It won't be the gun as I paint with one everyday. If it helps normally what I do with 2k and also clear coat is give it a half coat so not to wet first. Then depending on how warm it is give it a full coat. The half coat will help for when you give it a full coat because it has something to stick to instead of just giving it one big coat because that's what will cause sags and runs. Hope that helps

Thanks. I'm just wondering what sort of coverage to aim for with the first coat, and how long to leave it between coats (based upon room temperature). I'm convinced too much went on as it took over a week to go totally hard. I put some paper towels on the panel for a few minutes and they sunk in. This was about 4 days after spraying!

4 days after!? I'd question your hardener buddy, a cup semi full of lacquer would go of in that time, and that would be up to a inch thick!

This is all beyond me, but interesting to read! Hats off to people with the patience for bodywork/painting in general!

I still don't understand this hardener, I've never used the same hardener on a primer & for solid 2k paints.

Why don't you try using a different hardener next time. Don't wanna see it go tits up again.

Quick edit, I see you've sprayed 2k before, so you it's not you don't no what your doing, infact I love your set up! I'm gonna have to put my guess on your hardener dude.

Edited 23 April, 201313 yr by SuperMario

I think the hardner might be an issue, but it's ISO free, so safe. TBH I'm thinking of going back to ISO because I did get good results through very cheap equipment. However, others I've spoken too have not had issues with the hardner and extended drying times. The top coat has gone on ridiculously thick mind, and the primer dried in no time. I'm thinking it skinned over, and then couldn't harden. The unibinder hardner I'm using converts it from a catalysed reaction to an air dry paint, so if it skins, it will take ages to go off if it is thick.

4 days after is a long time. I painted a door for my van tonight with 2k was touch dry in about 20 mins. I would try a diffrent make of paint to be fare. It's a waste of your time to keep doing it again. I used MIPA 2k to paint my van 3 ltrs was around 80. And it's good paint as well.