Paint Q

[Boney 0]

This summer I hope to do some painting. Listening to those here it seems that rattle can paint is very soft. My question is to those who have painted with a gun how expensive is it? I have a 5hp 25 gallon compressor. I dont mind buying a gun as I will use it on other projects as well. But what is the true cost of painting, as I do not know what materials I will need. Is painting it outside a foolish thing to do? Thnx for any help Herm

[RenegadeJ 0]

I have painted several tractors using auto paints. They are more expensive than rattle cans but I think the results are much better. The last tractor I painted, if I remember correctly the paint was about 40 dollars a quart plus you have to have the reducer and the hardner to add to the paint. Then you have to have laquer thinner to clean the paint gun. Should be able to do a decent job for about 65 to 70 bucks. Be sure to apply the paint in thin coats as automotive paint is pretty thin. Price of the paint depends on the color. I think red is probably the most expensive due to all the pigments in the color. Try it and good luck.

[MrSteele 483]

I use auto paint for everything besides engines. Exception to that is the old one cylinder gasoline hit and miss engines. I use tractor paint for that, usually buying it from a local tractor parts dealer for $50-$75 a quart. Both auto and tractor paint can be thinned, usually it is necessary for proper spraying, and several coats applied for best results. Pay attention to the recoat times shown on the directions, or you'll get some interesting finishes! I'm still using a 5 gallon can of thinner I bought a couple of years ago, and a quart of primer goes a long way, too. I have an old Devilbis siphon gun that I can't find parts for, anymore, so I'll eventually have to break down and buy a pressure gun, I assume, sooner or later. For exceptional finishes, a spray gun is best. As for painting outside. It works, if not too dry, the humidity is not too high, and if the wind is calm. Dust is your worst enemy, as rattle can paint dries quicker than most auto and tractor paint. Cover what you don't want painted inside, and paint inside your shop or garage. My shop floor is a mixture of oil, green, red, orange, black, .........and likely well protected against rust!

[mowerman1193 0]

It would be a good idea to get a good resperator too..The auto paints are alot more dangerous than most any other paints out there..especially if you use a hardener.. I find that if I am painting outside that the best time is early in the day when the dew is still in the grass and it seems like the wind is calmer in the early am too.Sometimes in the evening works good too but if you don't time it right the dew will do a bad thing to your paint when you least expect it..Never happen to me before though,LOL I just heard about it..LOL

[dhardin 0]

You may need a regulator for the gun,It works better to set the tank to a high pressur. A section of hose then a filter and regulator to set the pressur for the gun around 25 to 30 psi then another section of hose to the gun. I have my best luck using a smallet touch up gun and hardner for the paint. To control the dust blow of the ceiling above the tractor to be painted with air compressor. Then hose down as much of the room as possable with water. But not over the tractor, it will drip on the paint. Us as much water as possable it will hold bown most of the dust. Try to put a exost fan in a window, but not to big of a fan and not to close to the tractor to be painted. Good luck, it's not really that hard. Its all in the preperation.

[RonT 1]

All of the above have good tips. I would add that there is a generic brand of PPG Paint that is called OMNI. I have used it and will use it again. It is what was used on my 912h that is in my gallery. It is about $30 to $40 a sprayable quart(includes hardner and thinner). As for a gun buy a gravity feed. I do not feel you have to spend a fortune on one. For example I have a $375.00 SATA gun I also have a $99.00 copy of the SATA For the average painter the copy would be fine. I can see the diffrence but I also painted cars for 15 years. If you have any questions PM me or email me.