Beginners mask and gun questions

[rcx132]

Hello, I started playing with Epoxy mastic 121 to paint my cars suspension parts and various brackets. I brushed it onto my towbar as a test and the finish is pretty rough. For speed, better finish, and because I have a lot of spraying to do, I thought I'd try spraying on.

I remember when I read up on professional spraying it was important to have the right temperature in the spray booth. Is that going to be important with 2k primer like Epoxy mastic 121?

Rustbuster recommend this gun for their Epoxy 121, which apparently uses 6-9 cfm: http://www.rust.co.uk/epoxy-spray-gun-lvlp-gravity-fed/p512991. I have a 150l 3hp compressor that is rated 14cfm. That leaves me 5-8 cfm for an air fed mask. The DeVilbiss VIZI mask wants 7cfm. So whether my compressor can cope depends on whether the gun draws 6 or 9cfm. Does that depend on it's setting? And if my compressor can't cope because it could be 2cfm short, won't that just mean that I need to take breaks to let the tank fill up?

I've never used an air fed mask. The Devilbiss VIZI comes up often but there's a few models available and not sure which one to go for?

I spoke to Metal works about filters and they've said that only the following kit is certified for breathing air. I've Googled it and costs £200 !!! Not cheap but probably cheaper than the competition.
Metal Works Pneumatic breathing air certified filter: Z29100BREATHE NEW DEAL 1/2 BREATHING AIRSET.

 

[ajlelectronics]

You don't actually need air fed for epoxy though!

 

[rcx132]

Yep the Epoxy says a cartridge mask is enough. I wanted extra protection but the price of air fed is too much, I might give it a miss.

What sort of filter do I need to put on my airline? I currently just have a cheap Sealey air trap regulator.

 

[mike os]

You need a coalescing filter for the mask...

 

[WorkshopChris]

What sort of filter do I need to put on my airline? I currently just have a cheap Sealey air trap regulator.

You need to look for a filter rated for breathing quality air. They are normal 3 part. with a breathing quality hose or 2 part and an additional belt pack filter.

 

[Daz1968]

I have a 3hp compressor and even though it's 14cfm displacement the actual output for constant use is nearer 9cfm. I have run an airfed mask and touch up gun from it and it works at max duty. Ideally a second compressor is required, I don't think you will run a mask with full size gun.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Same here, I need two compressors to run my air fed mask and spray guns, I think my set up probably cost about £700 to £800, but I bought it all over a 3 year period and never totaled it properly so as not to scare myself.

If you need to do a bit of bodywork thought it will pay for itself pretty quick.

 

[the snooper]

thought this was gonna be about robbing banks from the thread title

 

[pedrobedro]

thought this was gonna be about robbing banks from the thread title

Ski mask and sawn off sounds good. I use disposable masks for spraying and grinding. You don't smell the paint through the filter. They are about £10 and last about a month. Your 14cfm is probably not the free air figure which you will need for running the mask and gun together but the total output the manufacturer claims (optimistically)

 

[rcx132]

Thanks for the help. The video was pretty good as well. For now I'm going to leave the mask, buy a 1.8 tipped gun and see how I get on with spraying the primer.

The Epoxy Mastic 121 seems very popular but I'm wondering if it's not just a rebranded product with the price increased as a load of the other stuff I bought from Rust Busters was exactly that.

Is it UV resistant? And if not then what to top coat it with?

 

[ajlelectronics]

It is rebranded Jotun. For bodywork though, Lechler is a better choice and is much nicer to use. Jotun is fine for chassis work etc. Epoxy is UV stable, but can go chalky over time unless topcoated.

 

[rcx132]

It is rebranded Jotun.

Ha, great to know, Jotun is much cheaper!

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Just an FYI, 121/smartpack will spray with a conventional gun, but is very thick, even when thinners are used so is slow to go on, I think that's is why they say use airless.

Here are some chassis parts I did.

 

[langy]

Epoxy isnt uv stable, it will hold up for a while

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

I touched up a railing which had some black chipped pint on with some left over 121, it was chalky within a year, any that I have painted under the car (the oldest is about 4 years old) is still holding up well.