how much universal should I buy?

5

58mark

I'm wondering how much universal I should get. I have a 89 camaro, and I'd like to put at least 3 coats on it.

I know the 2.1 only comes in gallons. but two sprayable gallons seems like an excess of clear. knowing activator can go bad sitting on the shelf, how much activator should I buy to go with my gallon of clear?
 
with somewhat stable temps ive had activator last for a couple of years, opened even... i havent heard of any spi activator going bad. i dont think that is an excess of clear ... you may even be be cutting it close... there are more knowledgable painters here that can tell you!
 
If you seal the can of activator immediately after each use it will last a long time.
You could order the MS clear if you're worried about buying too much.
The product tech sheets tell you how much activator you need for each type of clear.
 
If you're doing only the outside, a gallon MIGHT be enough depending on the efficiency of your gun. If you are doing jambs also, you should at least get 3 quarts of activator. I think 1.5 gal should do in any case, unless you are really going wild under the hood, firewall, inner fenders, etc.
 
I'd rather have too much then run out. just sayin.....

Then if you burn thorugh on your cut and buff you always have some for repairs.
 
on a fairlane, i didn't do jambs..just underside of hood, no roof. right at 1 gallon with 3 coats. i do use a w400 so it puts the material out moreso than a lph400. better to have a little more sitting on the shelf incase, than running out when you have 1 more panel to do.
 
jeremyb;9086 said:
on a fairlane, i didn't do jambs..just underside of hood, no roof. right at 1 gallon with 3 coats. i do use a w400 so it puts the material out moreso than a lph400. better to have a little more sitting on the shelf incase, than running out when you have 1 more panel to do.
Click to expand...

So you're talking about two sprayable gallons, right?

I guess I need to get at least that much, thanks
 
Here is what they are saying..

At least buy the clear in the 1 gallon jug.. If you are concerned with the activator cans going bad as they sit for years, then only buy 3 quart cans of activator.. This will yield you 1.5 gallons of clear coat that has no reduction..

If you have another vehicle to paint in a couple years, I would buy all 4 quarts of activator and keep them in your basement or closet somewhere that is climate controlled.. They can easily last up to 5 years unopened and perform just fine..

The issue with activators going bad is in the opened cans.. Say for example.. You open your can, use half of it.... Its nasty hot, humid summer etc.. Well the chances of the can going bad over the years just grew exponentially.. The iso's in the can "kick" with moisture.. The more humidity in the air that gets into the can that you have poured from can cause it to go bad..

This is why Barry always tells people to always close the can ASAP and not to leave your activator cans open on the mixing table/work bench.. The longer they stay open, especially in summer months, the more of a chance for issues..


With all that said, Ive had activators last for over 5 years that were opened.. However this does not mean this would be your case.. Yet more likely than not your activator in an UNOPENED can would last for 5+ years in my opinion.. Barry would tell you not to buy activator your not going to use and that is for good reason..
Im simply telling you my experiences..

Ive had 1 can go bad over the years.. It was a HS can of activator that was open and sat for years in a non climate controlled garage for probably 3+ years with maybe 4 ounces of the product in there.. Eventually it kicked off and that should be expected under that circumstance!!!!
 
ok, i thought 2 sprayable gallons was a little much, but after getting all hte input, I'm thinking of doing what you said and setting any exra activator aside for future use (like God forbid I have to repair the car in the event of an accident or major dent)
 
58mark.... A very likely possibility is that someone will see your finished paint job and ask for you to paint something for them. You will be needing that activator sooner than you think.

Aaron
 
Ha! I've already got guys in my camaro club wanting me to do their cars next. I told them "guys....wait until we see how it turns out first"
 
SOLD! Just spend $450 over the phone buying SPI products. Universal Clear, high build primer, epoxy primer, and some reducer

Between that and the prospray base I bought this morning, I've spent over $750 on my car today... damn, I only paid $900 for the whole car 18 months ago!
 
And to think you got a great deal on everything you bought while still getting great quality. Happy Day for sure!
Try pricing the same products through PPG or RM Diamont or Dupont and you'll be feeling much, much better about your purchases.
 
You can use Bloxygen and store a partial can of activator for years, almost the same as a never opened can.

Use it in your partially used clear or primer cans too.
 
yeah, I'm not into paying top dollar just to get the best of the best, but with the stuff I bought today, I feel like I got as good as the best while paying a fraction of the cost.

Now I really can't wait to get this thing painted... it's still a couple months away, minimum
 
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