C
Chriss
Hello:
I've been restoring headlights as a side job for 2-3 months. My method consists of the typical wet sanding using various grits, compounding, polishing, and finishing off with a sealant. However, because I see business potential in this line of work, I decided to start restoring headlights the professional way with clear coat. I plan on being a mobile service. So I went out bought:
8 Gallon 2HP 5.5CFM Harbor Freight Air Compressor
HVLP Purple Harbor Freight Gun (Requires 6CFM)
Production Clear and Slow Activator (SPI products of course)
As far as air regulation, I'm completely opening the air valve at the air compressor and chocking it at the gun with an air regulator at 28-30psi.
I did my research and I'm basically doing the restoration how most people recommend. First, I dry sand with 800 DA paper to remove ALL the factory clear coat. Then, I wet sand with 800 paper to refine and smooth out the surface. Second, I prep the headlights with a wax and grease remover. I mix the production clear with the slow activator 4:1 and strain the paint into the paint cup and get to spraying!
When I get to spraying, I notice immediately that my coats aren't laying right. I get this massive orange peel and small bubbles. However, I did increase the fluid flow a bit and that seemed to help as the clear layed out more flat but still not enough to sell as a service.
I was reading somewhere and they insisted adding thinner would help. Is this true?
Is my air compressor the culprit by being off 0.5CFM even though I'm spraying a really small area?
There's just too many variables were I could be going wrong. I know off two guys in my city that perform this service easily. How are they pulling it off?
Any advice would be helpful!
I've been restoring headlights as a side job for 2-3 months. My method consists of the typical wet sanding using various grits, compounding, polishing, and finishing off with a sealant. However, because I see business potential in this line of work, I decided to start restoring headlights the professional way with clear coat. I plan on being a mobile service. So I went out bought:
8 Gallon 2HP 5.5CFM Harbor Freight Air Compressor
HVLP Purple Harbor Freight Gun (Requires 6CFM)
Production Clear and Slow Activator (SPI products of course)
As far as air regulation, I'm completely opening the air valve at the air compressor and chocking it at the gun with an air regulator at 28-30psi.
I did my research and I'm basically doing the restoration how most people recommend. First, I dry sand with 800 DA paper to remove ALL the factory clear coat. Then, I wet sand with 800 paper to refine and smooth out the surface. Second, I prep the headlights with a wax and grease remover. I mix the production clear with the slow activator 4:1 and strain the paint into the paint cup and get to spraying!
When I get to spraying, I notice immediately that my coats aren't laying right. I get this massive orange peel and small bubbles. However, I did increase the fluid flow a bit and that seemed to help as the clear layed out more flat but still not enough to sell as a service.
I was reading somewhere and they insisted adding thinner would help. Is this true?
Is my air compressor the culprit by being off 0.5CFM even though I'm spraying a really small area?
There's just too many variables were I could be going wrong. I know off two guys in my city that perform this service easily. How are they pulling it off?
Any advice would be helpful!