Uh oh...spray paint lessons!!!

[Juneaudave]

Well, I decided quite a long time ago that I was going to use this project to start to learn about how to spray paint. Not that I needed to, just because I wanted to.

So I went out and bought a couple HPLV guns and have used them to apply some poly with pretty good success... I'm feelin good!!!

Now I'm ready to tackle the fenders (and was really looking forward to this).

I go into the only local paint shop that I know that sells automotive paint. I haul in one of Grant's fenders and say "I don't know what kind of color coat system I'm going to use, but I think I need a good two part primer to start." (and I said this thinking I had a clue) The sales guy winks, looks at me, and says "Maybe you would be better off using a rattle can?" I explained that I really wanted to use the HPLV and learn how to do a nice paint job. A big smile burst out on the face of the salesman.

$120 bucks later I walk out the proud owner of a quart of Dupont Plas-Stick 2322S Adhesion Promoter, and a two part system composed of a quart of Dupont 2505S and a quart of Dupont 2540S Epoxy DTM Primer Sealer!!!

Oh my head hurts

I really want to use the HPLV, but at this cost, I guess better study up some more and maybe take the paints back. How bad did I get snookered, and what type of primer should I be looking at????

[doug hodder]

Dave...I don't use an adhesion promoter on a glass fender. You can scuff the gel coat and shoot the primer directly on it. Adhesion promoter is pretty much used for things like the plastic bumpers on the newer cars or like on the scuff finish that I did on the Road Titan.

Yup, this type of paint system isn't cheap, and I don't encourage anyone to get into it unless they really have a desire to learn. There are a variety of prices and quality available in auto finishes but that may be limited due to your location. However it's obvious that this guy left you with some doubt in your mind. As a retail store owner, that was pretty foolish, as you never know who your next best customer is going to be.

Get a can of cheap lacquer thinner for clean up. Practice on the trash cans, or an old car hood. Follow the directions on the can for mixing, get a good mask, and I think the marked plastic measuring cups are great. Play with the adjustments on the gun so that you know what they do for what you want. The big thing I think is getting the "touch" for using the gun, what is too much and when. Your next paint job will only come out as good as you cleaned the gun from the last time. When you get it down...it's pretty gratifying. Just my thoughts. PM me and I'll let you know what I paid on paint. Doug

[Juneaudave]

Thanks Doug! Ya know, most of my build has been about trying different stuff and learning. One goal has been to move from spar varnish (that I have used in the past) to an auto clear coat shot over the epoxy. I was just a bit goofed when I found out that the smallest quantity of a two part primer for those fenders was a quart...and that it was so expensive. Guess I shouldn't be surprised...quality spar is up there too!!! Can't wait to go into that paint supplier and buy the color coat for the fenders and clear coat for the trailer!!!

[doug hodder]

Dave, there is a price to pay for learning anything, unfortunately the initial tuition on this one is really pricey, both in $$ and time/effort. It's not going to happen overnight for you, I was fortunate enough to hook up with someone that needed someone to do some painting in the early 80's...I BS'd and got the first job...it was better than he could do so he thought it was great! I've been learning as I paint ever since. I continue to learn as I go, if I ever think I know it all....it comes back to bite me back in the bottom....and the stitches become more expensive as I go. Doug

[Nitetimes]

I continue to learn as I go, if I ever think I know it all....it comes back to bite me back in the bottom....and the stitches become more expensive as I go. Doug

Ain't that the truth. I've got loads of $s in equipment and every time I get it down something changes. The materials used to be all pretty much the same but now a days they keep trying to improve so there is always something new or different. It takes some work to keep up with it.
If you're new to it it'll take a lot of patience and practice and of course more than a few $ wasted but it is learnable.

[doug hodder]

No kidding Rich...I got about a gallon of Jet Black Centauri...single stage...bought it not that long ago...can't get the reducers in the state of Ca. anymore at least under the DuPont brand...drive to Nev...no problem...at least I was able to...may have changed by now, I at least have enough to do that paint. the VOC's change all the time anymore...just one more step towards putting us garage painters out of bidness....Doug