Thread: basic paint questions.. I have the paint already

Ok, getting ready to paint the Leland-Gifford DP and I have a few simple questions I hope.

The paint... Sherwin Williams All Surface Oil based Enamel...1 gallon satin black.. my cost was $23.49. Reason I "chose" it was that its the paint that Honda Manufacturing uses on their machines, so it was available and what I could get for the cheapest as I got a "deal"

1. Bristle brush or foam brush? Dont want brush strokes....
2. Thin it out? (i believe the answer is no to this)
3. Use a Japan dryer? I have seen many posts saying it can take a very long time to dry. And if I use the dryer.... do I add it to the whole can even if I dont plan on using the whole can? or just a little bit in the small amount I plan on using?

I have a test piece painted... used the cheapest brush I could find..Spec sheet online said 15mins to touch at 50% relative humidity..

Thanks for your advise and knowledge.

This is 30-45min after painting.....Not bad....tad bit sticky to the touch

RobMoore - your photo appears to have some camera shake, which will wipe out brush strokes.

I used Sherwin Williams on my last restoration(12X30 Hendey) lathe.I also used Japan Dryer but I mixed it in with the paint in small batches.I wouldn't mix the whole thing.If you do it becomes subject to hardening,I think.As far as humidity goes,it seems to stay humid down here until cool weather gets here.I'd say on average 75%.Lately it's been 100%.Today is the only day we haven't gotten rain in a month.Japan dryer will do good in humid weather.At least it has for me.For brushes I use natural brissel brushes from H Depot.You'll probably have to hurry more if you use the Japan dryer.Read the directions and follow them to the tee for the most part.I think you'll be suprised at how hard the Japan dryer makes your paint.

Bristle brush.
Don't thin.
Don't use Japan drier.

(of course, spraying would be the best)

two coats and thin a bit. second coat goes on twice as fast. In humid conditions a spot of Penetrol helps allot, basically adds some lube. mineral spirits is ok but natural terps will give faster drying, but check with SW on that, also, use a ton of ventalation.
I basically believe that you can not get a good job with one coat, two coats adds paint thickness, allows thinner paint, covers first time around misses, goes on smoother , etc. If you have masked well, the second coat is really not much more work. Wait until the first coat is not very tacky.
Not sure, but SW may have a cataylist for that paint for a hardener. If you use Japan harner, use it sparingly, it can make the paint brittle.
Brush. a good natural bristle brush is best, clean with kerosene and it will last forever. Purdy makes theirs in the US.
spraying works even better IMO