DIY – Mid-budget Automotive HVLP at HOME
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Hi all,
I am new here and would like to get some advice. I want to do a paint job on my hood but instead of going to the body shop, I’d love to do it myself. However I want to do it right. I’ve watched many videos and many tutorial articles (this site included). I also done some touch up jobs on my car using Aerosol from automotivetouchup.com.
However, that’s not enough. I like to paint my hood using a PAINT GUN. I’m not sure where to start and what to buy. I want to buy the 3M Accuspray but I am not sure if it does basecoat & topcoat too beside primer. Or should I get the SATA. Do I need air compressor? What is the turbine thing? Do I need it?
Any pointers would be really helpful.
Thanks!
Well you will need an air compressor $500-1500 air flter system $200-1000 paint gun $200-600 air sanders $150-250ea sandpaper in various grits in job packs would be around $50-100
then you need the primer, paint,reducer, clear and hardener.This is a sheet ton different than painting with an aeresol can. but if you up to it then we are here to help
They do make turbine fed paint guns but I have no Experience with them, although I know spray tan places use them. I mean hey if I can spray the ole lady with it why not a car right?
Thank you Wydir for your reply.
1) What kind of air compressor should I be looking at? I have air compressor for the tires at home and its pretty big, would that work?
2) What is the air filer system? Is this the booth thing? or is the thing you attach to the air compressor?
3) For paint guns, I’m not sure which to buy. I’m interested in 3M Accuspray but not sure if it can do basecoat and topcoat because it’s only advertised for primer. SATA sounds good too. Again, I have little to no experience, so I wouldn’t know.
4) I have sand paper packs of 220, 500, 1000, 1200. These should be good enough?
5) Primer, base coat, top coat (utherane or acrylic laquer) I can buy no problem. Not sure where to get good reducer though.
6) As for space, I only have the garage, no booth. =( Any tips?
Thanks
[quote=”haomaru87″ post=24862]Thank you Wydir for your reply.
1) What kind of air compressor should I be looking at? I have air compressor for the tires at home and its pretty big, would that work?
2) What is the air filer system? Is this the booth thing? or is the thing you attach to the air compressor?
3) For paint guns, I’m not sure which to buy. I’m interested in 3M Accuspray but not sure if it can do basecoat and topcoat because it’s only advertised for primer. SATA sounds good too. Again, I have little to no experience, so I wouldn’t know.
4) I have sand paper packs of 220, 500, 1000, 1200. These should be good enough?
5) Primer, base coat, top coat (utherane or acrylic laquer) I can buy no problem. Not sure where to get good reducer though.
6) As for space, I only have the garage, no booth. =( Any tips?
Thanks[/quote]
If you are trying to save money than keep on looking for a cheap body shop to do it for you, if you have a new hood then it’d cost around 200 dollars.If your heart is set on doing it yourself you should go on Kijiji and get a (minimum 26 gallon) air compressor and a hvlp spray gun. Then go to the place that you wanted to get paint at and they will tell you what to do.
1) System: Instead of an expensive/huge/non-DIY-friendly air compressor, I’ve decide to get a turbine system made for HVLP guns (true HVLP system). After tons of research and comparing, I’m getting TP tools [url=http://www.tptools.com/dg/60_HVLP-Turbine-Paint-Spray-Systems.html]TP-90PL[/url]. The unit is for $599. It went on sale yesterday for $569. I got one from ebay auction for $519. This system is supposed to have more transfer rate than compressor system because there is no bounce-back effect. Thus, this system allows me to do it in my garage without much mess. I will have to use it and see. CANT WAIT TIL SPRING/SUMMER/75F. I’m content with this solution.
2) Air filter/dryer: No need because the turbine system does not have compressed air issues (condensation/cold air/contaminants/oil). However, turbine system does have warm air so a high-temp/slow urethane reducer is needed.
3) Spray guns: the standard one that comes with the system is only available in 1.0mm nozzle head. I need to get 1.4mm and 1.8mm. However, I’m thinking of just getting a primer gun for separate use. 3M AccuSpray primer gun actually comes to mind… Any other suggestion?
4) Sand papers: I have 80, 180, 220, 320, 500, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500. Already bought a block for block-sanding. That should be good enough. I don’t need machine for this.
5) Primer: I’m planning to buy Transtar 2K All-in-one (etch/fill/seal) urethane primer. This needs 1.8mm. Any other suggestion?
Base: I’m getting Automotivetouchup urethane matching basecoat for my car. I will need to blend. I want to do it.
Clear coat: I’m getting TCPGlobal’s Kustom 2K urethane clearcoat.
Reducer: TCPGlobal also has the high-temp/slow reducer I want. It works out.
Lacquer Thinner: I’m just getting this to clean the parts/gun. Any other suggestion? What do you guys clean your gun with? Solvent? Or reducer?6) Accessories: I’m also getting gun holder, strainers, spray hood/suit, respirator, mixing cups/sticks, masking sheets/tape/paper, tack cloths etc. No problem.
7) Booth: As for space, I only have the garage, no booth. However, I will tape up my garage and turn it into a booth somehow. More on this later. Any suggestions?
Do you think that I’m missing anything? Please feel free to comment/suggest. I’ve done a lot of research lately and summer cannot come any faster!
To pierceg: Thanks! I do want to do it myself.
It sounds like you are off to a good start after a while of hand sanding you will wish you bought a DA.
Thank you Wydir. I’m committed to do it myself now. This will save me so much in the end. Not only I will be able to fix up my car, I will be able to fix up my mom’s, dad’s, friend’s, friend’s parents, etc. They now have to pay me! *** Assuming I have good results….
I’m confident though. I’ve watched countless videos, read countless articles, joined a couple forums, etc. I think it will be okay.
So here’s an update on everything:
1) Turbine HVLP system: It came today!!!!! I opened it, try to spray with water and Oh man, it definitely atomized the water really really nice. The mist was very fine and there is no over spray. But then it’s water. I can’t wait to spray urethane.2) Air: The turbine turned pretty warm for that 15 minutes of water spraying at the start of the air hose. The air was definitely hotter compared to the conventional Compressor cousin. However, the hose was made to cool it (35ft hose + 6ft flexible hose-end to spray) so it was not that hot at the end. The gun definitely did not feel cold/freezing compare to aerosol or compressor system. Even the instruction said that I have to use slow/high-temp reducer for urethane. At least the air seems dry and clean.
3) Spray gun: It is totally cool! It came out bigger and worth the bang of my buck in real life compared to images/videos. It fits nice to my hand. It has easy and accurate controls. Attachment to the hose was even easier and air-sealed. It came with a fine 1.0mm tip. I love it already. I went ahead and order 2 more interchangeable 1.4mm and 1.8mm for finish and primer ($39 per set). I am happy as can be right now.
I’ll keep you guys updated. I will turn this thread to a DIY thread. If any of you is interested, I will post pictures and even videos.
Ok so here is the update on EVERYTHING. Let me know if I miss anything. I think this is the cheapest I can find stuff online. Let me know otherwise! =)
[img]http://www.imgjoe.com/x/budgetphp.jpg[/img]I can now do not only my hood, but my bumper, my spoiler,and touch-up everywhere. CANT WAIT. :exci
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