First Tri Coat Job & First Time For Clear With The AZ4

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PostPosted: Sun Sep 19, 2021 1:43 pm
Hi Guys,

With some trepidation, I did my first tri color job yesterday. It was a Sonoma red code from a Suzuki bike. It was 2 fenders. First layer of base laid down great with my AZ3 (that I use for all my bc's). I knew the second layer/color would really change the look but I really surprised how much it changed the depth of the paint--if that makes sense. It only got better as I did the clear--looks like it was dipped in glass. I'll post up a few pics. I still need to do a cut and buff in a day or so but even off the gun, I'd be happy to take them as is.

I really like the little AZ4 (I used for the clear) , I set it at full fan, dialed in about a 1/3 turn and then the fluid, full open and turned in a half turn. Whether that was right or not, it worked for me. My only concern was on the vertical surfaces, it does have a bit of peel--nothing that I can't deal with on the cut/buff but was surprised as I used the same technique as the horizontal angles. Maybe I moved too fast but am not sure. I did use a slow reducer--thought it would all flow out and on the top surfaces it really did. Part of me wants to hit it with 1500 wet and flow coat it but I know I will likely still get the odd bit of dirt and have to cut/buff anyway. "IF" I do decide to hit it with a 1500 all over, do I need to smooth out the ripples of peel on the sides or will they get buried in another coat of clear? I think that either way, that peel needs to be leveled.

So, from what I see, this AZ4 is my clear coat gun going forward ( for bike parts). I will post up pics later tonight. As always, thoughts/advice or even criticisms are always welcome.

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PostPosted: Mon Sep 20, 2021 2:19 am
That AZ4's a lovely little gun alright. Fan's a bit small for bigger jobs but on small parts she's a little ripper.

Are you running at the recommended 15psi?
Chris



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PostPosted: Mon Sep 20, 2021 9:09 am
NFT5 wrote:That AZ4's a lovely little gun alright. Fan's a bit small for bigger jobs but on small parts she's a little ripper.

Are you running at the recommended 15psi?
Yes, right at 1 bar.



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PostPosted: Tue Sep 21, 2021 11:32 am
Just a thought.......On my AZ3, I set it at 28 psi for base and up it to 32 for clear--I get mirror smooth finishes with that. I learned that if I shot clear at 28, it would show peel--another 4 lb made a world of difference for me.

Now, the AZ4 calls for 15 psi (1bar) from the tech sheet. I have only used it for clear and kept it right at 15 psi. As mentioned, the horizontal surface looks like glass-- a bit of peel on the vertical parts though. I'm going to do a test panel and try upping the pressure a pound or 2 to see what it does to the vertical pieces. I'm just a little confused that if it is atomizing fine on flat surfaces and flowing out nicely, why is it showing peel on a vertical.
Thoughts??



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PostPosted: Tue Sep 21, 2021 9:40 pm
i'm thinking you'll want to get the surface SMOOTH. anything you try to spray over is going to show, be it a scratch O/P or any other defect.
Jay D.
they say my name is Jay



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PostPosted: Tue Sep 21, 2021 10:48 pm
badsix wrote:i'm thinking you'll want to get the surface SMOOTH. anything you try to spray over is going to show, be it a scratch O/P or any other defect.
Jay D.
Totally agree with you, another layer of clear might make the peel shinier but it will still be textured. I think I will give it a cut and buff in the small area of peel but I bet I will end up giving it a flow coat. I got almost zero dirt in it and the weather is supposed to be a bit cooler so no bugs at all. After really looking it over, I doubt the owner would really notice it all but I want it to be as perfect as I can make it.



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PostPosted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 10:53 pm
Update....wet sanded and re-cleared and a cut and buff...I like this tri color stuff!
pearl3.JPG
pearl2.JPG
pearl1.JPG
pearl4.JPG

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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 11:16 am
Very nice. :goodjob:
1968 Coronet R/T


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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 12:00 pm
'68 Coronet R/T wrote:Very nice. :goodjob:
Thankyou very much! It means a lot coming from a pro. I now have the confidence to take on other tri color jobs--it was fun.

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PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 1:00 pm
Very nice!

What do you use to cut and buff the small parts like those?
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