learning to paint

[blinko]

Hi just bought a gravity spray gun for my daughter to paint her Farmall M. Any ideas on the viscosity of the paint so we know how much to thin it down.

 

[Patsdeere]

The best answer is to thin it down per the instructions.

If it is just the low cost stuff from tractor supply then I thin it to the point that it drips off my stick but doesn't splash back up when the drip hits the paint in the cup. That is just the way I like it and what I am comfortable with. Best thing to do is experiment with what you like(off the tractor).

 

[rustyj14]

I worked in an auto body/paint shop for 3 years or so. I learned how to paint by buying a small paint gun powered by a little electric compressor, at home, with my used cars.
One day, at the shop-the painter failed to show up, and the car had to be painted, with enamel, so i got the job. When i saw the color--bronze metallic--i almost died! I had never painted metallic enamel!
Well, i finally got my nerve up, went in the paint booth, mixed up the color, and sprayed it on the car, then i pushed it into the low heat oven, and went home. Next day, that car looked evey bit as good as a new one, and i was the painter there for many years!
One day, a paint rep came in to see our shop. He asked how i measured out the thinner to get the right viscosity. Well, i just told him:"I add the thinner, until it looks good running off the paint stick--and i use it that way!" He got a vacant look in his eyes, and left.
Here's what i advise: Get some old tin from an auto body shop, or an old metal painted cabinet, and practice on it. Practice using various viscosities of paint, achieved by mixing small amounts. and spraying the old tin or cabinet. Don't try to cover it all at once-spray light coats, until you get the look you are trying to achieve. Allow each coat to "tack off" (means gets sticky) Then apply another coat.
The last coat will be the glossy coat. But, don't get it too wet, as it will sag, and or run off onto yer shoes! Don't despair--it took me 3 years to finally get it right, in a regular auto body and paint shop! Practice, practice, practice! Rusty J.
P.S. Do not use those paper dust masks, if you use hardener in the paint! The hardener will seep thru them and later on in life, yer daughter will be wheezing like a tea-kettle! Ask me how i know! RJ

 

[TaylorMutts]

That's great advice, RJ. I just painted my old VW using Valspar Tractor & Implement Enamel. I've painted this car before with it (each time I change colors), and am happy with the results. It is trial and error with paint, but I found that mixing 16 oz of paint to 4 oz of Naptha thinner works well in my gun with that paint. I get good coverage and a glossy finish every time.

 

[charles todd]

(quoted from post at 10:30:44 07/23/11) That's great advice, RJ. I just painted my old VW using Valspar Tractor & Implement Enamel. I've painted this car before with it (each time I change colors), and am happy with the results. It is trial and error with paint, but I found that mixing 16 oz of paint to 4 oz of Naptha thinner works well in my gun with that paint. I get good coverage and a glossy finish every time.

With that paint I also find that using 4 oz/qt hardener vs the 2 oz/qt hardener specified helps too!

CT