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Bill's RV-10 Builder Page
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Date:  11-26-2010
Number of Hours:  24.00
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Some notes on atomization, heat, dust, and paint f

I've talked to a number of experienced painters - aircraft, non-aircraft, commercial and production types. I've concluded the following:

- Turbine style, HVLP equipment can work well but has some limitations in terms of paint atomization. Works fine for thin stuff, not so much for thick, low VOC formulated stuff like the Imron Elite SS I'm using. A 'commercial grade' (good) HVLP gun that takes high pressure to the gun then takes it down to low pressure, can be setup to atomize the heavy stuff. There's more blow back and waste but it will go fast and smooth.

- I have a good HVLP gun in the 3M/ Accuspray model I have - but it can only atomize so much, so well.

- Imron SS does not specify any thinning but it can be thinned somewhat using its reducer - 5% worked better than 0. May stick with that for time being.

- Temperature is a big deal - high temps help this stuff flow out. Temperature control of the work and the paint is required. Summer works pretty well if you avoid high humidity days.

Since I'm doing most of this painting in the late fall, it's all about heating. Starts with an infrared temp guage - cheap is fine. The work needs to be 50+ according to the data sheets - at least 70, over 80, and closer to 90 seems better to me. The paint needs to be 75+ according to the data sheets and 85 to 95 recommended. At 105 it gels. I'm aiming for 95 and probably on average achieving 85 do too the unavoidable cooling from a well ventilated booth in 50-60 degree outside air conditions.

I've tried putting the unmixed paint in a water bath - that doesn't work. I now have a hot plate in the booth and a pot setup so I can stick my gun's paint cup in it as needed. I use the infared guage to figure out the water temp and the dried off, after swirl temp o fthe paint pot. I shoot for 105 in the former and 95 in the latter. That's working now.

For booth temp I've tried halogen lights aimed at the piece and electric infrared - those don't work. I just got this 2 burner LP powered heater.
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hot plate, coffe pot, (veggie steamer insde), and 3M/Accuspray gun

hot plate, coffe pot, (veggie steamer insde), and 3M/Accuspray gun

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Home Depot $34 heater - works great!

Home Depot $34 heater - works great!

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The current topcoat lineup - High chemistry

The current topcoat lineup - High chemistry

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