Call Me A Skin Flint.. But...

Discussion in 'Technical Help' started by Noods, May 2, 2014.

  1. Hi All..

    I am thoroughly enjoying rebuilding my Ducati ..

    I was talking to the guy who painted all my new carbon panels.. I wanted to do a bit of the less essential paint work eg engine and sub frame bits and pieces... He was telling me how a lot of people don't stir the paint anyway near well enough and to purchase a paint mixing machine.. They are not cheap.. Yes I could get one of those attachments for a drill, very messy and he said a long 1 hour slow stir is what he would reccomend.. Now I only need small paint quantities for what I do.. So I thought I would make one myself..

    I cleaned out an old paint tin the same size as The paint I purchase.. I then straightened a coat hanger wire and made a paddle with scrap alloy, drilling holes for paint flow.. As picture
    image.jpg

    I then drilled a hole right in the centre of the lid, important so the paddle runs smoothly .. To find the centre of a circle go on YouTube, it's actually easy if you know how..

    I then used one of those air hose quick connectors fitting it to the lid.. Threaded the paddle shaft through the centre of the connector.. I also used the plastic tube off one of those pump spray bottles like those used for window cleaning products sliding this over the coat hanger shaft to perfectly take up excess play and act as a bearing..poured in the amount of paint and thinners req attached my dremel on slow speed... And cook for approx hour.. In meantime I was able to prep a couple of pieces before paint while mixer worked away flawless... No mess, perfect paint mix.. Took I hour to make and no cost at all.. Luv it.. Saves so much time and my spraying has improved because of the better mix..

    image.jpg
     
    #1 Noods, May 2, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: May 2, 2014
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  2. A professional set up uses a shaker system that vibrates the can. As soon as you pour the paint it will settle though and depending on the weight of the particles that can be quite quickly. Are you spraying metallics?

    For metallics and certain pearls some people use ball bearings in the spray gun to keep the matter in suspension. Again professionals use an agitator gun that stirs whilst you spray. If you are using a can just keep shaking it.

    High speed stirring won't make a lot of difference it's long and slow agitation a bit like a wind vane just turning over that keeps the matter moving.
     
  3. Hi

    Really appreciate your reply.. I fully agree with your comments..

    With respect, I'm not spraying fuel tanks or anything like that, non critical paint jobs perhaps..

    What I've found with my home made device is that it vibrates quite a bit anyway. The paint is filtered before and after stirring and then given another good snake up before use.. I then shake the gravity type spray gun in between strokes..

    Ok it's basic, but a lot better than standing there hand stirring for ever...

    Really appreciate your advice though..

    Thanks.
     
  4. There's no doubt that your idea is sound and it's interesting that you are using a gravity gun, which I am guessing must be an HVLP one as many of them are. I find they produce a better and more controllable finish than conventional guns as you have three methods of controlling flow and pressure.

    They are harder to agitate because of their design and of course with those the heavier particles go on first and don't drop to the bottom of the cup like a conventional gun.

    I guess you mean you are straining the paint before and after stirring, in which case you should go for a coarse initial filter for the paint only and then go for a finer one for the mixed batch.

    You have come up with a unique idea though which works.

    A viscosity cup is best for the mixing stage.
     
  5. Thanks Red...

    Yes I don't expect to become an expert in paint spraying but, I feel I'm never old to learn..

    Mark at paint supremacy has given me so much time and advice together with a superb paint job..

    The way I look at it is .. If I spend less on these type of items it leaves me more to spend on the wife... Sorry I meant my beloved, Ducati, that is...


    Also if it helps a few other people then all the better..

    Finally, I sometimes req a tiny amount mixed.. So this way is ideal for ME... As I write this I'm mixing Ducati gold...

    N@@DS
     
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  6. There is a lot to spraying that many do not realise and the best set up you can have will always give the chance of the best results. You cannot beat expert opinion although, like many things, it can differ.

    If it works for you and you are getting good results that's what matters. The savings you can make are considerable when undertaking your own spraying, and as you say, it allows more money to be spent on the bike and elsewhere.

    I bought a very expensive compressor over 20 years ago and it is by far the best tool I have ever spent money on, it has earned me some good cash over the years and allowed me to spray many a bike and car. It's paid for itself many times over.

    Good luck
     
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