Topic: Paint Gun Recommendations

[Burke]

I am looking to buy a paint gun this summer. I have been doing research on different paints and I thought I could get away with a rattle can job on my project (rat rod 750) but once I started looking into it I knew I would not be happy with the cans. Plus 2 part paints and clears seem to have the chemical resistance (gas and such)that rattle cans dont seem to offer.

However I think that the rattle can primer sprays will work great though.

I have no idea on guns and need a place to start.
Any suggestions??







 

[Terry in Australia]

Well I know (or maybe, I just think I know) that the US has a lot more stringent laws on what sort of paint you're allowed to use, over here in Oz you can use acrylic laquer, catalyzed enamel (enamel with a hardener) and of course, 2 pack. (full of nasty cancer causing "carcinogens")

For bike stuff, acrylic laquer is probably the most "user friendly", and although not recommended, you can spray the stuff all day and it won't kill you. (but you may get stoned inhaling thinner vapour, fall down and smash your skull into small pieces, so it's a good idea to use it in a well ventilated area ) It goes on easy, needs only basic equipment to spray it, (a cheap "HVLP" gun and a two horse compressor, and a good filter/regulator assembly will work fine) and the results are excellent. Up until 10 or 15 years ago, all cars and bikes were painted with the stuff.

There's nothing wrong with "rattle cans" though, I did this tank with them!

[Burke]

Nice.
Duplicolor has a video online that shows them painting a tank with their spray cans and it looked great. Although they did not go into the prep or sanding.
Maybe I'll give it a shot.

[Terry in Australia]

Here you go mate, here's a link to my "rattle can re-spray" thread.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=32283.0

The thing a lot of people don't understand is that using a gun and compressor won't give them a better result if they don't know the basics of painting, and rattle cans are a good (and inexpensive) way to learn. Cheers, Terry.