Newb advise on universal clear activator

J

JAKO

I took vacation next week to start painting my car, bought all my supplies thinking the weather here in Chicago would stay pretty close to what it has been [70s] now next week there talking about 50s I have normal temp activator. Is this good or bad?
 
Normal is fine. On an allover i use veryslow down to 65. Even in upper 50 i would use slow.
 
when i painted my car it was running i let it idle for a bit to warm it up ambient temps with adequate ventilation of course...
 
Jim C;13343 said:
Normal is fine. On an allover i use veryslow down to 65. Even in upper 50 i would use slow.
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This blows my mind....down here in florida...and maybe your spraying inside...but I unfortunately work outside...and using slow activator in anything below 80 especially late in the day...can have huge problems. Anything below 60 is a night mare. The moisture in the air just lays down all over any painted surfaces and fogs them up all to H&*L. I have had to re-base coat once or twice.


My advise is ...keep in mind the slower the activator the longer it takes to dry and the more crap that can be introduced into the job. Slower usually equals a better job...faster less environmental problems. A good balance in between is best!
 
I am spraying inside for sure. If you have moisture laying on parts then you have a bit of a unique issue there as most people are spraying in some type of booth or garage. You do have humidity down there as bad as we do here though. Too fast reducer or activator can cause the blushing you speak of but you would see that much less spraying outside. Thats more prone in a high humidity, high airflow situation.
 
This time of year even if its warm during the day like today got up around 70 but drops down quickly in the evening and the clear hasn't had enough time to dry...and activator speed really makes a difference...moisture lays down all over the car like condensation. It will fog up the clear and sometimes need to be re-based. I am an on-site painter working for car dealers. Just one of the many obstacles to working outside...it sucks!!!!!
 
I've been talking with AAE about lot painting. It seems a portable tent must be mounted to your van or the wind will take it and cause more damage in the long run. Just another thought..
 
Your best friends are polar accelerator and infrared lamp. I bet if you use 1/2 part fast and normal accelerator with a cap of polar to a 3oz mix you will solve your issue. In Florida, drying shouldn't be an issue. In IL, it is.
 
Bob Hollinshead;15754 said:
Clausen, it sounds like you need a portable tent.
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The problem with that is I couldn't leave it up over night. Dub is right The wind can be a serious problem. I have a tent and use it everyday in the summer time. If you put sides on it its even worse...like a giant sail. Maybe I'll open a shop eventually.
 
AAE;15760 said:
Your best friends are polar accelerator and infrared lamp. I bet if you use 1/2 part fast and normal accelerator with a cap of polar to a 3oz mix you will solve your issue. In Florida, drying shouldn't be an issue. In IL, it is.
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I didn't see this post until after i made the last one...LOL. I have an infrared lamp...just broke the bulb 2 weeks ago and waiting for the replacement. I use the Polar accelerator but not that much. It seems I have die back problems if I am not careful with it. Lats time it was about 62 and I had 6oz, fast activator and a cap full of accelerator. That work good. The problem i have is trying to get the right ratio per the temp when I spray and the temp after the sun drops behind the tree line and after dark.


What temp do you use a cap full for 3oz?
 
Nearly year round. Being in Florida, the humidity might play a role in the dieback when using polar.

Remember, just because the air is 62 doesn't mean the panel is the same. So, you might need to go to a slower activator. I don't reduce the clear at all. I find that causes dieback too. PM if you want.
 
Clausen,
I can attest there is no trick that AAE has not tried.

He knows more about what this stuff will do then I ever thought of.
 
I have a non-contact thermometer I use if I think the panel areas are a diff temp. Last week it was only around 70 and a bumper I was painting in the sun was 100. I used Universal with Slow activator...man that bumper looked beautiful if I say so myself...haha. I have been do this a long time so I know a lot of tricks...certainly not all...;) I do need to dial in the Polar use for sure. I'll PM you AAE.

Also I have a temp gauge with a humidity reading. After cold fronts down here the humidity really drops for a few days. I usually bake my clear if I spray late in the day but some times you just wanna go home at the end of the day. I really wish Barry would make a Super 30 comparable clear for us On-site guys. You could sell it just to us! LOL. That reminds me...dang it...I meant to get some more Polar in my order I made Friday....Oh well...I have enough to last till my next order I think.
 
I have asked Barry about a faster clear. He said to add a bit more polar. I use like I said a cap to 3oz of clear. Try adding a cap and a half next time. It will flash at the same rate but once it flashes, bam! It kicks real fast. Could dieback be from not letting your base flash well?
 
Its a Restorers Choice Product...Barry knows all about it!!! It would dry in 17 mins at 77 degrees. (Wet sand and Buff.) It was great for working outside but not nearly as glossy as SPI clears. But for us it was awesome...especially working out side when a rain storm was coming! Which is every day in the summer down here.


The Reducer I feel helps with high humidity. I really have very few problems because i have narrowed them all down and take so many precautions, it takes a little longer but its better than a re-do. I have never experienced die-back from reducer that i know of. Could you give more details?
 
I only have die-back when adding too much Polar. I'll keep trying to dial it in. You know some colors trap solvents more. But I don't always take note of the color. I'll tell you one thing that is really awesome...being able to call Barry and pick his brain! I love that. Maybe if I allow more flash time when adding polar might help...especially if its cold out!!! I wait about 15 mins...usually set a timer.
 
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