Wrinkle paint for air cleaner

I am going to be restoring my '71 340 air cleaner for my Duster. Who makes the best wrinkle paint? And what are some tips and tricks to ensure it turns out nice.

I used Krylon wrinkle finish on my last one.

I sprayed mine when it was over 90 outside and then took a hair dryer to it after each of the two coats.

I usually use the Dupli-color, reqires 3 full coats, 10 min between each, holds up to engine heat very well, use a heat gun and heat the inside/underside of the pc being sprayed wrinkle, applying a uniform heat, allow to dry for a few days

For me, VHT was easier to use than Krylon when I painted my hemi valve covers. For the VHT paint it didn't really make a difference if it was 60 degrees or 90 degrees outside. It was easier to paint when it was cold because the layers dried slower. Also the wrinkle was coarser when it was cold. When you spraying the paint you want the layers to be as thick as possible without it running. Apply the next coat when you start to see wrinkles starting to form. 3-4 thick coats of paint works well. You can do it with more thin layers of paint, but the idea is to get it thick before it dries. Another tip is shake the can a couple of minutes before each coat.

Tried various brands of wrinkle paint but the brand I have had the most success with is VHT.
Prepare the surface by bead blasting and use the method that Dayclona suggested.
Couple of suggestions would be to insure the shop is warm and if an oven is available use that to cure the paint.

I was planning on bead blasting, do I need to use primer before the wrinkle paint?

I had mine powdercoated and love how it came out, durable and great texture and color.

Wrinkle paint can be hard to work with. The best tip I can give you is ...Heat . Preheat your oven to 200 degrees. After applying 3 medium to heavy coats , approx 5-10 minutes apart, place your air cleaner in the oven . Ten minutes should do it .
I restored a '69 Camaro underdash 8-track player 2 weeks ago, and the housing on those units is black wrinkle. It came out fantastic . I have sprayed probably a dozen air cleaners in the past , with
so so results , but this was my first time putting something in the oven . It came out great, and was fully dry when it came out, and wrinkled very evenly all over . I highly recomend the oven .

Greg

Wards Classic Car Radio Repair Specializing in restoration and sales of Mopar A B E body radios
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I was planning on bead blasting, do I need to use primer before the wrinkle paint?

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No primer required with VHT wrinkle paint. Just prepare the surface by bead blasting (insure all rust is removed) and a wipe down of lacquer thiner to remove any dust or oil before spraying.
Instructions from a can of VHT that was in the shop include
Do not spray at temperatures below 70 degrees
For best results spray a heavy coat followed by 2 or 3
additional thiner coats 2 minutes apart.
Size of the wrinkle will depend on the thickness of the
paint.
Hold the can 8 to 10 inches from the work.
Curing of paint to wrinkle finish will take 20 minutes to
12 hours after final application.
This process may be accerated by a heat lamp or hair dryer.