spray pressure for hibuild

[Rick Lee]

Got my Duratex in last week from Leland (shipping was incredibly fast! thanks!) and then went on vacation. On my way back I passed a Harbor Freight so my van automatically turned in and I ended up buying a hopper gun, on sale even! However, I forgot to get a new regulator for my air compressor- the one on there is basically stuck around 90psi. How's that gonna effect the finish? I see ya'll recommend using the smallest orifice and low pressure. How will it look with that high of pressure? My concern is even application with minimum waste.

[LelandCrooks]

You really need 25-40 lbs. I don't know what 90 will do, except maybe shoot the dtx through the plywood.

[Rick Lee]

Makes sense. Guess I'll fix the regulator- don't want to make an hour trip to Nashville if I don't have to...

[DJPhatman]

Higher pressure will cause larger globs, and a lot of over-spray. Get a regulator, and an air dryer while you are there. Also, a shut-off valve at the hopper gun is a real great asset to have. Practice on something other than your cabs until you get the finish and texture you are happy with. Another hint, cut the DuraTex down with either filtered or distilled water for the first coat. Spray it thinly enough to just cover the wood. Then let dry or make a "hot-box" out of some frame-work and a tarp. Heat it with a space heater, being sure that the heater will not come in contact with anything combustible. I use my torpedo heater shooting into a make-shift tarp tent to fast cure.

[Scott Brochu]

I don't know what 90 will do, except maybe shoot the dtx through the plywood.

Or the ability to spray from 12' away

I have been filtering my duratex lately due to the hopper gun nozzle clogging up on me. The last 2 times spraying I would run it through a mesh kitchen strainer and it worked much better.
Not to scare you from spraying just incase it happens to you also. Good luck.

[Rick Lee]

Sounds like good tips! Unfortunately, my borrowed compressor has been borrowed back to the owner's other farm for a few days so I won't be able to try stuff out until then. I think I have an air dryer somewhere around here- it'll give me a chance to find it.

[DJPhatman]

If your DuraTex has been opened, give it a LIGHT spritz of distilled or purified water, to prevent a skin from forming. Then, just use a drill and a paint mixer paddle to mix it all up before use.

Also, always mix it well before use.