DaveH6
Foredeck paint buffing
The boat will be sprayed with Awlcraft 2000 both interior and exterior. Seventeen years ago I sprayed original Awlgrip on my sailboat using 60 psi at the gun's nozzle tip. It came out very well in regards to minimal orange peel and few runs/sags. This is the first time I have sprayed with HVLP along with Awlcraft 2000 which is an Acrylic Urethane paint. I had inadequate light during foredeck spraying thus poor paint overlaps and I'm still searching for the right combination of air/paint volume and technique. Consequently, I created unacceptable orange peel and some runs. I knew that once the foredeck was in place its interior paint would not be very noticeable. However, I decided to use the foredeck paint for OJT to practice wet sanding with 800 to 2000 grit and buffing in order to mitigate my paint errors.
The picture depicts post sanding buffing using a cutting rubbing compound. Later I finished up using a polishing compound. Took care of most ills in the paint and the deck is now ready to install.
Awlgrip Polyester Urethane paint can be monkeyed with to correct minor problems for a most brief period after application, thus one generally has to live with what one creates at application time. Consequently, Awlcraft 2000 is friendlier for amateurs to get a quality finish as mistakes can later be sanded and buffed out. Damaged paint is also easier to fix. Awlcraft 2000 can't be rolled and tipped the reason I believe is because it cures so fast a wet edge can't be maintained. Fast curing cuts down on dust and insect problems. Awlgrip has a higher initial gloss and is more durable than Awlcraft 2000.
I used a $50 HVLP spray gun from Harbor Freight (with this purchase I received a free multimeter) based on Internet postings claiming excellent results. I am prepared to purchase a high end gun such as a Sata if that is the answer to obtaining a quality finish without wet sanding and buffing. However, I don't wish to rashly join the ranks of those who blame tools rather than first focusing on correcting operator error.
* Edit 10/07/2012: When discussing my use of a low cost spray gun, a paint manufacture's representative said before using such a gun for the first time, take the gun apart and clean it. Oil residue from the manufacturing process may contaminate the paint and create fish eyes. I didn't experience this problem but I will heed this advice for the next spray gun purchase whether expensive or inexpensive.
Foredeck paint buffing
The boat will be sprayed with Awlcraft 2000 both interior and exterior. Seventeen years ago I sprayed original Awlgrip on my sailboat using 60 psi at the gun's nozzle tip. It came out very well in regards to minimal orange peel and few runs/sags. This is the first time I have sprayed with HVLP along with Awlcraft 2000 which is an Acrylic Urethane paint. I had inadequate light during foredeck spraying thus poor paint overlaps and I'm still searching for the right combination of air/paint volume and technique. Consequently, I created unacceptable orange peel and some runs. I knew that once the foredeck was in place its interior paint would not be very noticeable. However, I decided to use the foredeck paint for OJT to practice wet sanding with 800 to 2000 grit and buffing in order to mitigate my paint errors.
The picture depicts post sanding buffing using a cutting rubbing compound. Later I finished up using a polishing compound. Took care of most ills in the paint and the deck is now ready to install.
Awlgrip Polyester Urethane paint can be monkeyed with to correct minor problems for a most brief period after application, thus one generally has to live with what one creates at application time. Consequently, Awlcraft 2000 is friendlier for amateurs to get a quality finish as mistakes can later be sanded and buffed out. Damaged paint is also easier to fix. Awlcraft 2000 can't be rolled and tipped the reason I believe is because it cures so fast a wet edge can't be maintained. Fast curing cuts down on dust and insect problems. Awlgrip has a higher initial gloss and is more durable than Awlcraft 2000.
I used a $50 HVLP spray gun from Harbor Freight (with this purchase I received a free multimeter) based on Internet postings claiming excellent results. I am prepared to purchase a high end gun such as a Sata if that is the answer to obtaining a quality finish without wet sanding and buffing. However, I don't wish to rashly join the ranks of those who blame tools rather than first focusing on correcting operator error.
* Edit 10/07/2012: When discussing my use of a low cost spray gun, a paint manufacture's representative said before using such a gun for the first time, take the gun apart and clean it. Oil residue from the manufacturing process may contaminate the paint and create fish eyes. I didn't experience this problem but I will heed this advice for the next spray gun purchase whether expensive or inexpensive.