Spraying Oilbased baint

Thanks

As for thinning itself, this is something you need to test and see what your gun likes. Normal rule of thumb for siphon type guns like you have is to thin the paint enough that it runs freely off the mixing stick within a couple seconds. Some siphon type guns will pick-up relatively heavy paint while other require a much thinner mix.

Pressure pots or gravity type HVLP guns will generally run a heavier body paint through with less problems. The thinner the paint body, the lighter the coats need to be. Adjusting the air pressure will also help somewhat if you have spatter or dusting problems. Normally siphon guns will spray decent around 40 psig. If you get a dry dusting around the edges of the spray pattern, reduce the air pressure 5 psi and try again. If you get spatter (small dropplets of paint that did not atomize properly, increase the air pressure 5 or 10 psi and try again.

Dusting can also mean you over thinned the paint and you can thicken it up a bit by adding more un-thinned paint to the mix. Spatter is usually a sign that the mix is too thick, add a bit more thinner.

Personally, I got spoiled using the gravity feed HVLP gun from Harbor Freight. Best 40 bucks I ever spent. I painted several trucks with this gun using a heavy body industrial two part enamal paint thinned only 30% of the suggested amount. I also painted my entire shop with flat latex wall paint and the 1/2 gallon pressure pot HVLP gun. Thinned the latex slightly with water and used a tight round spray pattern at 40 psig. Doing the concrete block, I ran a light primer coat and allowed to dry over night. Next day used a heavier coat, it looks great and I used about 1/10 the amount of paint estimated if done with a roller.

Each gun and paint is going to run a bit different. There is little more than poke and hope till you get a mix that runs well and coats the way you want it to.

Biggest favor you can do yourself is mix the paint in a clean bucket and then pour into gun pot through a paint strainer (paper funnel looking deal with a screen bottom). You can get these anywhere automotive or industrial paints are sold, about 50 cents each or less.

You want to spray as thick as you can to get a fast build without runs, but I also prefer to use a lower pressure to have less bounce-back. It's a trade-off that you'll have to learn what best suits you. I can get good atomization at 30psi of air but some prefer 60psi, which will allow for heavier paint. Always test your spray on something you don't care about. This is gun specific, but if you know what you want coming out of the nozzle, not difficult to figure out. As there are several adjustments on the gun to also deal with, your best bet might be to find someone used to spraying to help you get started. I've found that the adjustments are initially confusing to most. Not at all complicated when you understand the effects of each one, but they are not completely independent of each other.

Paint thinner is fine. I always clean the gun with lacquer thinner at the end and leave a little, with the nozzle, in the cup. It'll disolve any paint residue before the next use. Car painting isn't much different, but the paint costs a lot more. Just did my wife's van. Good luck.