What did you do to your truck today?
10-03-2014, 09:53 PM
If you can paint with rattle cans you can paint with a gun. A gun is easier than rattle cans.
I've never actually painted a car with a gun, but I've painted a lot of houses with one.
I've never actually painted a car with a gun, but I've painted a lot of houses with one.
10-03-2014, 09:57 PM
Beautiful day so I washed, clayed, coat of CG Acrylic shine II and a coat of S100. Looks 100% better but I need to get a detailer with a 7424 to really clean the paint since I don't have one anymore.
10-03-2014, 10:02 PM
Dodge+Ford = always ready
ill be a pro then, i painted my tailgate with rattle can and you cant tell aside from me not 2 toning it.
10-03-2014, 10:53 PM
Like Sean said....although an automotive gun is different than a house gun, have to get your air settings right, fan pattern and use the right size tip. Rattle can paint is crap unless you get it mixed properly and put in a can. I used DuPont Nason line base coat paint, which is far from top of the line, still over $100/gallon, plus catalyst and reducer. I personally feel the clear is more important than the base as it's what offers the protection from uv rays etc... but you can spend $600/gallon on base...or more I'm sure. I used Tamco brand clear coat, which I wouldn't be surprised you have never heard of.... again many highly recommend and lays down beautifully, even for this amateur. Also used Tamco high build primer which many people say it's the best they have ever used. You can purchase Tamco through Chris who runs the website Autobody101.com...... I feel like I have gotten to know him fairly well through all this and that site offers a wealth of information for amateurs and professionals. You hear a lot about hvlp guns, not necessarily the best, it's more of a requirement for professionals by the EPA. The Tekna Copper that I bought is considered a "compliant" gun, but not hvlp....although you can get a air cap that makes it hvlp. Have to be sure your air supply can keep up. I have a 230v 2-stage 5-horse 80 gallon compressor, a 20 gallon craftsman isn't going to keep up.... also water filters on your tank and air line.....moisture or oil in your are will mess up your paint...and your day.
10-03-2014, 11:11 PM
Dodge+Ford = always ready
Like Sean said....although an automotive gun is different than a house gun, have to get your air settings right, fan pattern and use the right size tip. Rattle can paint is crap unless you get it mixed properly and put in a can. I used DuPont Nason line base coat paint, which is far from top of the line, still over $100/gallon, plus catalyst and reducer. I personally feel the clear is more important than the base as it's what offers the protection from uv rays etc... but you can spend $600/gallon on base...or more I'm sure. I used Tamco brand clear coat, which I wouldn't be surprised you have never heard of.... again many highly recommend and lays down beautifully, even for this amateur. Also used Tamco high build primer which many people say it's the best they have ever used. You can purchase Tamco through Chris who runs the website Autobody101.com...... I feel like I have gotten to know him fairly well through all this and that site offers a wealth of information for amateurs and professionals. You hear a lot about hvlp guns, not necessarily the best, it's more of a requirement for professionals by the EPA. The Tekna Copper that I bought is considered a "compliant" gun, but not hvlp....although you can get a air cap that makes it hvlp. Have to be sure your air supply can keep up. I have a 230v 2-stage 5-horse 80 gallon compressor, a 20 gallon craftsman isn't going to keep up.... also water filters on your tank and air line.....moisture or oil in your are will mess up your paint...and your day.
10-03-2014, 11:12 PM
One more thing to add.... If you get a gun, I would HIGHLY suggest you get a junk panel and practice. Adjustments are important as is consistent distance from the panel, gun angle and overlap. All of the above if not correct can lead to dry spray, runs of course and also tiger striping. Believe me, a little practice is well worth it. Some guns shoot base better than clear and some the other way around.... and just to get a good feel for it.
10-03-2014, 11:19 PM
Well, doing like a tailgate or 1 panel it might work, but most guns use quite a bit of air in a hurry... If doing a whole truck, you for sure want a capable compressor. It's pretty neat, unfortunately, in my case anyway, painting seemed like a small part of everything I did. In no way do I claim to be an expert paint out bodywork person, but I sure know a lot more than I ever did before. There actually is a lot to it and it seems you ask 10 different people how to do something, you will get 10 different answers. LOL
10-03-2014, 11:30 PM
Hey Cam, if you want to play around, get a cheap harbor freight purple gun.....they can be had for like $15. Not a high quality gun by any means, but for the price they actually do a fair job....better than rattle canning it, at least you could mix up real automotive paint and shoot it. Would give you a real good idea if it's something you want to do more of and invest in better equipment. Just clean it REALLY well with lacquer thinner inside and out before using. They ship with silicone and oil all over inside them sand that won't fly with automotive paint. Clean it really good, buy some cheap paint or ask if they have any mistake mixed paint, get the reduce and catalyst, mix it up and have some fun. You will never rattle can again.
10-04-2014, 01:30 AM
Senior Member
Those purple paint guns are a cheap copy of a really good gun. A REALLY GOOD cheap copy. I have two, one for primer and one for paint. They do need to be torn down and cleaned before you use them.