Can I use 2 pack automotive paint in my airbrush?

[Demented]

I'm relatively new to airbrushing.

I currently repair small scuffs and rusted sections on vehicle bodywork using my airbrush to paint the repair.

I have used 2 pack paint in the past, mixed to correct ratios with activator and thinners, on the last occasion I stripped my airbrush and soaked the components in thinners to give a thorough clean. On reassembly, my airbrush would not deliver paint, on closer inspection, an O ring was missing.

Judging by the contents of the jar, which I used to soak the components in, it looked as if the rubber O ring had been desolved by the thinners.

This is the I first time I have actually stripped down my airbrush and soaked in thinners, normally, I just spray through clean thinners from a jar and wipe dry.

However, is it safe to use 2 pack paint with my airbrush?

Was my mistake, not removing the O ring?

Or is soaking in thinners the wrong thing to do?

Will the use of 2 pack paint eventually damage my airbrush?

Can cleaning thorough with thinners perish O ring or seals?


I've bought a new airbrush and I don't want to damage it.

Please can anyone advise me?

[Pepe Custom]

What is "2 pack paint? I use solvent based automotive urethanes with no problems what so ever. I even use the rubber O-ring when I soak my airbrush in laquer thinner. If you are worried there are solvent-proof O-rings available depending on what brush you use.

[Whit]

First,,, What Brush are you using !!!
Some are solvent proof from factory,,,
some are not,,, but can be modified !!!
I've never "Soaked" in thinners,, but,,
a good spraying (flush) of laquer thinner
thru the brush has worked for me !!!

[ABD]

What is "2 pack paint? I use solvent based automotive urethanes with no problems what so ever. I even use the rubber O-ring when I soak my airbrush in laquer thinner. If you are worried there are solvent-proof O-rings available depending on what brush you use.

I've heard of Regular Clear Coat with Catalyst reffered to as "2 pack"...I'm guessing that's what ya mean?

Yup yer AB might not have solvent proof O rings...Some do some don't...Soaking in Thinner is fine so long as everything's Solvent proof..So that's yer 1st thing to check into.

Far as Clear through the Ab..it'll work..Depending on the AB..What needle and tip size?..If you have say a VL with the biggest needle tip combo..You'd be better off...If you have a lil detail brush..You'd have to thin the clear so much to get it to spray right.I'd think yer Clear job would be pretty bad quality...

Personally I'd stick with a Big gun (or mini)...Hell my full size Binks can spray down to like a "quarter" size area when adjusted right......I use my Big Gun for all sorts of small stuff....Hope that helps..

Oh and welcome to the Forum:thumbsup:

[Demented]

Hi,

Thanks for all your help and replies.

As for cleaning my AB, all I did was remove the spray nozzle and soak in thinners, I normally flush through with clean standard thinners, which has never caused any problems in the past.

My AB is a relatively cheap double action variant, cost £30. I achieve very good result with this AB when painting repaired stone chips, Scuffs and rust blisters on car bodywork. I'm not an experienced paint sprayer.

As for 2 pack paint, it's a an automotive paint which requires an activator (the second part of the two pack system) as well as the thinners. The activator is a hardener which assist with the drying of the paint.

Thanks again for you help and assistance, I will check to see if my AB has solvent proof O rings etc.

[ABD]

I'm not familiar with that AB.....Seems like even the biggest needle tip size one can run in an AB would still be to small for clear..(I'm just guessing here, Don't hold to much weight to it)....I don't thin Clear or Primer more than 10% if I can help it.(especially on a Car which will see major abuse)...Most things through an AB need to be much thinner..........You can try it....No harm doing some test shots...just make sure it's Crazy clean when yer done.... Hardened Clear would be almost a lost cause trying to get out if it clogged.

Still might need to look into Solvent proof O-rings...Or a new AB that uses them stock.

[sharonsstudio]

Sorry I have no clue.. I never soak I just clean like whit.. but I do agree some orings are different..

[corey]

Important to know if you have teflon packing or rubber. Rubber is not good with solvents in the reducers and thinners. It swells and erodes. soaking can cause particles to work their way into the packing area and when dry cause damage.