Am I setting myself up for failure?

[bridger1001]

I am repainting my '02 Suzuki gsx-r street-bike. I am good with prep-work. I need to know if the materials and tools that are readily available to me at this time will be sufficient enough to produce good results. Nothing super serious, just good results. I have a 20 gallon compressor with 4.5 scfm, an Astro EVO 4014 lvlp gun with a 1.4mm tip. I have chosen PPG's Omni Paint. The Paint I chose was Diamond Pearl White(tri stage system). Am I asking for trouble? Do I need to buy a more expensive hvlp gun and do this at a friend's shop with a large compressor? I really want to do this at home with what I have if at all possible. I DO NOT want to set myself up for failure and end up with an awful paint job seeing as how I have over $300 into materials at this point. Has any one achieved good results with a similar set up? Bad results? Constructive advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Bob K]

Like I said before, do some test panels and you can judge for yourself if you like the results. Nobody can tell you if you are going to like the result of your own work. Just try it out and see.

Bob K

[frostje]

I am repainting my '02 Suzuki gsx-r street-bike. I am good with prep-work. I need to know if the materials and tools that are readily available to me at this time will be sufficient enough to produce good results. Nothing super serious, just good results. I have a 20 gallon compressor with 4.5 scfm, an Astro EVO 4014 lvlp gun with a 1.4mm tip. I have chosen PPG's Omni Paint. The Paint I chose was Diamond Pearl White(tri stage system). Am I asking for trouble? Do I need to buy a more expensive hvlp gun and do this at a friend's shop with a large compressor? I really want to do this at home with what I have if at all possible. I DO NOT want to set myself up for failure and end up with an awful paint job seeing as how I have over $300 into materials at this point. Has any one achieved good results with a similar set up? Bad results? Constructive advice would be greatly appreciated.

Bob is right, you should spray a small panel and see if you like it. I still believe you may be disappointed with that gun. You chose a three stage and it is difficult for most better guns. Asking for trouble,,,I dont know. You may consider getting a better gun to shoot that or borrow one off your friend. You dont need a large compressor..20 gal will be fine for a bike. I wouldnt do a car with it. Good results is subjective, someone who thinks it looks good may look bad to someone else. It really depends on if it is good enough for you. TEST PANEL!!!!

[bridger1001]

Ok. It sounds like a test panel is definitely in order. My local auto parts store has a Sharpe Finex gun on sale for about $135. Maybe I should buy it?

[bridger1001]

I'm curious if anyone has any experience with the Astro lvlp 4014?

[Bob K]

You know, it’s not rocket science. You have a gun, you have paint, and you have a compressor. Try it out already. It’s fun, make it work. If something goes wrong ask about that but there are unlimited hypothetical problems if you think it to death. No I don’t have experience with an Astro lvlp 4014 but if you hook it to the compressor and spray some paint then you’ll have experience. Experiment around a little and see what it does.

Bob K

[frostje]

Ok. It sounds like a test panel is definitely in order. My local auto parts store has a Sharpe Finex gun on sale for about $135. Maybe I should buy it?

I wouldnt waste my money on a FInex, its probably on par with what you have. Dont worry so much about it, test it. The worst that could happen is you dont like how it came out. Bob is right , there are countless things to worry about when you overthink painting. Like mikey, try it , you'll like it.

[bridger1001]

Thanks guys! You are correct. I am over-thinking this. I suppose that is much better than under-thinking though!

[gtome]

I agree you never know til you try, but damn you picked a pretty difficult job for the first one. Tri-stage pearl white isnt going to be easy. Might consider using a white sealer too. Many of the whites are really transparent and may take many coats to cover. White sealer would help that a lot. Ask me how I know. Just did this R6 with pearl white. Absolutely beautiful color. Too bad he made me cover most of it with some airbrushing. I loved it in the classy pearl white. Asked me to paint him a skull helmet too. Dude looks creepy when he wears it!