Advice on HVLP Spraying

[branimal]

I’m about to spray some cast iron radiators with a Husky HVLP Gun.

Primer coat is Rust-Oleum Primer Surfacer
Paint coat is Rust-Oleum Satin Black enamel

1. When setting the pressure regulator should I see the desired PSI when the gun trigger is fully pulled and held?
2. Should the connection be gun—>filter—>regulator or gun—>regulator—>filter?
3. If I spray my radiators standing on the floor I’ll have to hold the gun parallel to the floor. Is that acceptable? My other option is to put the radiators on an elevated deck.

Thanks

 

[Jking24]

Pressure is with trigger pulled( gun spraying) filter is preference i run a inline filter/ drier combo before the hose and the regulator is on the gun. You can lean the gun quite a bit but keeping it close to vertical is preferred you may have to thin the rustoleum to get it to Spray well

 

[aka Larry]

you may have to thin the rustoleum to get it to Spray well

+1. You will definitely have to thin Rustoleum to get it to spray properly. I personally use Acetone to thin mine. Add some enamel hardener for a better finish and quicker flash time.

 

[930dreamer]

With the work at a raised position whenever possible.

 

[branimal]

+1. You will definitely have to thin Rustoleum to get it to spray properly. I personally use Acetone to thin mine. Add some enamel hardener for a better finish and quicker flash time.

how much do you thin by?

 

[aka Larry]

how much do you thin by?

My formula is:

5 parts paint
2 parts acetone
1/3 part enamel hardener

 

[Jking24]

We spray rustoleum about on equipment and we just add thinner until it's has a water like consistency

 

[chinboys]

My HVLP system has a dip cup where the time it takes to empty out determines whether you need to thin more relative to the spray nozzle size, etc.
Other than that... you will have to experiment.
And yes, thin sprays coats are better than a heavy one where drips and runs occur.

 

[tboy]

My HVLP system has a dip cup where the time it takes to empty out determines whether you need to thin more relative to the spray nozzle size, etc.

These are called Zahn cups, and are a useful tool for thinning paint, it's alot better than "thin it till it is like water".

 

[Kaizen]

You can normally change the fan from horizontal to vertical or vice versa


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[branimal]

How long can I leave the paint in the gun/cup?

I finished spraying the first coat and I’m waiting for it to dry so I can spray the underside of the radiators.

Paint seems to take way longer than primer to dry.

My primer was dry to the touch in 10 min.

 

[Jking24]

These are called Zahn cups, and are a useful tool for thinning paint, it's alot better than "thin it till it is like water".

As stated we spray equipment and you can't realy mess that up. Their are definitely better ways to do it but were working with rustoleum not painting for chip foose

 

[aka Larry]

How long can I leave the paint in the gun/cup?

I finished spraying the first coat and I’m waiting for it to dry so I can spray the underside of the radiators.

Paint seems to take way longer than primer to dry.

My primer was dry to the touch in 10 min.

I clean the cup/gun immediately after each coat.

 

[branimal]

Thanks Larry.

Paints still sticky after 6 hours. Did I spray it on too thick? I did the 5:2 ratio.

Had to take multiple passes to get into all the grooves of the radiator.

 

[930dreamer]

Post some pics.

 

[branimal]

As stated we spray equipment and you can't realy mess that up. Their are definitely better ways to do it but were working with rustoleum not painting for chip foose

I had to google chip foose. Thought it was a type of paint. Lol.

Is rustoleum considered a decent paint? From my limited latex airless spraying exp I know guys prefer Ben moore / Sherman Williams over stuff you can buy at HD. I like the PPG diamond paint from HD at about $115 for 5 gallons.

 

[aka Larry]

Thanks Larry.

Paints still sticky after 6 hours. Did I spray it on too thick? I did the 5:2 ratio.

Had to take multiple passes to get into all the grooves of the radiator.

Thicker will increase the drying time, but did you use the enamel hardener? It speeds up the drying time a good bit. Otherwise that is kind of what Rustoleum is known for...long drying times, but a good product for it's price point.

I've found if you can just let it be for a week, you'll be much happier.

 

[branimal]

I couldn’t find enamel hardener at HD. I might go to a paint supply house later today for my next project....

Spraying a 14’ roof access ladder.

I’m definitely going to need the hardener for this one.

 

[aka Larry]

I couldn’t find enamel hardener at HD.

They always have it at TSC if you have one of those near you.

Edit: Please use a respirator when spraying if you are adding the catalyst. It's very dangerous to breathe that stuff in.

 

[connorm]

+1. You will definitely have to thin Rustoleum to get it to spray properly. I personally use Acetone to thin mine. Add some enamel hardener for a better finish and quicker flash time.

I sprayed my frame with rustoleum a couple weeks ago. Thin it out a fir bit for sure, but it goes on fine.

 

[branimal]

Is one coat enough for the roof ladder or should I go 2?

Got some Japan dryer from the local hardware store. Quarter full bottle the guy had laying around. He just gave it to me.

Pretty happy the way the matte black laid out.

Going to do my Jeep’s rusty cragar rims tomorrow. Can I spray the chrome coated center caps? What kind of prep is required?

Yup got a respirator on.

 

[branimal]

Post some pics.

Radiators were done with Rustoleum Satin black. Kind of wish I went flat black to hide the surface imperfections. But overall I'm pretty happy with the results.

 

[Loose Nut Buster]

Spray on a kote or two of satin or matt clearcoat rustoleum sells it at the Depot or TSC

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[branimal]

Picked up some Ben moore satin impervo gunmetal alkyd enamel. Directions say do not thin. Should I thin it when spraying it? Or just follow the directions?

 

[karoc]

There's a 48 hr recoat time,don't cheat or you pay the price.

 

[branimal]

There's a 48 hr recoat time,don't cheat or you pay the price.

Ha. Good advice. I end up spraying so much paint in the first coat to reach the nooks and crannies in the radiators, I don’t bother with a second coat.

 

[rburke65]

A side thought....you’ll probably get better rate of heat dissipation with fewer coats of paint on your radiators.

 

[branimal]

I tried spraying the Benjamin Moore Satin Impervo unthinned (as per directions) and I couldn't get it to spray with the paint control knob turned all the way out. I ended up thinning the paint with mineral spirits. Maybe 15%.

The paint color wasn't really the color I'm after. I wanted something darker. Can I have the BM dealer darken the paint?

Also can I spray the paint with a 1.8 tip instead of the 1.4 that's typically used for oil based paints? Or will the larger tip size create a less desirable finish?