MTFCA Forum

Rustoleum is having a labeling problem. The caps are supposed to indicate the color. They are not. I bought a can of semi gloss yesterday, and the contents were gloss black. I returned the can this morning, and noticed another can of satin black which has the color cap. I'll see how it goes today?
What is the difference between semi gloss, and satin? I thought they were the same?

Satin is almost flat but not quite. Satin does not have a ‘shine’ to it like semi gloss or like gloss does. It has more of a dull shine if at all. It can depend on what brands you buy or whose interpretation it is.
Some would say that semi-gloss will have a slight reflection while satin doesn’t.

Rustoleum spray paint has bigger problems than the sheen. Even where you buy it makes more important differences. Rustoleum gloss black I bought at a rare visit to Walmart (no Walmart close to where I live) was totally incompatible with the Rustoleum gloss black I bought locally at Ace Hardware! That in spite of the fact the labels and product numbers were all nearly identical! The only numbers that were different were the "batch" numbers which would be expected to be different! There was a noticeable difference in the spray nozzle and the color cap on the can, which of course could be swapped between cans. Those minor differences likely indicate they came out of different factories. There was a very minor font difference on the labels that could only be noticed in a side by side comparison.
If painting an item from one source store and the can went empty? Switching to a can from the other store resulted in ruining the paint from the first can! And it didn't matter which source was first or second. Either way the chemistry of the two paints attacked each other. It required at least two weeks of drying before the paint could stabilize enough to recoat with the other source can's paint.
I had bought about two cases of paint from the Walmart because it was at a really good sale price. It was an annoying couple months until I used it all trying to keep the two sources separated.

I do have to say that Rustoleum paint does have a tendency to dry slow and sometimes is sort of gummy. I got disgusted with some parts I was painting black so I went to the local Dollar store and bought their gloss black for around 2 bucks. It went on smooth and it still is holding up and didn’t take days to dry. Rustoleum primer usually works good and isn’t unpredictable like their gloss black. Go figure!! Maybe it costs more because of the name on the can??

I don't know if it is true, but I have heard stories of items from Walmart looking the same, but being different. I am sure they buy large quantities of stuff at the lowest price possible and they may get special lots... The paint at Walmart may be different than the paint at other stores.

If you want a more durable finish try the Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy. It does come in gloss black but I have never looked for semigloss or matte.

I've had good luck with Rustoleum Automotive Enamel. I used to be able to get it in stores but of late I've had to order it on Amazon.

I'm pretty sure appliance enamel is glossy only, whatever the brand. I use it on body parts like headlight buckets, windshield frames, tail lights, etc. I once shot an engine block with glossy and it looked terrible, so I reshot it with satin. I now use satin on all chassis parts, including nuts and bolts. A lot of parts will fit in the oven, and I bake them overnight at about 180º. In the morning they're good to go.

I have used Rustoleum for years and lately,if I want a BLACK glossy finish,I use the Krylon.
My small engines I restore look shiny. Really to shiny but I want them to looks "showy" anyhow.
I think I used Krylon on my pickup fenders as well for the same reason.

MichaelPawelek wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 09, 2022 9:25 pm

If you want a more durable finish try the Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy. It does come in gloss black but I have never looked for semigloss or matte.

Yep I agree with Mike. This stuff is really good. Every 2 years I even use it on my 2016 F150 frame, since it's the only steel in the truck. I put it up on the lift, wipe the frame down thoroughly with lacquer thinner and spray away. My truck still looks factory fresh. This truck has to get me to my grave so using this helps.

That said, Valspar makes a great rattle can paint too, but I don't know of they have an epoxy. That brand is getting harder to find also.

To circumvent all of these issues, use an actually good 2k paint!!! Cheap is not better and is not worth the trouble.

I bought a can of satin black to replace the semi gloss, and it came out gloss too! The plastic cap was flat black too! I wish Rustoleum would get their act together!

Have paint sniffers been switching caps?

MichaelPawelek wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 09, 2022 9:25 pm

If you want a more durable finish try the Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy. It does come in gloss black but I have never looked for semigloss or matte.

Agreed. I stripped/repaired my right front fender and hood shelves. Rattle can, gloss black, painted outside, I used the Rustoleum Applicance Epoxy, and it turned out remarkably well.

The John Deere spray can gloss black has a great spray pattern and is the blackest.and glossiest and is fast drying. Art

Larry
check your e mails I just got a hack from your name asking about amazon
Hello.

Please let me know when you get this?

I'd like to ask you something

Thanks
Larry