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Spraying epoxy primer

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M

marinmg

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I have just picked up my 59 bugeye sprite from the strippers where they media blasted it and sealed it in epoxy grey primer. I will be working on it during the weekends and want to use the same epoxy primer where I will be doing the repair work, welding panels, bondo etc.
I would like to purchase a gravity gun with a 20 oz cup and noticed Harbor freight has a low cost gravity gun set up. Will it work with an epoxy primer?
I figure some one out there has been there and knows the answer. I know the main thing is to clean it after each use so the gravity gun at 35 psi should work but it would be nice to know what to look for from you guys who have been there before.
I will just be using the primer myself and will leave the professionals to do the final color coat.

thanks,

Liam
59 bugeye
60 bugeye
57 mga
 
I don't know if you are looking at the same 20oz gun I got from HF, but I really recommend you spend the extra money and get a better one.

I know they have a few. I think I had the middle one.
 
Before you purchase anything, buy a proper ventilation system. Epoxy is very harmful to the respiratory system.
A friend of a customer of mine sprayed a car in an enclosed garage with no protection. He is now confined to the couch with his oxygen bottle and has great difficulty walking without getting winded.
Epoxy primer can seal off your lungs, and it doesn't go away.
 
My body man strips all the cars he works on down to bare metal & primes them with a white epoxy primer...the only time he uses it again is when he has to go back to bare metal on repairs...if he can do repairs without going through that initial epoxy primer, he just uses normal primer.
 
Thanks for the input you guys,
Yes, I plan on going to bare metal where I will be doing some metal welding and panel patching. Where I will be just bondoing and not sanding thru I will check with the epoxy primer mfr about a regular primer that will bond to the epoxy primer. I will be spraying out side with a resprirator and tyvek suit. I sprayed my old mg 20 years ago with a two part polyurathane and agree with you that it can be very harmful to you if you don't take the necessary safety precautions. It is basically air born glue and would never consider doing it in a confined space as in a garage without a ventilation system and proper protection.
 
To each his own, but, the Harbor Freight guns have poor quality pressure regulators and the gages usually give the wrong pressure reading. The patterns vary and aren't consistent. The guns are ok for hit and miss applications, but if you want a quality job, get a quality gun. You can get one that will give you a very nice job for around 100 bucks. A pro gun, which you probably don't need, will go between 400 & 500.
Also, I don't use lacquers and enamals in the same gun. I have a gun for each.
 
And you'll find that a higher pressure (45~50 PSI) works better. I went nuts trying to get a poly topcoat to lay down until I went back to the paint store for help. The plastic primer was the same. DON'T do this with a siphon gun, BTW. :wink:
 
DrEntropy said:
DON'T do this with a siphon gun, BTW. :wink:
Click to expand...

Like sucking syrup through a straw! Yuck!
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Thanks Paul and Dr Entropy,

And yes I figured on a gravity type gun rather than the siphon type. (The gun with the paint can on the top of the gun)
So should I be looking in the eastwood catalogue or maybe you can steer me to a good low price gun and regulator set up for spraying the epoxy primer. Web site etc.
What kind of nozzel set up or anything else that I should be looking for would be of great help, or just tell me which model number gun would be the best for what I am trying to do so I have the least amount of problems. Again I will only be spraying the primer since I want the top coat done well.

Just need a little guidance so the primer goes on nicely the first time.

Thanks,
Liam
 
Liam, I don't know the brand name, but a fellow I know bought a gravity gun from Advanced Auto. I think he paid around 90 bucks for it. He likes it and says it does a nice job. I can't verify that, but it might be worth looking into.

Here's one of mine. It's a Binks HVLP model SV 100 with a 1-Liter cup. You can buy it through Northern Tool for $150.00. Pressure is controlled separately between the compressor and the gun. I personally don't like the regulator attached to the gun. Makes it awkward getting in tight places. Why a Binks? Because you can get parts for it easily.

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I've an old "model 600" Graco one, useless to post it 'cause I suspect it's no longer available. Binks is the way to go IMO, for the reason Paul stated. They're "tune-able" and every good body shop supplier has bits 'n pieces for 'em. My siphon guns are two DeVilbiss (another good one but parts aren't as readily available), and a "STAR" made-in-whoknows for "junk" projects.

I shot the MGB with epoxy primer and poly topcoat (single stage, OEW) with the Graco. Came out fine.
 

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Graco is still in business Doc! But they seem to be leaning heavy toward high quality airless sprayers. They use to make electrostatic guns, very, very expensive! I don't know if they still do. Graco always made a quality product and was usually acquired by the pros.
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JMHO
 
I've not looked to see if the "600" series is still in the lineup. Didn't mean to imply they had gone outta buisness.

It's funny, but I've kinda favored the Graco for all the projects lately. The DeVilbiss guns have been stowed in the box unused for almost a decade. :shocked:
 
Mine's gravity fed, cup on the side.
 
Thanks Guys,
I will check into advanced auto and northern tool for the Binks HVLP SV 100.
I feel more confident already.
Liam
 
thanks Paul,

I picked up a Binks HVLP SV 100 for $130 including shipping.
Any recomendations for a regulator????

You guys are the best.

Liam
 
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