First post, but I've read and learnt a lot on painting in this forum. I've found no better source of information and advice for the DIYer.
Once or twice a year I paint a pair of alloy wheels in the garage. It'd be quicker, easier (and probably no more expensive) to have them professionally refurbished instead, but I find it very rewarding to do it myself. I take 4-5 days over it with all the prep work but I genuinely enjoy it. I'm looking to move up from using aerosol cans to an LVLP paint gun. Hopefully it'd give me more consistent results but, if nothing else, it'd give me a greater choice of paints. Ideally I'd like to finish the wheels with 2K clear for the durability, and the extra protection a harder lacquer might give from uncaring tyre fitters, but I'm concerned about the health risks of spraying 2K clear. My PPE is very much 1K only.
Could I paint and lacquer them in 1K clear, let it fully cure for a week or two, then take it to a professional to add 2K clear over the top? Would that stick?
I've realised it wouldn't be practical to just spray the base and immediately take it to someone else to clear, as there's a risk of getting dirt or other contaminates on the base during transport or, even if not, there's a big chance they'd end up sitting beyond the window for adding clear to base. I couldn't expect the body shop to drop everything to clear my wheels as soon as I arrive. So I'm thinking it'd be better if I spayed a couple of coats of 1k clear first, 30 minutes to an hour after base as normal, and only after that taking them to the pros to 2k clear wearing their air-fed masks. I'm also thinking it'd be better if I let my 1k clear cure first too, so the wheels can sit there after I drop them off until it's convenient to them to spray them.
Or does that all sound like a flawed plan? The other options are to just lacquer them in 1k and leave it there, like I do now. Or take them out of the garage after base to 2k clearcoat outdoors in my half-mask and goggles, making sure I'm standing upwind. Neither of those sound perfect to me.
Once or twice a year I paint a pair of alloy wheels in the garage. It'd be quicker, easier (and probably no more expensive) to have them professionally refurbished instead, but I find it very rewarding to do it myself. I take 4-5 days over it with all the prep work but I genuinely enjoy it. I'm looking to move up from using aerosol cans to an LVLP paint gun. Hopefully it'd give me more consistent results but, if nothing else, it'd give me a greater choice of paints. Ideally I'd like to finish the wheels with 2K clear for the durability, and the extra protection a harder lacquer might give from uncaring tyre fitters, but I'm concerned about the health risks of spraying 2K clear. My PPE is very much 1K only.
Could I paint and lacquer them in 1K clear, let it fully cure for a week or two, then take it to a professional to add 2K clear over the top? Would that stick?
I've realised it wouldn't be practical to just spray the base and immediately take it to someone else to clear, as there's a risk of getting dirt or other contaminates on the base during transport or, even if not, there's a big chance they'd end up sitting beyond the window for adding clear to base. I couldn't expect the body shop to drop everything to clear my wheels as soon as I arrive. So I'm thinking it'd be better if I spayed a couple of coats of 1k clear first, 30 minutes to an hour after base as normal, and only after that taking them to the pros to 2k clear wearing their air-fed masks. I'm also thinking it'd be better if I let my 1k clear cure first too, so the wheels can sit there after I drop them off until it's convenient to them to spray them.
Or does that all sound like a flawed plan? The other options are to just lacquer them in 1k and leave it there, like I do now. Or take them out of the garage after base to 2k clearcoat outdoors in my half-mask and goggles, making sure I'm standing upwind. Neither of those sound perfect to me.