Switched from rattle cans to a HVLP gun after a bumper job in July went wrong

I used to think rattle cans were fine for small jobs like mirror caps or trim pieces. Then I had to paint a replacement bumper on a 2018 Civic and the clear coat came out looking like orange peel. I spent 4 hours sanding and buffing that thing and it still looked off. My buddy at the shop let me borrow his HVLP gun for the next one and the finish came out SMOOTH with zero dust nibs. Has anyone else made the switch and found it saved them time on correction?

2 comments

2 Comments

michael51918d ago

Did you feel like you wasted a ton of time sanding and fixing rattle can jobs too? I was totally against buying a gun until I borrowed one and it felt like cheating.

cooper.viola18d ago

Yeah rattle cans are good for small touch ups but anything bigger than a fender and you're just making extra work for yourself. The orange peel and dust nibs are basically unavoidable with a can on a big panel. Once you feel how smooth a gun lays down clear you can't go back.