General Tech Giving Up on Paint Project

[KVH]

I tried the rattle can approach on the truck lid. Three times. I kept seeing scratches, and I couldn't get the clear coat right. After the third try, I still had what appeared to be dry or dull spots. No shine. I couldn't tell if the problem was the paint or the clear coat, or too much, or not enough, sanding with 1500 and 2000. Anyway, the long and short--it goes to a pro next week. I'd rather not affix the jewelry (lettering and rack) to a poor home done job. Maybe next time, but next time I may buy a paint gun. Learning new skills is good for character-building, but it takes time, patience, and some lessons. I've learned a few--more to come.

 

[tomshobby]

I have just finished the paint on my TR6 where it is sitting and did the Midget in that same space before that. It can be done.

 

[TomMull]

I tried the rattle can approach on the truck lid. Three times. I kept seeing scratches, and I couldn't get the clear coat right. After the third try, I still had what appeared to be dry or dull spots. No shine. I couldn't tell if the problem was the paint or the clear coat, or too much, or not enough, sanding with 1500 and 2000. Anyway, the long and short--it goes to a pro next week. I'd rather not affix the jewelry (lettering and rack) to a poor home done job. Maybe next time, but next time I may buy a paint gun. Learning new skills is good for character-building, but it takes time, patience, and some lessons. I've learned a few--more to come.

A spray gun will make all the difference. You might consider a LVLP, if you don't have a big compressor. You'll be amazed at what you can do.
Tom

 

[tomshobby]

I used this HVLP gun from Eastwood with good results. It did a nice job with very little overspray which was important considering where I did the work. And it was helpful to not kick up a lot of dust and dirt. I used urethane paint. With the different needles this gun worked well with everything from high-fill primer to color to clear.
https://www.eastwood.com/ew-concours-paint-gun-with-1-2-tip.html
I also liked these cups and lids. Sure made cleanup easier. Also important in helping keep junk out of the paint being sprayed.
https://www.eastwood.com/dekups-24-oz-trial-kit.html
I did purchase the extra cups and lids and actually went through most of them.
https://www.eastwood.com/dekups-24-fl-oz-disposable-dups-lids-32.html
I had not painted a car for more than 20 years and had never used urethane but with the help of some of the advice readily available from Eastwood it went well. I do recommend not using a metallic like I used on my TR6. It is more challenging and unless you have some previous experience it could be very frustrating.

 

[CJD]

A deck lid is stretching it for rattle cans. You can't lay it down fast enough to get it to flow. It flashes before you can get the next line down. Adding to that, the rattle can urethane is 1 part, so there is no hardener to accelerate the drying. That means it never dries has hard and durably as a 2 part urethane.

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

I used this HVLP gun from Eastwood with good results. It did a nice job with very little overspray which was important considering where I did the work. And it was helpful to not kick up a lot of dust and dirt. I used urethane paint. With the different needles this gun worked well with everything from high-fill primer to color to clear.
https://www.eastwood.com/ew-concours-paint-gun-with-1-2-tip.html
I also liked these cups and lids. Sure made cleanup easier. Also important in helping keep junk out of the paint being sprayed.
https://www.eastwood.com/dekups-24-oz-trial-kit.html
I did purchase the extra cups and lids and actually went through most of them.
https://www.eastwood.com/dekups-24-fl-oz-disposable-dups-lids-32.html
I had not painted a car for more than 20 years and had never used urethane but with the help of some of the advice readily available from Eastwood it went well. I do recommend not using a metallic like I used on my TR6. It is more challenging and unless you have some previous experience it could be very frustrating.
View attachment 46023

+1 I used the exact same gun with the dekups cups system. Doesn't require a huge compressor as the concourse gun uses very little CFM compared to many other guns. I'm quite happy with it.

Cheers
Tush

 

[Brinkerhoff]

Kudos for not being intimidated enough to keep you from trying ! Spraying paint or clear from a rattle can or a gun uses the exact same physics. Keep learning.