spray can clear

[tallon]

hello,
I'm having trouble finishing any my work because I can't clear it. I don't think I can afford a paint gun or buffer at the moment. I try using spray can clear coat and it doesn't make it look any different, and sometime makes white spots. I tried to buff by hand and manage to get some shiny parts but it would be uneven and adding even more white spots. It also makes lines when using the can because of the spray pattern I guess? How close would you spray with it and how much?
We own big hand grinders but I figured that would be too much power if I decided to attach a pad to it?
thanks!

[JimmyG]

I would suggest you try some of the 2 part uro clear in a spray can....

Google 2K spray can clear and you will find several brands available.....
For example SprayMax 2K Clear Coat available at Eastwood Co.
http://www2.spraymax.de/361.0.html?&L=1
Eastwoodco.com (http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&itemID=21846&keyword=50772Z&cm_mmc=undefined)


AeroMax AM2100 2K Uro Clear (http://www.touchupspraypaint.com/pyog_rm_aeromax_urethane_clearcoat.php?PHPSESSID=8 f72a4f6233b2e434d58e5f4f422)

Also Corp. also has a 2K clear in the spray can....
http://www.alsacorp.com/products/killercans/sc/speedclear.htm

May I also suggest Tallon, please go to the Introduce Yourself section and tell us a bit more about yourself and where you are located so we can help you better.....

[draggin81]

What kind of cans are you using? If you're using your typical rattlecan clear from the local store, then it's most likely a lacquer, which is fine for some uses.
Automotive finishes are done with urethane clear coats, which contain isocyanates and a bunch of other chemicals that you need to protect yourself from.
They can be used at home with a reasonable amount of safety provided the right protection is worn and common sense is used. And, of course, you're not trying clear an entire Mack truck in your apartment.

First, your problems with the rattle cans. The white spots are known as "blushing", as is the result of the previous layer drying only partially before you put another coat on, or putting on waaaay too thick of coats. Cold tempuratures and humidity are also common culprits. Some of the old timers on here might now how to fix it, but I don't have much expirience with laqs.
You might want to do a google search for guitar lutherie. I used to have a site bookmarked that had a great how-to on finishing with laqs, but managed to lose it somehow.

For urethane clear coats, you can get them in cans from either Spraymax or Alsa. I've used the Spraymax stuff, and was actually pretty impressed. The downside is that after you active the can, its only good for a few hours. After that, whatever you haven't used is junk.
A search on here should give enough instructions on safety and how to spray urethanes, but if you have any questions don't be afraid to ask.

[tallon]

I used Duplicolor clear enamal from advanced auto
I didn't want to buy any online because wouldn't I have to buy a lot of cans, one can of the stuff I had wasn't enough for a panel

edit: ok I have introed myself :D

[AndyW]

With the rattle cans I use an acrylic automotive clear, first coat I do is a light coat at about 8 to 10" from the surface, in a nice steady controlled pace from left to right, when tacky to the finger I go in with the next heavier coat, same distance and pace and so on, you will find you need more finishing usually with a rattle can, two coats rub down with 800 grit then another two or three coats rub again working down the grits till around the 2000 mark, then you will need something like, I use a stuff called G3 hand finishing paste to bring up the shine.

Again use the clears in a well ventillated area, a mask, gloves and glasses/goggles, some nasty stuff about, aleays play it safe, as Draggin says.

[JimmyG]

Hello Bryan, I have in past used Duplicolor laquer clear in spray can which did give a pretty fair clear coat when built up in several layers with ultra fine sanding between coats.....

Here's another tip for you.....Check out these folks in Savannah and see if they are still a HOK dealer.....


Finishmaster Paints
Contact: Jody Lee
3620 Ogeechee Road
Savannah, Georgia 31405
Phone: 912-447-1078
Fax: 912-447-6735


Appreciate your intro also...now we know where to help you with closer links.....I can help with some other closer suppliers if you need.....
You will also be able to PM me for info after you have 5 posts.....I am located near you....

