Dimply top coat/lacquer?

[drnh]

Hi all

Wonder if anyone can help tell me what i'm doing wrong.

My top coat always seems to look dimply and not smooth?

I'm using a HVLP gun with a 1.0mm nozzle. About 25psi running through it (although i've tried a few psi's now). The reason for a small nozzle is i'm not yet confident enough to use a larger on because of the risk of runs. I'm only doing rims not bodywork but is this nozzle size too small? The flow setting is about half way in on the gun.

So my questions.

Am i holding the gun too close/too far? Generally i'm about 15-20cm away.

Gun speed too slow/fast?

Too much psi?

Nozzle too small?

Or simply a bad mix of lacquer/hardener/thinnners?

All advice very much welcome.

Thanks very much as always

Daz

 

[TAZ]

My guess would be you just aren't laying it on wet enough. A 1.0 is very small, but you can still achieve the same results as a 1.4, you just have to work the gun a little different. I really can't answer how you can achieve this since I haven't seen you spray. There are different ways to get the clear to layout wetter.
You can hold the gun closer, but you need to go faster.
You can open the fluid knob, but you'll need to go a little faster.
Try this.
Open your nozzle, just a little more and hold the gun a tad bit closer.
Lay a medium wet coat on, let it tack up. Then lay the next coat a little wetter. With a 1.0, you'll probably need to lay on a third coat.

Be sure your base is not 'cobby' as well.
Also make sure you are using the correct reducer for your shop temperature

 

[drnh]

Taz as always you're a star.

I do have a 1.3mm gun that I've been using to prime.

Maybe that would be better to use? How far away would you suggest holding the gun or it it jut trial and error.

Thanks again Taz. I really do value your help and you taking the time to offer brilliant advice.

Daz

 

[chopolds]

You could also try using a slower reducer. Many things affect how the paint lays out. Tip size, not so important, except with thicker materials. Reducer temp range is very important on lage items, maybe no so on small. Your spray technique and gun set-up is most important.
If you're getting "dry" or orange peel finishes, you are either too far away, moving too fast, or not at the correct 90* angle from the work. Generally you should be about 8-12" away from the piece, so do this first. If you're srill to dry, try slowing down a bit.
This all assumes your gun is set correctly for fan, pressure and fluid volume! Learn to se that up correctly first!

 

[drnh]

Hi and thanks for your reply and advice. There certainly is so much to learn. Are there any hard a fast basic rules or is it all simply trial and error? One things for sure though I really am enjoying the learning curve which is a huge bonus. Frustrating at times I admit but it's enjoyable even still.

With great advice from you guys on here and practice I'm sure eventually I'll know what I'm doing.

Thanks again

 

[TAZ]

Experience will definitely help.

Pay attention to where you've been and where you are going when you are spraying clear. Pay close attention.

 

[LudicrousSpeed]

Did you say you are shooting lacquer? THat finish does not look too bad, in my limited experience with it. Lacquer always needs sanded and buffed. Or mine did

 

[TAZ]

Good point LS!

 

[chopolds]

In my experience with folks from the UK, lacquer usually means clearcoat (any modern variety), not "lacquer" formula paint. But, yeah, if he did shoot regular lacquer, even a very smooth final finish will eventually shrink down into an orange peeled surface. Like ludicrousspeed said, sand and buff is the norm for true lacquer. It would even fix his clearcoat problem.

 

[LudicrousSpeed]

Well, if that is a poly clear, I have definitely seen worse come out looking good! I usually see more gloss than that, though.

 

[slickpaint]

The clear has to flow a little after it lands on the surface. It is a fine line between dry, slick, and runny. The slower the reducer, or activator the more it "flows"... the more you lay on.. increases "flow"

 

[fred t.]

Hello and welcome. Fined an old fender or hood to practice on to see the diffrents in your techniques. Maybe this will help?

 

[satatom]

hello drnh a few questions what spray gun are you using, i spray with 1.2 with all my clear coats most of the time i use upol it flows and sit nice and flat just a light lick over with some 2500 paper and a buff , when i lay the clear coat on ,the first coat i always wait till its gone tacky then apply next coat and so on ,over lapping by 50% with each pass i don't know what your mix is for your clear coat is but it does look a tad thick

 

[thingsthatfly2]

the smoothest paint is the paint behind a run........

you want to spray it to where the whole surface looks like its about to run. what clear are you using? is it a 4 to 1 mix or 3 to 1 or 2 to 1. make sure your mixing it correctly.