The secret to quality spraying. No kidding!!

boneyguy · April 13th, 2008, 10:44 PM

Well there's more than one secret but this is an incredibly good one that some folks already know I'm sure.

I was first told about a year ago by an auto painting guy who has helped me out a few times to heat up the rattle can first in hot tap water. Then in a very recent thread someone posted about their experience and some tips on spraying nitro. He mentioned how he learned to do the same thing from his father.

I don't know why it took me so long to try it but tonight was the night. Initially I was a little worried about heating up the aerosol can so I used water that was slightly less than full on hot tap water.

Well all I can say is just do it. I'm spraying a neck with Krylon Interior/Exterior Satin which is an amazing product to begin with. Dries and can be recoated in a few minutes. But when it's heated first it's incredible.

Firstly the spray pressure increases dramatically and I'm guessing the finish is atomized into even finer particles than it normally would be when unheated.

Secondly it dries to the touch much more quickly and thirdly it dries so incredibly smooth that after 5 coats I may not even have to do any levelling.

It is so close to looking like it's already been levelled and polished it's incredible. The only reason to do any sanding at this point is to get out a few dust nibs before I apply a few more coats.

Because the finish dries so quickly it all but eliminates any worry about dust settling on the wet finish. I do my spraying in an underground parking garage under my condo. It's surprisingly almost free of dust!!

The added step of heating has taken an amazing product to begin with and turned into a fool proof beautiful finish. I wish I had a decent digital camera to show you all what I'm raving on about.

If you're not already doing this I recommend giving it a shot. You won't be disappointed.

Mark Davis · April 13th, 2008, 10:53 PM

I learned that in 1964 from Car Craft magazine. A few months later I tried it and won a model car contest with my 1932 Ford painted in Candy Apple Red.

I also learned from that same magazine how to use toothpaste to rub out small imperfections.

The warmed up rattle cans paint real smooth.

bobthecanadian · April 13th, 2008, 10:54 PM

Yup. This is a good tip. I used to use an HVLP machine for work and it pushed a lot of hot air through the gun to warm the paint (or whatever else it was that was being sprayed that day). Now, I use rattle cans and heat them in hot water first. It make a big difference. I can put on more paint, evenly, in less time than a cold can. It makes it possible to get a near gloss finish with out sanding and clear. Looks better with gloss and polish, though.

boneyguy · April 13th, 2008, 10:58 PM

I wish I had listened to this advice a couple of years ago. It really does turn spraying into a whole new ballgame. I feel like an 8 year old at Christmas who just got a new bike or something!! Amazing.

I will still do a final level and polish but as I'm sure you guys already know it appears that that will be a very quick job now.

Rob DiStefano · April 14th, 2008, 05:22 AM

Yep, an old "trick" that's really not a trick at all.

Also, try a micro-waved hot pack wrapped around the can.

Also, the spray environment plays a huge part in the final outcome - you wanna spray when the ambient air is warm (70F or better) and not too wet (lowest humidity possible).

pchilson · April 14th, 2008, 06:08 AM

boneyguy, you are the second guy in a couple days relating this tip.

But now people are coming out of the woodwork to profess they have known this for years. I was asking for finishing help and tips anyone could provide a month ago and received squat for asking. Knowing this then would have saved me a lot of frustration and redos.

Thank you for sharing this information.

bobthecanadian · April 14th, 2008, 06:18 AM

anybody here build a mini spray booth? Maybe using a large cardboard box and a hanging device of some sort? I would love to see how you do it!

tboy · April 14th, 2008, 09:07 AM

Thanks for the tip. Makes me want to start a project this summer.

jwsamuel · April 14th, 2008, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

I learned that in 1964 from Car Craft magazine. A few months later I tried it and won a model car contest with my 1932 Ford painted in Candy Apple Red.

I learned the tip at about the same time from Model Car Science magazine.

Jim

jwsamuel · April 14th, 2008, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

Also, try a micro-waved hot pack wrapped around the can.

DO NOT try to take a shortcut and put the spray can in the microwave!

Jim

ajgus · April 14th, 2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwsamuel

DO NOT try to take a shortcut and put the spray can in the microwave!

Jim

Thats good advice, folks.

Telakaster · April 14th, 2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pchilson

boneyguy, you are the second guy in a couple days relating this tip.
But now people are coming out of the woodwork to profess they have known this for years.

It's funny, I just read yesterday on another forum how Gibson in the '50's used to have a heater coil in the laquer pot.

red57strat · April 14th, 2008, 11:52 AM

I just mentioned in another thread, that I did this on literally hundreds of model cars in my youth with great results and highly recommend it.

robt57 · April 14th, 2008, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

I also learned from that same magazine how to use toothpaste to rub out small imperfections.

