A few questions after watching Spray Painting 101

[PachecoJ]

I just watched Spray Painting 101 (great job Len) and I have a few nagging questions...

First question is for Len directly, when was the video made and has anything changed as far as your procedure or different advice since the making of the video?

Next question is for anybody. Len seems to only use a hand block throughout the video I have a variety of Dura Blocks and have been trying to develop a system for when to use what block. Do you primarily just use your hand block for most areas, and when do you use different lengths of the long blocks? I.e. is there a rule of thumb to choose longer or shorter blocks?

And finally, a comment. I think the most important tip in the whole video went unmentioned. And that is... classical music Do you always have classical music in the shop? It sounds like a used book store in there. Just for the hell of it I put classical on yesterday and found that I was able to concentrate more than with my normal news programs running. Who knows, maybe Vivaldi and Beethoven is the secret to success.

Jason

[Len]

I just watched Spray Painting 101 (great job Len) and I have a few nagging questions...

First question is for Len directly, when was the video made and has anything changed as far as your procedure or different advice since the making of the video?

Next question is for anybody. Len seems to only use a hand block throughout the video I have a variety of Dura Blocks and have been trying to develop a system for when to use what block. Do you primarily just use your hand block for most areas, and when do you use different lengths of the long blocks? I.e. is there a rule of thumb to choose longer or shorter blocks?

And finally, a comment. I think the most important tip in the whole video went unmentioned. And that is... classical music Do you always have classical music in the shop? It sounds like a used book store in there. Just for the hell of it I put classical on yesterday and found that I was able to concentrate more than with my normal news programs running. Who knows, maybe Vivaldi and Beethoven is the secret to success.

Jason

The only thing that has changed since the video was made was that now most the spray guns have an inlet pressure gauges to adjust the air pressure. All of the rest of the equipment, materials and process are the same.

When using sanding blocks I find that the size and shape of the area to be sanded determines the size and shape of the block. IOW, if the area you're sanding is small then use the small block but you want to span as much of the repair as necessary to make it level. If the repair area is large and the block is small you could leave waves in it because the block will ride into the low areas while not removing enough of the highs to make it level. If you use a long block to sand a small area you could scratch beyond the area that needs so be scratched with that grit sandpaper. If the shape of the area being sanded is concave then you should use a rounded block.

Funny you should mention the music because the only DVD that was ever returned was from a shop teacher who said his students couldn't get past the background music to digest the tools, materials and techniques used on the video. Kids, sheesh!

[Vette Mech]

I bought the DVD too and want to Thank Len personally for the good information... and I did pick up several tips that will help me and make the disk worth the price.

However, what I wanted to see more of, is your spraying technique... I'd like to watch you spray out a whole vehicle from begining to end... minus the music LOL only kidding Len.

Thanks again

[Len]

I bought the DVD too and want to Thank Len personally for the good information... and I did pick up several tips that will help me and make the disk worth the price.

However, what I wanted to see more of, is your spraying technique... I'd like to watch you spray out a whole vehicle from begining to end... minus the music LOL only kidding Len.

Thanks again

Yes, there was only so much I could fit on a 2 hour DVD. If I get to editing the second in the series it will have a continuation of where I left off on 101.

[Peter_Crowl]

Funny thing is - it isn't classical music - it's Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhapsody_in_Blue - a combination of classical and jazz themes composed in the early 20's.
How pathetic that a school class couldn't get through the video because of such a fantastic piece of music.

My question is - I'm working on compound curves - when I work down single stage paint during final finish can I use ScotchBrite and cleanser? Using wet paper will be difficult on the curves.

Peter
in Denver

[Len]

Funny thing is - it isn't classical music - it's Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhapsody_in_Blue - a combination of classical and jazz themes composed in the early 20's.
How pathetic that a school class couldn't get through the video because of such a fantastic piece of music.

My question is - I'm working on compound curves - when I work down single stage paint during final finish can I use ScotchBrite and cleanser? Using wet paper will be difficult on the curves.

Peter
in Denver

Yes, if you're prepping to apply urethane then the scuff made using those materials will hold the paint on the surface. Be sure to rinse and clean it well when you're finished, dry cleanser can be more difficult to remove than wet.

[Peter_Crowl]

Yes, if you're prepping to apply urethane then the scuff made using those materials will hold the paint on the surface. Be sure to rinse and clean it well when you're finished, dry cleanser can be more difficult to remove than wet.

I didn't phrase my question properly...what I'm trying to ask is if I can use the SB and Cleanser method to level single stage paint prior to using compound.

Peter
in Denver

[Len]

I didn't phrase my question properly...what I'm trying to ask is if I can use the SB and Cleanser method to level single stage paint prior to using compound.

Peter
in Denver

No, that won't level the surface, it will only dull it and polishing will reveal very little change in texture. In order to level the surface you need a process and materials similar to leveling body filler where you knock down the high spots and leave the lows. If you have a picture of the area I (or someone else) might be able to come up with an idea.

[Peter_Crowl]

No, that won't level the surface, it will only dull it and polishing will reveal very little change in texture. In order to level the surface you need a process and materials similar to leveling body filler where you knock down the high spots and leave the lows. If you have a picture of the area I (or someone else) might be able to come up with an idea.

Hmmm - Ok - I'm not to that point yet - I watched the video last night and that was my main question. Using PPG Shop Line JAU single stage in a dark green. I'll be applying the epoxy primer and paint this weekend and will post in a different thread so as not to clutter this one.
Thanks - nice job on the video - it isn't as easy as it looks to do a how-to video is it :~) ?

Peter
in Denver