Keeping wet edge while refilling gun.

E

Evil_Fiz

Promoted Users
I have looked at every thread I could find on the site using [SITE:http://www.spiuserforum.com "wet edge"] on Google and could not find an answer. (YT was no help either) I learned many things I need to know reading those threads so I am ahead on that front. I will be doing a complete on a VW Karmann Ghia convertible. I have not decided on BC/CC or SS yet. Recommendations for a first-time painter are welcome.

- Approximately how much paint will it take to do each coat on the entire exterior (no roof)?
I've seen it said here that it averages about 8 oz. per panel per coat. That would put me over the 1000 ml capacity of my gun on each coat.

- How should I approach the job IF I do in fact need to refill the gun mid job?
I know about using slow/very slow activator, reducer, and retarder to help keep a wet edge when changing location.

Thanks,
Emil
 
1 liter will do one coat on that car no problem IMO. Especially if you are not doing the roof. Walk the sides, don't panel paint (assuming it's together). Walking is best practice and it saves paint as well as you are not double coating the edge of each panel when you stop and start.

If you have to refill mid coat, hustle. Have it mixed already and waiting. Have your strainers and stand set up and waiting. Quick stir, pop the top fill it and get back where you left off. It should not take longer than a minute to fill your gun and be back on it. But I highly doubt you will have this issue as one liter is plenty to get around that car and not doing the roof IMO.

I have never had to do anything special when having to refill mid coat. Just hustle get it filled and pick up where I left off. Use slow activator, if it's very warm when you shoot it (85+), then use very slow. Same with the reducer. If it's 80 or so a blend of slow and very slow reducer will be OK as well. If you are using Universal, don't reduce it much. 5% to at most 10%. You can add an ounce of retarder per 32 ounces of ready to spray clear to help it stay open. I would not use more than that if you have not used retarder before.
 
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Chris_Hamilton said:
1 liter will do one coat on that car no problem IMO. Especially if you are not doing the roof. Walk the sides, don't panel paint (assuming it's together). Walking is best practice and it saves paint as well as you are not double coating the edge of each panel when you stop and start.

If you have to refill mid coat, hustle. Have it mixed already and waiting. Have your strainers and stand set up and waiting. Quick stir, pop the top fill it and get back where you left off. It should not take longer than a minute to fill your gun and be back on it. But I highly doubt you will have this issue as one liter is plenty to get around that car and not doing the roof IMO.

I have never had to do anything special when having to refill mid coat. Just hustle get it filled and pick up where I left off. Use slow activator, if it's very warm when you shoot it (85+), then use very slow. Same with the reducer. If it's 80 or so a blend of slow and very slow reducer will be OK as well. If you are using Universal, don't reduce it much. 5% to at most 10%. You can add an ounce of retarder per 32 ounces of ready to spray clear to help it stay open. I would not use more than that if you have not used retarder before.
Click to expand...
The only thing I would add, is that if you see that you will run out before completely finishing a section, then refill at a good stopping point before you run out. It will be much easier to continue painting without being too heavy or light in the middle of a panel.
 
I second what’s already been said. I mix up what I know will get me through the first coat. If there’s leftover, no big deal. You’ll use it for second coat. You just don’t want to run out of mixed paint during first coat.

I’ll check the cup periodically when I feel the gun starting to get light. As was already mentioned, when I’m at a good stopping point if I’m running low, I’ll stop and refill my cup with the mixed paint.

For instance, spray your first side and check your cup. If you used less than half of the volume you added to your cup, spray the second side. If you used more than half your cup volume, top off your cup and then spray the other side.

I sprayed a large camper this summer and I had three quarts mixed up and ready to spray. It was run and gun.

If you’re spraying a solid color, single stage is much easier and more forgiving for a beginner. Easier to repair sand thru’s and harder to run, plus everything is done in a single step.
 
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