That works on watch crystals when they get scratched, Use a wine cork as the polishing tool. My friends Dad was the 1st New Zealand Omega certified guy 100 years ago, he told me about that. It works too.

Mark Davis · April 14th, 2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red57strat

I just mentioned in another thread, that I did this on literally hundreds of model cars in my youth with great results and highly recommend it.

I think building model cars in our youth taught us all kinds of stuff. How to paint how cars worked. It was a good learning experience todays youth knows nothing about.

Burnjet · April 14th, 2008, 12:53 PM

This works great but I got tired of heating the water up all the time so on the nights I know I'm going to be painting or clear coating I slip down to the basement after dinner, which is where my work bench is, and set the cans on top of the hot water heater. Buy the time the dinner dishes are done my paint is warm and ready to shoot.

Burnjet · April 14th, 2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

I think building model cars in our youth taught us all kinds of stuff. How to paint how cars worked. It was a good learning experience todays youth knows nothing about.

I couldn't agree more. My 9 year old and I are about half way through building an original Monkey Mobile, so he's getting his first lesson in candy coating.

It was also a great starting ground for my 15 year old who now builds guitars with me. Of course he couldn't be like the old man so he built a Les Paul. I gotta admit it kind screams.

But it all started out with learning how to put stuff together "with your hands" at an early age.

skydawg · April 14th, 2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

I think building model cars in our youth taught us all kinds of stuff. How to paint how cars worked. It was a good learning experience todays youth knows nothing about.

Nowadays, I think the kids just get a new one when they tire of the color.
I had some slot cars that must have had 10 coats of paint on them.

boneyguy · April 14th, 2008, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pchilson

boneyguy, you are the second guy in a couple days relating this tip.

But now people are coming out of the woodwork to profess they have known this for years. I was asking for finishing help and tips anyone could provide a month ago and received squat for asking. Knowing this then would have saved me a lot of frustration and redos.

Thank you for sharing this information.

It's funny how that works eh? Funny in that 'it's not really all that funny' sort of way.

Buckocaster51 · April 14th, 2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pchilson

...asking for finishing help and tips anyone could provide a month ago and received squat for asking...

Please bear us no malice.

You just haven't been doing your homework.

This place is much like a large library. A lot of information. It takes some skill and inspiration to sort through it.

I wish I could remember where I first heard about heating paint/rattle cans before use. I too have been doing it since my model car/airplane days.

Good technique.

Taipan · April 14th, 2008, 04:37 PM

Funny how you know these things and then forget them. Just painted outdoors for the first time this year on Saturday and do you think I remembered to heat the can prior to spraying?
Thanks boneyguy for jarring the memory and bye the bye what are you painting??? Have I overlooked your build thread?

boneyguy · April 14th, 2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taipan

Funny how you know these things and then forget them. Just painted outdoors for the first time this year on Saturday and do you think I remembered to heat the can prior to spraying?
Thanks boneyguy for jarring the memory and bye the bye what are you painting??? Have I overlooked your build thread?

You're welcome!

I haven't posted a thread yet on it. I will when this project is complete. It's a Squier VM Thinline that I've done extensive mods to. It's been ongoing for quite a few months. I thought I was finished and then got more inspiration. You know how it goes!

I'm also doing a couple things to my MIM Standard and will likely post both together when complete. Hopefully in a few more weeks.

Mark Davis · April 14th, 2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burnjet

I couldn't agree more. My 9 year old and I are about half way through building an original Monkey Mobile, so he's getting his first lesson in candy coating.

It was also a great starting ground for my 15 year old who now builds guitars with me. Of course he couldn't be like the old man so he built a Les Paul. I gotta admit it kind screams.

But it all started out with learning how to put stuff together "with your hands" at an early age.

Ya the 1st time you do a Candy Apple red or Blue or Tangerene and it turns out good and your a kid your hooked forever.

I painted my Bike Candy Apple Tangerne had the chain guard chrome plated and polished up the rims and spokes with metal polish. It looked awesome the kids eyes popped the next time I rode it to school they alll wanted to ride it.

pchilson · April 14th, 2008, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckocaster51

Please bear us no malice.

You just haven't been doing your homework.

This place is much like a large library. A lot of information. It takes some skill and inspiration to sort through it.

I wish I could remember where I first heard about heating paint/rattle cans before use. I too have been doing it since my model car/airplane days.

Good technique.

