Practicing spray painting…?

[steveo3002]

I've never sprayed,

 

[Bullet2012]

Don't do what a friend did and practice on an old paraffin heater, which it was lit !

 

[Bullet2012]

I've never sprayed, but logic would dictate that a lighter colour (white?) would show coverage better? Happy to be if I'm talking rubbish.

I would say that’s reasonable logic.

 

[steveo3002]

you need a striped test card to check for coverage...white & black , single colour wont show if its covered or not

 

[slim_boy_fat]

you need a striped test card to check for coverage...white & black , single colour wont show if its covered or not

View attachment 314923

Thanks, but what size would those cards be? Big enough for the OP to get a feel of 'large area' coverage?

Your first post didn't really give an answer, and if it was a dig at me then I did say I was happy to be shown to be wrong - asking is how we learn....

 

[Bullet2012]

Thanks, but what size would those cards be? Big enough for the OP to get a feel of 'large area' coverage?

Your first post didn't really give an answer, and if it was a dig at me then I did say I was happy to be shown to be wrong - asking is how we learn....

Approximately 150x100 mm (6x4) inches. Although I am not an expert or professional spay painter I do often spray gelcoat, I use the brown paper as a test, just to ensure the spray pattern and coverage from the gun is correct. I have never used the cards as shown by steveo3002, but am interested to understand why they are better.

 

[steveo3002]

a spray out card would be used to check for coverage due to the black /white pattern, theyre postcard size or so

if he wants to just get the hang of how paint responds and the feel of the gun then spray something bigger , like i said suspension /engine parts..something you can paint that doesnt matter too much , 2k is kinda expensive to be spraying onto paper for nothing...or start off with inside of bonnet /doors etc

masking paper will suck up the paint so cant really tell if its going on well or has dried to a nice finish

 

[Bullet2012]

Thank You Steveo3002.
So if I understand you correctly the cards give a better indication of the finish from the gun, not just to check spray pattern.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Thank You Steveo3002.
So if I understand you correctly the cards give a better indication of the finish from the gun, not just to check spray pattern.

Yes, the cards are to check covering power, they are too small for checking spray patterns. The masking paper is quite good for paint, if it was absorbent, it wouldn't be fit for the purpose. That is why we don't use newspaper.

 

[steveo3002]

better than spraying on paper yes

i would not buy them to practice on , only for colour comparison /matching

typicly ...load up the gun , spray onto some masking paper to check the gun is operating as it should then go onto the job , sounds like the o.p needs to practice on some items before painting his car

 

[steveo3002]

The masking paper is quite good for paint, if it was absorbent, it wouldn't be fit for the purpose. That is why we don't use newspaper.

would you not agree that its not really for practice /learning...as in you wouldnt spray some paper then take it outside and admire what a great finish it is and that you can now paint ? more for confirming 'yes the gun sprays well'

i think he needs to practice on actual stuff not a sheet of paper

o.p do you have heat....remember its panel temp thats more important than air temp....can take forever to warm a panel on a cold day

 

[ajlelectronics]

would you not agree that its not really for practice /learning...as in you wouldnt spray some paper then take it outside and admire what a great finish it is and that you can now paint ? more for confirming 'yes the gun sprays well'

Yes, I would agree. However once the gun is set up and there are no runs etc in the pattern, then it is going to be worth going straight to the panel. If it isn't very good, it can either be cut and polished or stripped if really that bad, but you have the real contours etc to work with. When it comes to wasting paint, I am something of a "Yorkshire man", but if the target panels are important to be right first time, then use something else perhaps.

i think he needs to practice on actual stuff not a sheet of paper

Well I think that you are as correct as I am, it's just different points of view. It has to be whatever the OP feels most comfortable with.

 

[keithski122]

I always practice on what I'm painting if it goes good then all is well, if something needs adjusting then I adjust it.

 

[The Z'eer]

Whilst it’s good personally I’d stick with a decent brand

3m will see you right

Buy 3M Hand Masker Paper | Hand Masker Paper | 3M

MyPaintbrush are a lead online supplier of painting and decorating supplies. Huge range of masking film and masking paper. Buy your 3M film today

www.mypaintbrush.co.uk

As the old saying goes buy cheap buy twice

I chose this https://www.vikingtapes.co.uk/produ...ng-paper-1200mm-x-200m?variant=32844778373183 I wanted the depth and figured the Q1 brand probably wouldn’t be such a bad idea

 

[The Z'eer]

id suggest a spare /scrap panel wont matter if its dented ...or do you have any suspension /engine parts that you could practice on that dont need to be amazing quality ? restore your trolly jack etc until you have a feel for the guns

Yeah, I’ll be off to the breakers yard at the weekend. I don’t mind shelling out a little for the sake of practicing, I would imagine I’ll be able to sell on the body panels when I’ve learnt what’s necessary

 

[The Z'eer]

Old panels are a good shout, practice priming work first as its more forgiving, and allows you to use the same method . Plus you can practice all your blocking down technique after applying.
On application side of things I’d say remember to keep your passes straight as possible and maintain a constant distance from the panel. and don’t worry about getting full coverage on the first coat.

other than that have fun and don’t get to hung up on getting the the most perfect flat finish from the get go. A little bit of excess orange peal is easier to flat out than runs.
The finishes will get better with etch job you do.

Thanks for the info once I’ve gained some of the techniques I’ll feel a little less apprehensive about a quality result

 

[The Z'eer]

I've never sprayed, but logic would dictate that a lighter colour (white?) would show coverage better? Happy to be if I'm talking rubbish.

I dare say white probably would’ve been a better option although I wasn’t aware it existed. The brown masking paper is now purchased, hopefully it’ll work out

 

[The Z'eer]

you need a striped test card to check for coverage...white & black , single colour wont show if its covered or not

View attachment 314923

I might purchase some of those, inexpensive to say the least and if they help in the learning process

 

[The Z'eer]

Approximately 150x100 mm (6x4) inches. Although I am not an expert or professional spay painter I do often spray gelcoat, I use the brown paper as a test, just to ensure the spray pattern and coverage from the gun is correct. I have never used the cards as shown by steveo3002, but am interested to understand why they are better.

Yeah, I figured the masking paper will advise on the fan pattern and delivery

 

[The Z'eer]

better than spraying on paper yes

i would not buy them to practice on , only for colour comparison /matching

typicly ...load up the gun , spray onto some masking paper to check the gun is operating as it should then go onto the job , sounds like the o.p needs to practice on some items before painting his car

Absolutely, the panels for the Camaro will be the last items to be painted