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C Ray · 05-18-2004, 03:42 AM

I am purchasing Zolatone to paint my interior this W/E, I am borrowing a LPHV gun and I have all of the settings for it from the Zolatone web site, does anyone have any tips they would like to share?

Chris

Over59 · 05-18-2004, 07:37 AM

Rent a respirator and buy some of those throw it away jump suits at Home Depot paint department. Spray painted the new bathroom with one of those tv spray thingys. If is doesn't have tight tape it will get painted. Cover exposed skin with petroleum jelly and your personal clean up will be alot easier. Also an old fashion swin cap is a good thing to wear. Hopefully someone will be able to explain the spraying technic. I'm not good at that part.
PS. You'll be all set for Holloween.
Pictures would ease everyone else daily stress.

59toaster · 05-18-2004, 11:53 AM

Ohh yes please! document this. I will be deciding if I am doing the Zolotone or if I am paying the body shop I use to spray it. I do most things myself but paint like this is not something I have done before.

Flyincloud · 05-18-2004, 07:44 PM

Hi ,

my advice having just completed painting mine , would be have a pro do it , because they might have an outside air system for breathing , and its sort of tricky to spray , even if you`ve painted before . Paint first one way ,then the other (cross hatch ) to cover , then spatter both ways . Get about twice what they recomend for coverage . Watch the curved spots (like the fridge vent ) they will either load up or not cover . Prime it first with white if you using camille white or whatever they call it . I`d use theyre primer too .
Make sure your hvlp gun has a pressure pot , and a 2.0 or bigger fliud tip or it wont work (tried that ).
to bad you bought the gun already , im selling mine after I finish the door and some touch up !
good luck to ya
Chris 63 cloud

C Ray · 05-22-2004, 07:55 AM

Thanks for the recomendations, it will have to wait for the next few weeks, but I will document.

C Ray · 06-29-2004, 04:33 AM

OK, I am half-way finished, ran out of paint and had to re-order. What I have done so far looks great! I used a 2mm spray nozzel, along with it's matching needle. I took all precautions as recommended and I purchased twice as much Zolatone as recommended, I'm not sure where my mis-calculation is, I am going to complete the job having used 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 gallons, for a Bambi, this seems like a bit much, but it does look good so will make no adustments. Can anyone tell me how to post photos? I can't figure it out, I posted my profile photo but how to post more photos is still a mystery to me., any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

Chris

59toaster · 06-29-2004, 08:14 AM

www.airstreamphotos.com The login is the same as here and it's pretty easy to load.

C Ray · 02-27-2008, 09:18 AM

Took a while to post but here are some images. Turned out fine.

InsideOut · 02-27-2008, 11:37 AM

Any tips you can share with the rest of us? We will be doing our '56 this spring...

Shari

C Ray · 02-27-2008, 04:17 PM

Sure, First, make sure you read Zolatone's method guide http://www.zolatoneaim.com/spray.html, and follow their instructions to a "T" Use the Camille White, #20-54, I don't suggest mixing any other colors such as taupe (which is suggested somewhere) the 20-54 is a little lighter in color that the original, but I found it...... lets say, refreshing. I had to buy three times as much as I originally estimated (@ $28/QT) so, at the very least, make sure your auto body paint dealer has plenty of this stuff in stock, I had to make several trips. Also, as you are probably aware, the quality of a paint job is mostly in the prep, so sand, clean, strip, clean, clean ...follow instructions. Pay attention to the volume capacity of the compressor and make sure you have the very large size spray nozzle tip they suggest. Also read the msds, this stuff is nasty, I wore scuba goggles and used an extra long scuba regulator hose (so the tank could be outside) this is one reason most paint shops will not apply Zolatone. It is basically a two step process, first apply the base coat at high pressure, this atomizes the spray for even distribution, then comes the “sputter” coat which is applied at a much lower pressure (maybe 20 psi) I'll try to remember in the next couple of days, if there are any other snags I had.... hope this helps for now.

C Ray · 02-27-2008, 04:21 PM

One other thing, I mentioned striping but I did not remove the old Zolatone, just sanded it real good, and cleaned, cleaned, cleaned.

Alumatube · 02-27-2008, 05:44 PM

Wow--FOUR years later, you remembered to post pictures! Thank you!!!

It looks GREAT! VERY nice job.

Susan

C Ray · 02-28-2008, 07:47 AM

Thanks! Yea, I am suprised at myself, usually takes half that time for my memory to kick-in...hah!

jlester · 03-03-2008, 09:21 PM

Can you tell me grit of sandpaper you used to sand the zolatone, and what did you use to clean it before painting. I would like to go back with the zolatone. When calling various auto paint places, do I ask if they work with zolatone?

C Ray · 03-10-2008, 04:29 PM

I think I started with 150 then fine sanded with 250, but if you call Zolatone they may have more specific recommendations. I would degrease the inside first so you don't sand/grind contaminents deeper into the old Zolatone, (I don't remember the brand degreaser I used, but any auto paint supply can recommend) Make sure you wear a dust mask while sanding. And don't forget some type of prep cleaner after sanding and before painting. Yes, you should definitely ask up front about Zolatone and if they are unaware of the produce with no experience, don't use them (even if they are willing to learn) I think Zolatone has many marine applications so you may want to search for marine painters.

InsideOut · 01-06-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

Any tips you can share with the rest of us? We will be doing our '56 this spring...

Shari

A couple of months late...but we are planning on doing ours this weekend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by C Ray

Use the Camille White, #20-54,

We are using a custom mixed color - the Camille White is just too light for our liking - looks nice in your pics though! I'll post pictures as we go along in our restoration thread.

Shari

1956Safari · 07-02-2009, 12:34 PM

Any suggestions for a Zolotone painter in TriState NY Area? I'm getting close to painting my 56. Thanks all.

InsideOut · 07-02-2009, 02:51 PM

How about DIY? It's not difficult...it actually was much easier than we thought it would be.

If you already have a air compressor, the paint spray pot can be purchased at Harbor Freight/ebay for about $80...the rest is all materials which you will pay for whether you hire someone or DIY. Here's a list of our materials & tools...start at about post #271 for pics.

Shari

1956Safari · 07-02-2009, 04:20 PM

Shari,
You guys did a wonderful job. I just became a master rivert driver, but I'm not sure about master painter

InsideOut · 07-02-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1956Safari

You guys did a wonderful job.

Thanks, but we had never done it before either. Zolatone is pretty tough to mess up - that's one of it's greatest assets - it covers up all the extra rivets and minor imperfections on the panels and is super easy to patch or touch-up. When riveting, a "boo-boo" can screw up an entire panel - not so with Zolatone, if you don't like the way it looks - just go over it again.

IMO it's expensive enough without having to pay somebody else to spray it. Go for it! You'll wonder why you wavered after you're done ~ seriously, it was one of the easier projects we've done.

Shari