First time Painting ?'s

[GIT-R-DONE]

I am getting ready to paint my truck. Truck has been completely stipped down to bare metal. I am starting out with an "Etching Primer". After that, another primer is to be put on. NOW. . . .



I am using a base coat clear coat paint. When one is painting the truck, how long do you wait between coats of paint? How long do you wait after painting the truck before you put the clear coat on? How long do you wait before you can put on mulitple coats of clear on? I dont want to rush it but am just trying to do it right. Ideas?

 

[GOlsen]

Usually it will specify on the can of paint. I use the Matrix systems usually. They recommend 10-15 min between coats of base. If you don't have the ability to bake the paint (which I think you get better results without baking it anyway), you have to wait at least 24-48 hours for the base coat to cure. When you spray the clear, once again wait 15 min between each coats. The trick is to lay more, thinner coats instead of less thicker coats. It's less likely to run.

 

[JPenka]

I use the Sherwin Williams systems. The flash time on base is usually 10-15 min. 2 coats usually. And 20 min flash before spraying clear 2-3 coats. Depends on the temperature, and brand of paint most manufacturers have different recommendations.

 

[TGroves]

All Paint System Are Kinda The Same As Far As Flash Times On The Base Coat And Primer And Clears ,, What You Need To Look For Is What Is The Drying Time On The Reducer ,, Reducers Will Have A 70 Degree, Which Is For Cooler Days And One For Hotter Days Like 90degrees The Larger The Number The Slower The Dry Time ,,, Because You Don't Want The Top Coat To Dry To Fast Or You Will Have Solvent Pop Which Is The Top Coat Is Dryed And Under Is Still Wet, Solvents Are Still Coming Out. . You Wont See This Until The Clears On And You Come Back An See It The Next Day It Will Look Seedy And Died Back Or Dull Looking ,,, But As Far As Painting Make Shour That Their Is Enough Primer On The Panels Ie, "no Bondo Showing ,,,,metal Or Edges Sand Thew " Thats If You Don't Used Sealer ,,,, Base Coating Is Easy Clean And Prep The Surface ,,tack It ,, Base It ,flash Time About 15- 20 Mins Put Your Finger On The Paper Check For Dryness Tack The Whole Truck Agian Depending On Color May Have To Do It 2- 4 Coats ,,,after Your Last Coat Let It Dry For 20 Mins Or Until The Base Is Good And Dry ,,tack It Again ,, If Its Hot Spary The Clear With Out Any Reducer If Its And Allover To Me The Clear Will Flow Out Better The Trick Is To Spray Your First Coat How You Want It To Look Ie Flat And Then Med Coats ,check Dryness Put You Finger In The Paper Near The Hood You Finger Should Stick But Be On The Edge Of Having Clear On You Finger ,if Its A Long Bed Space Cab You May Use Almost Two Gals Of Clear ,,,gal & Half If You Have Hvlp Guns I Like Using A Sata Jet For The Clear ,, If You Bake It ,bake It @ 160 Degrees @ 30 Mins Pull It Out And Wait Till The Next Day And Start Sanding Again And Buff It Out ,,, Trick Is Just Go Slow If Its Your First Paint Job

 

[AKives]

Most paint manufacturers do not include instructions on their cans anymore therefore you need to get a tech sheet on the product in question which can be found on their websites.

Every brand of basecoat is different and every brand of basecoat has a 'window' in which clear can be applied. It might be no sooner than 30 minutes but no longer than 24 hours. The last thing you need is a generic answer off an internet forum when you haven't specified which base you are using.

Also, make sure you have the correct speed/temperature reducer or you will have problems especially if you have a reducer which is too cool in its temperature for your actual conditions. Meaning if you have a 65-70 degree reducer and it's 80+ you are going to have major problems including but not limited to trapped solvents and crappy base transfer meaning the base won't lay slick.

Another thing you need to keep in mind as it warms up is humidity. Coatings have solvents that must escape before the next coat is applied and those solents escape into the air. When it's 80% humidity that means the air is 80% full of water which will slow the solvents down that are trying to escape. In other words if your tech sheet says 15 minutes per coat @ 70 @ 50% humidity you need to add some extra time on a humid day.

Also, many people like to wet the floor before they paint to keep dirt down. While this works to control dirt do know that wetting an enclosed booth floor change the humidity level of the booth by 10% almost instantly which as stated slows down your solvents trying to escape.

As far as baking, if you go this route read the clear tech sheet because not every clear needs 140, 150 or 160 degrees whether its for 10, 20 or 30 minutes of baking.

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

Thanks for the help guys.



I got it sprayed with only minor problems with a generic gun. Had to change heads after I got the first coat on as it plugged up from the primer. I couldnt get it unplugged no matter what I tried. Ended up using another head that was better for spraying the paint. I will post some pics in a few days. Doing the bedliner now and the weather is going to change tomorrow nite, I have to "GIT-R-DONE" before it turns cold.