Decided to enhance my abilities

[Cabreco]

Since I have time on my hands I decided to take a 10 week course on the operation of both oxy–fuel and electric welding systems, as well as the joining processes of SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and plasma cutting.

It's been a long time since I did any fabrication (35 years) & I still have my Oxy torches & arc welder, now I guess I'll need to my a tig, mig, & plasma torch.

I just finished my plastic welding course which was very comprehensive.

[TOOLS1]

Awesome I wish I had gotten into plastic welding when it first came out. There was money to be made by just going around to body shops, and repairing bumpers.
TOOLS

[shinyribs]

Sounds good Cabreco! You never can learn too much! As a self taught welder I have always wondered how much there is I am doing wrongI'd love to take a class like that sometime

[Cabreco]

It's been years since I picked up a torch. I've recently learned that I am outdated on many techniques.
For example in my late teen early 20's I was building my custom chopper & doing my own paintjobs. My expertise was multilayered LACQUER painting with several clearcoats which was over graphic & striping.

I was in a Duron shop a few weeks ago & learned Lacquer paints no longer exist!
Everything now is acrylic!
So NOW I have to re learn that craft as well.

Kind of make me show my age!

[Piute]

  Custom paint now on just a basic paint job ,Clear was just to protect the paint underneath,and get a deep effect to color,know you have to use it.
  I see it as though it has gone to sales more materials more sales,but much better and easier to work with,layering ,"LACQUER " is a lost art now,I learned on Emerons to start (fiberglass boats),But they were use ing Laq. on metal only.
  You can still get it  but only shipped through/to certain states.LACQUER is still the only true clear like looking through water with no yellowing at all...Piute...

[Cabreco]

Some of thes acrylics are 2x base + clear and now they even have TINED clear?
They also recommend a full air suit when spraying, but I can't imagine dragging a baggy sleeve across a new paint job.  
I'm too clumsy with just an air hose and a good face mask. LOL!

[shinyribs]

I have very limited experience with lacquer,but have painted 3 cars with acrylic enamel.Its actually easier to shoot because it is lighter than lacquer,so it doesnt want to sag/run if you get carried away with the coverage.If you put 3-5 coats of enamel on a vehicle you can wet sand and buff scratches out for YEARS to come.It really acts just like lacquer,just won't check and spiderweb 10 years from now.I even prefer single stage enamel over base+clear.All depends on what youre doing.Its one of those rare occasions where the EPA actually forced something to improve.Now...these new water based paints?Ugh

[Piute]

 On my bike I'm using VHT or Rust-Oleum Engine Enamel 500f  then putting clear over it all from the BOMB(can).In a few years maybe go with some powder coat on frame ,but hey when you paint colors change to fast At leased fer me.
   
     Just shot this scallop cast grey Eng. Enam.

[shinyribs]

I have never had any luck with aerosol clear paints.Especially over oil based enamels like Rustoleum .It always cracks and separates for me.Whats your secret,Piute?

[Piute]

                                                
                                  shshshhshshs it's a secret I follow the instructions,

  Keep on heat lamp till dry about a couple hours then room temp 55-65 for at least 2 days let that paint cure and get hard. 1st coat just a fog ,2nd same,let dry 24hrs ,looks like I know ,Light brillo scuff , 3rd like normal over lap n such but Med .dry 24hrs,Light scuff 400 wet or dry (but wet)
  Heat (must fill warm) 4th and last coat as heavy as you can get it without running.
 ChromeRibs I don't think it curing (your getting in a hurry) just a thought,