badsix wrote::goodpost: you got some excilent advice form ALL above. one thing I would add is be careful when you apply your base. don't pour it on wet like one would do with a single stage material like a urethane. base needs to go on in light med coats. it normally flashes quickly and if applied to heavy you stand the risk of the solvent pop the base skins over with a dry layer and wont let the solvents out.

I tried to search for a post by the Old DuPont Guy that showed how it should look on your first, second, and third coats but could not find it. it would be a good show and tell.
Jay D.

badsix wrote:Does anyone have pictures showing what the first second and third coats should look like. I think it would very helpful to first time painters or painters that are using the base coat and having problems. by applying the base to heavy like they would other products like clear, urethane color or s/s enamels. base is just a different animal from what some people are use to.
Jay D.

badsix wrote:Does anyone have pictures showing what the first second and third coats should look like. I think it would very helpful to first time painters or painters that are using the base coat and having problems. by applying the base to heavy like they would other products like clear, urethane color or s/s enamels. base is just a different animal from what some people are use to.
Jay D.

'68 Coronet R/T wrote:...I use slow activator and slow reducer all year long. In the summer I may even use some retarder to slow things down.

...Make sure your gun is adjusted properly by using masking paper taped to the wall. Hold the trigger full open and set your air pressure at the gun. The with your gun loaded with properly reduced paint hold it it about 6" from the paper and pull the trigger full open for 1 second. (Say 1/1000 and let go.) Carefully inspect your pattern. It should be shaped similar to a cigar with full coverage but no runs. The droplets should be fine and consistent throughout the pattern. If too wet, turn your fluid knob in a 1/2 turn and try again. If droplets are too big, try increasing your air pressure a bit.

Once you get a good pattern, write down the PSI and the fluid knob settings. (Count the turns until it is full closed.)

When spraying keep a consistent distance, angle to panel and speed. Overlap should be at least 50%. You achieve this by having your spray nozzle centered on the edge of your last pass.

Flash times listed on the tech sheet for your products should be considered minimums. If it says wait 15 minutes between coats then do at least that. Use a clock, watch or phone but don't trust your instincts. If you look at the paint as it is flashing you will see spots that look wetter than others and a careful eye will see the vapors leaving the paint. Wait until there are no wet areas left and then shoot your next coat of base and repeat.

When you get ready to shoot your clear coat, the gun settings will be the same for the fluid knob but increase your air pressure at the gun. Use the masking paper as before and you should be able to get a nice pattern by simply upping the pressure. It may be 6 PSI or more higher than for your base coat.

With the clear you want to let it flash until you can touch an area on the masking tape and not have the clear stick to your glove or pull strings of clear when you remove it. When in doubt wait a little longer.

The tendency for most of us is to rush things. When you get in a hurry mistakes increase and problems show up. Stacking the build primer on without proper flash times will cause issues too.

rambrosi wrote:Is it possible that for the Devilbiss FLG 670 I have the pressure set too high at 29 psi?
Many videos call for 10 psi at the gun regulator

badsix wrote:Does anyone have pictures showing what the first second and third coats should look like. I think it would very helpful to first time painters or painters that are using the base coat and having problems. by applying the base to heavy like they would other products like clear, urethane color or s/s enamels. base is just a different animal from what some people are use to.
Jay D.

Ed in sc. wrote:That 10 PSI is pressure inside the air horn.
The instructions for the gun will tell you the inlet pressure needed for the gun to have that 10 PSI at the tip of the gun when spraying.