Other DIY Paint Job for Beginners
- Thread starter Midlake Crisis
- Start date
- Location
- Tampa
the problem with smaller compressors is your going to run out quickly, and if you don't have a full coat down on the ski the paint will dry unevenly
- Location
- Northwest Indiana
This gun is cheaper than the two-piece kit:
http://www.harborfreight.com/20-oz-...ravity-feed-spray-gun-47016.html#.UzCZ51d7SVo
I sprayed my ski with it last year worked great. Set your pressure to 40 psi (put gauge close to gun). Any 2 hp+ compressor will keep up. They have throwaway canisters which makes cleanup easy:
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-air-spray-gun-disposable-paint-cups-97098.html#.UzCaVFd7SVo
I used Nason basecoat / clearcoat. (it's generic dupont paint available at Car Quest).
http://www.harborfreight.com/20-oz-...ravity-feed-spray-gun-47016.html#.UzCZ51d7SVo
I sprayed my ski with it last year worked great. Set your pressure to 40 psi (put gauge close to gun). Any 2 hp+ compressor will keep up. They have throwaway canisters which makes cleanup easy:
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-air-spray-gun-disposable-paint-cups-97098.html#.UzCaVFd7SVo
I used Nason basecoat / clearcoat. (it's generic dupont paint available at Car Quest).
what rashin said, you want right around 40 at the gun (with the trigger pulled). I paint all kinds of implements and equipment at work with the 10 dollar purple guns from harbor freight, do some research, you can make them work much better with about an hour of your time and 5 bucks. We also use nason at work, holds up great.
Vumad
Super Hero, with a cape!
- Location
- St. Pete, FL
1st, let me say that I am not an expert. I am self taught by research, mistakes and a lot of questions.
I use epoxy mixed with microspheres for the big jobs. The microspheres can leave pin holes when sanded. I use bondo for very light body work filling in those pin holes. Sand with 150, 220, spray primer, wet sand 600 spray paint. I've not done any "nice" jobs, but they look good in pictures. I use cheap paints and the work needs to be redone in about 2 years. I usually modify something in that time so I've never bothered with more expensive paints.
Pat from FGCI told me not to use gelcoat to repaint a ski. He said it is poly based and will not stick properly.
If you glass to the paint, your job is only as strong as the bond of the old paint to the old fiberglass. It is best to sand to bare SMC/glass. Sand to bare glass, prep with 80 grit and acetone.
For painting, yes, you can paint over the old gelcoat or paint if the paint is in good condition. The quality of your result will be based upon the quality of your prep work.
I use epoxy mixed with microspheres for the big jobs. The microspheres can leave pin holes when sanded. I use bondo for very light body work filling in those pin holes. Sand with 150, 220, spray primer, wet sand 600 spray paint. I've not done any "nice" jobs, but they look good in pictures. I use cheap paints and the work needs to be redone in about 2 years. I usually modify something in that time so I've never bothered with more expensive paints.
Pat from FGCI told me not to use gelcoat to repaint a ski. He said it is poly based and will not stick properly.
If you glass to the paint, your job is only as strong as the bond of the old paint to the old fiberglass. It is best to sand to bare SMC/glass. Sand to bare glass, prep with 80 grit and acetone.
For painting, yes, you can paint over the old gelcoat or paint if the paint is in good condition. The quality of your result will be based upon the quality of your prep work.
Vumad
Super Hero, with a cape!
- Location
- St. Pete, FL
What actually matters is the CFM. My compressor is about 10 gallons at 125PSI. It's an old belt driven craftsman that runs on 220 volt. I can continuously run a DA for about 5 minutes. The compressor has such a strong motor that it keeps up with my use. I couldn't possibly use enough air in a paint gun at 40psi to ever run out of air.
On the other hand, my brother has a newer oil-less husky compressor. Peak 5hp, 20 gallons. I used it once when my belt broke. I had about 60 second of air with the DA, had to wait about 60 seconds to get enough air to continue, and I was using about 50ft of hose because the compressor was so godawfully loud I had to put it around the corner of the house so I didn't go deaf being near it.
I'm sure my motor could run a small shop with a big tank attached to it. It more than suits my needs. It has seen some heavy use. No idea what it would cost to buy one. I traded my smaller 120volt for it straight up. I made out like a bandit.
