Are you using an Air Brush to apply WOWA sealants? Excellent! Please post your method

Kean said:
....call me silly but I also think it's sort of fun applying OS this way. ;)



btw, I didn't mention it earlier but I will say that I do use a respirator when applying OS in this manner. There is obviously a fine mist of product that will be floating through the air and being bounced back in your direction. I have no idea what affect (if any) is of breathing this stuff in, but these days I tend to choose the "better safe than sorry" route.



LOL...I didn't have a respirator, but man what a high!



Joking of course. ;)
 
tdekany said:
Bee - I am like you I think when it comes to putting down LSP. So I use a pc to get an even coat. But after using Opti Coat, I can tell you that it is very easy to apply by hand. I wouldn't spend the $$$ on an airbrush. M2C



Try it.



Well, shoot, I guess I better come clean, Thomas...



Greg Nichols supplied me with some OC (not sure if it was 1.0 or 2.0 though) to try out. To say that it didn't go well would be an understatement. I've tried pretty much all the (older) WOWA sealants extensively, and it is truly a rare occasion that I get the application done to the point where it looks (to me, at least) acceptable. It just seems to be something I can't get down... A guy's gotta know his limitations. ;)



Of the various WOWA's, the one I was able to get fairly consistent results with was UPGP, but even that was a struggle.



I just tried yet again to find Anthony's thread on spraying OS to no avail. I *really* wish I could find it, as the results were so jaw dropping, I think it would probably inspire quite a few people to give it a go. There's just no way I could achieve such a perfect finish with a WOWA product as Anthony did with an air brush. IIRC, he stated in that thread that applying OS with an air bush was not particularly difficult... but then again, I think most people don't struggle with WOWA's the way I do, either.



The wife wants an air brush for cake decorating, so right now I'm leaning toward the two gun kit that Rasky linked to. Just hope we never accidentally switch airguns.. "Wow, honey! look at the glossy finish on that cake!"
 
RaskyR1 said:
No I want to try it again! I do have some OS so maybe I'll dial the gun in with that. ;)



Like you said, this method would definitely be great for wheels and front grills that are very intricate!



Excellent! You have from now until SEMA to get it down! Then you can do my car when you get here.:spot:smokin::becky:
 
....I just tried searching for the thread as well and couldn't find it. :( I recall reading about it since that is where I also got the idea to try it myself.
 
Hey All,



I have in fact recorded a video of how we apply OC to paint by both hand and spray applications. As soon as I get it edited and posted I will start a thread on it.



!!!When spraying both OS and OC please do wear a respirator for painting as it does atomize very fine!!!



If I am spraying OS I will use alcohol to clean my guns. Lacquer thinner for OC........just make sure your gun is set up for SOLVENT applications prior to using thinner as it will eat away at "normal" rings within the guns.



An airbrush will take longer than a hvlp type gun but here again don't get a full size gun but rather a mini-gun. Go to Northern Tools for a mini-gun, they have one with a 1.1 tip I believe that works "nice". By that I mean because it's kinda cheap it's a hit or miss deal on how well it sprays. I have 2 and one works great and the other doesn't.



The gun Rasky has is a nice all around airbrush that I believe has a fan tip to it. As stated you want and even application but not to the point where it's running down the panel. For areas such as grills, vents and especially wheels the spray method is a winner! It just covers all areas faster with, IMO, more precision.



Now if you want to go all Big Daddy on your gun then the best gun for application of both OS and OC would be the Iwata LPH-80. It's a superb atomizing true mini-gun with a nice wide pattern adjustment but the cost is close to $400 from most shops.



I'll do my best to get that video up, in fact I believe I have one where I spray an entire Ferrari so I'll see if I can find it......sheesh we take so many pictures but never get them posted!
 
Excellent, Anthony! Thanks for that.



I was just in Harbor Freight yesterday eyeing their mini-guns, but the smallest tip they have is a 1.4 -- probably a bit too big for these purposes, I'm guessing.
 
....thanks Anthony. Although I know my technique could use refinement and I could use a better sprayer for this application than my Badger, I still like the results I have been able to get. ....especially on trim, wheels, etc. It's faster (for me) when I want to throw some quick protection on these areas and/or get into nooks & crannies, complex angles, etc. I appreciate you taking the time to respond and I look forward to the video.
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
Excellent, Anthony! Thanks for that.



