Hi all, I've been lurking on here forever, finally making my first post. I don't have a lot of experience painting (a few panels and a full job on a dually for my neighbor). I've used a couple of different base coats but always Universal Clear 2.1 (Low VOC California). I have a door from a 55 ford f100 that I have painted and re-painted multiple times to practice. I usually have a bit of orange peel in my clear. I finally figured out the secret (for me anyway) of laying out the clear like glass. I am using an Iwata LPH400 1.4 silver cap at 30psi. Full fan and air with fluid 2 1/4 turns out.
So I've read everything about "spray it the way you want the finish" and overlaps and such. When I tried to put it on too wet I would get runs. Drier and I would get texture. The secret for me was to move much faster so that the pass was not super wet.... but with a LOT of overlap. I've heard 75% overlap... I am at least doing it that much if not more. So the way I am putting it on, if only did one pass across the panel and stopped, it would be too dry. It is the multiple passes over the same spot that make it wet. If I try to make one pass across the panel wet, then once I overlap 75% I have multiple passes over the exact same spot and it runs. So the "wet" to me is cumulative, NOT after one pass. Keep in mind that 75% overlap means 4 passes over the same spot. Anyway, here is the pic. This is a reflection straight off the gun after drying for two days. Universal Clear 2.1, slow reducer (there is no extra slow in CA) and a little bit of retarder. It was around 82 degrees the day I painted this. Was done outside so some dust in the finish. The basecoat is Summit Mocha Metallic.
So I've read everything about "spray it the way you want the finish" and overlaps and such. When I tried to put it on too wet I would get runs. Drier and I would get texture. The secret for me was to move much faster so that the pass was not super wet.... but with a LOT of overlap. I've heard 75% overlap... I am at least doing it that much if not more. So the way I am putting it on, if only did one pass across the panel and stopped, it would be too dry. It is the multiple passes over the same spot that make it wet. If I try to make one pass across the panel wet, then once I overlap 75% I have multiple passes over the exact same spot and it runs. So the "wet" to me is cumulative, NOT after one pass. Keep in mind that 75% overlap means 4 passes over the same spot. Anyway, here is the pic. This is a reflection straight off the gun after drying for two days. Universal Clear 2.1, slow reducer (there is no extra slow in CA) and a little bit of retarder. It was around 82 degrees the day I painted this. Was done outside so some dust in the finish. The basecoat is Summit Mocha Metallic.