OMO: Spray help

I have just purchased my first compressor, it came with a few accessories one of which was a gravity spray gun...
Having never sprayed before i want to give it a go, Ive got some battered curvy track panels to practice on, and hopefully will be respraying the mismatched panels on my pointy (Eventually)

So.... Any hints or tips, supplier info etc would be very welcome.
So far, all i have learnt has been from Youtube videos... lots more watching ahead of me before i just pick up a gun and start painting

Part of learning to do anything is just actually doing it. Use cheap paint and paint things that don't need to look good when you're done. When something goes wrong, consult the web for how to avoid or prevent it. Common sense will give you many solutions. Much about painting can be learned by watching professionals, but you still have to practice and test.

Thanks... Where is the best place to buy paint?

[NTECUK]

Originally Posted by DanSp

Thanks... Where is the best place to buy paint?

Gramics colchester
http://www.gramic-supplies.co.uk/

I'm certainly no expert but from respraying a Mini I used to have, my biggest recommendation is to clean the gun very well after each session. I had good results at first but they got worse until I realised it was possible to take the whole nozzle assembly apart and clean with thinners each time.

Obviously can't speak for your specific kit but the spray guns I've seen that come bundled with compressors have been of quite poor quality. If you find it's the same, good quality guns don't seem to be too expensive.

I've no experience with gravity fed guns but the suction feed gun I bought used a lot of air, so if your compressor isn't large you may have to stop once in a while, although probably not an issue if you're just painting fairings.

Otherwise, just the normal stuff really, wet the ground if there's a chance of dust, rub down between coats with wet and dry etc. It's a great feeling putting on colour with a spray gun, so much better than an aerosol.

I would say don't allow the compressor to run too low or it will started to spit out water and that will ruin your day!

The paints need to come with thinners and also a high grade lacquer is best as the cheaper stuff doesn't protect the paintwork very well, from what I remember it the lower grade lacquer didn't stand up to petrol last time.

It's quite an enjoyable thing to do, once your in the "zone" you'll be able to get it done pretty sharpish.

Obviously one of the most important things is to have a space without any wind/dust and even have some sort of extractor. It's amazing how many bloody flies do a kamikaze on your newly painted panels.

[Wideboy]

This is the gravity gun i use and its fantastic for the money, there is two different types depending on how powerful your compressor is. I use a 250l direct drive 3 phase. http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/pr...-pro-spray-gun

fit moisture trap if you haven't already otherwise you'll get water beads form and you gun will splutter and ruin what you doing, Plus it will make your lacquer go cloudy.

The most important part of it all is the prep work. If it's not right it the end result will look pants and not last and i agree with what has been said, give it a go is the only way to learn. Don't rush or put on heavy coats.

I've done spraying through work so i didn't pay for all my balls up's

[Wideboy]

oh and use a proper respirator! not a paper mask.

[timwilky]

I have a regulator/separator/oiler with a take off between that I use for paint. My paint lines use a different fitting to my other lines to ensure I cannot contaminate them with oil.

A good gun is essential with the ability to maintain a consistent spray fan and volume. However, my experience is you can never fully clean a gun. No matter how long you try and whenever you paint a blob of red suddenly bleeds into your nice paint. I therefore have two guns. One just for reds.

I also use an air fed mask. Cleanliness, is priority, don't sand where you intend to paint, I drape thick polythythene sheets from the roof, to keep the outside out, and stop overspray getting everywhere.

Have a read of http://pc.dupont.com/dpc/en/US/html/...cts-Manual.pdf It hopefully should teach you the problems and causes.