The last few days I’ve been getting major orange peel in the second coat of epoxy. I’ve shot several pieces before this without issue but haven’t been able to figure this out. It’s 97 degrees outside and probably 95 degrees inside where I’m working, which may be the problem. Here’s my process: mix epoxy 1:1, induce 30-60 min, spray a coat (all filters removed from gun), remove and seal cup from gun, clean gun, flash at least 30 min, stir primer and reattach cup to gun start to spray and get major orange peel. I’ve tried increasing the air pressure, reducing the epoxy and various other things but haven’t found the answers. Please let me know if you have thoughts. I’m getting tired of sanding orange peel only to spray on more thanks!
Epoxy orange peelplease help!
- Thread starter RandyR
- Start date
Filling and blocking at this point
I sprayed 2 coats of epoxy on the tailgate and inside the doors (I had already worked the outside of the doors), then sprayed a couple more coats of epoxy over the bodywork. While blocking that out, I decided maybe I’d use the epoxy rather than Turbo 2k to finish blocking these particular parts because it might make for a tougher finish. Since making that decision, every coat has had extra orange peel and it’s frustrating the hell out of me and slowing down my progress. Maybe there’s a simple solution or maybe I’m just an idiot but either way, I would certainly appreciate some troubleshooting advice
Chris_Hamilton
Trying to be the best me, I can be
SPI Epoxy has a tendency to settle over the course of 30 minutes or so. Are you mixing it again? Shaking it won't do, you would have to stir it to get the solids off the bottom. Whether that is contributing to your issue IDK.
On the coats where you are getting peel, when you spray what does your fan pattern look like? Is it smaller than before? Is there a noticeable difference in how much material comes out? What gun are you using?
On the coats where you are getting peel, when you spray what does your fan pattern look like? Is it smaller than before? Is there a noticeable difference in how much material comes out? What gun are you using?
Yes, I have been mixing it again before the next coat. For priming, I’m using an old Central Pneumatic gun that I’ve had for years. It’s not the $15 one from Harbor Freight. I think it’s a level or two up from that. Lol. It’s worked well for spraying epoxy on various projects. I have the fan wide open and material close to wide open at around 30psi. On the first spray from a freshly induced batch, it’s spraying fairly wide and smooth. On the second coat, the fan is smaller and the texture increases. Tweaking the knobs hasn’t really changed that. I’m cleaning the gun between coats but the epoxy does seem thicker after it’s sat there for another 30 min- 1hr.
How much air pressure do you recommend?
Chris_Hamilton
Trying to be the best me, I can be
Is the first coat going on OK? Does the issue occur only on the second coat?
It hasn’t been consistent lately. Today the first coat wasn’t too bad but still not great then the second coat was worse so I stopped. I had spent most of yesterday sanding off the orange peel from the day before. Could this be heat related? It was up to 99 degrees today and no AC in the shop. If I have any left over it’s noticeably thick by the next day. I tried a little reducer and that didn’t help it spray any better
Chris_Hamilton
Trying to be the best me, I can be
Is this SPI Epoxy you are using? Are you sure you are mixing it correctly? SPI Epoxy should not noticeably thicken up in that time frame. 2K Urethane will do exactly as you described though. SPI Epoxy does not thicken like that in an hour timeframe.
Thanks, Chris…yes, it’s SPI epoxy mixed 1:1 with at least 30 min induction time. I’m sorry, my last post may have been confusing. It’s not noticeably thicker in an hour. It’s when I have some left over for the next day that seems to be a bit thicker. And regarding the 2k, I read that you shouldn’t mix up more than you can spray in 20 min because it will get too thick.
Chris_Hamilton
Trying to be the best me, I can be
Being that it's hot I would only mix what I would use that day. That may very well be the issue if it's over 24 hours and you are trying to spray it. Normal temps you can use it several days later but in high 90's and more than 24 hours old it can do what you are describing.
