Hi Guys,
So I've been working on a sprayed lacquer project for a few weeks now. I'm on the finish and, I'm working through some issues.
I've done a ton of research and I have a good handle on just about every aspect of the system except I don't FULLY understand how to calculate my required viscosity. I get the idea but all I have to work on is this.
My paint (sherwin williams opex product finish) says only two real things about viscosity. Neither mention anything about the gun nozzle size.
* 20-25 seconds #2 Zahn Cup at 100% reduction with R7K120
* For HVLP System reduce 50-100%
I experimented first time around with a cheap harbor freight 1.7mm gun and 75-100% viscosity and I got OK results but I'm now trying to re-evaluate and finish this project right.
I went and bought a Sharpe Finex FX3000 gun with a 1.4 and 1.8mm nozzle.
My thinking is to use the 1.8mm to lay down the primer (for the white pieces) and the initial layers of clear on the clear pieces. Then later smooth the surface and move down to a 1.4mm for the final layers using a higher ratio of thinner.
Now here's where I'm stuck. I know the viscosity requirements will be diff for the 1.4mm and 1.8mm needles but I can't find any definitive information on it (just checked my gun manual). I'm really trying to avoid trial and error again since I don't want to sand anymore poorly laid down primer off my pieces.
So, the questions are. General answers are great but my questions are specific to lacquer
many thanks!
So I've been working on a sprayed lacquer project for a few weeks now. I'm on the finish and, I'm working through some issues.
I've done a ton of research and I have a good handle on just about every aspect of the system except I don't FULLY understand how to calculate my required viscosity. I get the idea but all I have to work on is this.
My paint (sherwin williams opex product finish) says only two real things about viscosity. Neither mention anything about the gun nozzle size.
* 20-25 seconds #2 Zahn Cup at 100% reduction with R7K120
* For HVLP System reduce 50-100%
I experimented first time around with a cheap harbor freight 1.7mm gun and 75-100% viscosity and I got OK results but I'm now trying to re-evaluate and finish this project right.
I went and bought a Sharpe Finex FX3000 gun with a 1.4 and 1.8mm nozzle.
My thinking is to use the 1.8mm to lay down the primer (for the white pieces) and the initial layers of clear on the clear pieces. Then later smooth the surface and move down to a 1.4mm for the final layers using a higher ratio of thinner.
Now here's where I'm stuck. I know the viscosity requirements will be diff for the 1.4mm and 1.8mm needles but I can't find any definitive information on it (just checked my gun manual). I'm really trying to avoid trial and error again since I don't want to sand anymore poorly laid down primer off my pieces.
So, the questions are. General answers are great but my questions are specific to lacquer
- what type of Viscosity cup do I use?
- how do I tell the viscosity to needle size?
- how does the actual product thinning information affect viscosity to needle size requirements?
many thanks!