Rustoleum 2X Gloss White Paint Problems Explained

I'm interrupting the Estes Asteroid Hunter for a day.

This is important information if you have ever experienced a rough spray finish when using Rustoleum 2X Gloss White paint.

Here's a TRF post I missed from October 23, 2020, 

From Jim H., "Blackjack 2564:

"The problem with 2x gloss is titanium dioxide [and VOC's]. This is what gives white it's white.

It's in many paints as a binder for other tints. But with white it's the only one.

The difference between Flat...Semi and gloss is the grind of Titanium.

In theory Ti is ground like small plates [fish scales] as it dries they overlay each other bonding together. The smaller they are, the tighter they bond overlapping, giving a glossier finish.

Think of sandpaper and difference between 100 grit and 600 grit. one is much finer grit than the other.

Same for paints. Flat is heavier grind....high gloss is the finest .

Back to the issue, now that you know how it works. There is a special high gloss paper used for testing. I called Sherwin Williams who makes Krylon and spoke with a chemist in research. Sprayed 2x white gloss on said paper sent it in for analysis.

He called back explaining the above. The problem is Ti getting into cans that is not ground enough so the finish looks like sand in it OR the cans have been exposed to below freezing and the solids which settle in bottom have a reaction crystalizing the Ti. Same results when sprayed. U shake the can clumps of crystallized Ti don't break up enough and us end up with sand finish.

He took batch numbers off my cans and tracked the shipping. My cans sat overnight in a truck stop. That night Atlanta had freezing condition so the paint went bad.

You may keep it in ideal conditions, but where it's been stored and during shipping, before the stores get it...who knows.

Gloss white has the highest content of Ti so it reacts the worst ... now u know "the rest of the story"!

I used to do warranty work for SW dealing with all types of faulty coatings, so I knew what to do/call to get to the bottom of it. :)

And yes its due to reformulation and VOc's. The industrial brand is exempt from EPA and uses old school liquids less prone to freezing issues compared to the cheaper consumer brand.

I'm not defending SWP just letting other know there is a real issue with white and others loaded with Ti.

Other brands may use different methods, and have zero or fewer issues. Krylon is sold at discount outlets and as such let the 'buyer beware'.

P.S.: Now I only buy it during spring and summer for use later, since doing this no issues with whites."

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The Rusto 2X paint problems (rough appearance when sprayed) seems to happen most often with their Gloss White paint. 

I have stopped using the Rusto 2X Gloss White and have switched over to Krylon Industrial Acryli-Quik (Special order from Grainger's) after a suggestion from master builder David Scigs. This is the old formula Krylon we all used in the 1970s - without worries!

The great thing about the Krylon Industrial Acryli-Quik paint is no re-coat time problems!

Other Rusto 2X problem paints are the Gloss Red and Gloss Black, showing spatters and irregular surfaces.