Gun setting and pressure for Lechler epoxy

[RaceDiagnostics]

Guys, what gun, tip, pressure and gun setting do you use when shooting Lechler epoxy?

I always struggle to get it flat, so am looking to see what you do to get a good flat finish.

 

[langy]

I use a 1.8 hvlp gun set at 40 psi, mix 2-1 + 10% thinner

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Thanks, what about your fluid screw, in, mid or all the way out?

 

[langy]

Thanks, what about your fluid screw, in, mid or all the way out?

Dunno never looked, I use the gun just for epoxy and havnt altered it for probably 20 years !!!

 

[MG David]

Because I am not an expert I tend to start with the data sheet. https://www.paints4u.com/pdffiles/29107.pdf
At 40psi (2.76bar) Langy is running a slightly higher pressure than the Lechler data sheet gives, 2 - 2.5bar. With thinners at 10% of the combined paint and hardener he is also using about half as much thinner again as the Lechler data sheet suggests.
These are good examples of how people might start with the recommended settings and then tweak them till they end up with settings that work for them. A bit more thinner and a bit more pressure will often improve the finish if the recommended settings are resulting in one that is not flat enough.
Your question about the fluid screw is an interesting one as data sheets never seem to cover it.

 

[pedrobedro]

Thanks, what about your fluid screw, in, mid or all the way out?

That is going to depend on your gun and your technique. Find something to experiment on to get your ideal set up.

Your question about the fluid screw is an interesting one as data sheets never seem to cover it.

If they don't know what style of gun or nozzle size you are using it would be hard to predict what setting you need. It's primer, don't get hung up about it you can always do it again.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Ok so I have a FLG5 "compliant" gun, 1.8 tip and set up with full fan fluid screw well out and 2.5bar.

Same set up for the epoxy and high build.

Preped up, inside already painted.

Three coats of epoxy.

Close up you can see the orange peel as usual.

An hour and a half later went straight on with 3 coats of high build.

Close up, luckily it has smoothed out over the epoxy.

Sand, base and clear tomorrow if the weather stays good.

 

[MG David]

That is a very interesting comparison. Your gun settings clearly suit the high build better than they suit the epoxy.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Here is a close up after a bit of sanding, you can see the peel that was on the high build.

After about an hour or two of sanding it was nice and flat.

Three base coats.

Two coats of clear, nice and flat on the top surface.

A bit of peel on the side, I will wet sand and polish that out.

 

[anjum]

Nice work and colour, what car is the wing from. Merc?

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Yes its for the merc, I'm doing rolling restoration on both of these. Didn't realise that the XK8 was a resto project when I bought it but it turns out they are rust buckets.

 

[MG David]

Your straight out of the gun finish on both the base and the clear are very good.

 

[Coo]

Lovely pics !
Shows process nicely

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Your straight out of the gun finish on both the base and the clear are very good.

Thanks, really not sure what I am doing wrong with the epoxy, next time I will try higher pressure and less fluid.