Napa Crossfire Acrylic Enamel

Hey all longtime lurker !

love the site.

I'm spraying a 1973 MGB with Napa Crossfire Acrylic Enamel (Blaze red). This car is a driver not a show car. I'm sanding the car down with 320 scuff pads. This is the first time I have ever painted anything. I do have a 6 hp 30 gal craftsman air compressor and water seperator. I had a few questions and wanted to know what you pros think.

*Should I use a conventional gun hvlp or turbine? The Turbine is a rental from Home depot and is a 4 stage.

*If I go the route of Hvlp gun should I use a tip smaller than 1.4? I've read where people use 1.0 for AE SS and turn the air up.

* I also read I don't have to use a hardener but it won't shine that well. Is a hardener necessary??

Here is the paint
[url]http://www.martinsenour-autopaint.com/media/pds/english/9104.pdf[/url]

[url]http://www.martinsenour-autopaint.com/en/ProductHighlights/~/media/Martin-Senour-Files/Product-Information/Crossfire/Systems-Quick-Reference.ashx[/url]

Guns I'm looking at: But I'm not opposed to spending a little more to get a better flow.

http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-automotive-hvlp-spray-gun-kit-94572.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/high-volume-low-pressure-gravity-feed-spray-gun-66222.html

The car does not have any rust. I cut out all the bad and installed new metal. I'm using rage extreme for smoothing out the welds. I'll wash and remove wax, remove all the chrome, sand, filler. The new metal is already primed.


Pictures





http://picasaweb.google.com/102677989530297021095/20120113

Any other tips will be much appreciated.

Thanks

Bryan  

Hi, I've shot a few but never used that stuff.

Gravity feed HVLP is my choice from those three.

1.4 should be fine.

Use the hardener, you'll be much happier with the results.

The purple gun is junk, I've got one. Poorly machined nozzles. Try the other or borrow a decent one for spray day.

Since you are sanding with 320 grit and using a red color, I would suggest using red sealer or additional finer sanding.

The sealer and hardener will yes cost a bit more but its spending the money in the right place. The sealer helps it stick and last, plus makes the coverage and "hiding" better. The hardener may mean the difference of being able to wipe off bird droppings without leaving a mark or not.

To keep your DIY enamel paint job happy, do minimal polishing but maximum waxing. Keep us posted on how it goes and give a shout if you have any other questions.