Epoxy finish, how should it look?

E

Evil_Fiz

Promoted Users
After over two years of learning, researching, and asking questions, we (my wife and daughter) finally sprayed my VW karmann Ghia with SPI epoxy. As many of you who have taken the time to answer my many questions know, I am an overthinker. I think this time I have broken the cycle. Let me outline what I did and then pose my questions.

- Bare metal prep as recommended by the experts and Pro-Ams here
- Mixed epoxy 1:1 in PPG 26 Oz. cups with exactitude
- Sprayed 2 coats (so far) with a Vevor R500 LVLP gun set at 1.5 - 2 turns out on the fluid, full fan minus a 1/8 turn, and 24 PSI at the gun, set at the wall, with the trigger pulled.
- Spray distance was ~8" and travel speed was about 12" - 16"/Sec.
- Paint consumption was about 96 Oz. per coat to do the entire car; inside, outside, underside, and wheel wells.
- This was the first time my daughter and wife ever used a spray gun. I explained how to do it based on what I learned here.

Since I am visually impaired, my wife did most of the spraying with my daughter filling in on one of the coats. The doors and lids (painted separately, off the car) came out great as far as I can tell. They have a smooth, even, satin finish after 3 coats, The body, however, has varying results. We have three distinct textures on the car body and I want to know which is correct since we plan to spray at least 2 more coats.
- Rough sandy-feeling texture, but even in appearance: I'm guessing dry spray due to not enough fluid, too-fast travel speed, or too-far spray distance.
- Smooth satin texture even in appearance
- Very smooth, very shiny texture that feels thick but is even in appearance with no runs

I am fairly sure the first texture is bad so which of the other two should we aspire to achieve?
Does my rate of consumption sound right, too high, or too low?

...and thanks to all of you for making this possible.

-----
Emil
-----
Emil
 
I've had the best results with the fluid about 2.5 turns out (Sata RP2 with a 1.3 tip) on the first coat so it just covers but doesn't build enough to crater, then open it up on the second and third coats to get wet coats that flow out and build enough to sand it. It will almost look like single stage when it wet, then dries to a low gloss finish.

A few pics of how it looks wet-

8d6Nx2Fh.jpg


hJdGiZ8h.jpg


YlzeYcnh.jpg


Rms1Fzth.jpg



Dry-

GJOoOZah.jpg


hcTLOEEh.jpg


xC9OITbh.jpg
 
They were going too fast or had the gun too far awauy--resulting in spraying it dry--for the dry stuff you feel. It's not a big deal, I presume you're going to be either blocking it down or spraying high build primer on it, and/or filler.

Unless it's a final sealer coat, my philosophy with primer is 'just get it on there,' and if I got too close or dry in an area I don't lose any sleep over it.
 
I will open the gun up to full fluid and have them spray closer and slower. There are a few spots that I "overdid" and they appear shiny and smooth. It looks like I did it right by mistake. The goal is to put four coats on everything but the exterior so I don't have to sand or deal with it again. The exterior will be sanded, filler-ed, sanded, re-epoxied, and rinse-repeat so I am not sweating that part. Thanks for the feedback.

Does my rate of consumption, 96 Oz. for the full car minus doors and lids, sound right?
 
MJM said:
A safe estimation provided by 68Coronet is 8oz per panel, per sprayed coat.
Click to expand...
Correct. I am using that as a guide and my numbers are close. I'm Just doing a sanity check. The panels on a KG are about 20% smaller than "American muscle" so doubt crept in. I will mix extra since I am opening the fluid to 100%

-----
Emil
 
milanomaroon said:
Does this estimation apply for all steps of the processes? Epoxy, base coat, and clear?
Click to expand...

For the most part I would say, yes. The exception would be base coat. Not all base coats cover as well as others, so....... there could be additional spayed coats until coverage is obtained.
 
theastronaut said:
I've had the best results with the fluid about 2.5 turns out (Sata RP2 with a 1.3 tip) on the first coat so it just covers but doesn't build enough to crater, then open it up on the second and third coats to get wet coats that flow out and build enough to sand it. It will almost look like single stage when it wet, then dries to a low gloss finish.

A few pics of how it looks wet-

8d6Nx2Fh.jpg


hJdGiZ8h.jpg


YlzeYcnh.jpg


Rms1Fzth.jpg



Dry-

GJOoOZah.jpg


hcTLOEEh.jpg


xC9OITbh.jpg
Click to expand...
Is that a white metal marker for guide coat?
 
Tech Manuel suggests using a 1.4 - 1.5 tip size.
I use an Iwata LPH 400 1.4 Silver Cap and spray two coats:
Engine Compartment Epoxy.JPG


I agree with Lizer that it's a foundation coat, so you don't need to get overly concerned with a little peel.
One exterior panels, I like to lightly block sand the epoxy to help reveal any low or high spots that need to be dealt with.
 
'68 Coronet R/T said:
Tech Manuel suggests using a 1.4 - 1.5 tip size.
I use an Iwata LPH 400 1.4 Silver Cap and spray two coats:
View attachment 30994

I agree with Lizer that it's a foundation coat, so you don't need to get overly concerned with a little peel.
One exterior panels, I like to lightly block sand the epoxy to help reveal any low or high spots that need to be dealt with.
Click to expand...
Thanks, the pictures help. I am using black epoxy on the exterior for contrast under filler, and contrast when sanding the epoxy propper. Like you, the peel does not concern me but I don't want to be too thin on my coats. We will be spraying two more coats today for a total of four foundation coats. I am shooting for "Shiny" to provide low-spot contrast when sanding. I am content with our progress so far and hope to have it dialed in by the end of the fourth coat.

Wish us luck,
Emil and family
 
Last edited:
Well, luck, or rather lack of experience and eyesight, did not smile upon me. The work my wife did turned out good enough for the naughty bits. The work I did, not so much. She had to stop once she had done everything but the exterior due to her sensitivity to smells and chemicals. I decided to put the third coat on the exterior; how badly could I screw it up? YES. I managed to get dry spray, nominal coverage, and full coverage with huge runs on the same pass in several locations. Most of it was dry spray or runs, no middle ground. I'll sand and reshoot it once I get to the bodywork.

Thanks for helping me point in the right direction.

-----
Emil
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top