Dust in clear lacquer caused by static???

Hey, Having a problem with dust quickly after spraying brass sheet and parts with a outside clear lacquer(Permalac).I have done everything possible to avoid airborn dust and surface dust on parts.Cleaning spraygun,use filters,new hose etc.The dust and bits seem to be attracted to the parts like a magnet and show up immediately.

Part of the proceess is graining the pieces with a long beltsanding table,rubbing with scotchbrite,oxidizing, then scothbrite burnishing.I am wondering if it is possible to be creating a static charge in the piece that is attract the dust so well by all the rubbing???? Any thoughts out there would help.Thanks Jim F

 

If you ground it (negative charge) after all the rubbing it shouldn't have any static left in it. You can ground it just by handling it.

You will develop static in the spraying process air moving at volume through a hose creates static. Perhaps the type of metal that it is enhances the effect. I don't know that this is your problem but it is mildly logical or at least sounds that way.

You may try attaching a grounding strap to your parts prior to spraying and see if that helps.

 

I ground the car to an electric pipe or a water pipe to eliminate the static. The act of shooting the paint at the car actually causes a charge, it gets worse as you progress. Edit: Man this pork and beaner is a fast typer.

 

Yes you can. Pretty common practice to ground a car in the booth. Any way you can ground the panel? You can also buy a spray on product that reduces static, but I haven't used it.

 

How do you have it set up for clearing? can it be grounded?

 

You might try one of those Ionizers that people use to take smoke etc. out of the air. They place an negative charge to the plates and the dust and lint stick to it as it passes by. They really work, but have to be in an enclosed room for awhile though.

 

Anouther trick I do is put a bounce fabric softener sheet in my tack rag. Kills any static that is in the item you are painting. Plastic and fiber glass usally have lots of static.

 

You're not the only one I have heard of using bounce to kill static. I have a very old painter friend that swears by it.

 

I thought I was nuts but theres got to be something to it.I wear blue latex gloves when handling.Use a clean area to work on and when spraying put parts up on something like a turned over paper utility tub so I dont blow anything up .Most parts are sprayed flat because this stuff is very drip prown the way it has to be mixed etc.Also we are not setup to do that.I will try the grounding system some how next week.This work goes in churchs and they pay big money.It is labor intensive and sucks when the final step goes bad.
Anyone know of a product that works like scothbrite but not made of plastic?.I am trying to get the owner to buy grained or brushed brass sheets with protective plastic like stainless does to improve the look and maybe help with this problem.Keep the thoughts coming...Thanks JF

 

Wipe it lightly with a dryer sheet like a tack rag

 

I've actually seen static pull paint right out of my striping brush and/or pull the brush to the part while striping plastic and fiberglass, first time it happened it freaked me out. Seems like you create static electricity while wiping it down. I ground them now whenever I can.

 

You mention a paper utility tub....made of paper or FOR paper? Anyway, using paper or cardboard anything in the spraying area isn't a good idea since they shed fibers. Getting a clean, smooth surface to work on imperitive. The entire booth and area(s) around the items being sprayed need to be cleaned as if they too were being shot.

Another thing is to make sure the latex gloves you are wearing are powder free. If they aren't they'll also contribute to airborne contamination....same goes for your cloths, etc, etc.

Have you made sure there isn't debris in the clear itself? ....or that the debris isn't actually bubbles of solvent outgassing? ...just thinking out loud.

-Bigchief.

 

Are you using "good" thinner from a auto body supplier or cleanup thinner from HD or Lowes?

 

To answer Bigchief,Gas pumper,these are half gallon sized mixing tubs coated with wax.I think they were being used for mixing plaster for molds.Gloves are powder free.I sprayed the parts three times.Each time trying to eliminate everything.New strainers and even doubled up.The thinner and the clear is what the manufacturer said to use ,we buy them in pairs from them,and its expensive.I am thinking about having a buddy spray something with his equipment and see what happens.I need to get a handle on it soon!!. Thanks everyone!!!! Jim F

 

a new sheet of plastic hung in the room tends to draw the dust to it and away from the paint, wetting the floor, and as said clean clothes. i always prep to paint the day before i spray so i can walk in in the morning tack rag and spray. any dust in the air has settled over night. also never pet the dog.

 

I have seen log chains hanging over the rearend and onto the floor when painting vetts. I painted some fiberglass parts for our drag car and attached bare copper wire to the fiberglass in an hidden spot, and let it lay on the wet floor. Also sprayed static guard on the back side of the fiberglass panels, all seemed to work well.

 

I'm sure you probably checked but I assume these tubs are clean and free of all plaster? A little bit of plaster can make plenty of dust.