[Hallicrafters] Paint formulas

[Carl]

Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] Paint formulas


>
>
> Glen Zook wrote:
>> There also used to be some spray cans that had a variable width spray 
>> pattern.  But, I haven't seen any of those for some time.  I agree that 
>> those with the wider spray pattern do a better job than the "normal", 
>> cone-shaped, cans.  However, once one "gets the hang" of using a spray 
>> gun it is really hard to go back to spray cans!  Also, unless you have 
>> custom mixed paint put in spray cans there is a limit to the actual 
>> colors of paint available.
>>
>> It does take a little bit of time cleaning the paint gun after you are 
>> finished.  Fortunately,
> I think this has probably turned off more people to spray painting than
> any other aspect.  You used to have to completely disassemble the gun,
> clean each part, then reassemble, load with thinner, and flush out.
> Now days many paints allow you to drain the gun, wipe down the dip tube
> and gun parts while the can drains.  Rinse and wipe the can, dump in a
> bunch of thinner/solvent, stick the dip tube in and pull the
> trigger...outdoors or in a paint booth.  With most of today's paints
> this will thoroughly clean the "guts" of the sprayer, but not all.
> One of the keys is to have everything set out and ready to go for the
> use and then the cleaning. However you do want to make sure the insides
> are clean because cleaning a gun that has set after being improperly
> cleaned in more than a lot of work. It can be a study in frustration and
> you do not want to damage any of those little parts.
>
> I didn't think the technology had changed much over the years, but I
> have a new, top of the line sprayer.  (Not HVLP) and I still have the
> old one my dad had out on the farm.  I can get the new one out, do the
> work, and clean up in about the time it takes to clean the old one which
> BTW is not fully adjustable like the new one.  I should add that I also
> have an  80 gallon compressor, but I need a much larger and more
> efficient dryer.
>
> OTOH I need a new tool room lathe and floor mill more than the dryer.
>> the more often that you clean the gun the faster that it becomes.  It 
>> used to take me 15 to 20 minutes to properly clean a paint gun and 
>> sometimes even longer.  Nowadays I can clean the gun in less than 10 
>> minutes, sometimes around 5 minutes.
>>
>> By the way, I do use spray cans with the Plasti-Kote "Stone Touch" paint 
>> that I use for a "crackle" or "wrinkle" finish.  However, as far as I 
>> know, that is the only way one can purchase the paint!  It does take a 
>> specific "touch" to get an even finish using this paint.  In fact, it 
>> often takes at least 2 "coats" before you have a pretty "even" finish.
>>
> And here I used to work, not to get that orange peel...<:-))
>
> My current project besides getting the 33B up and running so I can test
> out the 8295As AND check out the 8874's in the Alpha, AND check out my
> spare 3CX800's in the Henry, AND get the new amp up and running, AND
> replace both windows in the shop (Thermopane), AND rebuild the
> Tri-bander, 7L 6-meter C3i Yagi, and both the stacked 12 on 144 and
> stacked 11's on 440...and...finish up the fuselage on the airplane, AND
> replace the radio stack in the Debonair...and.....I think maybe I'll
> just go take a nap. But if any one knows where I can get a good lathe
> and mill for reasonable prices?
>
> 73
>
> Roger (K8RI)


The only time I use rattle cans is for touching up yard equipment, tools and 
places that wont be seen.  Its impossible to get a consistent pattern and 
volume. For radio restorations I use an airbrush, HVLP touch-up, and HVLP 
full size guns.

It doesnt take much of a compressor to do a cabinet or rack, 2hp and a 30 
gallon tank is more than sufficient and I can do that in the garage with a 
makeshift spray booth and a few heat lamps. Its a waste of time going to the 
shop to use the 5hp 2 stage setup and vehicle size spray booth.

I tried acrylic latex once and thats the last time. Its far from automotive 
finish hard and its a PITA to clean the gun. A single stage acrylic enamel 
with the proper amount of flattener is much harder and easy to clean up. I 
havent found any need for 2 stage or epoxies, that is saved for auto 
restorations.

Carl
KM1H