After years of successful use of MLC's Stealth in two different finish rooms to the tune of 40+ homes a year in the last six months we have experienced a lot of problems with Stealth.

We used to get that glass finish using it over Clawlock 2. Catalyzed 10%, thinned 10% with Butyl Acetate. Clawlock 2, 320, satin stealth, sponge sanding, satin stealth is our schedule. We get it in all different colors, both pigmented base and clear with tint/pigmented. Once is a great while it will look like it did previously but it's becoming increasingly rare.

This is happening in two different finish rooms. 4 different finishers. Different cleaning and managment styles. One shop using AAA rigs and one using standard airless. Started around August of last year irregularly and is becoming almost constant.

It's usually a standard texture. Small stubble, just not the old mirror finish. Half the time it's irregular, half the time 100% consistent over the entire door. I've tried everything and I'm starting to lose it. Anybody else had issues lately? No clients have complained yet but it's driving me insane. Losing sleep over it. Any help is appreciated. After years of successful use with no issues I hate to switch and run. Thousands of dollars in inventory and the learning curve on a new product, etc. But at this point I don't know what else to do. Our dealer is on their 4th finish rep in a year and I'm more familar with their products than they are so they aren't going to be a lot of help.

Thank you in advance

Honestly, in a situation where everything was working perfectly, and isn't now, i'd start removing variables.

First, call ML campbell and see if the formulation changed. It does from time to time.

If they think it did not:

Go find a distributor across the country who got a completely different batch, have them ship you a can.

Try that.

If it works again, your batch is bad.

If not, it's something different in your environment.

We are talking about two different shops, 300 miles apart using different spray equipment over dozens of jobs, six months, dozen plus colors- it’s not on our end. That’s why I am asking, is anyone else experiencing this?

Okay, on that front:

No.
Stealth I purchased yesterday, sprays the same as Stealth I got 3 years ago.

ML Campbell last modified Stealth's SDS in February, and before that, in November.

These usually correspond to times they change formulations a bit.

(there have been 18 SDS revisions to Stealth over the years)

There was a fairly significant change a year or so ago, IIRC.

can you post some decent pics of what your describing? it sounds to me like you just need to learn some finessing of your mixture/solvents to make it do what you need to do.... do you strain every ounce of coating before you introduce it to your pumps? It sounds like you may need to reduce and slow the mixture down a bit more. those data sheets are basic guidelines. It's very rare we reduce/retard exactly as the sheet states.. most times it is a lot more... butyl acetate and butyl cellosolve can be your best buds to make a conversion varnish lay out glass smooth..

Curious what you mean by the texture. I’ve been spraying stealth for something like 10-12 years now. All satin.

On 128oz finish:
12.8 oz cat
11oz flow enhancer 1
11oz lacquer thinner

My schedule- clawlock II, 320g, base coat, 320g, Maroon scotch brite, top coat.

I know what you mean about the glassy smooth feeling/looking finish.

I have some jobs where when I look closely at the surface it almost appears grainy. It’s still smooth to the feel because the resolution is so small that your fingers can’t discern it, but it’s lacking that glassy feel/look you speak of.

Honestly I just figured I had issues in my spray equipment. But I just sprayed a dark green satin job that came out with that glassy smooth look and feel. the last job I sprayed white dove and I had that grain to it which was pissing me off. reshot components trying to get rid of it.

if you figure it out shoot me a message/post back. I’m in the same boat you are.

I’ve been told it’s Micro air bubbles possibly. or dust.

doesn’t look like either to me. Regarding dust... brand new tack filters up, brand new booth filters, room floor scraped/ swept, blown out, vacuumed - walls included. And then I even went around to all of the corners of the room/booth and re caulked everything just to be sure I wasn’t getting Unfiltered intake leaks anywhere. Still ended up with it so at this point I don’t know.