Painting Tips

[David]

Hi All

I am getting ready to paint my 61 Cub and have a couple of questions. A while back I talk to somebody about the best ratio to mix paint vs hardner vs naptha thinner. Does anyone know? I just got the paint and thinner from Tractor Supply, BPS paint and Valspar hardner. The 8 oz container of hardner says to use with 128oz (1gal) of paint, which means 16 to 1, but how much naptha should I use?

Also, I have seen a number of postings on primers, to take up the pitting. What is the best? Can I get these polly primers in spray cans?

As always, thanks so much.

[Brent]

I was told by my local paint shop to mix it 8 parts paint, 4 parts reducer and 1 part hardener. That was using the IH 2150 paint and Napa's synthetic hardener. It went on great and still looks good after three years.

[Steve Butram]

David, You need to read the instructions on the can or ask the paint manufacture for the ratios. The paint stores have small containers that have the ratios on printed on the side. Be careful and protect your self with the recomended breathing protection and full body protection. hardner can effect your central nurvous system if inhaled or absorbed in your skin. So you must use all the correct personal protection when spraying paint with the hardner added.I mix the hardner for the last coat only. If the gloss finish is what you are requiring try over reducing the paint that will give you a gloss finish also. I add the hardner on the last coat to keep the gasoline from peeling the paint if it happens to leak or I get a little messy filling the fuel tank .Steve

[Maritimer]

I use the 2150 IH paint and I mix mine 8 parts paint 1 part thinner and one part hardner. The last few coats on the tin work I mix a little more hardner in the paint. about 1 1/4 versus just the one part. It puts a real nice shine to the paint.

[Todd]

You must ask the paint manufacturer about the ratio. The more reducer you use the better chance the paint will fade a few days after you shoot it.

The Ration of reducer to paint is only important because it get the paint out of the gun. It is only a vehicle for the paint. It all eventually goes in the atmosphere. If you can not find the ration start with 10% and test it on some scrap then keep in creasing it till you can get a nice even coat of paint out of the gun

Only reduce the paint after you add the harder

The ratio of hardener to Paint is critical, if you use too much harder the paint will not dry properly or even at all. Don't use enough.. same problem.

Use harder on ALL coats.

You should only need two coats, if you get a lot of dirt in the paint do a third.

It is also critical that you wait the proper time in between coast (read directions