painting engine bay

[dave1949]

if i paint bay with hammerite now,when i eventually refurb will i b ok 2 prime and spray on top of it?

[jonathon]

Don't use Hammerite, its very intollerant of any other paint product.
If doing this at hope either spray in celly, or celly prime or red oxide spray. then brush on 2K paint, two coats will cover well and will not cause an issue when you finish paint at a later date.

[RogerRust]

I have heard that you can brush 2K paint without the hardener. My experience is that it never really hardens.
Is it safe to brush 2K if I don't actually sniff it?
How much hardener do I need to mix?
What is the pot life like?

Any other tips welcome.

[jonathon]

2K paints very well by brush, almost self leveling if you do it right. You can leave out the hardener if a hot day or you have heaters, otherwise its a 2-1 mix 2 paint to 1 hardener. Although its still 2K its not being atomised so is less likely to cause you a problem, infact the celly/standard thinners will do you as much harm. I'd still wear a good 3M toxic mask though, doesn't need to be airfed.
Pot life is about 45 mins depending on air temp, assume 30 mins and mix 1/2 L pots.

[chickenjohn]

I would have to disagree with the safety assessment of 2K versus celly. 2K is toxic and is worse than celly which is flammable and harmful. You must wear a mask for both, but a carbon/particulate mask is OK for celly wheras the isocyanates (simmilar to cyanide) in 2K mean an air fed mask is essential.

But at the end of the day its up to the individual- you choose which precautions to take.

[bmcecosse]

But for brush painting - the 2K will be fine, no aerosol effect! It's not going to get into your lungs. I didn't realise it could be brushed like that - I suppose pot life could be extended by only adding half the hardener

[jonathon]

Actually an air fed mask is not always required with 2K paint.Only when spraying do you need an air fed mask. You will not find a pro bodyshop, that does not employ them, as they could be closed down by health and safety. 3M do toxic masks which filter out the nasties if using 2K as a brush on paint. As I say if you are not atomising the product it has less chance in reaching your lungs.
The safety assessment was entirely correct. And I did actually say wear a toxic mask just to make sure you are safe.
Standard thinners is very harmfull when breathed in either atomised or in liquid state, this is often overlooked by most, when cleaning out guns etc.
BM once you have added hardener to 2K paint it will go off, as its a chemical reaction. Best to keep seperate.

[dustyfog]

you can get a very good finish with unmixed 2k if you use it right, i come from a commercial paint spraying background and have been brushing both 2k and different 2pack for years both mixed and unmixed on door edges etc and got a great result. Another thing to concider when brushing 2k is to have a well venterlated area,also a very good brush helps as well ,such as a hamilton perfection these retail for about £5.00 each but well worth it. in some cases the smell content isn't much more than standard house paint but i would still wear a respirator in all cases ( health and saftey lol ) cheers dustyfog

[RussLCV]

This is sprayed with synthetic (original paint used on them)...................goes on easy and shines well, but my advise clear out the engine and paint it first it is the only way!!

And no do not use hammerite in there. This synthetic can be applied with a brush, but spraying is the best option

[jonathon]

Oouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhh shyiiiiiineeeeeeeeeeeee, smooooooooooooooth too!! nice going Russ

[RussLCV]

Cheers Jonathon.....................just got to build it now

[dunketh]

Hammerite paint's a load of cack.
I wouldnt paint anything with it. It'll dry brittle and flake off, potentially ruining any future coat you can persuade to stick to it.

I painted mine with hammerite underbody seal. It stays tacky but its black - like the car.
I dont drive around or park up with the bonnet open so who cares what it looks like under there!

[dustyfog]

if you wanted a better finish when using synthetic paint instead of using thinners to thin by volume, you hot spray it unthinned in a old electric deep fat fryer. ist put the tin of paint into the old fryer 2 place water into fryer below the lid of the paint so it dosn't float and fall over and undo the lid to stop it blowing off 3 switch on and wait for about 15 minutes to boil stir then spray. using hot spray method the colour retension lasts longer and shines better, you could also use ici high gloss 16 oil replenishment added to the hot paint as well in 5ml cap fulls, you can also use the ici high gloss 16 mixed with cold paint in a 4-1 mix. now this is shinnnnnneyyyyyyyy (NICE)

[millerman]

Use 2k paint it's safer! I've just brush painted my trav engine bay with 2k. I have been suprised how well it went on. Perhaps not as good as Russells'.

[RussLCV]

That image the paint is dry and it has 3 coats applied in synthetic and air dryed and is silky to touch and shines well, mixed 50/50

[millerman]

This link may be of interest re brush painting 2k

www.hse.gov.uk/RESEARCH/hsl_pdf/2005/hsl0560.pdf

[jonathon]

Interesting, backing up the advice given earlier in this thread

[ndevans]

Stupid question time.

Can someone explain what 2k paint is, how it's different from cellulose & what the pro's & cons are of using either?

cheers,
Neil