Build Diary 28/29-December-04
Time to spray, I built a spray bay in the garage from a gazebo and blue tarpaulin sheeting, and used
one side from the wing crate as a bench. After advise from the RV forum and previous builders (thanks Jerry and Malcolm) I purchased
ICI P565 etch primer from Brown Brothers (+ mixing cups, panel wipe and gun wash). To spray I used a Clarks (PG Gravity Feed Spray
Gun [000510200] £22.27 from Machine Mart) gravity feed spray gun. The instructions suggested running the gun at 40-50psi so I used
50psi. For protection I used the Clark face mask, all over overalls, hat and goggles - every part of my skin was covered.
I
heated the area with a gas heater prior the spraying and got the spray bay nice and warm - it's December. I turned it off before I
started to spray. As the bay was white the garage lights provided adequate light through but I also used a 500w inspection lamp for
more light to ensure the coverage was correct. The primer is mixed 50/50 with activator. As I had plenty of mixing cups I first
dispensed 230ml of primer. I wanted approx half a litre and as the primer is hard to dispense I settled at this quantity, and
dispensed the hardener into a second cup. All tins and bottles were resealed - the whole time I was already covered, with eye
protection and mask, just in case!! I mixed the two together stirring continuously giving me just short of half a litre of
primer.
I half filled my spray gun and tested the settings again some paper sheet. First I started with the ribs, these
proved to be difficult to keep still so I moved onto the skins and painted them all - the strong light proved very handy for applying
the primer. I moved back to the ribs and developed a knack of keeping them still and getting good coverage - doing the inside first
then flipping over to do the outside.