Paint lessons - bad

[Six_O'Clock_High]

I am preparing a new bird that requires some paint and I have plans for 3 or
4 others in the very near future that also require painting. I figured that
this would be a good time to learn how to paint since at least one of those
will be a fabric job. Since the LHS seems to be unable to get PolyU any
more and I have had terrible luck with that Lustercote stuff (junk IMO), I
decided to experiment.

The local Home Depot has this tricky computer matching gadget so I went
there to find a replacement I could tolerate. Seems that they cannot get
(make as in mix it up) Rustoleum (sp?) to match Insignia Blue. So in
desperation I decided to try the latex trick. Got 4 quarts of Behr latex
mixed to specification and a quart of Minwax Polyurethane Gloss for the seal
coat.

The first plane was a Giles 202 and I was unhappy with the blue. I used
clear hand soap and water for solvents when mixing for the sprayer Went
back and got another quart mixed a little differently. It seems to match
better. I finished a 3 color paint job today and have a word of warning for
those interested in avoiding disasters.

There have been several articles on how to spray latex and all have
suggested soap and water but one. One suggested using Windex as it has soap
and fast evaporating stuff in it. A little thought about that suggested a
trick that I tried. I used the soap and 91% isopropyl. DON'T DO THAT! The
mixed unused paint turns to pudding after about 18 to 24 hours. If you get
lucky and get to it around 12 hours, additional solvents can be added but
the mixture has lumps and will need to be filtered before you put it in the
gun. I tried it again on the second color with NO soap but the same 91%
stuff and got the same pudding as a result.

Lesson learned! Next time I stay with water.

I am lazy and cheap, so I still want to learn how to shoot a good job with
the latex as the cost is reasonable and the cleanup easy.

Jim Branaum
AMA 1428
Six_O'clock_High@Target_Lock.guns

[Mathew Kirsch]

"Six_O'Clock_High" <Targe...@guns.com> wrote in message news:<8Jqna.28486$4P1.2...@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net>...

> I am lazy and cheap, so I still want to learn how to shoot a good job with
> the latex as the cost is reasonable and the cleanup easy.

Just out of curiosity, what prompted you to put isopropyl alcohol in a
water-based acrylic latex paint to thin it? I would think that you'd
use distilled water. Don't you normally use the base solvent in the
paint to thin it?

[Chris Spierings]

Jim,

I've had good results with True Value Lustrekote Latex using windshield washer
fluid as the thinner and not had any of the issues you speak of concerning what
happens to the paint after the thinner dissolves. I did my Meister 190D witht
he stuff and then clear coated with Top Flite Lustrekote Clear.

Chris

[Six_O'Clock_High]

Mathew,
I have been a rocket scientest, a mechanic, a pilot, and a systems guy but
not a painter. Couldn't you tell? <g>

True Value as in the hardware store? Can the color match Moneycote?

"Chris Spierings" <spie...@removemailbag.com> wrote in message
news:3E9EB604...@removemailbag.com...

[Six_O'Clock_High]

it evaporates rapidly.

"Mathew Kirsch" <mkir...@rochester.rr.com> wrote in message
news:d6bf3430.03041...@posting.google.com...

[emc...@yahoo.com]

Its probably a known fact but,

Many latex paints manufacturers uses liquid hand soap as an
ingredient. They say it makes it go on easier and smoother.

[Bill Archibald]

Jim Jim JIM,

Shame on you for not asking FIRST.

Have I ever not found the info you were looking for <BG>

First, if you find you MUST go with latex, I've heard from my friends
in SA and Temple that the Wal-Marts down there have better computer
matching than HD. (I can't collaborate this, as I have NEVER liked
any computer matches, maybe they are better now.

Second, ISOPROPYL in LATEX ?!?!?!?!?!? WRONG !

Third, I have heard that some kind of surfactant are part of the
ingredients in paints, but I sincerely doubt they are the same as
household soap OR windex. If you want, I can find more info on this.

If I were you, I would call around (paint stores, professional
painters, paint manufactures, etc) and ask what they recommend to
thin latex for spraying. Personally I would try a product called
"Flotrol" by Flood, but I would also test water on something
unimportant.

-Bill

On Thu, 17 Apr 2003 05:12:36 GMT, "Six_O'Clock_High"
<Targe...@guns.com> wrote:

[Six_O'Clock_High]

Bill,
That would have been like asking permission! It NEVER occured to me that
ISPROPYL was going to be a problem. I was looking at the fast drying
qualities, as mentioned in the article I saw that mentioned Windex.

WAL_MART? I guess I will have to go check that one out because it is news
to me!

"Bill Archibald" <nos...@myISP.com> wrote in message
news:mlCfPnqavluzjc...@4ax.com...

[Sport_Pilot]

I thought Windex was water, soap, and a small amount of ammonia. I
don't think it has any ispopyl alcohol in it. Keep in mind that house
paint is not 100% latex. If you look at industrial and aircraft latex
paint you will notice it is much more expensive, and is more durable
against solvents, etc. The first time I try latex I would go with
straight water, if I have problems then I would try some flow agent.

"Six_O'Clock_High" <Targe...@guns.com> wrote in message news:<dULna.29992$4P1.2...@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net>...

[kevie]

There was a thread on this topic on rc universe recently with quite a few
specifics on thinning, spray pressure and such. One of the things that stuck
in my mind was that an easy and cheap way to check your thinned mix,
pressure, spray pattern was to spray onto an old window or piece of glass as
it could be washed off or scraped off as needed and reused. Might want do a
search for the thread there, could be helpful.

tomb

[Jim]

You only want to use a tiny bit of floetrol! It helps the paint flow better.
It is not a thinner. Water is the thinner of choice.

"Bill Archibald" <nos...@myISP.com> wrote in message
news:mlCfPnqavluzjc...@4ax.com...
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