand of rattle can wrinkle paint that they've used successfully? I do not have the equipment (or talent) to do this with a proper spray gun. Suggestions are much appreciated! As always, thanks all!

Somewhere along the line they must have changed the formula to meet environmental regs because I had the same issues and I've used the stuff often enough to know what works - or worked - but the last time I used it it turned out like crap. It seemed to me the paint was either too thin or didn't flash off fast enough and so it ran into low areas and built up there causing it to wrinkle unevenly across the whole part. You could send it out and have it wrinkle powder coated.

I don’t remember using a primer - Bare metal

I also painted in the direct sun - Sunny day , a few coats

I never have used the oven method

It's easier to control the wrinkling using a heat gun.
I also put a coat of flat or satin black down before the wrinkle paint.
Wrinkle requires heavier coats.
There have been several threads on this, check the Archives for more info.

I know your pain: The factory didn't get a perfectly even and show-worthy result, but people demand that on a restoration...

Powdercoat is the only way to go. The spray can stuff is a crap shoot.

Thanks guys. Sounds like I should contact Cuda chick to set up a pro wrinkle powder coat job!

I've never had an issue but have found that uneven layers will cause uneven wrinkling. I usually blast, degrease, paint 3 or 4 somewhat heavy but even layers, place the item on top of a radiant heater ( sometimes with a thin aluminum sheet between) and walk away. Only other thing i could think of is inadequate mixing (shaking the can). I've also laid the cans on their side or upside down for a couple of hours before the shaking starts
and I actually have a battery powered Sawzall with a paint can attachment. Works great

I had the one for my Demon done by a good local powdercoater. Might be a little too shiny for a correct resto, but I think it turned out great.
Disregard the old yellow plug wires...they're temporary.

Mike Ross of BEA has nailed this via powder coating.

I bought a clean used one off here years ago that was re-painted and the wrinkle texture was outstanding.

I tried doing it on a test piece of metal before trying it on a different air cleaner last summer and I can't even come close to getting the same amount of texture. I did it multiple times in the sun at 100 degrees plus with thin coats and thick coats and so on and nope.

Powder wrinkle is nice, but few I did weren't as "wrinkled" as an oem or can appearance. BUT, it definitely was more uniform.
Spray wrinkle paint relies upon "trapping" excess solvent between layers to crete that effect.
That's why you apply Heavy Coats & a few minutes between coats. Trapping more solvent while less time to disperse between coats.
Basically less-flash & heavy-coats to produce.
Too high room temp, or in sunlight, may allow more solvent to disperse between coats.
Too heavy-a-coat(s) & get runs afterwards.
Sure is a juggling-act for sure.
Just my understanding.

...Harley case/cylinder spray is the BEST...not cheap but I did my hemi valve covers 5 years ago and they still look like new...