Can someone help on 2k paint please

[Thebeast]

Hi what is the process to spraying 2k paint on mild steel.

How clean do you need to get the mild steel?

Do you need to get it fully down to its bare metal removing every bit of millscale? Or is some millscale acceptable?

Do you need to use a primer before spraying the 2k paint or could I just one coat without primer?

Is the primer 2k aswell or can I use any?

Iv been making some gym equipment and I want the paintwork on them to be very durable and scratch resistant as where the weight plates scrape I don’t want the paint scraping off. I don’t have any sort of spray booth I will be spraying outside would I get away with a Twin Cartidge A2 P3 Mask instead of an air fed run off a compressor?

Sorry about the amount of questions I just haven’t got much clue where to start iv watched a few videos and I will continue doing so. Just a learning process I guess lol.

Thank you for anyone who replies I greatly appreciate everyone who can help me out! :-)

 

[ajlelectronics]

Solvent clean the metal, abrade to 180 grit dry, solvent clean.

Apply at least two coats of Lechler 29107 epoxy primer or equivalent (Kapci, Mipa automotive etc), with conventional PPE.

Flat to 500 dry. Don your air fed mask (negative pressure masks are not regarded as safe). Apply a tack coat of 2K solid colour, followed by two wet coats. Allow to cure and polish as required.

Be aware of those around you when spraying isocyanate materials, you must not expose anyone else to the airborne mist.

 

[MetalMonkey]

You don't have to use an epoxy primer, 2K primers are available although epoxy has some advantages in harsh environments.

I suspect 2K is probably not the ideal paint for your application in all honesty.

While it is durable and can be finished to a very high standard, I think something that is cheaper and easier to apply would be better suited to gym equipment where the quality of finish and longevity is not the same as in the automotive sector.
All gym equipment takes a beating, and you are unlikely to be polishing it up every weekend!

I think a lot of it is powder coated or electrostatically painted.

Perhaps an epoxy primer and a decent single stage gloss would be a better solution.

 

[jo1010]

....don your air fed mask (negative pressure masks are not regarded as safe).....

Air fed is not normally feasible in non industrial situations - (is OP is using industrial batch production facilities idk)........ the testing required for breathable compressor air supplies is necessarily rigorous and expensive with the need for regular checks and certification - it's so easy to poison yourself with oil vapour - or any other toxin that happens to be in the tank or airline.

Maybe this job should be subbed out to a paint professional?

 

[jo1010]

Btw isn't commercial gym stuff stove enamelled? That would need a different process ....

 

[norsa]

Very wise words from our esteemed member above. I am in a very privileged position to have all the equipment in place to safely spray 2k. Its expensive to get to the right level and definitely beyond the budget of the average DIYer
Nick