I was just in Harbor Freight yesterday eyeing their mini-guns, but the smallest tip they have is a 1.4 -- probably a bit too big for these purposes, I'm guessing.



Yes a 1.4 is on the larger side for these products. Most clears are sprayed with a 1.3 to 1.4. Try and search for a mini-gun with a 1.0 or 1.2 needle.
 
Kean said:
....thanks Anthony. Although I know my technique could use refinement and I could use a better sprayer for this application than my Badger, I still like the results I have been able to get. ....especially on trim, wheels, etc. It's faster (for me) when I want to throw some quick protection on these areas and/or get into nooks & crannies, complex angles, etc. I appreciate you taking the time to respond and I look forward to the video.



You're welcome.



Badger makes great airbrushes and they are American Made! Which is what I always look for first when purchasing......anyway Badger makes a great deal of needles and caps for their airbrushes depending on the model so you might be able to find a fan type tip to use on your airbrush.



Anthony
 
This actually does seem like a legit idea, and definitely could prove to be worthwhile, but I'm one of those guys that actually likes applying LSPs by hand as its therapeutic for me, but it would be cool to see a pseudo study done on this type of thing.
 
Here's an American made (Chicago is still considered part of America, right? ;) ) air brush that looks to be a contender: Paasche Airbrushes



Here's a cut and paste from the link above: "With the 3 Head Sizes plus a Spray Gun Style Fan Air cap it can be used Like a Mini Spray Gun with a 3" Pattern all the way down to an ultra fine line for detail work."



Adjustable out to a 3" fan spray pattern. That sounds like just the ticket. Now to find a good (but cheap) compressor to pair it with.



Anthony, sorry to be a pest, but...



In your experience, is a compressor/tank combination needed to get the best spray pattern for OS/OC application, or will just a simple compressor->hose->air brush setup work ok?
 
Only issue there is the air cap/needle (largest orifice) is 0.66mm -- wonder if that's too small?



There has to be a good happy medium size, such as Anthony mentioned looking for a 1.0 or 1.2 cap.
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
Only issue there is the air cap/needle (largest orifice) is 0.66mm -- wonder if that's too small?



There has to be a good happy medium size, such as Anthony mentioned looking for a 1.0 or 1.2 cap.



For an airbrush, .66 is actually pretty big, with .5 being more common than .66.



For an HVLP mini-gun, 1.0 is the smallest I've found so far.



Think I've ruled out a mini-gun for now... gonna stick with an air brush to get started with.
 
Here is a link to my video



http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-detailing-product-discussion/137808-***my-methods-opti-coat-application***.html#post1463296





In regards to the Paasche airbrush, I in fact have that same gun and it works well. An airbrush is gonna use a bit more product and a pancake style compressor works just fine to operate at least 2 airbrushes. In many hobby stores you'll find the tankless compressors that will also work well with an airbrush. Seeing as how the OS and OC both have water like consistency you want need a huge air force pushing it out.



Remember though the longer your airhose the more air will be required. To combat this many airbrushers will place their air source on a cart with their airbrushes and cart it around as they work.



Anthony
 
I went ahead and ordered an airbrush. Ordered the PAS TG-100D from Paasche Airbrushes.



It's a complete kit... airbrush, fan air cap (spray pattern should be like an HVLP mini-gun), hose, compressor, regulator, cleaning kit.



Now to order some Opti-seal and Opti-coat from ADS.



I'll update the thread with pics (and possibly a vid or two) of my ham-fisted attempts at spraying Opti-coat/Opti-seal. This should be fun (or at least good for a giggle or two)! :D



Edit: Well, that figures... ten minutes after I place the order, I find the exact same kit from the exact same seller, but it's on on ebay for a bunch less money. 199 bucks on the bay, vs. 258 bucks on their web site. Guess I'll have to make a phone call tomorrow, but for those of you considering doing the spray-it-on thing, it looks like Paasche TG-3F TALON AIRBRUSH-AIR COMPRESSOR Auto Paint | eBay will save you some bucks if you want to give this gun a go. Remember that this is one of the air brushes Anthony has/uses and works well for spraying Opti-seal/coat.
 
SuperBee364 said:
I'll update the thread with pics (and possibly a vid or two) of my ham-fisted attempts at spraying Opti-coat/Opti-seal. This should be fun (or at least good for a giggle or two)! :D
I look forward to it. :)
 
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