HVLP ....... a “Dad please” moment?

[fletty]

I am helping my third daughter ‘dress’ her wedding which is in a few weeks. The chosen aesthetic is ‘industrial chic’ and so far my contribution has been a new-old industrial trolley on which the cake will be cut...

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.... and 4 drinks tables to be made of recycled 200 litre drums and recycled timbers. So far, I have made the 4 recycled timber table tops...

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.... but now I have to paint the 4 200l drums to a satin black! The drums are in excellent condition and so, other than degreasing/cleaning, I don’t have any prep work but I am completely out of my depth when it comes to the act of painting. I have an Earlex HVLP spray set which I use extensively for water based finishes, both clear and colour, but I have never used it for spirit based finishes and I suspect that I don’t have the correct needle to do so?
So

• Can I use a water based paint finish that will last at least one raucous night and what/how do I buy and use?
• can I fudge my way to use spirit based paint with a standard needle on my HVLP?
• should I just bite the bullet and buy half a dozen spray cans?

fletty

[chambezio]

Alan.....I would buy a litre of black spraying enamel and lacquer thinners and go for it. I wouldn't worry about undercoats either. Because the exercise is for a "one-off" I think it would be OK (now all the professional spray painters will shoot me down in flames)

Where will the reception be? Under those tall Eucs in your back yard?

[chambezio]

I also meant to say, I would avoid spray cans. I am not a fan of them generally but on "board work" [ie; your drums] its very difficult to get a non stripy coverage

[fletty]

Where will the reception be? Under those tall Eucs in your back yard?

Thanks mate, nah, in accordance with the industrial chic aesthetic, they’ve hired an old warehouse in inner Sydney! I’ve offered them a couple of saw-horses for decoration but apparently they are “too clean and neat”.......?

[rustynail]

Spray enamel is the way to go. For a one off no need to prime, as I assume the drums are already painted. Your existing spraygun would be adequate.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

can I fudge my way to use spirit based paint with a standard needle on my HVLP?

You can, but I don't recommend it. Did you get a viscosity cup with the HVLP? If so, you should be able to thin the paint to the right consistency and still have effective coverage.

I much prefer dedicated guns for different paint types.

But it should be do-able.

[fletty]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I went to a local paint specialist this morning, Inspirations Paint at Gregory Hills, and they were brilliant

• “why do you want to go to spirit based paint”
• ”why don’t you stick with what you know”
• ”here, this is what you need.......”

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Job done! Boy, am I in the good books....

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Apparently all all I have left to do now for the wedding is to “hang steel reinforcing mesh from the ceiling of the warehouse and drape black silk through it” ...... but that’s not until Thursday week

[NCArcher]

Let us know if you need help with the mesh and silk.
Our interior decorating skills are legendary.

[fletty]

Let us know if you need help with the mesh and silk.
Our interior decorating skills are legendary.

IF my scope of work included dramatic lighting, you’d already be on the team!

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

He. You should've made the drums into old-style incinerators before you painted 'em.

Slip a smoke-pot and timer into each... dramatic lighting guaranteed!

Flashing red 'n blues, burly men with commanding attitudes, dressed in police- and firemen costumes...



Hmmm... on second thoughts, that's maybe more suitable for the Hen's night...

[fletty]

He. You should've made the drums into old-style incinerators before you painted 'em.

Slip a smoke-pot and timer into each... dramatic lighting guaranteed!

Flashing red 'n blues, burly men with commanding attitudes, dressed in police- and firemen costumes...



Hmmm... on second thoughts, that's maybe more suitable for the Hen's night...

Skew, it’s as if you’ve already read the run sheet for the wedding? In addition to “smoke pots”, “burly men”, and “police uniforms” ...... just add jugglers, a high wire act, street performers and buskers!
I’m looking forward to it but...........