Spraying SS for the first time - couple of questions

C

cdollar

New Member
After a spring and summer of doing bodywork on my project I'm just about ready to start spraying single stage for the first time and am looking for a bit of guidance.

I've been keeping a log book of how much SPI epoxy I've sprayed per coat on each panel as I've been doing my filler/glaze work, and what I use seems to be pretty consistent each time I spray. When it comes to estimating how much SS I'll need per coat per panel, do I need to add some value to the numbers I've been getting with epoxy, or should SS usage be pretty much in line with epoxy? I'm planning to use Motocryl in a solid color if that makes any difference.

My other question is probably more of an opinion thing... This has been my first bodywork project, and using the wisdom found here in the forum I think things have gone pretty well for me. So far I've sprayed a bit over 2 gallons of SPI epoxy, and I've finally gotten to the point that I'm able to spray it pretty smooth with only very occasional cratering. But that is the extent of my spraying experience.

For my project (a '58 VW camper bus), I'm really only looking for a driver-caliber paint finish. In the decade or so that I've owned it it has seen lots of off-pavement miles and countless nights out camping. I've given it plenty of scratches and a handful of dents, and although I've worked most of that out now I'm sure it'll see plenty of abuse in the future. I really don't want to make the paint finish too perfect... I'd prefer to not have to cut and buff it, and if I can end up with orange peel on par with that of a typical factory finish I'd be totally happy. That said, since this is my first paint job I'm not really sure what I should expect for results.

Can you guys give me any guidance on what I should expect as a newbie (I realize this is a crystal ball sort of question)? How many SS coats should I plan on spraying? Any particular recipe I should follow, or other words of wisdom?

Thanks!! This forum is a great resource!
 
I love spraying SS. The rule of thumb I use is 8 oz per panel per coat and then a little more. The SS use will translate closely to what you used of epoxy.

Mix up more than you think you’ll need for your first coat and spray it. When you’re done, look at how much you have left to figure out how much you used.

Then mix up more, always mixing up more than you think you’ll need so you don’t run out. For my last coat I usually end up with about a half inch of paint left in my cup. Sometimes I use it up just right.

If it’s your first time spraying I would plan on doing some cutting and buffing. You’re going to have a lot of trash and will likely have some peel and probably runs too. Spray 4 coats if you’ll cut and buff. For areas like door jambs that won’t get cut, you can do 2-3 coats. To do that I spray my first two coats on only the parts that will get four coats. Then for the last two or three coats I will spray ALL the parts.

The reason I do it this way is if you spray the two coat parts during the first two coats of everything else, you’ll get dry overspray on them during the third and fourth coats of the other areas.
 
cdollar said:
should SS usage be pretty much in line with epoxy?
Click to expand...
I'm using Motocryl on my truck and I've found the quantity of epoxy and SS run about the same per panel, and like Lizer mentioned I mix more than I need, just so I don't come up short.
The motocryl will cover in 2 coats but I've taken Don's past advice and going with 4 coats.
 
My opinion is for the SS I'd buy the slow activator and use proper flash times as they recommend.
Gun adjustment should be the same as epoxy, so sounds like you have that down.
 
Thanks for all the replies, guys. Good stuff and was exactly what I was looking for.

I'll plan for 4 coats, and handle the jambs and such like Lizer explained (thanks for that tidbit - sounds like great advice). And of course I'll take Barry's advice and use slow activator (and slow reducer), and give it proper flash time.

And I'll start reading up on some of the cut and buff threads to get a better handle on that. That seems like the most intimidating part to me, but that is probably because I'm not familiar with the process yet. Another skill to learn!

Thanks again!
 
cdollar said:
After a spring and summer of doing bodywork on my project I'm just about ready to start spraying single stage for the first time and am looking for a bit of guidance.

I've been keeping a log book of how much SPI epoxy I've sprayed per coat on each panel as I've been doing my filler/glaze work, and what I use seems to be pretty consistent each time I spray. When it comes to estimating how much SS I'll need per coat per panel, do I need to add some value to the numbers I've been getting with epoxy, or should SS usage be pretty much in line with epoxy? I'm planning to use Motocryl in a solid color if that makes any difference.

My other question is probably more of an opinion thing... This has been my first bodywork project, and using the wisdom found here in the forum I think things have gone pretty well for me. So far I've sprayed a bit over 2 gallons of SPI epoxy, and I've finally gotten to the point that I'm able to spray it pretty smooth with only very occasional cratering. But that is the extent of my spraying experience.

For my project (a '58 VW camper bus), I'm really only looking for a driver-caliber paint finish. In the decade or so that I've owned it it has seen lots of off-pavement miles and countless nights out camping. I've given it plenty of scratches and a handful of dents, and although I've worked most of that out now I'm sure it'll see plenty of abuse in the future. I really don't want to make the paint finish too perfect... I'd prefer to not have to cut and buff it, and if I can end up with orange peel on par with that of a typical factory finish I'd be totally happy. That said, since this is my first paint job I'm not really sure what I should expect for results.

Can you guys give me any guidance on what I should expect as a newbie (I realize this is a crystal ball sort of question)? How many SS coats should I plan on spraying? Any particular recipe I should follow, or other words of wisdom?

Thanks!! This forum is a great resource!
Click to expand...
Hey cdollar, I will be starting to spray epoxy for the first time very soon, I am going to do my c10 cab in stages starting with the bottom, I want to do a couple coats of epoxy than raptor the bottom as well, curious on gun settings and the amount of epoxy I would need to cover, I don’t want to either mix to much or worse not enough.
Any tips would be great, thanks.
 
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