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Author Topic:   Best Paint Spray Gun

Martman posted 01-21-2004 09:46 AM ET (US)
I've acquired two 1960's hulls that have been painted previously. Now that I've sanded down to see what's under the paint--lots of spider cracking. So now I'm in the process of preping the hull for spraying. I haven't decided which paint to go with but I'm leaning towards Awlgrip. I'm aware of the dangers of this product and might end up with the Interlux product. I've done quite a bit of spraying in the past, mainly autos. Does anyone have any suggestions on which paint gun would be the best? Thanks for your time.
Marty

13sport posted 01-21-2004 11:42 AM ET (US)
The best spray gun is someone else's. Pay someone else to paint the two hulls, unless you have the fresh air breathing apparatus to go with spray gun. If you do all of the prep work it will cost much less than the deductible and co-insurance on a liver transplant.
All two part poly is truly nasty stuff. It can be safely applied with a brush but the finish will not look as good as a good spray job.
Sport
SpeedBump posted 01-21-2004 03:04 PM ET (US)
13sport does have a good point regarding health Issues.
When I painted my 13 I used an HVLP system that I use for wood finishing. I used a two part polyurethane system by interlux. The finish came out very well but I was not happy with the durability after three seasons of use.
I have not used Awlgrip and there are serious health concerns if you do not have the proper resperators etc. Do use caution if you haven't sprayed befor.
Good spray equipment is expensive and may not be worth the expense if you are only doing one or two hulls and have no other planned use for the equipment. it may be cost effective to have it profesionally sprayed and you can offset some expense by doing a lot of the prep work.
You will be well served to price it out both ways before taking the plunge on new spray equipment.
Martman posted 01-21-2004 03:11 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the input. I'll contact a few people locally to price it out.
Marty
JohnL posted 01-22-2004 04:48 PM ET (US)
Marty,
I have just recently purchased a 1964 13' Sport. I have just started doing the reaserch on how to paint the boat and with what. Have you chosen a brand of paint? I am down to Imron and AWlgrip. A friend who has painted many, many cars is going to help me. He has a lot of experience with Imron, but I am concerned about tring to match colors. Any info you may have would really be great.
As far as sprayers we are going to use a HVLP spray gun. I think Chris paid around 200.00 for his. I believe you can also spray varnishins etc. with these, which would make redoing the wood very easy as well. I am still doing reaserch though. Chris and I both have very good masks already from previous boat / epoxy projects, and we will be waring full dispoable suites and gloves. I think that level of precausion is all that is really needed.
greyg8r posted 01-22-2004 04:54 PM ET (US)
John,
Do yourself and your family a favor. Get the material safety data sheet (msds) for the paint you are going to use (awlgrip msds's are available online with a simple search) and FOLLOW it. If you have a question about something, ask the company or email me. I'll be glad to discuss it and explain it with you. These companies are mandated to produce these msds because, quite simply, they preserve health and lives.
Richard
Out
Martman posted 01-22-2004 10:38 PM ET (US)
John,
I've changed my mind many many times over the last few weeks and I've decided to go with gel coat. The main reason is for the cost for the supplies. It won't be the true Whaler "white" but I think it will last a long time if I can do it right. I've consulted many people in the industry here in Wilmington and it seems that for the cost (and health risk) gel is easier and cheaper to apply ($30 gallon vs. $150) and I won't die trying to apply it. I know that there is more labor involved after spraying but I'm looking forward to the challege. Considering the condition of the hull...nothing is lost if it doesn't work out. I will take pictures and keep people posted. I'm sure there are people out there going "been there...done that" but you just never know until you try it yourself.
Marty
keltonkrew posted 01-22-2004 10:42 PM ET (US)
Martman,

I'm doing the same thing right now.....Going to flip my boat tomorrow....Got the inside done and ready for the bottom.

The Gel is more labor intesive after applying, but that is the route I'm taking. Much less health risk, plus I can lose some weight with the workout :)
DaveNJ posted 01-23-2004 06:54 AM ET (US)
Martman and Keltenkrew -
You must still take all the necessary precautions with gelcoat too. Wear the proper catridge respirator (not a dust mask), eye protection, and nitrile gloves. You are still working with extremely hazardous materials. The MEK catalyst alone can blind you if it gets in your eyes. Don't take lightly.
Dave
keltonkrew posted 01-23-2004 07:46 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the Advice DaveNJ,
I've been researching it for quite a while. I used to do body/paint work for a major Oldsmobile dealer here. Never sprayed gel, but thought I would do it this time.
I have the proper cartrige respirator. Been using one during the sanding as well. I will be wearing painters coveralls as well as the gloves.
Plus using a HVLP gravity feed gun will cut down on some of the spray, unlike my days with the suction cups that had spray everywhere :)
Hope it turns out ok
Gene in NC posted 01-23-2004 09:43 PM ET (US)
Planning same job but different approach. Will follow DAve Carnell's approach to roll/brush two coats of epoxy high build primer and then top with Dutch Boy latex. Tough and cheap.
OutrageMan posted 01-24-2004 10:26 AM ET (US)
There are no better spray guns than those made by SATA.
One thing you need to keep in mind is that you need a big compressor to run an HVLP gun. It uses a LOT of air. Basically air in and air out. I run mine off of a 60 gallon 7hp unit. This is about the minimum.
You could consider a turbine based gun like those made by Fuji. However one major drawback with these is that that air is heated and can dramatically accelerate flashing of the product sprayed.
Brian

