Did some test spraying with Paint Shop

[6t8dart]

I did some practice today, and my results were not that great. I have a lot of Orange peel.

My compressor is able to keep up, just fine, the problem was, it was not atomizing fine enough I think, i spent a lot of time seting up, rechecking, and adjusting the spray pattern. Unfortunately I just could not get the spray fine enough, It get finer when I turn down the mixture, but then I am hardly getting any paint, I tried higher pressure, but it dod not work as well as 25-30psi. I ended up doing some test painting with the best settings I could manage, I ended up with a lot of orange peel.

I have a 20 Gallon Compressor, 25 gallon, 2 running HP, oil lubricated, large piston, fast recovery. 8.6 CFM at 40 psi. The paint calls for 1.3 to 1.5 tip, 25-30 PSI at the gun.

I have a gun, new, that I bought a few years ago, HVLP, but it needs 8.4 CFM at 30 PSI, my compressor is not having a problem keeping up with the gun. It has a 1.5 tip, the spray pattern is very uneven, it comes out more oval than cigar shaped, and it has extra spray out the bottom, the spray out of it is a little too coarse, I think the paint droplets need to be finer.

I sprayed primer, base, and clear, all with the same results. I am thinking it is the gun, so I am considering some new ones.

Would a 1.3 tip spray better, a better gun, more pressure? I need any advice you can give me.

Pictures of my test panel.

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q23/red98dakota/100_1424.jpg

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q23/red98dakota/100_1432.jpg

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q23/red98dakota/100_1437.jpg

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q23/red98dakota/100_1439.jpg

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q23/red98dakota/100_1442.jpg

[6t8dart]

I went ahead and ordered an Astro EVO4014 gun from spraygunworld.com today along with a diaphram regulator for it. Hopefully it will give better atomization, also its requirements are below what my compressor can produce.


I tried wetsanding my test panel today (i did the right side) and hand buffed it to see if I could get rid on the orange peel. It worked ok, its a lot shinyer now. Not perfect, but it was just a test.

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q23/red98dakota/100_1445.jpg

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q23/red98dakota/100_1444.jpg

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q23/red98dakota/100_1452.jpg

[Dupli-Color-Specialist]

1. What was the temp/humidity when you were painting?

2. How far away was the gun to the substrate?

Try 20psi and a 1.4 tip. That is what we have been using and have had good results. This paint drys quickly so there will be some orange peel. It is very different than your standard base/clear catilized system. There will be some wet sanding needed. Make sure you lay down plenty of clear coat after the color so you have plenty to work with.

[6t8dart]

1. What was the temp/humidity when you were painting?

2. How far away was the gun to the substrate?

Try 20psi and a 1.4 tip. That is what we have been using and have had good results. This paint drys quickly so there will be some orange peel. It is very different than your standard base/clear catilized system. There will be some wet sanding needed. Make sure you lay down plenty of clear coat after the color so you have plenty to work with.

1. Temp was about 90F, humidiity for the primer and red was about 45%, and for the black and clear, Temp was 85F with humididty at 70%. I thinned the black with some acetone a little, it seemed to have a little smoother texture than the red. The clear was un-thinned.

2. I am going to try a 1.4 tip in the new LVLP gun I ordered, it is supposed to have a finer atomization.

What do you reccommend as far as wet sanding, and buffing, polishing? Specifically, grit, rubbing compound, technique, etc?

[Dupli-Color-Specialist]

I would start with a 1200 grit and smooth it down then if needed, finish is off with 1500. I would use a FINE grade compound with an Orbital buffer unless you have experience with a High Speed buffer. If you do use a High Speed buffer be VERY careful. It doesn't take much to burn through a new paint job. After wetsanding it doesn't take much to get this paint to shine. After all buffing is complete, finish it off with a quality wax.

[Kornnut]

What grit did you wet sand it with? I am thinking about painting my 95 mustang with the paint shop stuff.

[Dupli-Color-Specialist]

Check out my post just above yours. Thanks