Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[IslandTractor]

Wouldn't it be nice if you could buy the paint with the correct viscosity for spraying? Wondering if the paint store would do it for you if you asked? I hate dicking around with stuff like that.

I think there are too many variables like weather/temp and type of spraying equipment for them to dilute the paint in a one size fits all manner. It would be nice though.

 

[sixdogs]

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It is all about 'thin enough to spray without running'.

That's the answer on how much to thin paint.

 

[tjkubota93]

I think there are too many variables like weather/temp and type of spraying equipment for them to dilute the paint in a one size fits all manner. It would be nice though.

If you buy automotive paint, it includes instructions on paint/hardner/thinner ratios. Then, they sell different reducers based on the temperature. Alot of paint stores have a thermometer and the temperature hand points at which reducer is appropriate for that temp.

 

[PILOON]

Wouldn't it be nice if you could buy the paint with the correct viscosity for spraying? Wondering if the paint store would do it for you if you asked? I hate dicking around with stuff like that.

They do!!
It is called 'rattle cans'. LOL!

Now days you need hardener, drier, catalyst, hardeners and them add clear coat and I guess its special solvents.

Long live good old enamels, you could thin it with just about any solvent including gasoline and still get a respectable finish as long as U used a decent primer.

Don't you get it? it is a conspiracy, all those additives needed only come in gallons so by the time you are ready to spray paint you have exceeded the price quoted by the body shop to spray that corner of your fender or lower door panel.

LOL, I once got lucky when I purchased an old Jeep Cherokee. It was all blue but for some reason the entire roof showed signs of light rust. I lightly sanded and BRUSHED on Tremclad medium blue (suitably thinned) and nobody ever noticed any difference nor brush strokes.

I know of an entire large aircraft (Viscount) that was brush painted and you had to be as close as 'on the stairs' to even notice a brush stroke. Naturally that was oil based enamel.

LOL, you have to be daring some times.

LOL, I once painted a VW using gasoline as thinner and the paint was even a very close match.
It was an 'off white' so I added drips of suitable color until I had an acceptable match,

 

[dragoneggs]

I think there are too many variables like weather/temp and type of spraying equipment for them to dilute the paint in a one size fits all manner. It would be nice though.

Yeah I know... but it would be nice!

If you buy automotive paint, it includes instructions on paint/hardner/thinner ratios. Then, they sell different reducers based on the temperature. Alot of paint stores have a thermometer and the temperature hand points at which reducer is appropriate for that temp.

I do remember that when my I helped my buddy long ago who had a auto body paint shop, paint my 68 Mustang GT Fastback a candy apple red. Boy I wished I held on to that one! :mur:

They do!!
It is called 'rattle cans'. LOL!

I walked into that one didn't I? :laughing: :newhere:

 

[Midniteoyl]

Wouldn't it be nice if you could buy the paint with the correct viscosity for spraying? Wondering if the paint store would do it for you if you asked? I hate dicking around with stuff like that.

The problem with that is that the 'correct' mixture depends on several factors like humidity, temp, gun tip, pressure, surface prep, type of paint, technique, etc..

 

[sixdogs]

If you're buying auto store paint and auto store thinner (reducer) to paint a farm tractor, you're going to spend about five times more money and end up with a tractor painted in a way that it never was. A high end and correct ag tractor paint job would be factory OEM paint (likely quality acrylic enamel) thinned with acetone.

Separately, those who spray hardener without an external supplied air space helmet risk their lungs with permanent damage after only one exposure. Read the back of the can or ask a lung doc what he thinks about isocyanates exposure.

 

[California]

When I was a kid with a paper route, one customer was an old retired guy who painted the signs for the front of stores. He told me 'back in the day' which must have been 1920's he painted cars with a brush and was good at it, he could get a nice even deep reflective black surface with hand-rubbed laquer that was as good as the expensive brands of cars. He must have used spray too at some point, but it was his brush work he was proud of.

 

[dragoneggs]

When I was a kid with a paper route, one customer was an old retired guy who painted the signs for the front of stores. He told me 'back in the day' which must have been 1920's he painted cars with a brush and was good at it, he could get a nice even deep reflective black surface with hand-rubbed laquer that was as good as the expensive brands of cars. He must have used spray too at some point, but it was his brush work he was proud of.

I can say a good quality brush with quality paint can be gorgeous but painting cars by brush... that is old school.

 

[Travelover]

I can say a good quality brush with quality paint can be gorgeous but painting cars by brush... that is old school.

I wouldn't paint a car with a brush, but it is common to paint boats with a technique called roll and tip. Used with an appropriate paint, it gives a nice finish.

How to easily roll and tip topside paint on your boat - YouTube

 

[IslandTractor]

I wouldn't paint a car with a brush, but it is common to paint boats with a technique called roll and tip. Used with an appropriate paint, it gives a nice finish.

How to easily roll and tip topside paint on your boat - YouTube

Yep. Almost all wooden boats are painted that way. Hard to get a perfect "Awlgrip" finish but you'd be surprised how good a roll and tip paint job can look. Also possible to do with just paint brushes. The key is the tip brushing which has to occur so quickly after applying the paint that it is best on a bigger boat to have two people, one to apply and the other to tip.

 

[IslandTractor]

So, is it now unpatriotic to purchase tools at HF? Does the carnage stop here?

 

[California]

Your name will go on a list ....

 

[PhysAssist]

Impact sockets, impact "universal joints", 5 in 1 screwdrivers, combo wrenches, socket rails, tape measures, floor jacks, bottle jacks, oscillating multi-tool, and many other items. I picked up a slick item the other day called an impact flip socket for light vehicle lug nuts. Comes with a double ended metric socket, a double ended inch socket and a 1/2" drive x 3" impact extension. Will try it out this spring at tire rotation time.

These have been the only lug wrenches I have used on all our [and more distant family] vehicles for at least the past 10 years or more, and they are still going strong- despite not having much of the original paint in an undamaged condition.

Likewise my HF [?Pittsburgh Electric, maybe] Electric Impact wrench- which is the only reason I haven't bought an Air Impact wrench [?one of their "Earthquake" jobs].

 

[newbury]

I have this air compressor from HF....
21 gal. 2.5 HP 125 PSI Cast Iron Vertical Air Compressor

It is absolutely the loudest air compressor I've ever heard despite this glowing review.....

"The perfect compressor with powerful, quiet and consistent airflow…plus we love the low price."
Street Trucks Magazine

The AIRFLOW is quiet. It's just the dad blamed compressor that makes so much noise

 

[DK35vince]

Finally got my 1/2" Earthquake XT air gun that has been on backorder since beginning of November 2016

 

[94BULLITT]

Finally got my 1/2" Earthquake XT air gun that has been on backorder since beginning of November 2016

They are on sale now for $80 or $90.

 

[DK35vince]

They are on sale now for $80 or $90.

The 1/2" Earthquake Pro is on sale for $90.
The Earthquake XT (Xtreme torque) like the one I just got is listed at $149.99 in my recent sale flyer

 

[94BULLITT]

The 1/2" Earthquake Pro is on sale for $90.
The Earthquake XT (Xtreme torque) like the one I just got is listed at $149.99 in my recent sale flyer

Your right. It is the pro for $80 with a coupon.

 

[dragoneggs]

The 1/2" Earthquake Pro is on sale for $90.
The Earthquake XT (Xtreme torque) like the one I just got is listed at $149.99 in my recent sale flyer

The XT has a coupon sale at $127.99 with coupon code. I don't think it ever goes lower than that.

1/2 in. Composite Xtreme Torque Air Impact Wrench