Help with large scale 'prop' painting.

[Sulla]

Hey, I am struggling with how to go about painting a VERY LARGE piece of setting for my prop/hobby room.
http://www.therpf.com/index.php?showtopic=124209&hl=
I will be wanting to do the color coat and then a clear coat over it.

I don't have a lot of cash to sink into expensive tools and aircompressors, though I will if I have too.

I thought of using something economical like this. Anyone ever used this or one like before?

Wagner Power Painter Spray Trac Paint System.

Painting is completely portable with the Spray Trac painter from Wagner. The powerful device delivers a spray of paint to windows, siding, and more with a laser pattern distance guide to make sure every coat is complete and consistent. The wide shot tip supplies a pattern up to 12" via the comfort-grip trigger, and a four-position selector allows you to pick the amount of paint. It even offers a convenient backpack for paint storage, so you can stay mobile for the entire process.Quick Flush clean up. Works with latex, oil paints, stain, water sealers and wood preservatives. Ladder hook. Comfort Grip 2 Finger Trigger. 1qt. and 1 1/2 qt. cups with handle extension.[/b]

 

[starbuckcylon]

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/...o?keyword=paint

Do you have a Harbor Freight by you? They have some cheap spary guns for sale.

Jim

 

[Sulla]

Yeah as a matter of fact, I do. Great idea.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...temnumber=93305

I immagine learnign to use the sprayer is not too tough. But since I've never done anything other than brush-on and rattle can, I was wondering if there are only certain paints or paint mixtures that can be used with such a sprayer?

I want to do clear coating too. I can't just go pick up some house paint and thin it with something and spray away can I?

 

[dropshipbob]

Most of the internal components of those big sprayers are composed of plastic, and built for latex paints.
If you tried putting something like laquer or enamel paints through it, I'd imagine the solvents in the paint would corode the mechanism, rending it useless next time you picked it up.

Plus you'd have to clean it out with solvents after using laquer/enamel, and that too would probably melt it.

I don't think it will give you a nice even layer of paint, but I suppose it all depends on how much the paint is thinned, the surface, temperature. If you have one, nothing to be lost in trying as long as you stick with water based paint.

 

[jcoffman99]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dropshipbob @ Apr 12 2007, 04:16 PM) [snapback]1461090[/snapback]</div>

Most of the internal components of those big sprayers are composed of plastic, and built for latex paints.
If you tried putting something like laquer or enamel paints through it, I'd imagine the solvents in the paint would corode the mechanism, rending it useless next time you picked it up.

Plus you'd have to clean it out with solvents after using laquer/enamel, and that too would probably melt it.

I don't think it will give you a nice even layer of paint, but I suppose it all depends on how much the paint is thinned, the surface, temperature. If you have one, nothing to be lost in trying as long as you stick with water based paint.
[/b]

I used that same sprayer to stain the lattice board around my deck. I used soooooooo much paint. It would have been cheaper, although slower to do it all by hand. Plus the stinkin thing is so loud.

 

[Sulla]

I'll be painting masonite, plexi and some other smooth surfaced woods and putties (filling nail holes and gaps.)

I want to put a nice coat of some 'Trek-gray' color and cover thant with a clear coat. I was actually thinking of going to an autobody shop I am familiar with to see if they'd do it for not too much $ Hehe.

When I though of walking in there and asking them to paint my Star Trek Engineering Station, I decided to start looking around for my own sprayer.

What would you suggest instead?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dropshipbob @ Apr 12 2007, 04:16 PM) [snapback]1461090[/snapback]</div>

Most of the internal components of those big sprayers are composed of plastic, and built for latex paints.
If you tried putting something like laquer or enamel paints through it, I'd imagine the solvents in the paint would corode the mechanism, rending it useless next time you picked it up.

Plus you'd have to clean it out with solvents after using laquer/enamel, and that too would probably melt it.

I don't think it will give you a nice even layer of paint, but I suppose it all depends on how much the paint is thinned, the surface, temperature. If you have one, nothing to be lost in trying as long as you stick with water based paint.
[/b]

 

[KnightAsylum]

I spray painted (with a paintgun rented from one of those rental tool places) a '77 Camaro a few years ago without knowing at all what I was doing. It turned out fine. the equipment was easy to use and I really think the larger you are working the easier it is. It has always been true for me for models and such. I just find the who process easier. The real spaygun on the car was easier then airbrushing a model.
You'll do fine.

To be fair to my lack of skills vs outcome, I was just spaying primer, not finishing paint.

 

[starbuckcylon]

http://wegottafindearth.com/WEBpaint/painting.htm

Here is some painting info I put together that might help.

Jim