I have used Rustoleum primer and Rustoleum paints over a nitrate base for years and never had a problem with it.  HOWEVER, the last plane I painted with Rustoleum was a disaster.  I laid down my nitrate dope base as always and let it gas off for about a month.  Then I shot it with the Rustoleum primer right out of the can.  I waited another week and sanded the primer and then shot it with Rustoleum color.  It took the Rustoleum a lot longer to dry that usual.  I let the plane sit for a few days and went back to mask it off for trimming.  This is when I discovered that the primer and paint had not adhered to the polyspan and dope.  I noticed a little chip that had flaked off and I took my finger and rubbed the finish and the paint was like a film and had not stuck to the plane.  You could put a piece of masking tape on the wing and carefully peel it back and the paint just came right off with the tape. 

I picked up the phone and called Tom Morris because I knew he had also finished planes like this for years.  He had the same thing happen to him just recently and he has quit using it.  It may be that Rustoleum has changed their formula.  If it were just me, I would say I did something wrong but when Tom told me he had the same thing happen to him, I think something has changed and I do not think it is the dope.

Just wanted to give you guys a heads up who have been using Rustoleum to paint with.

Mike

Which Rustoleum are you using? Gloss Protective Enamel? There's a chance it's the primer, there are several types of that too.

Hi Mike,

Try a traditional dope finish over the Nitrate (in a small area on the bottom).  If the butyrate dope peels off, it's the nitrate.  Clean everything with Kryl Kleen or similar.

Big Bear

(P.S. I'm betting the butyrate will not peel from the nitrate)

OK Bill.  I will give it a try Thanks

Mike

HI Mike,

Did you find a solution to the problem?

Big Bear