Two-part epoxy paint tips (using Klass Kote paint)

I'm writing a construction manual for the Star 45 and wrote up a short "how to" for using two-part epoxy paint. Here it is in pretty rough draft form. You'll have to work out some of the details yourself. Good luck!

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Two-part epoxy paint tips

Klass Kote sells durable epoxy two-part paint in a variety of colors. It might sound intimidating but it’s really not that hard to use. You will need to spray it though.

BE SAFE! ALWAYS WEAR A QUALITY PAINT MASK/RESPIRATOR. DO NOT SPRAY WHERE PEOPLE, PETS OR ANIMALS MAY BE EXPOSED. FOLLOW ALL LAWS AND KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT SAFE!

1.    Spray gun: You really need to spray this product. If you don’t have the equipment then consider another product (spray cans). If you have or can borrow an air compressor then you can buy a very cheap spray gun from Harbor Freight. It lasts for many jobs and is easily worth the money. Be sure to run a good amount of reducer through it afterwards to keep the nozzle clean.

a.    Read the instructions that come with the gun if you have not sprayed before.

2.    Mix the paint together. Follow the instructions on the can for mixing and induction time. 1 part paint to 1 part catalyst.

a.    We use small hobby plastic epoxy mixing cups available at most hobby stores to measure out the paint.

b.    Pour one part paint into a clean tin can or plastic cocktail cup from the grocery store. Some people have had trouble with certain plastic cups dissolving. It hasn’t happened to us yet though. Use a popsicle stick to scrap out the cup as best you can for accuracy.

c.    Then pour in one part catalyst. You can use the same hobby cup.

d.    Thoroughly mix with a popsicle stick or similar.

e.    Let induce together for 30-40 minutes.

3.    Mix in some reducer:

a.    For the white paint, after the 30-40 minute induction period, add almost 1 part reducer (or slightly less). The white takes a lot of reducer.

b.    For colored paint you can use a bit less than one part.

4.    Spray the first light coat: Spray on days when it’s 60° or more. Perhaps can go down to 55° if you bring the painted parts back inside to warm up between coats.

a.    Spray at about 75-80 psi. Adjust the valve on your compressor to not go above that.

b.    Have a scrap piece of wood or other material that you can practice on first, and to adjust your gun how you like.

c.    Fill the spray can with the mixed and reduced paint mixture.

d.    Depress the trigger until paint comes out. You may have to fiddle with the controls a bit before paint sprays. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT CAME WITH THE GUN AND FIGURE IT OUT.

e.    When ready, hold the gun about 6-8 inches away from the part, and hold it past one end of the part. The idea is that you will depress the trigger away from the part and then fairly quickly run a pass over the part. EXPERIMENT ON YOUR SCRAP MATERIAL FIRST TO GET THE HANG OF IT.

f.     You want to lay down a light coating. It will look dry and a bit rough at first, but if it’s warm enough and if you’ve reduced the paint enough (but not too much) that rough look should blend together into a nice smooth coating in a moment or two.

5.    Wait 20-40 minutes between coats:

a.    We find that we need 3-4 light coats to cover. If you spray too heavy a coat you may get runs, sags or drips.

6.    Clean the gun:

a.    When finished spraying, remove the paint can from the gun and dump out the remaining paint into a disposable can.

b.    Take a paper towel and wipe out as much of the remaining paint as possible.

c.    Use another paper towel to wipe off the metal hose from the gun.

d.    Pour a small amount of thinner/reducer into the spray can and mount it back on the gun. Swish  it around a bit and then spray it out.

e.    Repeat the last few steps again to get any remaining residue off the can and gun. Spray until no color comes out the gun. It’s helpful to spray onto a scrap piece of material to check the color. You want it clean. NOTE: This is very polluting and you really should be spraying these cleaning steps into an enclosed spray trap/box/booth. Commercial sprayers are not allowed to spray clean their guns unless they have a way to trap the spray. Please take precautions to not spray reducer into the atmosphere or anywhere that people, pets or animals might be exposed. For more information look up the laws in your area. I am only telling you that this is one way to clean your gun but that you might need to be sure you’re allowed to do this in your area. HELP SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT!

(C) 2014 All rights reserved. 

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Peace!