How to avoid overspray? Options

[doug_b_928]

I'm sorry if this is a silly question/topic. I'm still in the researching stage for my restoration. I was at the local autobody supply store yesterday and was asking them about spraying epoxy primer with a gun vs. using etching primer in a rattle can. I don't have a gun and have never used one. I know Jeff Hail's thread says to spray epoxy primer after each area is repaired. They said that either way (i.e., even with a rattle can) there is an issue with overspray. I don't have a dedicated shop and there is literally no place at my house where I would want overspray. They told me a story about overspray going hundreds of feet. So, I was thinking that what I could do is have a tarp on the concrete under the car (plan is to make a bench a la Hail) and drape a poly tarp over the car. I can't tape poly to the ceiling to make a pseudo paint booth because the garage door would hit it when it's open. I suppose I could make a makeshift poly tent that fits under the garage door. But, I would think that lack of ventilation would be a big problem. Would this work? Be too unsafe? Better to rent a workspace and do all the metal work/priming elsewhere? Your thoughts and experiences would be helpful.

[914GT]

For small primer jobs I get the cheap HVLP guns from Harbor Freight, using the coupons. They have a 5 oz touch up gun that will work fine for epoxy or 2k primer for small patch areas. Run some lacquer thinner through it before using it to clean it out and check that's it's working properly. Get a gauge for it and you can lower the pressure a few psi from the typical 23 to keep overspray to a minimum. You'll get more orange peel but if it's just to cover up repairs for later sanding and final bodywork, you can block that out later. I'm assuming you just want to get epoxy over some areas to prevent surface rust. Make sure you use a proper degreaser before spraying the primer.

[doug_b_928]

For small primer jobs I get the cheap HVLP guns from Harbor Freight, using the coupons. They have a 5 oz touch up gun that will work fine for epoxy or 2k primer for small patch areas. Run some lacquer thinner through it before using it to clean it out and check that's it's working properly. Get a gauge for it and you can lower the pressure a few psi from the typical 23 to keep overspray to a minimum. You'll get more orange peel but if it's just to cover up repairs for later sanding and final bodywork, you can block that out later. I'm assuming you just want to get epoxy over some areas to prevent surface rust. Make sure you use a proper degreaser before spraying the primer.

Yeah, I'm only looking to cover the area's I'll have patched, though there may be many of those (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) .

I'd like to contain overspray and dust from removing the paint and grinding the welds. I did some internet searching. Seems that a tent can be made from pvc piping and poly. I'm thinking maybe I could make one big enough to cover the whole car and use that to keep the dust and overspray in.

[ThePaintedMan]

I'd like to contain overspray and dust from removing the paint and grinding the welds. I did some internet searching. Seems that a tent can be made from pvc piping and poly. I'm thinking maybe I could make one big enough to cover the whole car and use that to keep the dust and overspray in.

Definitely been done before and though it won't be perfect, it's usually a good option for the rest of us doing things on a budget.

Remember though, you need more room to paint than you'll ever think. Its not as simple as building a box around the car, you need to leave yourself room to move within it, otherwise you'll be rubbing up against fresh paint. If you go that route, be sure to have a QUALITY respirator.