1st time painter...kinda of-and hello

[kwest187]

I've been building and working on bikes since I could ride one, and now I'm moving into the painting world-
I've done spray can jobs and used some cheap sprayers and underpowered compressors...but this past few months I've invested in a pretty decent set-up...I think
I've got 3 Devilbliss guns, (1.8, 1.3 and a .8) nozzles a Devlbliss filter (down to 5 microns) and good old craftsman Heavyduty compressor that runs off 220-
I built a nice spray booth and last weekend I tried the guns out for the 1st time-
I painted my rims (1993 HD Sporty)
well this weekend...hopefully if my rear fender shows up)
I'll be starting a candy job-
Its a basic 3 stage kit that I got from Kustom Rides-
It came with epoxy/primer-the base (I got silver metalic) and the candy (blood red) and the clear...which is base clear I'm assuming-
I'll be checking out the threads on here and any noob advice would be great...
I'll be on here everyday during the week-
Hello from North Cali

 

[Brian Dee]

sounds like your all set to go, have fun.

 

[TAZ]

Welcome to the CPF. Be sure and use the "Search" option if you are looking for something in particular!

 

[kwest187]

the steps?

ok the paint arrived yesterday from Kustom rides...its ALSA paint-
I just got a email from the supplier and now I feel I have the primer mixing understood-
4 parts primer
1 part brown hardener
1 part reducer
I'll start shooting at 30 PSI and adjust on the test panel
base is silver metallic
1 part base
1 part reducer
again I'll start with 30 PSI on the test panel and adjust
then I've read on here to not sand the base...did I read that correctly?
Finally I have to mix the candie-
any tips on getting a good mix from the candy concentrate? the sheet says one quart of "ready to Spray clear" which I'm assuming is the speed clear already mixed with the hardener (4:1) may take 1 oz of candy...
what does this mean?
I'm thinking of just premixing a few ounces of clear then adding some drops/grams of candy and seeing how it lays down and covers on the test panel...
Just wondering for clues on how to know if my mix of clear and candy is good-
and should I mix some candy with reducer and apply that 1st? do I always have to add hardener to my candy mixes...
Yeppers I am a noob to this for sure-

 

[kwest187]

picked up some mixing cups and ordered some frisket paper today...
my practice panel is an old BBQ grill top...(like 14 inches square) I don't think I'll run out of paint-
My biggest concern is getting the candy mixed right-
I have a bottle of 4 0z concentrate and apparently 8 oz can cover a car so I shouldn't need that much to cover two fenders and a small 2.2 gallon tank-
any candy mixing tips would be appreciated
Do I clear then lay down frisket and then do the graphics or do the graphics then clear over everything?

 

[kwest187]

just got shipping info for my rear fender and it looks like it won't be here until the 14th...
Do I attempt to spray candy this weekend on the front fender and tank and jot down mix notes to match color for rear fender...or is that a huge pain and I should just wait until I get the rear fender and do all the candy then?

 

[TAZ]

Definitely spray all at once, or unless you have a lot of experience with candies.

It will be worth the wait
:bigokay:

 

[kwest187]

thanks...this is my 1st attempt at candy, so-
I guess I'll take this weekend to do a good prep on the parts and my test panel-
what about the base coat-it just silver metallic...or should I wait on that too?

 

[TAZ]

I would suggest just waiting on everything., Just get them completely ready for paint.
If you just paint the sealer, then the base, and wait to apply the candy, you will most likely have a problem with the candy peeling off the silver.
Basecoat is only good for so long before you have a problem with it.

So do everything the same day.

Seal >>> base >>> candy >>>> clear (you can do all this within an hour or two)

 

[kwest187]

awesome tip and info...I just joined this forum this week and its already saving my behind, time and money
Thanks Taz