Paint mixing ratios?

[SpitfireIV]

Hi,

Just wondering about the ratio of mixing cellulose with thinners. The underside of my Spitfire I mixed 50/50 and the spray seemed ok'ish with my LVLP gun, a good wet spray. For the inside of the car I was told to go with 60% color and 40% thinners (I may have got this mixed up!), but, with this mix the gun struggled and the spray was dry; in other words a very frustrating spray session.


Just looking at the description and tech sheet for the paint and wondering should I be mixing in a greater amount of thinner to paint, or the other way around? For instance, 70% thinner 30% color?

 

[richie00boy]

That says 65% paint, 35% thinners is the thinnest you can make it.

Cellulose does flash quickly which can result in dry patches for the novice, also overspray can be a problem on areas where you have to use multiple angles.

If you are careful you can flat it down and polish it up.

 

[norsa]

always try a test spray on a wall (with masking paper on it) it really shows up a miriad of issues before you apply expensive paint to a panel.
Nick.

 

[richie00boy]

Yes definitely. Maybe your gun is not set up right too.

 

[steveo3002]

id go with the test panel suggestion , differant weather conditions and what not can alter the way paint goes on , keep thinning it until it sprays on nice and go with that

 

[SpitfireIV]

Cheers for the help all!

id go with the test panel suggestion , differant weather conditions and what not can alter the way paint goes on , keep thinning it until it sprays on nice and go with that

Just out of interest, even though there is a recommended mixing ratio given, if you exceed this to get a good spray, say mixing up to 50/50 how does this affect the coat? Is it a case that it simply comes out too thin, risk of runs increase and requires more layers or will the integrity of the paint be affected in the long run?

 

[steveo3002]

yeah it will just be runny and see through , it shouldnt effect the structure of the paint long term

 

[the snooper]

as norsa said do a test I always use an old thinners tin or similar as its not absorbent like paper and gives a better representation of how flat or wet it will be on the panel