[Cowboy]

I,d suggest Trying Yer local Body & paint store, & see if They carry UPOL aeresol clear, its a uro auto grade clear, But doesn,t have the hardner in it, So it,ll last awhile longer if anys left, Also Its bigger then Normall sray bombs & has a great spray pattern. Bout 20 bucks a can But well worth it .

[ARTSPRAYJ4J]

just depends on where you are as for spray cans i use Halfords own brand but this is in the uk they are realy good and the clear is nice to use and buffs up well

another option would be a mini gun and single pack clear ,in the UK its usualy known as thermoplastic clear and is available cheaply either by the litre of by five litre cans

my old gaffer would not use two pack and all our clear over base jobs where done in single pack the results he got where second to non

it sprays without reducer dries fast without orange peel and buffs up easily

you can use a drop of reducer and spray through larger nozzled airbrushes but a cheap gravity mini gun would be better

paul

[tallon]

hmm I'm thinking I'm going to wait and buy a gun
I was looking at one from lowes it's $97
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=232156-55963-KC-577HG&lpage=none
would that be as good as say one from iwata or should I just save up for an even better one? Not sure what the difference is

ya this would have to wait another month probably :(

[JimmyG]

Go smaller spray gun Bryan, like a gravity feed detail touch up gun.....
IF you only can shop at Lowe's, there is this Kobalt small gravity feed that is really sweet spraying....I know and it's only 40 bucks.....
Kobalt KC-588CSCG (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=236059-55963-KC-588CSCG&lpage=none)
Go thru a few smaller detail guns and then get yourself a nice Iwata small gun....

[AndyW]

Bryan what size compressor and tank do you have, as that is going to eat a lot of air/cfm.

Put like this if you have a 2hp comp with a max 8cfm output, you are looking for a gun to operate at around 4cfm, which would be of the mini jet type.

That gun looks as though it would be in the region of the 10/12cfm. So needs a lot of air behind it, even though the tip output air is small.

[tallon]

Oh, I didn't see that one, thanks Jimmy! I didn't want to spend money on something temporary and then buy a better one later but $40 isn't bad at all.

The compressor I have is 2hp/8 gallon
2 horsepower motor (rated)
115 PSI maximum
Air delivery: 5 SCFM @ 90 PSI; 6 SCFM @ 40 PSI

hmmm i don't really understand that so I couldn't tell ya the max

[JimmyG]

Your compressor has a small tank Bryan (not much air storage) which means it will run continuous while spraying..... 6cfm will likely keep the volume up for what you will be doing starting off....I have a large storage tank so I don't think about it much....

My point is this....start with smaller paint capacity details guns and just do some spraying to learn how every thing works.....Upgrade from there..It's all progress...

I go thru many cheap guns because I do painting on steel parts for sign stuff, background painting on redwood signs, etc. etc. and quite frankly I'm lazy on the clean up factor....
I save my better and more expensive guns for the higher quality work, and likewise am much more particular with cleanup for those.....

[victory-rc]

Back to the cans....... I have had very nice luck with simple testers "gloss clear" It has a very high gloss and its available at all hobby shops, about $5

I warm the can in hot water...and when i spray it on i go SLIGHTLY HEAVY so theres no "orange peel"....its not bad for a simple hobby paint. give it a try.

I have a shelf with about 6 cans of clear and i still go back to the little can of testers because it has a nice gloss.

it does take a long time to dry though but it does dry smooth and a nice gloss.

Its a good deal for $5

Tom

[AndyW]

Basically as Jimmy says go with something like the small gun he found, it will cope better than trying to use the bigger HVLP gun, you don't have the air volume behind you to back a big gun up.

[tallon]

Yes, when he showed it to me I wanted to buy it because I only saw the bigger one at first so I'm glad he showed it to me.
It doesn't have to be from Lowes, though, I just try not to buy everything online. We own huge compressors to keep at work maybe I'll get one of them to bring home if we decide to replace one with an even bigger one.
I saw testors in a craft store somewhere once, I'll have to try that, too.

thanks guys