Not spraying well

Nochain said:
I find that epoxy is more difficult to clean and personally don’t want to contaminate the guns. One less hassle later. I do use an ultrasonic cleaner after cleaning the guns by hand.
Also the ProLite gun is a high efficiency gun with the TE20 cap. I don't know anyone using a high efficiency gun for primer?
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Epoxy isn't like traditional primers. I have would have no qualms spraying with that gun. It cleans up well too. Use a good quality wash thinner from a paint jobber(not stuff you get at HD or Lowes), then follow up with some urethane reducer.

As for your issue I agree with Jim. If you are getting droplets that tells me your gun is having issues or your air pressure is too low. First thing to try is to turn up your air pressure. Keep turning it up till you see it atomizing nicely on a test piece, masking paper or similar.
 
crashtech said:
I am wondering if the white part A is actually fully stirred. It's typical for the pigments to drop to the bottom of the can so it needs a LOT of stirring prior to mixing.

The white epoxy in particular can be more difficult to spray than other primers. It also does not cover in the first coat, so the urge can be to over apply, but that's not what the picture looks like. The picture actually looks like a light coat applied at low pressure. If I saw it applying like that, I think I might have increased gun pressure significantly and hit it with a medium coat immediately.
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Hum, I started at 25 psi and upped it to 30 but didn’t think of going much higher than two bar. I’ll try that as well tomorrow. Thank you.

I mixed by hand the paint then used a drill with A spiral mixer to thoroughly mix the epoxy very well. I am now wondering if I possibly induced some air into the mixing? I used a slow drill speed as not to over agitate and make air bubbles but I suppose it’s possible. I did not see any air bubbles at all. If I did induce some air would it come out like this?

I left the remaining mix on the bench with the 3M cap sealed so I could also try and re-spray it tomorrow hoping if I did induce any air that it might degas…….
 
Chris_Hamilton said:
Epoxy isn't like traditional primers. I have would have no qualms spraying with that gun. It cleans up well too. Use a good quality wash thinner from a paint jobber(not stuff you get at HD or Lowes), then follow up with some urethane reducer.

As for your issue I agree with Jim. If you are getting droplets that tells me your gun is having issues or your air pressure is too low. First thing to try is to turn up your air pressure. Keep turning it up till you see it atomizing nicely on a test piece, masking paper or similar.
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Ok I’ll try stepping up the pressure ! Thanks.
 
Dean Jenkins said:
My Prolite is all I shoot epoxy with. Works great, cleans up great.
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What cap do you use TE10 or TE20? What pressure? 1.4? This would really help me as I could replicate what you do or close to it. This could help me understand if its the gun, system or the epoxy mix. I always like to cut a problem in half.
 
@Nochain , when quoting pressures, make sure it's at the gun with a full trigger pull, fluid flowing. Also check your gauge against another gauge, many gauges are inaccurate!
 
Nochain said:
What cap do you use TE10 or TE20? What pressure? 1.4? This would really help me as I could replicate what you do or close to it. This could help me understand if its the gun, system or the epoxy mix. I always like to cut a problem in half.
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TE10, 1.4. I shoot at 28 PSI.
I've done 1:1 mix and also 25% reduced for sealer.

Don't tell anyone else, but I use carb cleaner to clean my guns. It is specifically designed to not damage o-rings, gaskets etc, but cleans paint like no one's business.
 
crashtech said:
@Nochain , when quoting pressures, make sure it's at the gun with a full trigger pull, fluid flowing. Also check your gauge against another gauge, many gauges are inaccurate!
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Yup I have a digital gauge at the gun! It’s new but I’ll check it against my analog gun gauge and digital tire gauge! Thanks!
 
Dean Jenkins said:
TE10, 1.4. I shoot at 28 PSI.
I've done 1:1 mix and also 25% reduced for sealer.

Don't tell anyone else, but I use carb cleaner to clean my guns. It is specifically designed to not damage o-rings, gaskets etc, but cleans paint like no one's business.
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Thanks for the recipe Julia!
 
Could be 20 different problems, from gun adjustments to applications or internal filters.
So instead of guessing, here is a quick way to solve the issues, whatever they are.
If you have a heat plate set at 90 degrees to 110, set the gallon on it with the top off and stir every couple of mins until you reach the temp.
If there is no heat plate, set the gallon in a few inches of water and do the above.
Mix the epoxy with an activator, NO reducer, and no induction time.
Take a clear gun and spray a wet coat like you would a clear coat, and it will be perfect, and it looks to me that you will not need to sand what you have on the body now.
 
Barry said:
Could be 20 different problems, from gun adjustments to applications or internal filters.
So instead of guessing, here is a quick way to solve the issues, whatever they are.
If you have a heat plate set at 90 degrees to 110, set the gallon on it with the top off and stir every couple of mins until you reach the temp.
If there is no heat plate, set the gallon in a few inches of water and do the above.
Mix the epoxy with an activator, NO reducer, and no induction time.
Take a clear gun and spray a wet coat like you would a clear coat, and it will be perfect, and it looks to me that you will not need to sand what you have on the body now.
Click to expand...

This sounds more like a covert meth operation.

So what is this achieving here?
 
Thanks @Barry We spoke on the phone about a month ago. No gun filter per your inputs. My purpose of the primer is for a final block out. I need about 4 coats that can be blocked.

I believe it to be a set up issue that needs more pressure. I’ll verify later today.

Question:Generally speaking does this epoxy typically require a higher pressure over say 2 bar or 30 psi to get decent atomization?
 
no, with most guns anyway you should not have to spray above recommended by the gun mfg. all are different though and i never sprayed with your gun. mine are all sata. epoxy gets very thick when its cold so if the can of paint is really cold then it should be warmed or room temp at a min. barrys recommendation will also help flash off the alcohol in it which can cause it to crater if sprayed too heavy.
 
I'm more Ambient Temp related imo. Depending on where your keep your cans,can also determine what Temp They are.\And if They are close to the Floor,can be 10 degrees cooler than 4' off the floor.
Times I've sprayed White epoxy,don't recall having coverage,hiding, per say other than White coverage "as usual" over a darker sub.
 
Did this in December and with a 1.2 LPH-80 at 70. Coverage was fine really. Something odd some where..
 

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I’m using a digital laser thermometer to measure panel temperature. I also am using histogram digital room temperature sensor and I keep the epoxy and hardener in my house at 70F. Nothing below 65F ever.
 
Folks this is NOT a temp issue, or too heavy of a spray issue. I am having issues with ATOMIZATION. This must be a gun or set up issue since I see no red flags from my prep.
 
How about more pictures.
I really can't tell other than coverage of an issue myself.
Epoxy can spray strange occasionally and Temperature is usually the factor why.
If you have excessive orange peel, runs,dry spray,etc.
Your correct. Equipment.
 
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