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Well, for one thing, Rob - getting your hands on a HVLP paint rig certainly
helps a lot! These things are a revelation! Also, the paint you use has a
lot to do with getting a good result. Actually, I had some of the same
trepidations as you mention, but it turns out that it was a piece of cake!

Personally, I had never shot with anything larger than a spray can either
but, since I decided that I was going to do it all, I found that the Croix
HVLP system was easy to master. There are other HVLP systems available
(Campbell-Hausfield makes one) and I'm sure they all perform similarly. I
did some research into acceptable paints at the local auto paint supplier
and decided on Delthane catalyzed acrylic enamel (a PPG product, if I
remember correctly). it's easy to mix, easy to shoot and provides
instructions for adjusting the mix of paint and thinner for the equipment
you're using as well as the ambient temperature. In addition, touching up
those inevitable hangar-rashes with a small air brush works well too. After
a couple of weeks, a light buffing and the touch-up is indetectable (at
least to these old eyes).

I did a little practice according to the instructions with the painting
system and am reasonable pleased with the results. The HVLP unit also
eliminates a large percentage of the over-spray common to high pressure
sprayers. Only got one small run under a horizontal stab at the rudder cable
exit. Used a trick a friend showed me to get rid of it - carefully break a
beer bottle (be sure to drink the contents FIRST) and pick over the pieces
of broken glass until you find a shard with the shape you need to just
gradually scrape the run off but only down to the level of the other paint.
If you pick the right piece, it'll shave just the run and nothing else.
Really works!

Cheers,

Dan Schaefer

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Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
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