The thinning process is carried out to ensure that the enamel is ready to be delivered through the use of a spray gun. The paint needs to pass easily through the gun's nozzle to achieve an even color across your auto's surface. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 20 of 41 Posts. This flow property of a fluid is called viscosity – it’s considered low when the fluid is thin, and high when it’s thick. If the paint is too thick, it won’t come out like spray. If you did not just get the paint from the store where it was shaken by the paint mixing machine, then you stir that paint making sure that you get the paint in the bottom of the can to … Continue adding thinner until the paint sprays evenly and easily out of the gun or until you reach the maximum amount of thinner the manufacturer specifies. #2. Total paint nerds unite! Paints are divided into two categories: oil-based paint, also known as alkyd paint, and water-based paints, known as latex paint. However, there are things you need to do before opening paint. Also, for thinning purposes, read the instructions carefully. That is what I had experienced so I have been using paint thinner to thin it a bit. In my previous video, “Mixing Paint & Filling a Spray Gun, Small Shop Spray Painting Part V” I simply guessed when I thought I had it thin enough. Any Acrylic Enamel Hardener will work. When the finish is too thick for the spray gun you’re using, it will come out slowly (if at all) and will spatter – creating little visible droplets that produce a bumpy finish. I've found about 25 percent thinner works about right for HVLP spray, but notice that when it … Step 2 Turn the HVLP spray gun on and adjust the air pressure by opening the compressor regulator to 90 psi. Thinned it with what? Acetone is not a thinning agent, so if you use it as … How to Thin a Semi-Gloss Enamel. Cans of compressed air can be used but work out very expensive in the long run. Put some thinned enamel paint in a spray gun, and spray some paint on the selected spot. Acetone can thin Enamel Paints but it is not recommended to use Acetone as a thinner. Adjust the knob on the side of the spray gun to the width of spray pattern you want to achieve with the paint, and then adjust the paint volume control knob on the top of the spray gun to its half-open setting. I was just trying to apply color rather than protection, but it was my first time with the spray gun, so it wasn't perfect. But when it’s the right viscosity, the spray … Milacron. Spray cans suitable for small jobs come pre-mixed, but when you apply acrylic enamel with spray equipment, you should always thin it with the reducer recommended by the manufacturer. If you are thinking of mixing oiled based paint and using a spray gun, … I have used a product called "The Wet Look". Thinning to a consistency of milk will provide you with a good starting point. These days … If you are planning to do some decorating with a paint sprayer instead of applying the paint manually, you may be keen to get started. Instead use 100% acrylic enamel paint. To sum up, thinning paint for spray gun can be a bit tricky. Thinning Rustoleum paint to spray w/ gun. by Charles Ritchie October 30, 2019. by Charles Ritchie. When spraying paint with a compressed air spray gun – whether gravity feed or siphon feed, conventional or High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) – it’s important to have the gun set up properly for the job. Why Should You Thin Enamel Paint: Fill the paint cup with enamel paint and attach to the HVLP Spray Gun. Link to … Thinner: Can be Used For Enamel Paints: Water: Yes, but only if Enamel Paint is water-based. In this case, you may add a small amount of Floetrol additive and a small amount of water to aid in thinning the paint. Does this paint generally need to be thinned from the can? Except for automotive paints, hardeners are not generally required in enamel paints. It is … So if an Acetone diluted Enamel Paint is used on plastic it can come to complications. Remember not to be too aggressive in adding water or thinner to your material. Thread Tools. Acetone can be used for cleaning off enamel paints from brushes and other surfaces but if it is used as a thinner it can come to complications. From here, you know which one requires more water to be thinned. Does not work with Oil Based Enamel Paints! Things You will Need. Think of thickness in terms of being thin and runny like water or thick and syrupy like honey. How to Spray Latex Paint with HVLP? If the paint is too thick, you won't have an even flow out of the airbrush gun and the gun will continually get clogged. Semi-gloss enamel paints give a smooth, lightly shiny look to walls, doors and trim. Guest BJM Posted December 3, 2008. Open the paint reservoir cap of the HVLP spray gun and pour the paint mix in. See if the paint and thinner are equally mixed or not. Guest BJM. Enamel is simple oil-based paints that are ready to use. This was a time when calling a product “enamel paint” was a powerful marketing move. Like, cleaning walls for painting as smooth layers as possible. If the proportion is not okay, then add some more thinner and put the mixture in the spray gun. Follow our directions below and you will be spraying latex paint in no time. Don’t forget your low-tack masking film, which you should use for not damaging the ‘model’. Thread: Enamel paint and thinning (for spray) question. However, before attempting to do so, understand the different characteristics of different kinds of paint. Spray a test panel to check … For example, if you are painting a small panel or a motorcycle gas tank, you should use a … PRAYING LATEX PAINT atex paint (the kind normally used with a brush or roller) is a difficult medium for most spray guns, but you e thinned for HVLP spraying, and typically 5-10% works for pressure feed, while 10% or furniture use, do not use latex wall paint. 2. Then adjust the regulator on the handle. With this Table, we will give a quick overview of all thinners that can and cannot be used to thin Enamel Paints. Accordingly, can you put hardener in Rustoleum paint? Spray Equipment. First, go to an area where it does not matter if you have a spill while you are transferring the paint and mixing the paint. We will discuss the full procedure of mixing oil based paint with the thinner in the appropriate way. I was concerned because like Paula said the paint will start to get too thick from just being opened and painted with the brush. After a brief explanation of how the gun works, I was told that if 'blobs' are shot out of the gun even after thinning, I am not getting proper atomization. This along with some 2.0mm gravity feed guns is available on my Amazon store at or directly at I selected the guns simply by reading the star ratings and honed in … Unless you are spraying acrylic enamel from a can, you will need an air spray gun … Step I: Thin the paint; Even before you start out, you have to thin the paint. Use enamel … It took me weeks to work up the courage to actually put that gun together and open that paint can. Air pressure, also known as PSI (pounds per square inch of pressure), can vary depending on the gun and material being used. I want to paint my restored Wisconsin engine with Valspar tractor and implement enamel with hardener from Farm & Fleet. However, you may need to thin the enamel more or less depending on the pattern you’re looking for, and the way your airbrush acts. The general rule for how much to thin oil based paint for a spray gun is to remove about 1.5 cups of primer from a 1-gallon can and then add 1.5 cups of thinning agent to the product. What you are painting is important to a certain extent, but more important is what you are painting with. Acetone: is possible but not recommended. The latex enamel may be difficult to work with. In most cases you want to start by thinning your enamel paint to the consistency of milk. Higher quality latex paint usually is thicker than those with lower quality. It is not particularly suitable for painting … The purpose of thinning is to improve viscosity and allow for easier spreading out and about a given surface. The wrong reducer can lead to defects such as dripping, separating and a bumpy texture known as eggshell. If you're familiar with your gun, you should have no problems. Two brands are I would recommend two thin coats rather than one thick one. 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