Painting...could use some pointers.

I figured I'd post in this section since a lot of you paint your own vehicles. I tried painting my truck this weekend with less than favorable results. I got a lot of unevenness and orange peel. From what I have read the pressure was too low and maybe not enough paint was flowing. Parts of the truck looked good but I went ahead and sanded it back down so I could start from the beginning. I'm using acrylic enamel in a HVLP gun with a regulator right on the gun. I set the pressure to 35 PSI WITHOUT the trigger pulled back. I think that's my main problem. Everything I read says to set it with the trigger pulled. I also got 5-6 runs...which makes me believe maybe the paint was too thin or I laid it on too heavy. I mixed the paint correctly, I know that for sure. Anyway...any little tips or tricks you seasoned P&B guys could toss my way would be greatly appreciated.

first off single stage sux my personal opinion alot of old school hotrodders use it but 2 each there own i would say base/clear ppg makes a decent economy line "(shopline)" also dupont nason full base now i dont go by a gauge go by ear spray out some test panels until u get the gun dialed in also what gun r u using size tip/needle mean alot i use a 1.3mm for base clear 1.5 2k high build primer also compressor matters if ur using a compressor thats too small ur psi at the gun is changing all the time i been sprayin in my backyard garage base clear kandies for 7 yrs

orange peel can be caused by alot of things water, oil in the lines (if ur using a compressor with oil) what i recommend is a disposable filter that goes on the gun looks like a little ball its plastic and also run off ur compressor a TOILET FILTER there made buy motor guard takes rolls of toilet paper u can also be layin it on too heavy mist single stage u can spray 60/40 overlap im no expert on single stage but i recommend base clear 5 star is even cheaper decent for learning also with base clear if u get trash in the base simply tack rag out or wet sand out if bad hit that spot wit base again then when u spray clear it will lay out if u get orange peel most people dont worry u can let it dry couple days wet sand the orange peel and buff if u dont have a buffer just wet sand the clear make sure to stay away from corners because u burn threw gotta reclear i cut and buff all my cars i spray do u just a better outcome comes out super wett heres a car i sprayed this is b4 i cut in buffed and u dont need a booth to get a nice paint job cant stand people that say ohh its not gonna come out good unless u spray in a booth just take ur time painting is a step by step process me and my car club been sprayin in garages 10 plus years

i can pm u my number if u want if u need any help

That would be awesome. I still have a bit of sanding to do before I paint it again. I'm committed to the acrylic enamel so I have to make it work. I am painting it in my 3 sided carport with plastic on the ground. Very little to no dust at all. Thanks for the help above.

ok now i dont know if the people told u but single stage cures kinda funny after u sand it down i would use 320 or 400 wet is the easiest with a block let the truck sit for a couple days for the paint to out-gas single stage takes longer due to having basically the clear and based mixed and if u need anything my friend works at a paint store i can get excellent prices on paint and supplies PAINT IS ONE OF THE MOST MARKED UP PRODUCTS something crazy like 60- 70% markup but let it out-gas and will go from there what color u sprayin?

It's a dark grey. No one told me single stage has to outgas. That's interesting.

I've heard a lot of people talk about wetsanding...what's the benefit of sanding wet vs dry?

paper last longer mainly but for a finishing sand u wanna wet sand also cuts better main plus to me is i cant stand the dust from sanding

I just sprayed this single stage advanced industrial coatings paint in my garage. Just wetsand and buff

Damn that looks nice. I could only hope for that nice of a finish. So just lay a few coats on it, wet sand with 320 and buff? Do you use a buffing compound?

Make sure you wet the ground all around your truck before you paint. That will keep the dirt out of
your paint. Make sure you have a filter in between paint pot and the paint gun.