Acrylic paint is quite simple to use once you know how, it dries quickly and you can achieve top quality results by polishing as you can see in this photo. But you must be warned it is outdated technology these days, although it is still a good option for people spraying at home without a spray booth because it is not as hazardous to the user although worse for the environment because there are more fumes releasing into the air, this is one of the reasons it has been fazed out and no longer used in many industries.

Acrylic paint will never fully dry and solvents or heat will always freshen it up, it dries through the evaporation of the solvents unlike 2 Pack (2k) that has a hardener and dries as a result of the chemical reaction by the hardener.
so basically 2k is much more efficient, durable and will have a lower impact on the environment.
so basically 2k is much more efficient, durable and will have a lower impact on the environment.
I do highly recommend hiring a spray booth if possible and doing it in 2k polyurethane because it is far superior and will not lead to big problems down the track when you do want it done properly.
Although I don’t use it often or recommend the use of it, I still think knowing how to use it is a good skill to have for any painter so I will take you right through the entire process from prep to primer, application, gun setup and polishing.
I am not highly experienced in the use of acrylic paint because by the year 2000 when I started my apprenticeship it was well and truly gone from most panel shops but I did have some training at trade school so kick back and see how I succeed in the use of acrylic paint.
Although I don’t use it often or recommend the use of it, I still think knowing how to use it is a good skill to have for any painter so I will take you right through the entire process from prep to primer, application, gun setup and polishing.
I am not highly experienced in the use of acrylic paint because by the year 2000 when I started my apprenticeship it was well and truly gone from most panel shops but I did have some training at trade school so kick back and see how I succeed in the use of acrylic paint.
Hey Gunman love your work. I was wondering what kind of compressor do I need for a hvlp spray gun. Thanks
The bigger the better, read the specs on the spray gun box the check against the compressor and buy bigger than required because it’s always better to have more than less.
compare the cfm not lbs
What paint gun do you recommend for acrylic paints. My airbrush’s never seem to spray the paint long enough and has a hard time spraying it to the point it gets clogged no matter how many thinners I use and the amount.
Hi there mate just wondering what brand and model type the bottom fed primer gun you are using please?
Thanks.
To be honest I never even look at it man, just a real cheap and nasty one for like $30 but perfect for 1k primer.
Gunman, thanks for the heads up on using acrylic.Been painting an old Mg and wanted the finish acrylic gives. 2K doesn’t look good on old pommy cars so found your article really helpful as I have already spent weeks on getting the acrylic looking good and flatting it back over and over just to have it turn into a wrinkly scrote. Do it all again from bare metal….sigh .
Love ya work
thanks
GUNMAN son muy interesante tus aportes como pintor soy seguidor de tus videos y aprendo mucho con tus tecnicas ya que estoy iniciando en este mundo.espero que algun dia puedas subir videos con sustitulos en español.
another of many good videos
Hey Man!What if You would sprey the first 1K clear which is more redused. I mean, more than You had redused the firt coat of clear.
I found a gunman video far and away better and informative than any I have seen in the last 6 or 8 I looked at. Lots of info and quick and to the point. I am going to attempt a Candy green for my 1970 Yamaha XS 650. Only color offered that year so it needs to be right.Thank You …
I’d like to know how to stop the acrylic from crazing and cracking up every 12 months. It goes on beautifully and polishes to a mirror finish, but the sun causes it to fry up and craze, approximately every 12 months. I think I’ve had to refinish this boot lid 3 times in three years…
Ah mmk the kind of acrylic used in Canada never loses its shine no matter the years I painted years ago my 99 Dodge Ram 1500 and even tho was stolen and destroyed the paint on it was still shinny after 6 years the paint shined gunnman I love everything you do my motivation starts everyday to your video which starts me off the day and have a look at our paints if ya don’t mind it’s called endura made in Canada and shoots good in colder temps to mate.
Great post. I ‘m confronting a couple of these difficulties.
Really excellent post, I surely adore this website, keep on it.
Hey gunman I’m in Perth as well, been watching your channel for a while now as I’m a mad hobbie painter and feel I just found a new passion in life!
Great channel by the way you share a lot of info and content and have learnt a lot just from watching bud.
I’m about to re Spray a R32 skyline closed door in WRX black pearl not sure if you know the colour but it’s got gold pearls through it. The car is already straight black and paint is pretty good so minimal prep I think.
I’m told two litres would be enough what do you think?
Also would it be best if I do the first coat for full cover then a drop coat to get it even and all in two coats?
If so how exactly do you do a drop coat as it seems there is a fair few different ways from what I seen..
What do you recommend?
I have recently imported a car from NZ which has been painted with single coat acrylic. The problem is the car needs some damage repair but the acrylic paint hasn’t been available in the uk for the last twenty years. What can I use that will over spray onto the original paint without any reaction?
Hey Gunman was wondering what you thought about the nason brand of paint? happen to see a can of it behind your clear coat. Thanks
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Hi Gunman.
I am painting a 1961 Falcon XK Greenish grey opal metallic in acrylic i am using a Star gravity feed gun what size tip do i need for the high build primer top coat and clear.
Regards Anthony from Ballarat Victoria
Great vid mate. Very helpfull.
Ron Jones
Shepparton
Hi Gunman- well done video- I was a Buick dealer painter in the 70’s and all we had then was acrylic lacquer. Some of my jobs have lasted for ever, though garaged.
I was looking for help on the PPG Evirobase water base paint when I ran across your vids.
My only comment would be to cross paint 90 degrees to make sure your material is going on evenly and to avoid the tiger stripes- I think you called them railroad ties. Whatever we use it boils down to film thickness. Here in California we can’t even buy lacquer because so much of the sprayable paint goes into the air. Water base paint is almost mandated as well. thanks again for the video, Jay