Newbee shooting metallic

[Bob in MO]

Got a few questions about shooting a metallic.

Here are the givens:

Base coat = Deltron 2000 DBC (Platinum Gray Matallic (ppg 301530))
Apply: 2 – 3 coats until hiding is achieved (avoid thick films of DBC)
Fluid tip: 1.2 – 1.5
Air Pressure: 8 – 10 psi at cap for HVLP
Flash Times:
Between coats: 5 – 10 minutes
To Clearcoat: 15 minutes, 24 hours max.

Spray Gun: Sharpe Finex FX3000 1.4 HVLP

Questions:

The air pressure, specified by Deltron, seems light, what do you guys think?

When does the flash time start?
Is it when you start painting or when you finish painting?
For example, I start at the back of the car, by the time I get to the front, 5 minutes have gone by. Is that 5 minutes part of the flash time?

In avoiding thick films of DBC, what does that look like?
How do I know that I’m not a spraying to light?

The guy at the paint store said I should lay down a drop coat.
Do I flash before the drop coat?

I plan on over lapping 75% to prevent stripping, sound OK to you guys?
Will that affect my flash time between coats?

Thanks

 

[crashtech]

The air pressure, specified by Deltron, seems light, what do you guys think?

That pressure is measured at the cap with a special gauge, and has nothing to do with actual air line pressure. I don't know that gun, but would begin at 20PSI at the air inlet of the gun, full frigger pull (fluid flowing). Get advice from someone who has that gun.

When does the flash time start?
Is it when you start painting or when you finish painting?
For example, I start at the back of the car, by the time I get to the front, 5 minutes have gone by. Is that 5 minutes part of the flash time?

Flash time starts at the time the paint is applied to the surface, so IF you are keeping to a set spray pattern, the time it takes to get around the vehicle does count toward the flash time. However, with basecoat, longer is better, so just start your time after you finish.

In avoiding thick films of DBC, what does that look like?
How do I know that I’m not a spraying to light?

Too heavy will mottle, sag, or even run. Too light will look and feel rough and dry.

The guy at the paint store said I should lay down a drop coat.
Do I flash before the drop coat?

No, drop coat is like a 1/2 coat done right after the last coat, with lower pressure and greater gun distance. Actually you do this panel by panel, for example, full coat on door then drop coat on door, then move to next panel. I don't do them unless the color is really devilish, as in you see irregularities in the metallic that need hiding. Good gun technique and good paint mostly eliminate the need for drop coats, especially on completes.

I plan on over lapping 75% to prevent stripping, sound OK to you guys?
Will that affect my flash time between coats?

75% is good technique if your fluid delivery and travel speed are right for it. It's what most painters do these days.

 

[Bob in MO]

thanks for the info