Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

I'm getting ready to paint my transmission (TKO 600). I'm using TCP Global Firethorn Red Pearl urethane paint. https://tcpglobal.com/products/kus-k...IaAoMYEALw_wcB
I have a very nice airbrush with all the tips. I also have a Fuji 5 stage turbine spray rig with touch up gun and multiple tips. This transmission has a lot different angles that need painted. I'm concerned that with a gun by the time I get coverage I will have too much paint on spots and it will run. Can I use an airbrush and is it practical? I have the little jars for the airbrush. This is a base and clearcoat system. Thank you for your time.

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

I always thought aluminum pieces should stay aluminum unless you are trying to hide a billet piece like an accessory bracket on a traditional build.

To paint it I'd say it is more of a case of use what you are most comfortable with and what you feel you have the most control over, Probably the air brush for getting in all the nooks and crannies.

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

I'm not that comfortable with either unit. I've never used the turbine. I was proud of myself for resisting polishing it. Would I need to thin it out more than usual with the airbrush? Is that done with the reducer? I have very little experience in the auto paint area. I'm hoping to hone my skills on stuff like this.

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

mix paint the same as spray gun, then add a little more thinner(Reducer) as need, Just want it to spray like a spray can of paint.Practice on some cardboard or old clean metal. very easy to control.:gmc2::mm:
Remember light coats to start

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

I've used automotive paint in an airbrush. I'm not a pro and I'm not an artist. I painted the body of a model truck with the same paint on my truck and I've painted portions of the dash and some interior pieces inside my truck. I started with recommended mix then added thinner in order to get the pattern and coverage I wanted at a low pressure. The model truck was a bit fun because I had the air regulator set at about 20 psi when I figured out the mix and brush settings by spraying test shots at a junk fender. I turned around to spray the body and ended up blowing it about a foot away. Whoops! Lower pressure and try again.

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

glad you've asked the question about airbrushing, I too am wanting to use mine but I've only used an Eastwood paint gun to paint with. You can use your paint gun with the right tip. Maybe use the tip of 1.2 to 1.4 with lowering your pressure and reducing the amount of paint thru the gun? you won't want to cover the tranny with one coat anyway. A little at a time.

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

i think your setting yourself up for heartbreak trying to paint a transmission
short of total disassembly and baking the case, i'm not sure how you'd get the oil out
realistically; unless your one of those guys that parks on mirrors at shows, who's gonna see it?

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

Is that real ? Or a saying.

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

Ogre's correct, why not simply clean the tranny case and let the aluminum show itself. Save yourself from work you could be doing elsewhere!! My .02 worth

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

Have you seen the build? It's not likely to drive like a stocker. Just imagine an angry bear rearing up on it's back legs.

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

He really needs to have a build thread. Amazing work going on with the truck.

As far as the original question, I have no input but look forward to the results.

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

Whoa.
Just saw a thread ........ yep ... now I get why he's looking to paint.

Going to be hard to get the oil out ....... so adhesion good underheat etc .... but its been done ;)

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

It's a brand new tranny so never been dirty. I know not many will see it but I'm the kind of guy that polishes places on parts nobody will ever see except that one guy. I'm going to have to look at it for probably a couple more years. The fact that it's not in your face gives me something constructive to build my skill set on. Kinda like my welding and machine work. Pluss the pictures will look better in the process so really I'm doing it for you folks.

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

Look into self etching primer for aluminum, it does help.
Mac

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

I have not seen the Fiji, turbine, but that sounds very promising...touch up gun would be good choice also. Many Youtube clips on painting, I still box my paint....add reducer and pour from 1 cup to another.....practice with it and get your work piece at a good level...hang it if you can. .....some of the TCP Global bright colors work best with a light base coat of silver....I used the TCP...UMB.....on my Blazer, complete color coat of silver then 3 coats of lime, 5 coats of clear.

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

I bought the turbine because I live in Indiana and getting the compressed air dry enough to work well is very expensive. Also the Fuji is portable and uses 9.5 PSI so little overspray and stirring up dust. I don't have a booth. I was going to use 2K epoxy but I have self etching also. If self etching is too thick or too soon are there acid residue problems?

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

Not the expert on primers...I like epoxy, but don't know what's best on aluminum. Probably not an option, but if the Firethorn was over super clean alumium. It probably would look good....durability is in question without a primer....might research phosphoric acid on aluminum as a prep....Others use urethane as engine paint to match colors....again don't know if primer is required.

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

This is totally for real. I've seen it at many of the larger swap meets and car shows. Usually in the invitational car corral. I've seen it with some of the lifted bro-trucks too so they can show off their aluminum undercarriage. Like you can't see under an 8ft lifted truck :/

https://i1.wp.com/carshowtalk.com/wp...68%2C576&ssl=1

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

makes me wanna barf
anything that clean is never driven

not driving a classic car, to save it for posterity
is like not having sex with your wife, saving her for the next guy

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

Well now, that's an interesting way of looking at things.

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

a better way to look at it is 36,000 miles on truk since i rebuilt it 10 years ago :D
probably 30,000 the 1st 5 yrs while i was younger and able

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

You go Ogre, I have a street rod that I've put a lot of money into, for cruisin and car shows. I've been asked multiple times, YOU DRIVE THAT? My answer is that is why tires were invented. Never once has it been trailered to a show. It's nice to see the work and detail that people put into their rides, but enjoy it, drive it, and have fun cleaning it.

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

I figure it's good practice for me plus I have to look at it for at least another year, probably 2 or 3. Also if I put it on it's top what would people think? How embarrassing would that be?

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

sort of like your mom telling you to put clean underwear on, in case you end up in the emergency room
i put my 1st 58 on it's top when i was a teenager, not much soft stuff to land on in our trucks

Re: Airbrushing auto paint and primer.
 

That's just plain funny.