First Paint Job (Orange Peel)

[MADSCIENTIST]

I attempted my first paint job today, painted the hood, battery box, fenders, toolbox, and dash. I painted with IHC red oil-based enamel, added the correct amount of hardener, and thinned it very slightly 1:10 with naptha solvent. The hood and fenders, while very well covered and super shiny, have a fair amount of orange peel texture. I am debating wet-sanding and buffing them before putting on the decals. Will the orange peel effect the decals? The humidity is pretty high here today, but I couldn't wait to paint the tractor (not impatience, neccesity) and I think that may have had something to do with the paint orange peeling. Then again, I couldn't be more of a novice when it comes to painting so who knows. Should I leave it alone and try to do better next time, or should I go the extra distance and wet-sand and buff it? I feel like a kook going to such extremes with a tractor? My friends are starting to say that the Cub is becoming my "Christine", next thing I'll be talking to it and it will start murdering people..........

[capt jack]

Humidity got nothing to do with orange peel. Check out the following link:
http://www.sherwin-automotive.com/refer ... /index.cfm
and see some reasons, and tips on how to eliminate this problem. Orange peel will not effect the decals. It will effect how you conceive the paint job.. If you are not to impatient, give it about a week (I assume you don't have a paint room) then sand starting with about 320 and work up to about 800 I I go up to 1200 and higher on a super job such as one of the autos)or so. Then repaint. Good Luck

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

sorry, but I couldn't resist. I believe tha twould be perceive, rather than conciev the job. He'll be knocked up now. LOL

[johnbron]

I guess I am not the only one with a citrus hood. My paint came out crinkly around the gas-filler hole area. I think what happened was I got the paint to thick and it flowed down the gas neck and puddled before flowing out smooth and sitting outside all day in the 100° heat made it dry to fast and crinkle like orange peel. I might fix it someday. But for some time to come I will live with my dissapointment. Sob Sob Weep

[capt jack]

Well, he felt he had screwed up the paint job, therefore concieved. lol....

[Dave1]

Is it C/IH 2150 you're spraying? I've sprayed it for a few years now and cannot get it to flow out(go on smoothly) by mixing according to the label on can. Label says 8 to 1 paint/reducer, I mix it more like 4 to 1 or 3 to 1 to get best results. Practice this on something before repainting your Cub.

[Brent]

Try practicing on something first. My Ford Industrial 2000 has a nice Rouge Red bucket. I noticed that I was getting orange peel until I increased the pressure to 45 lbs on my HVLP gun. I also mixed the 2150 as follows:

8 parts paint

4 parts reducer

1 part hardener

Fellow at the auto paint store said the mix directions on the cans don't work to well because of EPA standards. Mixed too thick.

I also noticed you have to paint in thin coats and only wait about 5 minutes before you put on another coat. I never painted anything in my life and mine came out great.

GOON LUCK!

[Todd]

More Airpressure = Smoother paint, More Reducer = Smoother paint, However More Air pressure could = Dry looking paint. More Reducer could = Dull paint.

When i painted My 67 I actually tried to get some orange peel, If its too smooth its not correct. I assure you when they were painted originally they had plenty of orange peel. If your not happy hit it with a little 1200 but not to much then buff and polish. Be sure to tape up your edges so youdont burn them and alway buff OFF an edge

[MADSCIENTIST]

I came in today and the paint appears alot nicer now that it has dried for a few days. The orange peel has subsided alot and it is very, very shiny. There are quite a few dust particles, but that is to be expected, I painted it in my factory's paint booth, and it's pretty dusty in here, even on the weekends. A bunch of the guys from our fab shop said that the paint job looks good to them, and one of the guys said he would come over and help me wet-sand and buff out the dust spots. I guess I was just being too critical and nervous. I agree with Todd, I like the slight orange peel, it looks authentic. I know that I should wait a few months to wax it, how long before I can put on the decals?

[Todd]

you can put the decals on right away. You can also polish it now, just not wax. In fact I personally would never wax anything. If you want to protect it use Liquid Glass. But wait 4 months