What mixing ratio??New to spraying!

[dave8352]

I've aquired some air drying 'xylene' Gloss black paint for gates, together with thinners to suit, roughy, what is the mixing ratio required, or how do i tell when its correct? had it perfect today, mixed another tin up and went all sort of misty, then runny, then bits sort of dried 'matt', !! probaly something basic im doing wrong.!
Regards

 

[Paul.]

You need the data sheet for the paint, For spraying I use about 10% thinner, but thats with tractol, other paints may be different, your misty and matt effect sounds like Blooming, caused by dampness from the atmosphere, be careful with xylene based paints they are not that good for you

 

[jaykay]

paints

as paul said.
xylene is a additive that is in alot of air dry paints.
so really none the wiser about what you have.
i have been spraying paint for a long long time and alway get a spec sheet.
with out them it's anyones guess.you can got most on manufacturers web sites.

 

[Sam]

You need the data sheet for the paint, For spraying I use about 10% thinner, but thats with tractol, other paints may be different, your misty and matt effect sounds like Blooming, caused by dampness from the atmosphere, be careful with xylene based paints they are not that good for you

Where are you getting your Tractol paint from Paul? Used to use that years ago but the supplier was bought over and bought over again by carlac who have kept away from enamel paint was a good durable paint and easy to get a nice flat finish! Painted many a bike frame with it over the years.

 

[Hitch]

I have had problems with paint going slightly lumpy and not drying smooth, due to the incorrect thinners...

Try and get a sheet for it.

Some paints just gun wash works fine for thinning, others, virgin cellulose... its a minefield!
I tend to buy the thinners to match the paint now if it important it looks nice. Or as nice as my painting can be :laughin:

 

[jaykay]

oh my hitch,gun wash???

 

[jaykay]

mind you gun wash is reclaimed thinners.

 

[Hitch]

For cheap jobs, like temporary steelwork, and builders beams, stuff like that

 

[Paul.]

I buy tractol from a local engineers merchant, AT toolcentre, They also sell rustoleum, theres really no noticeable difference, you can even mix them.
And I also sometimes use gunwash as a thinner, its a third of the price of the proper enamel thinner. its usually only for ironwork etc, anything decent goes out for painting or powder coat,

 

[windsor]

Where are you getting your Tractol paint from Paul? Used to use that years ago but the supplier was bought over and bought over again by carlac who have kept away from enamel paint was a good durable paint and easy to get a nice flat finish! Painted many a bike frame with it over the years.

I get my Tractol and Tekaloid from Avenue Coatings. They can colour match and seem quite helpful.