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Author	Topic: Best Paint Spray Gun
Martman	posted 01-21-2004 09:46 AM ET (US) I've acquired two 1960's hulls that have been painted previously. Now that I've sanded down to see what's under the paint--lots of spider cracking. So now I'm in the process of preping the hull for spraying. I haven't decided which paint to go with but I'm leaning towards Awlgrip. I'm aware of the dangers of this product and might end up with the Interlux product. I've done quite a bit of spraying in the past, mainly autos. Does anyone have any suggestions on which paint gun would be the best? Thanks for your time. Marty
13sport	posted 01-21-2004 11:42 AM ET (US) The best spray gun is someone else's. Pay someone else to paint the two hulls, unless you have the fresh air breathing apparatus to go with spray gun. If you do all of the prep work it will cost much less than the deductible and co-insurance on a liver transplant. All two part poly is truly nasty stuff. It can be safely applied with a brush but the finish will not look as good as a good spray job. Sport
SpeedBump	posted 01-21-2004 03:04 PM ET (US) 13sport does have a good point regarding health Issues. When I painted my 13 I used an HVLP system that I use for wood finishing. I used a two part polyurethane system by interlux. The finish came out very well but I was not happy with the durability after three seasons of use. I have not used Awlgrip and there are serious health concerns if you do not have the proper resperators etc. Do use caution if you haven't sprayed befor. Good spray equipment is expensive and may not be worth the expense if you are only doing one or two hulls and have no other planned use for the equipment. it may be cost effective to have it profesionally sprayed and you can offset some expense by doing a lot of the prep work. You will be well served to price it out both ways before taking the plunge on new spray equipment.
Martman	posted 01-21-2004 03:11 PM ET (US) Thanks for the input. I'll contact a few people locally to price it out. Marty
JohnL	posted 01-22-2004 04:48 PM ET (US) Marty, I have just recently purchased a 1964 13' Sport. I have just started doing the reaserch on how to paint the boat and with what. Have you chosen a brand of paint? I am down to Imron and AWlgrip. A friend who has painted many, many cars is going to help me. He has a lot of experience with Imron, but I am concerned about tring to match colors. Any info you may have would really be great. As far as sprayers we are going to use a HVLP spray gun. I think Chris paid around 200.00 for his. I believe you can also spray varnishins etc. with these, which would make redoing the wood very easy as well. I am still doing reaserch though. Chris and I both have very good masks already from previous boat / epoxy projects, and we will be waring full dispoable suites and gloves. I think that level of precausion is all that is really needed.
greyg8r	posted 01-22-2004 04:54 PM ET (US) John, Do yourself and your family a favor. Get the material safety data sheet (msds) for the paint you are going to use (awlgrip msds's are available online with a simple search) and FOLLOW it. If you have a question about something, ask the company or email me. I'll be glad to discuss it and explain it with you. These companies are mandated to produce these msds because, quite simply, they preserve health and lives. Richard Out
Martman	posted 01-22-2004 10:38 PM ET (US) John, I've changed my mind many many times over the last few weeks and I've decided to go with gel coat. The main reason is for the cost for the supplies. It won't be the true Whaler "white" but I think it will last a long time if I can do it right. I've consulted many people in the industry here in Wilmington and it seems that for the cost (and health risk) gel is easier and cheaper to apply ($30 gallon vs. $150) and I won't die trying to apply it. I know that there is more labor involved after spraying but I'm looking forward to the challege. Considering the condition of the hull...nothing is lost if it doesn't work out. I will take pictures and keep people posted. I'm sure there are people out there going "been there...done that" but you just never know until you try it yourself. Marty
keltonkrew	posted 01-22-2004 10:42 PM ET (US) Martman, I'm doing the same thing right now.....Going to flip my boat tomorrow....Got the inside done and ready for the bottom. The Gel is more labor intesive after applying, but that is the route I'm taking. Much less health risk, plus I can lose some weight with the workout :)
DaveNJ	posted 01-23-2004 06:54 AM ET (US) Martman and Keltenkrew - You must still take all the necessary precautions with gelcoat too. Wear the proper catridge respirator (not a dust mask), eye protection, and nitrile gloves. You are still working with extremely hazardous materials. The MEK catalyst alone can blind you if it gets in your eyes. Don't take lightly. Dave
keltonkrew	posted 01-23-2004 07:46 AM ET (US) Thanks for the Advice DaveNJ, I've been researching it for quite a while. I used to do body/paint work for a major Oldsmobile dealer here. Never sprayed gel, but thought I would do it this time. I have the proper cartrige respirator. Been using one during the sanding as well. I will be wearing painters coveralls as well as the gloves. Plus using a HVLP gravity feed gun will cut down on some of the spray, unlike my days with the suction cups that had spray everywhere :) Hope it turns out ok
Gene in NC	posted 01-23-2004 09:43 PM ET (US) Planning same job but different approach. Will follow DAve Carnell's approach to roll/brush two coats of epoxy high build primer and then top with Dutch Boy latex. Tough and cheap.
OutrageMan	posted 01-24-2004 10:26 AM ET (US) There are no better spray guns than those made by SATA. One thing you need to keep in mind is that you need a big compressor to run an HVLP gun. It uses a LOT of air. Basically air in and air out. I run mine off of a 60 gallon 7hp unit. This is about the minimum. You could consider a turbine based gun like those made by Fuji. However one major drawback with these is that that air is heated and can dramatically accelerate flashing of the product sprayed. Brian