First Time Painter - Products

[Jim A]

First Time Painter - Products

Hello to all. I have been reading the forum for about a month now, as I’m about to begin doing my own painting. I have a tractor restoration business, and up to now have been subbing out the painting. This is quite a chore, and I really don’t make any money on that part of my service. So over the last year I have been considering doing the painting myself, and have begun acquiring equipment. I have an Apollo Four Stage Turbine and 5510 HVLP gun. I also have a 2 qt pressure pot and an eight-ounce add on cup. I have 5 tips & needles: .75 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, and two air caps. I have been reading as much as I can and I’m about to begin experimenting with the spray gun. My current restoration, a 1948 Farmall Cub should be ready to paint in several weeks. This tractor has been completely stripped down, is receiving all new seals, gaskets, some bearings, etc. I figure I will finish cleaning, start sandblasting and sanding all the way to bare metal, and then go to primer. Then start some assembly and start painting the Farmall Red.

I currently have one gallon of Case 2150 Red, and one quart of Case Silver / Argent. As I understand it, the Case 2150 is alkyd enamel or synthetic enamel. While this may not have been the best choice of paint (as I understand now), this is what I have. Cost was $40.00 gallon. I need to purchase the rest of the paint supplies that I'll need and I’m looking for advice. I am considering using Martin Senour Crossfire products because they’re available locally to me through NAPA. These seem reasonably priced, and I’m told they are a decent product.

I believe I need the following:

Epoxy Primer - The fellow at NAPA said he didn't have any of this and suggested Crossfire Etching Filler 15210. I see Martin Senour has a Crossfire Epoxy Primer product called CP400. Is this what I would want?

2K Primer – Crossfire 2K Primer Surfacer 15221

Reducer for the paint – Crossfire Reducer CR231

Hardener for the paint - The fellow at NAPA had Standard Hardener CH254, but I'm not sure that's correct for the synthetic enamel. I see Martin Senour has a product called Crossfire Synthetic Enamel Hardener 15118. Is this what I would want?

What else will I need / should I have? How about other thinners or cleaners for the equipment? I figure I'll shoot the epoxy primer directly after sandblasting and / or sanding. This will include the cast iron and the sheet metal. I'll follow that with the 2K Primer on the sheet metal. Not sure if I need this on the cast iron or not. Then some final coats with the 2150 Red with Hardener. Does that sound about right?

I have some information about properly reducing the 2150, and have tech sheets on the following Martin Senour products: 15210 Etching Filler, CP400 Epoxy Primer Gray, 15221 2K Primer Surfacer Gray, 15118 Synthetic Enamel Hardener


Do these seem like the correct products to use with what I am doing? Also, any other advice is appreciated.

Oh yea, I will be ordering the Spray Painting 101 dvd, and am considering the Hobbyair 1H system with Direct feed Hood.

Thanks in Advance,

Jim

[TimG]

Do a google search for Martin Senour,second or third link brings you to auto refinish,Product data sheets available there.

[Phil V]

Jim A, I'm genuinely impressed, you have done your homework. I agree that especially in your case the epoxy primer would be a better choice than etch primer. I use mainly PPG, Transtar and Omni paint materials and am personally not familiar with crossfire products so I can't offer much help there.

You will need the correct reducer to go with your synthetic enamel and you'll want to buy at least a gallon of cheap lacquer thinner for gun cleaning purposes. Keep in mind that you don't have to use 2K primer on panels that aren't pitted and don't really need any block sanding. You can spray your synthetic enamel directly over the scuffed epoxy primer. Also keep in mind that synthetic enamel like to run --- really easy. First coat is a mist or tack coat, let that set up for about a half hour then apply a medium coat of topcoat enamel. Let that sit for at least 1/2 hour then another coat, repeat as needed for proper coverage. Make sure the paint is warm and the tractor panels are warm before you shoot them with synthetic enamel.

[Jim A]

Thanks for the advice. Every bit helps for a new guy like me! I'll follow up to be sure I'm getting the correct products for supplies. I'll let you know how I make out.

Thanks Again,
Jim