Want to have a go at painting, seeing as it always seems to be the most expensive part of any car I build. I've done plenty of things with aerosol but never had a go with a 'real' paint gun.

I'm planning on using cellulose as I understand it's most forgiving for painting at home, is less likely to kill me than 2 pack, and is still legal for hobby use.

I've got some old panels - wings, bonnet, etc - to have a practice on but the plan is to do a whole car if the practices come out ok.

So, next step is the tools: I'm after a random orbit sander and a gun, but there are so many I've no idea what to buy. For example, the guns seem to all talk about 'XXmm preparation' - what's that all about? Do the self dust extracting sanders really work?

Anyone experienced with this stuff and prepared to offer some advice to a complete newbie?

Cheers, Chris

What compressor have you got Chris, as for Sprayguns a Hawk 868 HVLP is a cracking bit of kit high quality well made can be had for 40-50 squids if your compressors up to it.
The random orbital sanders from Aldi are good if theres any left in your local store.
Cheers,
Bob

I have a little portable unit, which claims

2hp
20 litre tank
8.4cfm

I assume that's not powerful enough.

However, I also have a massive one that came from Conrod's old arch garage. It's apparently the biggest single phase compressor he could get, regularly pops the 13A fuse it runs on (it's supposed to have it's own dedicated feed I guess) and takes my engine crane to lift it, so I assume it'll be man enough for the job. I needs moving, as planning to paint at the house rather than in my workshop, but can do that if required.

Chris

Oh, that's the other thing...

What does this HVLP thing stand for? Seen that a few times!

Chris

Scrub round the Hawk, the prices have gone stupid, a suction feed Kestral HVLP is a better buy at the moment and just as good.
Your little compressor will run out of puff trying to power either gun, your big jobby will do it I would imagine its about 2.5/3 horse so will shell up a 13a fuse on a regular basis due to high amps on start up, you could just use a bit of 15A fuse wire in the plugtop if you were a rough arse but I didnt tell you that.
You need a 15 amp outlet fitting in your garage not a big job to do it properly.
HVLP is high volume low pressure you get less overspray use less paint and I think a better finish.
If your stuck getting the gun and I'll ring up one of our customers he owes me some favours.
Cheers,
Bob

Thanks Bob.

There are two Kestrels on here:

http://www.spraygunsdirect.co.uk/advanced_search_result.php?page=2&keywords=kestrel

Is that a reasonable price? Which would you go for out of the two?

Chris

I use a £10 gravity feed gun for a lot of small jobs now and the finish with it is really good, don't get hung up on spending a fortune on a gun till you get the hang of painting. I have an Aldi orbital sander but I never use on filler or paintwork. If you need power tools to sand it down you are putting too much on.

[Edited on 21/4/10 by Peteff]

Just rang that customer 35 squids plus VAT he's got one left u2u me if you want it.
Cheers,
Bob

[Edited on 21/4/10 by splitrivet]

personally i would only use a devilbiss or iwota (spelling) spray gun....

i have a spare air powered da for sanding if you are interested....say 20 squids plus postage???

Hi Boggle

What brand/model is the sander?

Chris

there is a devillebis in the barn........somewhere

Indeed... 'somewhere' being the problem!

Chris

its a rupes....

but you will need a bigger compressor....

for diy use, a £50 gravity feed (they use less air) gun with a 1.4mm nozzle will work fine, they are all much the same, we used a sealey gold one for a good few paint jobs and its fine, if not as robust as the expensive ones!

Re. the sander DON'T get an air one whatever you do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I cannot say that strongly enough! The cheap ones need LUDICROUS amounts of air to even turn at all, whatever they say on the instructions!

Get an electric one.

We have a Stayer one that we got from machine mart and its done full preps on at least 10 cars now.

The backing pads and consumables for air ones all fit straight on (as long as you get a 6" one! )

I can report all the above based on experience and learning by error!!!

Take a look on www.retropower.co.uk for some finished paintwork pics using the stuff mentioned above

[Edited on 25/4/10 by NS Dev]

quote:

---

Originally posted by NS Dev
for diy use, a £50 gravity feed (they use less air) gun with a 1.4mm nozzle will work fine, they are all much the same, we used a sealey gold one for a good few paint jobs and its fine, if not as robust as the expensive ones!

Re. the sander DON'T get an air one whatever you do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I cannot say that strongly enough! The cheap ones need LUDICROUS amounts of air to even turn at all, whatever they say on the instructions!

Get an electric one.

We have a Stayer one that we got from machine mart and its done full preps on at least 10 cars now.

The backing pads and consumables for air ones all fit straight on (as long as you get a 6" one! )

I can report all the above based on experience and learning by error!!!

Take a look on www.retropower.co.uk for some finished paintwork pics using the stuff mentioned above

[Edited on 25/4/10 by NS Dev]

---

The OP has a small comp, and as such is being advised that an air sander will struggle to run to full effect on that comp.

However, most bodyshops have BIG comps and as such have no problems.

i have a 50ltr comp and its fine....