SPI High Build Primer: 2.0 mm LVLP Tip—Adequate or Too Small?

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borna428

Promoted Users
Hi all,
I’m planning to spray SPI High Build Primer, and the instructions call for a 2.0–2.5 mm tip. I’m using an LVLP gun with a 2.0 mm tip. For anyone with experience using this primer, is a 2.0 mm tip sufficient, or is it barely adequate? And if it’s on the edge, how much reduction if any would you recommend to get it to flow well?
thanks
 
JimKueneman said:
It should work. If it gives you problems thin it out with a bit of reducer. Barry only makes the high build to be politically correct and have it in the catalog. He would rather us use normal 2K and just toss on a few more coats.
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Thanks, I wish I had known that before I ordered. :)
 
borna428 said:
Thanks, I wish I had known that before I ordered. :)
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no, you did right. the hb primer is much better. it sprays way better and is more in line with other premium 2k primers from the majors as far as build and quality. not to say the reg build is no good, it is, but i dont like how it sprays. it sprays gritty even if you add vht reducer to it and use a big nozzle gun. the hb sprays nice and slick.

it has been awhile since i have used either one of those primers as i use the 2k sealer now unreduced instead BUT i did use nothing but the hb primer for prob 15 years. i can tell you that over the years i have noticed the viscosity vary from batch to batch so its really impossible to tell you if a 2.0 will be good or not. when you get it you will just need to see how thick it is and how it sprays. if its a normal viscosity then a 2.0 is just fine. if its too thick then maybe 10% reducer is all that should be needed. my primer gun is a sata 1.9 hvlp and that would spray it fine unless i got a thick batch.
 
JimKueneman said:
It should work. If it gives you problems thin it out with a bit of reducer. Barry only makes the high build to be politically correct and have it in the catalog. He would rather us use normal 2K and just toss on a few more coats.
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I actually do not stock the high build and I have customers just use the regular 2k and apply a extra coat.

One thing I notice in my side of the business is how little primer I go through in comparison to everything else and that is across all brands. Overall I just do not sell a lot of primer.

The exception to that is epoxy primer. I go through that like crazy.
 
Jim C said:
no, you did right. the hb primer is much better. it sprays way better and is more in line with other premium 2k primers from the majors as far as build and quality. not to say the reg build is no good, it is, but i dont like how it sprays. it sprays gritty even if you add vht reducer to it and use a big nozzle gun. the hb sprays nice and slick.

it has been awhile since i have used either one of those primers as i use the 2k sealer now unreduced instead BUT i did use nothing but the hb primer for prob 15 years. i can tell you that over the years i have noticed the viscosity vary from batch to batch so its really impossible to tell you if a 2.0 will be good or not. when you get it you will just need to see how thick it is and how it sprays. if its a normal viscosity then a 2.0 is just fine. if its too thick then maybe 10% reducer is all that should be needed. my primer gun is a sata 1.9 hvlp and that would spray it fine unless i got a thick batch.
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Very interesting. I have not heard this one before. are you adding any extra reducer to your mix?
 
for the reg build, i tried about everything. bigger nozzle, adding vht reducer, etc. it still sprays the same. the overspray just turns to grit. the surface feels like 80 grit sandpaper when you done. a single panel you may not notice or have a issue but spraying something like a whole car or even just a hood i think the sprayability of it is nowhere near as good as the hb. the hb primer you have none of that. it sprays and lays out like matte clearcoat.
 
Chad.S said:
Very interesting. I have not heard this one before. are you adding any extra reducer to your mix?
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Me either.... I tried HB once and had that experience, it was too hard to get it on smooth. Everyone and place is different so it typically takes a bit of experimentation.
 
Jim C said:
for the reg build, i tried about everything. bigger nozzle, adding vht reducer, etc. it still sprays the same. the overspray just turns to grit. the surface feels like 80 grit sandpaper when you done. a single panel you may not notice or have a issue but spraying something like a whole car or even just a hood i think the sprayability of it is nowhere near as good as the hb. the hb primer you have none of that. it sprays and lays out like matte clearcoat.
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This has always been my experience too. However, contrary to your experience with reducer, the last few years I’ve been adding a splash of urethane reducer to mine and it sprays out smooth, doesn’t get the rough gritty texture. Also doesn’t get all those little “pits” that you have to sand extra long to get out.
 
In all fairness it was quite a few years ago. Maybe it has been made to spray a kittle wetter in more recent years. I will be ordering a couple cases in the near future for an architectural project. Ill see if its still like i remember it.
 
Jim C said:
In all fairness it was quite a few years ago. Maybe it has been made to spray a kittle wetter in more recent years. I will be ordering a couple cases in the near future for an architectural project. Ill see if its still like i remember it.
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Wow! A couple cases, assuming you're not wet sanding this project?
 
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Jim C said:
for the reg build, i tried about everything. bigger nozzle, adding vht reducer, etc. it still sprays the same. the overspray just turns to grit. the surface feels like 80 grit sandpaper when you done. a single panel you may not notice or have a issue but spraying something like a whole car or even just a hood i think the sprayability of it is nowhere near as good as the hb. the hb primer you have none of that. it sprays and lays out like matte clearcoat.
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I had this same exact experience with reg build doing one complete coat over the entire Corvette I just painted. I don't think I used any reducer and shot it with my Iwata 2.0 gun. Not a product I will buy again. I was much happier with a primer I bought from my local jobber and it was also DTM.
 
Ive only used the high build. I was very pleased with how it sprayed and laid out nice and smooth. Was pretty easy sanding too. I didnt need to reduce it. You should be fine. Like already mentioned, worse case 10% reducer
 
useing retarder in primer keeps it open in warmer weather it might help in winter on over all priming I use a cheap TCP primer gun with a 2.5 tip and bump up pressure but I use turbo on the cars I restore it goes on nice and it comes in black and white if needed
 
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