First Time Painting-Need Advice

Del Huebner · Aug 3, 2013

This will be my first ever attempt at spray painting. Used rattle cans previously.
With this paint do I need a thinner or hardener?
What kind works best?
There are no instructions on can about using either. I am going to attempt to paint the sheet metal on a Ferguson TO-30. Appreciate any help.

CNKS · Aug 3, 2013

To do a good job you need instructions. If there are none take the paint back and buy something that tells you how to use it. You get what you pay for. I have close to $800 in my Super M and am not done yet. I completely disassemble and paint the parts separately. That includes everything needed to paint, clean the guns, etc. If you use hardener you need a supplied air system to protect your lungs, probably $500. If you want you can use a cheap alkyd enamel without hardener that has instructions and pay less than $100, but it won't last. You can learn a lot by reading the pages in this forum. If I had to guess I imagine your paint is mixed 8:1 paint to mineral spirits, but you really need instructions from the company.

showcrop · Aug 3, 2013

If you have any more than two hours prep time on that sheet metal don't waste your time with that cheap paint. I takes too long to get it off again.

Stephen Newell · Aug 3, 2013

Well they don't really put instructions on any paint cans anymore. There isn't room with hazzard warnings in three languages. The place where you bought the paint may have a product data sheet which is the instructions that should have been on the can. You have to ask for it though. You might be able to find it online also. You would need to thin it to spray it but without knowing what kind of paint it is we couldn't tell you how much. If it is an alkyd enamel thin it with naphtha but use as little as you can but will still spray. If you overthin it it will tend to run and will screw up the sheen. It's not difficult to use a sprayer. By the time you are done priming everything you should be ready for the paint.

souNdguy · Aug 3, 2013

ditto what the others said on prep.. and instructions.

I've painted alot with alkyd and AM alkyd / syn alkyds.

I prefer napha as a spray solvent on the ones that it is suitable for.. vs mineral spirits. however.. DO read the instructions.. some paints will not be compatible. Some nason syn enamil i used wanted something like a medium reducer with something like heptane in it..e tc. naptha was NOT a suitable replacement.

for plenty more reading. search on 'iso' and 'hardner'

read the warnings. reach your own conclusions.

ps.. is that a 1 quart can? how thin / many coats you planning?

is metal prepped and primed with a compatible primer?

Del Huebner · Aug 3, 2013

Primer is the same as the paint manufacturer. Its in quart cans and I figure at least 2 coats. Thanks.

souNdguy · Aug 3, 2013

i'd deffinately go at least 2.

dr sportster · Aug 4, 2013

I went to custom painting school . The first thing the first day the instructor took the gun and held it sideways to spray against a dark background and find the sweet spot in adjusting the spray pattern . Now you have established the distance where the maximum atomization is occuring off the gun. Then you do a test pattern of the spray pattern onto a panel { cardboard ] Now you know the gun is doing what you want. After the first coat you may be able to go slightly heavier because the solvent in the first coat will help prevent runs in the second coat. Note : there are lots of tech school auto body books on Albris and Abe books for 99 cents each. Some go back to the lacquer days but all info from these books is helpful and the price is right. All paint maker should have tech sheets -application guides on the web at their sites on specifics to the paint they make and how to spray it as well. Once you shoot the gun you will never spray can again.

Del Huebner · Aug 4, 2013

Thanks everyone for your help. I appreciate it.

dr sportster · Aug 6, 2013

Often the sales counter guy can mark the mixing ratios on the cans for you. { however I have seen them make mistakes.] It is still good to read up on the applications manual.

First Time Painting-Need Advice

Del Huebner

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CNKS

Well-known Member

showcrop

Well-known Member

Stephen Newell

Well-known Member

souNdguy

Well-known Member

Del Huebner

Member

souNdguy

Well-known Member

dr sportster

Well-known Member

Del Huebner

Member

dr sportster

Well-known Member

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