DIY Painting Tips

[ducpainter]

thanks for your advice nate. i used a two stage process and, after some test panels, got the dark down pat. i still loath it though.

Any time...

I feel the same way...although loathe is a bit strong.

Hate will do.   

[804monster]

hate it is. 

[ducatiz]

To make Nate wince....

I was in Harbor Freight yesterday and picked up one of these:

20 oz. 6 CFM Gravity Feed Spray Gun
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47016

I wasn't intending to.  I needed a new impact gun and I saw a guy buying a few of them (spray gun) and they are on sale for $11.  I asked him if he'd used it before and he said this was his third one, he paints motorcycles (!) and had no problem with them.   I asked him why he's on his 3rd and he said they are so cheap to buy that he just gets them on sale and throws them away when they clog (which is avoidable since they come with a cleaning kit and filter)

he said HF has nozzles for them (1.1,1.2,1.3,1.4) for $10 each and it's cheap enough for a small job.  He said it was a matter of getting the spray distance and painting conditions just right and with a 3hp compressor or better, there would be no problems.

I've got an old gas tank I am going to experiment on, we'll see how it goes once the weather is more amenable... and i have time...  and the house is clean.... and the yard is done .... and the baby is asleep...

anyhow.  my question is thus:

I understand as a professional that you wouldn't want to use this kind/quality, but what's really the problem with them for a small-volume painter?

[ducpainter]

Nothing really...

It's not HVLP which creates more o/spray and wastes paint.

The fact that it's gravity feed is good.

With the cost of Ducati red at $100/pt from PPG it's an issue IMO.

That said, for a small job where you're not going to use a whole pint but have to buy it, should work fine.

[ducatiz]

Nothing really...

It's not HVLP which creates more o/spray and wastes paint.

The fact that it's gravity feed is good.

With the cost of Ducati red at $100/pt from PPG it's an issue IMO.

That said, for a small job where you're not going to use a whole pint but have to buy it, should work fine.

well, on second examination, that's not the correct part i got -- the gun i got was hvlp, says so on the box and in the instructions..  i wish they wouldn't play footsie with their stupid part numbers

this is the correct part #
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=90977

coupon is for $11.99, but you gotta be on their mailing list!

[scott_araujo]

I've polished aluminum before.  It was pretty easy and looked pretty good.  I've thought about doing this to my wheels and my side cases.  Once I'm done is there a clear that I can use so they won't look like butt in one riding season?  Anything that happens to some in a rattle can?

Thanks,
Scott

PS- Who am I kidding?  All that polished metal, then I'd have to start cleaning my bike on a regular basis

[ducpainter]

well, on second examination, that's not the correct part i got -- the gun i got was hvlp, says so on the box and in the instructions..  i wish they wouldn't play footsie with their stupid part numbers

this is the correct part #
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=90977

coupon is for $11.99, but you gotta be on their mailing list!

If that gun only uses 6 cfm buy 2 or 3 more.   

Looks pretty decent.

Keep it clean and it should work.

[ducpainter]

I've polished aluminum before.  It was pretty easy and looked pretty good.  I've thought about doing this to my wheels and my side cases.  Once I'm done is there a clear that I can use so they won't look like butt in one riding season?  Anything that happens to some in a rattle can?

Thanks,
Scott

PS- Who am I kidding?  All that polished metal, then I'd have to start cleaning my bike on a regular basis

Nothing in a rattle can, but POR makes a clear that they claim will stick to chrome and polished metal. No FHE, but if it works nearly as well as their tank sealer you'll be good to go.

[ducatiz]

If that gun only uses 6 cfm buy 2 or 3 more.   

Looks pretty decent.

Keep it clean and it should work.

mm kay.. i have a coupon, i am going back.. want one?  $11.99 ain't bad.

[ducpainter]

mm kay.. i have a coupon, i am going back.. want one?  $11.99 ain't bad.

What size nozzle does it come with?

[ducatiz]

What size nozzle does it come with?

1.4.. stainless steel.

[gage]

CLEARCOAT SETUP TIMES/CARE FOR NEW PAINT

I recently had my tank done and was told that the clear would not fully harden for about a week. During that time I shouldn't wash the bike.

I was also told that I shouldn't wax the paint until after two weeks and shouldn't apply my tank pad until after three.

My question is what additional precautions should I take with my new paint job and are the ones above reasonable or should I wait longer?


TIA
Gage

[ducpainter]

CLEARCOAT SETUP TIMES/CARE FOR NEW PAINT

I recently had my tank done and was told that the clear would not fully harden for about a week. During that time I shouldn't wash the bike.

I was also told that I shouldn't wax the paint until after two weeks and shouldn't apply my tank pad until after three.

My question is what additional precautions should I take with my new paint job and are the ones above reasonable or should I wait longer?


TIA
Gage

I don't buy the no washing. Use mild detergent and dry the finish with a soft cloth. If the clear is that soft the tank was delivered to you too soon.

Most manufacturers say 30-60 days before wax...full cure. The same applies to any adhesive backed items or anything that would prevent outgassing or mark the clear due to the solvents in the adhesives.

The number one killer for paint..any paint is when the finish is wiped while dry. The dust and dirt on the surface will scratch the clear. Water when washing acts as a lubricant to float the dirt off the surface.

[gage]

I don't buy the no washing. Use mild detergent and dry the finish with a soft cloth. If the clear is that soft the tank was delivered to you too soon.

Most manufacturers say 30-60 days before wax...full cure. The same applies to any adhesive backed items or anything that would prevent outgassing or mark the clear due to the solvents in the adhesives.

The number one killer for paint..any paint is when the finish is wiped while dry. The dust and dirt on the surface will scratch the clear. Water when washing acts as a lubricant to float the dirt off the surface.

I thought the one about washing didn't sound right and will follow your advice regarding all the others.

Thanks!

[red baron]

Most manufacturers say 30-60 days before wax...full cure. The same applies to any adhesive backed items or anything that would prevent outgassing or mark the clear due to the solvents in the adhesives.

90 days at 70 degrees