Need to spray gel coat into small relatively simple moulds. Is it possible to adapt an HVLP paint spray gun to work in this application? Over here in the UK there are plenty of cheap Chinese spray guns around, but most having very small nozzle sizes. Has anyone been able to get one of these type of guns working ok I wonder, and if so what was needed to achieve this?
TIA
Chris
Yes. I use a SATA knockoff hvlp to do all my gelcoat. I use a 2.2mm tip.
Also, you may experiment with thinning the gel coat with Sytrene or Acetone…but experiment on the %'s and never mix MEKP straight with Acetone! But thin the gel coat with Acetone first, then add the MEKP %.
Anyone use MEK solvent (NOT the same as MEKP) as a thinning agent?
I used to use MEK as a cleaning agent , It thing PER just fine. From what I was told by someone that claimed to be a chemist, acetone is basiacly MEK with some water added to reduce volatility and reduce evaporation. Don’t know if it is true or not. MEK is getting hard to find as it is on the VOC hit list.
someone told me the same thing at a paint store
You can get MEK at HOME DEPOT (they should give me a commision everytime I type it here…go Tony Stewart!) still in small pints to 5 gallons at a time. Maybe get it while you can, in a can?:rolleyes:
Acetone was also on that list and was a lot more health hazard to us until a few years ago and now lower on the listings…?
I’ll have to read the label on both of those and see it they related or not!
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
2-Butanone is a manufactured organic chemical but it is also present in the environment from natural sources. It is a colorless liquid with a sharp, sweet odor. It is a ketone, also known as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK).
2-Butanone is produced in large quantities. Nearly half of it is used in paints and other coatings because it will quickly evaporate. It dissolves many substances and is used as a solvent in processes involving gums, resins, cellulose acetate and cellulose nitrate. It is also used in the synthetic rubber industry, in the production of paraffin wax and in household products such as lacquer, varnishes, paint remover, a denaturing agent for denatured alcohol, glues and as a cleaning agent. It is used for synthesis of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, a catalyst for some polymerization reactions. It is highly flammable. It is not considered a large health threat.
2-Butanone occurs as a natural product. It is made by some trees and found in some fruits and vegetables in small amounts. It is also released to the air from car and truck exhausts.
it also says it is realated to acetone