Metal Prep Questions
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,611
Likes: 379
From: Oceanside CA
Metal Prep Questions
I have been working on restoring my '64 CA license plates and documenting the process with photos to share with all of you. Today, I had to start over. Initially, I sandblasted the plates, cleaned with wax and grease remover (PPG 330) and sprayed on self etching metal primer. This was followed by washing with blue Dawn soap, the 330 and spraying PPG DP50 epoxy primer yesterday. The primer covered but had depressions in the finish. They could have been fisheyes but the plate was one color. I don't know where the contaminate could have come from. Today, I cleaned with the 330 and sprayed an acrylic enamel with my new Sata 3000RP gun and had voids all over. I have ended up stripping the plates back to metal to start over
. At this rate my car will be a "barn find" if I keep coming up with problems. Any insight from you all would be appreciated. The plates are steel.
. At this rate my car will be a "barn find" if I keep coming up with problems. Any insight from you all would be appreciated. The plates are steel.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,611
Likes: 379
From: Oceanside CA
Thank you for your advice again. You indicated the 330 is a 1st wash. That leads to the question of other products to use as a wash. I don't use lacquer thinner from your advice from other posts. Thanks again.
Dave
Dave
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,611
Likes: 379
From: Oceanside CA
I suspected that source also. I have a 60 gallon tank with inline filters. I have also got a large dryer that I haven't used due to the small amount of use in these small jobs. I'll put the dryer in line and give your suggestion a try. Thanks Markids.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,611
Likes: 379
From: Oceanside CA
Markids-you were right on. I did the mirror test just now and yes, the compressor is the source of the contamination. What filter is recommended for particulates and oil? I have a Speedaire desiccant dryer that is huge that I will be using for the paint but that is not a filter. How is the best way to clean the air passages in the guns? At least I found the reason for the complications with all of your help! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Clean the guns with reducers straight. I use an oilless compressor which is really too small for overall paint jobs, and since I do maybe one or two overalls a year max I rely on "toilet paper" filters at the gun inlet which I change between coats. This is way less than optimal... perhaps someone who does production work currently can recommend a proper filter for you. I am glad you found the source...happy shooting!
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