How to Shoot Rustoleum With HVLP
by Don Kress
Rustoleum is known for being an excellent rust-preventive paint. Although available in spray cans, when spraying large surfaces, it is more cost effective to purchase larger sizes, such as quarts or gallons, and spray the paint using an HVLP spray gun. These larger containers do not contain sprayable Rustoleum. In order to use them with a spray gun, the Rustoleum must first be thinned using the correct solvent so it can be sprayed.
Step 1
Place the paint cup on a flat, level surface where you can easily see the mixture ratios marked on the side of the cup. The correct mixing ratio for paint to thinner is 50/50, but you must carefully determine for yourself when the proper consistency has been reached.
Step 2
Fill the paint cup to the halfway mark with the Rustoleum paint, and then fill the cup with Rustoleum thinner until it has reached a consistency slightly thicker than water. You will know that the mixture is correct when you stir the mix with the paint stir stick and the stick comes out the color of the paint, but the paint beads up and runs from the stick without dripping.
Step 3
Open the paint reservoir cap of the HVLP spray gun and pour the paint mix in. Reseal the cap, and then adjust the pressure of the spray gun to 20 pounds per square inch.
Step 4
Adjust the knob on the side of the spray gun to the width of spray pattern you want to achieve with the paint, and then adjust the paint volume control knob on the top of the spray gun to its half-open setting. Spray a test panel to check the consistency of the paint prior to spraying the project itself. If the consistency is not correct, pour the paint from the reservoir and adjust the mixture by adding either more paint or more thinner in small amounts to achieve the desired result.
References
- "Automotive Paint Handbook: Paint Technology for Auto Enthusiasts and Body Shop Professionals"; John Pfanstiehl; 1998
- "Automotive Bodywork & Rust Repair"; Matt Joseph; 2009
- "How to Paint Your Car on a Budget"; Pat Gahahl; 2006
Tips
- Use only Rustoleum thinner with Rustoleum paint. Other products may diminish the gloss of the final product.
Things You'll Need
- Paint cup
- Paint mixing stick
- Rustoleum thinner
Writer Bio
Don Kress began writing professionally in 2006, specializing in automotive technology for various websites. An Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified technician since 2003, he has worked as a painter and currently owns his own automotive service business in Georgia. Kress attended the University of Akron, Ohio, earning an associate degree in business management in 2000.
