Thunderbird Finish Question

[Mark Smeltzer]

I can't seem to get a good finish with Thunderbird. The satin is so cloudy and almost powder coated that you can't see the wood. The finish is also very coarse and not smooth. I have the paint booth heated to about 80 deg F.
I'm  following the directions for mixing and prep. I have a gravity feed hvlp gun and using 40 psi, my flow could be a little low not certain on the CFM,  could that be the issue.
Thanks.
Mark

[Bowjunkie]

Yep, sounds like you may not have enough volume. Also, how far away you hold the gun from the bow's surface and how fast you move matters as well. Too fast, too far away, and/or without enough finish would cause an effect similar to several layers of overspray, getting more cloudy with each coat.

As you're spraying, it should look wet right behind the gun... but of course, not so much as to cause runs.

Even in the best of conditions, if you spray nothing but several coats of satin, it can sometimes look a wee bit cloudy... a wee bit mind you, not bad at all. I've done many bows this way and love how they look, and I'm particular about wood grain and dye jobs.

For an even clearer satin look, spray gloss then switch to satin for the last coat or two.

[Mark Smeltzer]

Thanks.
The mfg specs on the compressor say about 4 CFM @40 PSI.
I'm using a 1.4 nozzel.
Do you sand between coats? Do you sand at all?
A buddy of mine says he dosent sand at all and his look much better.

[Mark Smeltzer]

Anyone use an airbrush to apply Thunderbird?

[Onehair]

I had a similar problem. Drained the water out of my air tank and the problem went away.

[Bowjunkie]

I lay down thicker viscosity finish initially and sand between coats when filling any pores or open end grain of the wood, or if any leveling of finish needs done. After that, I thin it more and it depends on what I'm seeing, sometimes, if everything looks fine, I don't do anything more between coats. If it needs wet sanded or steel wooled, I do it. Lately, everything's been going pretty well.

[Mark Smeltzer]

hmmm. mine is nowhere good enough to NOT sand it.
I opened the drain drain on the tank and no water in there.
Ever try an airbrush? That would would be cheaper than a new compressor.

[Al Dean]

I use a regular contractors compressor and 30psi.  No issues.  I thin 1 part A, 1 part B, and 1 part thinner.  How much are you thinning?

[Bowjunkie]

I bought an hvlp gun but haven't used it yet. I have always used cheap touchup or 'jam guns'. I'm talkin' cheap, like can be had for $30 at a discount store. Sears sells em for 50 or 60 bucks and they're the exact same thing. It doesn't take much of a compressor to run them and they do a pro quality job with T-bird.

[Mark Smeltzer]

I'm thinning down with 25 to 30 %.
Well I bought a new compressor that will do 6 CFM, I was do for a new one anyway but something else is wrong.
I like the idea of gloss first and then satin.

I don't have a super expensive gun but it should do the trick.
I'm sure its operator error. Grrrrrr

[bamboo]

any thing over 2 light coats of satin is going to be milky---lay down the bulk of your finish as gloss--then a coat or two of satin

[HMlongbow]

mark
Go with a 40-50% thinning for your area of country.  I have tried this and have had to do more coats but the finish is outstanding and have had your issues in the past.  I think it has alot to do with humidity and not your equipment.  I have talked to big jim before and he's at 40%

[Mark Smeltzer]

Thanks guys great advice!  I will keep trying till I get what I want. I appreciate the responses.

Mark

[Bow man]

Mark thin down more and yes Doing a first coats with Gloss gives a better appearance in my opinion but plenty to not do this. for example Leon Stewart just does Satin only on his bows.  

feel free to call with any questions 517-617-3658

[Bow man]

Always recommend Never have compressor in same area as you are spraying. fumes will kill a compressor

[Bowjunkie]

Ewww yeah, I never thought of that. Good advice. Thanks.

[Mark Smeltzer]

Awesome advice. I think I finally got a good gloss coat down. I going to put a satin over the top.
Thanks for all the great tips!
Mark

[passion for knowledge]

Never used Thunderbird, but I've used a lot of airbrushes.

About the only 'airbrushes' that would work are the lowest end, big nozzle single action kind.

Something like  http://www.paascheairbrush.com/products/airbrushes-airbrush-parts-and-accessories/Airbrushes/siphon-feed/h-1l

or this  http://www.chicagoairbrushsupply.com/bamo250ai.html

Both of these are slightly better than a spray can!

The Paasche is the better of the two.

Anything high-end like DeVilbiss or Iwata dual actions - real airbrushes - are not the right tool.