All I can think to tell you......Keep it stirred up, stirring the solids off the bottom takes a good 5-10 minutes to do this. Keep your gun clean. Verify that it is clean inside the cap. Verify that the fluid path is clean and clear. Make sure the cap has no buildup on the outside. Don't use any mixed epoxy that has thickened up noticeably. Try to only mix what you will use that day. In addition, make sure your air pressure is high enough so that it atomizes nicely. Verify that you are mixing exactly 1:1.
Probably the issue is the heat is working to thicken it up a little faster than normal and when it does that it will spray like you described. If you have questions keep asking.
All I can think to tell you......Keep it stirred up, stirring the solids off the bottom takes a good 5-10 minutes to do this. Keep your gun clean. Verify that it is clean inside the cap. Verify that the fluid path is clean and clear. Make sure the cap has no buildup on the outside. Don't use any mixed epoxy that has thickened up noticeably. Try to only mix what you will use that day. In addition, make sure your air pressure is high enough so that it atomizes nicely. Verify that you are mixing exactly 1:1.
Probably the issue is the heat is working to thicken it up a little faster than normal and when it does that it will spray like you described. If you have questions keep asking.
'68 Coronet R/T
Oldtimer
I would recommend you try emptying your remaining epoxy from the gun back into the mixing cup. Then thoroughly rinse your gun with lacquer thinner paying close attention to the tip.
When ready for the next coat, stir the epoxy in the mixing cup thoroughly and use a strainer when filling your paint gun.
Sounds as though you are getting some build up which is affecting your spray pattern.
When ready for the next coat, stir the epoxy in the mixing cup thoroughly and use a strainer when filling your paint gun.
Sounds as though you are getting some build up which is affecting your spray pattern.
Thanks, Shine! I’ll give it another go today and see what happensBeing that it's hot I would only mix what I would use that day. That may very well be the issue if it's over 24 hours and you are trying to spray it. Normal temps you can use it several days later but in high 90's and more than 24 hours old it can do what you are describing.
All I can think to tell you......Keep it stirred up, stirring the solids off the bottom takes a good 5-10 minutes to do this. Keep your gun clean. Verify that it is clean inside the cap. Verify that the fluid path is clean and clear. Make sure the cap has no buildup on the outside. Don't use any mixed epoxy that has thickened up noticeably. Try to only mix what you will use that day. In addition, make sure your air pressure is high enough so that it atomizes nicely. Verify that you are mixing exactly 1:1.
Probably the issue is the heat is working to thicken it up a little faster than normal and when it does that it will spray like you described. If you have questions keep asking.
And thanks, Chris, and all of you! I really appreciate the input!
'68 Coronet R/T
Oldtimer
I use an Iwata LPH400 with a 1.4 tip to spray epoxy primer.
Mixed 1:1.
With the gun empty, back the fluid knob out far enough so you can squeeze the trigger full open. Then holding the trigger full open turn the knob in until you feel it start to push on the trigger. Release the trigger and turn the fluid knob 1/2 turn in.
Adjust your PSI at the gun with the trigger pulled full open. 26 PSI is plenty with my gun.
Now test spray on a masking paper taped to the wall. Hold your gun the proper distance from the paper and squeeze the trigger full open for 1 second. Look at the pattern, it should be full with tiny droplets. If it appears too wet, turn your fluid knob in another 1/2 turn and try again.
If droplets are too big, increase your air pressure slightly.
Mixed 1:1.
With the gun empty, back the fluid knob out far enough so you can squeeze the trigger full open. Then holding the trigger full open turn the knob in until you feel it start to push on the trigger. Release the trigger and turn the fluid knob 1/2 turn in.
Adjust your PSI at the gun with the trigger pulled full open. 26 PSI is plenty with my gun.
Now test spray on a masking paper taped to the wall. Hold your gun the proper distance from the paper and squeeze the trigger full open for 1 second. Look at the pattern, it should be full with tiny droplets. If it appears too wet, turn your fluid knob in another 1/2 turn and try again.
If droplets are too big, increase your air pressure slightly.