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Paint Problems

aceroth

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I am trying to paint the interior of my 73. I got good hi build primer and what the auto body supply shop guys said was the right reducer and hardener. Mixed them 4:2:1 like they said. Ran em through my harbor freight "heavy duty automotive" gun (siphon feed, not gravity feed) and my rigid 6 gal pancake compressor.

When paint came out it worked pretty good but most of the time nothing was coming out. It would come out intermittently but probably only 1/4 of the time or less. Any ideas why? Per HFT's instructions, I had a regulator on the gun set at 55 psi.

Things I tried:
1. played around with the set screws every which way - no help.
2. Opened up regulator to 80 psi even though instructions said 55 psi max - helped a little.
3. Thinned down the primer a little - might have helped a little but not much.

If anyone wants to bag on harbor freight, feel free but this is what I've got (though I also have the HFT $15 purple gravity feed gun that I could try if anyone thinks that would work better). I am into this stupid paint project way too much money already and another gun is not in the cards.

I am guessing the problem is either the hi build is too thick or my compressor isnt up to the job. But I am clearly out of my depth here. I think the problem is the indian, not the arrow, as my old man used to say.
 
That pancake compressor will not have the capacity to run that gun. And pulling that primer up into the gun takes a lot of air volume. Add another 1 of reducer to thin it more and run it through the purple gun.
 
Man it's been a long long time and my memory ain't great. But isn't 55 way to high? I've used harbor Frieght gravity feeds plenty on primer and they work great. Also used siphons on gel coat and those work great.
 
Ok thanks. Will the siphon gun work for color of is my choice gravity feed or a different compressor there too?
 
check your viscosity, it should spray, till you run out of air at least.. . mix with a wooden paint stick, pull out, it should stop dripping by about a 5 or 6 count.... dripping too long, too thick... problem doubled with a siphon gun.. also make sure the lid vent is clear...

edit.. lol, i literally posted at the same time.. gotta run.. i'll come back in tonight..
 
That is another thing I was worried about. HFT used super cheap thin wall vinyl tubing for lid vent and its short enough that you basically cant avoid it kinking. May try to get a longer/better vent tube?
 
When I switched to a gravity gun I was much happier. It also sprays at a lower pressure which will help with not having a big compressor. Thin that primer out some more and try the gravity gun. Painting is difficult but I refuse to pay someone to spray a 4x4 for me. Mine just gets all scratched up anyway so I do my best and call it good. A bit of practice and some experimenting with the gun and paint viscosity and you should get decent results. Pics?
 
I started out spraying primer in a siphon gun, but could never lay it down very smooth. The HVLP sprayed primer so much better I started using it for everything. A smooth coat of primer saves you lots of sanding before the color and saves you material. I'm sure there are good siphon guns out there but I think in the low-$$ market HVLPs are better.

With a small compressor you might have to mix in small batches. Or you could try some Red Green tricks. I know there's one where the paint is in the tires and delivered by tire pressure.

 
That is another thing I was worried about. HFT used super cheap thin wall vinyl tubing for lid vent and its short enough that you basically cant avoid it kinking. May try to get a longer/better vent tube?


just rip the tube off and make sure the fitting is clear.. it's not like your turning the gun upside down.. a $35 gravity feed from horrible freight does fine... just can't rebuild em.....
 

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