painting with epoxy paint?

[Harvezter]

I have a question...

I have a friend who wants to airbrush with clear epoxy paint...

1. is it possible to thin it enough to do this

and

2. what would be used to thin epoxy paint?

and last but not least...

3. would this ruin, or damage, the airbrush?

has anyone ever used epoxy to airbrush with?

the reason my friend wants to use epoxy paint is to get a cystal clear super hard durable finish

any and all help would greatly be appreciated

[MonoPed]

Is he absolutely stuck on epoxy? Why not a 2-part catylized urethane clear? Urethanes cure rock hard, don't yellow, and polish up real nice.

You can use epoxy through an airbrush, just as long as it's reduced enough to flow through it. It won't damage the airbrush unless you don't thoroughly clean it afterwards and it hardens in the tip and around the needle.

[Harvezter]

can urethanes be airbrushed? I am assuming so since the question was about airbrushing.

Can you recommend a good brand please?

[Harvezter]

also what would be used to thin the clear epoxy paint?

[Modelmartin]

I used to use Imron through an airbrush. It was pretty thick and they had a reducer but you could only go about 10%. I had to use the #5 tip on my Paasche , about 40psi and lay one one heavy coat. If you had any dust or orange peel you were out of luck. it was so hard it wouldn't readily polish. Save yourself a lot of heartbreak and use clear lacquer. I eventually regretted :x the day I starting using Imron. The catalyzed stuff is a lot more toxic too. I have never had my clear acrylic lacquer yellow on me.

[MonoPed]

can urethanes be airbrushed? I am assuming so since the question was about airbrushing.

Can you recommend a good brand please?

PPG, Dupont Sikkens, ect all make automotive urethanes. I've used PPG Omni clear with good results, just follow the manufactures mixing rations, then add a few more drops of reducer so it flows through the airbrush a bit better. I used the medium (#3) tip in my Paasche VL with the PPG clear, and it sprayed out beautifully.

[Irvin Arter Jr.]

I also use PPG 2 part clears. I have found that when I clear it with a few coats I let it dry for a week or so and wet sand using the polishing kit and then clear again with a few very thin really wet coats for a really smooth finish. as long as you sand out the dirt and polish within the first 24 hours before it hard as a rock you should be ok.