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Building Tips and technical articles. => Paint and finishing => Topic started by: Russ Danneman on October 11, 2009, 09:35:51 AM
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......having all the fancy spray guns, compressors etc. on a dope finish? and yes i am new to working with dope.thanks guys
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Yes.
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Sure you can. You'll need to invest in a couple of good quality brushes. The process of applying the dope is about the same as spraying except you'll need to thin the dope differently for brushing. Find the right mix that brushes smoothly. The sand and buff part is exactly the same.
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It can be done. It's not easy and takes a lot of sanding. But it can be done.
Part of using a spray gun is the consistency and ease of doing a good finish.
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The same principles of having a good structure and all the surface prep apply as with a sprayed finish. It will be more time consuming.
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does the thinner eliminate any brush strokes?
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does the thinner eliminate any brush strokes?
Eliminate? No, but it helps. I'd add a little retarder also. Keeps the paint from drying up too quickly before it has a chance to flow out.
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Simple answer, yes. This is my Veco Chief all done in brushed Brodak. In some ways its less fuss then spraying. The prep is the same, but working with the gun, thinning just right, cleanup etc. My problem with it is trim work, but that can be done too.
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k186/RRRyan_01/Dec2109.jpg)
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That looks great!!
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very nice!
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The real trick is getting the clear thinned right. Full out of the can Brodaks is too thick, but 50-50 is too thin. When I brush it, I normally do about 3:1 dope to thinner. A little retarder helps too and learning how to brush it on and tip it out quickly. Sand lightly with 400 grit between coats getting more aggressive as the dope builds. After you have a full glossy surface, sand well with 2000 grit wet and buff out with Brasso. Apply the wax of your choice.
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what type bristle brushes do you guys recommend?
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I use Camel hair brushes
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Don't be surprised when you see the price for a good camel hair brush. Only place I can find mine is in the art section at Hobby Lobby. DOC Holliday
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Do buy the best quality thinner on the market though! It'll make all the difference. Don't clean your brushes out with it, use the very cheap stuff for that.
Cheers Neville
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Agreed on both comments above, you don't get quality cheap, the camel hair brushes are the best, but they do cost. So, take good care of them. When you clean one, don't mash the bristles on the bottom of the container, swish them vigorously then shake and spin them out. Place the handle between your palms and make a rapid rubbing action, this will fling the thinner out well, I do it holding the brush under my bench. Then I quickly brush it back and forth over my knuckles and blow lightly. This will allow the bristles to return to their original shape. I store them bristles up in a glass jar, this keeps them from becoming mis-shapen.
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I am using the same camel hair brush as I used as a teenager when I was advised to buy the one I have. I clean it out with dope thinner, the same as I use for thinning dope. It used to be Testors, then Aero Gloss and now Brodak and Randolph. And, yes, I know the last three are all Randolph. It seems to be getting better with age. I also wipe it with a clean paper towel and then rub it back and forth on my jeans to dry it. I also store it bristles up.