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Make it Match
104 members • Free
5 contributions to Make it Match
16d •
Order of cleaning
I just watched the video less on preparation and see that you recommend solvent cleaner before water based cleaner (alcohol, etc.). Most other places I have watched recommend the opposite order, water based cleaner first and then solvent based cleaner right before spraying. I am fighting fish eyes and have always wiped with alcohol last, but that also with water borne paints. I am now spraying Axalta solvent base paint and am wondering if that might be more compatible with a solvent being the last thing on the panel. I am going to try another test panel and reverse my order and see if that helps. I am pretty sure the contamination is on the panel and not in the air system, but I am trying to rule out everything as best I can and got to wondering if the order of cleaning might be different for a solvent base paint rather than a water based single stage paint.
1 like • 1d
I’ve experimented with the order of cleaners and determined it’s better for me to use a solvent base cleaner last. My logic is as follows: After blowing off a prepped vehicle I use waterborne to get the majority of the remaining dust off and to clean the areas I intend to mask. I also use the opportunity to inspect for any issues or areas that were missed during the prep. After the vehicles masked I will use a solvent cleaner with two towels. One for the wet wiping and the other for drying cleanly. The trick for me is I often backtape everything I can and I find the solvent will dissolve the adhesive ever so slightly and help with eliminating tape lines without the use of foam tape or smooth transition tape.
20d •
Spray Guns.
Excuse the dirty cabinet. I haven’t had time to repaint it since I moved. Guns come and go and this is what I’ve somehow gathered over the years. For solvent base I haven’t anything better than devilbiss dv1’s, prolites, and teknas. For clear I prefer the iwatas lph400 and ws400. Maybe a sata 5500 if I’m feeling spicy. What’s missing is my sealer gun which I prefer a iwata w400. For waterborne base I prefer Sata’s 4000b
0 likes • 19d
@Jesus Herrera Thanks. It took a lot of time. A few were gifts from my jobber and a few from fellow painters. I haven’t had a swing at the black widow yet, but every other painter I know has one and sings its praises. I would say the most versatile guns are the tekna’s and dv1’s. They usually come with three tips and a few air caps.
5 likes • 19d
3M makes a wide variety of cartridges for various materials. I’ve always used the ones for VOC’s. I just swap cartridges every few weeks or when it beeps at me to. I prefer this to a full face mask. It’s easy to flip up and look at something or talk to someone. I plead everyone takes this stuff seriously. All the old painters I know are dead. I’ve been made fun of for using a respirator while sanding and prepping cars. Bruh, I’m just trying to get home to my family.
20d •
Mobile auto body and paint refinishing
I started in the paint fix and touchups early on when I started auto detailing back in 2020 I took a step back to learn a bit more on prep and painting now I’m coming back this year with my mobile autobody business
1 like • 20d
Awesome. I’ve had many a daydream of giving this a try. Keep us updated.
22d •
Hey Everyone
I just wanted to introduce myself. I’ve been a professional automotive painter for over a decade. I’ve been spraying waterborne for the majority that time. I’ve recently switched to a shop that uses solvent and I find I’m struggling to achieve the finishes I used to get with waterborne. I’m looking to learn and maybe even help others too. I work mainly in a production environment, but I’m always striving for a perfect finish.
1 like • 22d
It’s been so long that I’ve taken a photo of jobs that weren’t trying to get supplements, but I found a few. A Buick Wildcat that a was given to a grandson. The kid didn’t know much but tried his best with bodywork. It was a fun project just to see his eyes light up when I pulled it out. I did a complete my beater truck with a bunch of leftover paint. My motorcycle. The usual stuff.
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@kyle-phakkhonkham-5732
Production Painter. Cromax Pro Water (12 Years) Spies Hecker Solvent (<1Year)
Active 1d ago
Joined May 21, 2026
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