PSA: check your damn paint mixing ratios before you spray

Was working on a 2017 Civic rear bumper last Tuesday at the shop in Portland and everything looked fine on the gun test card. Laid down my first coat and it came out looking like orange peel on steroids. Checked my cup and realized I grabbed the wrong hardener ratio cup, mixed it at 4:1 instead of 3:1. Had to sand the whole thing back down and reshoot it cost me an extra 2 hours and about $30 in material. My boss just shook his head and said "that's why we write on the cup, kid." Now I double check every time before I even pull the trigger. Anyone else ever mix up their ratios and learn the hard way?

2 comments

2 Comments

leo_campbell1mo ago

...and that's exactly why I just buy the pre-mixed catalyst in the pint cans now, you know? I mean yeah it costs a little more upfront but I've had that exact thing happen to me twice - once on a pearl white Toyota and I wanted to cry. The worst part is when you're leaning over the fender and you see that texture forming and you just know in your gut what you did wrong. I actually keep a little dry erase board on my cart now and write the ratio and brand on it for each job. Sounds dumb but my old man always said "measure twice, cut once" and that applies to paint too I guess. Just glad you caught it before you cleared it, that would have been a real nightmare.

troy9961mo ago

Pre-mixed is the way to go if you can swing the cost. That moment you see the texture forming is gut-wrenching, no doubt. Dry erase board is a smart move for keeping it all straight.