I bear no malice. I did lots of hunting for information, one

April 13th, 2008, 10:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
boneyguy Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: victoria b.c. Age: 50 Posts: 2,526	The secret to quality spraying. No kidding!! Well there's more than one secret but this is an incredibly good one that some folks already know I'm sure. I was first told about a year ago by an auto painting guy who has helped me out a few times to heat up the rattle can first in hot tap water. Then in a very recent thread someone posted about their experience and some tips on spraying nitro. He mentioned how he learned to do the same thing from his father. I don't know why it took me so long to try it but tonight was the night. Initially I was a little worried about heating up the aerosol can so I used water that was slightly less than full on hot tap water. Well all I can say is just do it. I'm spraying a neck with Krylon Interior/Exterior Satin which is an amazing product to begin with. Dries and can be recoated in a few minutes. But when it's heated first it's incredible. Firstly the spray pressure increases dramatically and I'm guessing the finish is atomized into even finer particles than it normally would be when unheated. Secondly it dries to the touch much more quickly and thirdly it dries so incredibly smooth that after 5 coats I may not even have to do any levelling. It is so close to looking like it's already been levelled and polished it's incredible. The only reason to do any sanding at this point is to get out a few dust nibs before I apply a few more coats. Because the finish dries so quickly it all but eliminates any worry about dust settling on the wet finish. I do my spraying in an underground parking garage under my condo. It's surprisingly almost free of dust!! The added step of heating has taken an amazing product to begin with and turned into a fool proof beautiful finish. I wish I had a decent digital camera to show you all what I'm raving on about. If you're not already doing this I recommend giving it a shot. You won't be disappointed. __________________ "Shut up n' play yer guitar"

April 13th, 2008, 10:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 57 Posts: 12,262	I learned that in 1964 from Car Craft magazine. A few months later I tried it and won a model car contest with my 1932 Ford painted in Candy Apple Red. I also learned from that same magazine how to use toothpaste to rub out small imperfections. The warmed up rattle cans paint real smooth. __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.

April 13th, 2008, 10:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
bobthecanadian Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Taipei, Taiwan Age: 42 Posts: 1,531	Yup. This is a good tip. I used to use an HVLP machine for work and it pushed a lot of hot air through the gun to warm the paint (or whatever else it was that was being sprayed that day). Now, I use rattle cans and heat them in hot water first. It make a big difference. I can put on more paint, evenly, in less time than a cold can. It makes it possible to get a near gloss finish with out sanding and clear. Looks better with gloss and polish, though. __________________ It don't mean a thang if it ain't got that TWANG!!!

April 13th, 2008, 10:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
boneyguy Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: victoria b.c. Age: 50 Posts: 2,526	I wish I had listened to this advice a couple of years ago. It really does turn spraying into a whole new ballgame. I feel like an 8 year old at Christmas who just got a new bike or something!! Amazing. I will still do a final level and polish but as I'm sure you guys already know it appears that that will be a very quick job now. __________________ "Shut up n' play yer guitar"

April 14th, 2008, 06:18 AM	#7 (permalink)
bobthecanadian Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Taipei, Taiwan Age: 42 Posts: 1,531	anybody here build a mini spray booth? Maybe using a large cardboard box and a hanging device of some sort? I would love to see how you do it! __________________ It don't mean a thang if it ain't got that TWANG!!!

April 14th, 2008, 05:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 62 Posts: 4,623	Yep, an old "trick" that's really not a trick at all. Also, try a micro-waved hot pack wrapped around the can. Also, the spray environment plays a huge part in the final outcome - you wanna spray when the ambient air is warm (70F or better) and not too wet (lowest humidity possible).

April 14th, 2008, 06:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
pchilson Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Loveland, Colorado Age: 50 Posts: 668	boneyguy, you are the second guy in a couple days relating this tip. But now people are coming out of the woodwork to profess they have known this for years. I was asking for finishing help and tips anyone could provide a month ago and received squat for asking. Knowing this then would have saved me a lot of frustration and redos. Thank you for sharing this information.

April 14th, 2008, 09:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
tboy Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chicago Area Posts: 532 7 Photos	Thanks for the tip. Makes me want to start a project this summer.

April 14th, 2008, 11:52 AM	#13 (permalink)
red57strat Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,100	I just mentioned in another thread, that I did this on literally hundreds of model cars in my youth with great results and highly recommend it. __________________ Don

April 14th, 2008, 12:53 PM	#16 (permalink)
Burnjet TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Boston Age: 47 Posts: 49	This works great but I got tired of heating the water up all the time so on the nights I know I'm going to be painting or clear coating I slip down to the basement after dinner, which is where my work bench is, and set the cans on top of the hot water heater. Buy the time the dinner dishes are done my paint is warm and ready to shoot.

April 14th, 2008, 04:37 PM	#21 (permalink)
Taipan Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Western NY State Age: 49 Posts: 411	Funny how you know these things and then forget them. Just painted outdoors for the first time this year on Saturday and do you think I remembered to heat the can prior to spraying? Thanks boneyguy for jarring the memory and bye the bye what are you painting??? Have I overlooked your build thread?