Just finished the blue on the left wing. While I am waiting for paint to dry I thought I would address some questions that have been posted to me about equipment and paint.

As far as spray equipment goes, I use a variety. My main gun for color is an Iwata LPH80. This sets you back between 3 and $400 depending where you buy it. I also use it for clear on smaller jobs. This gun has been an absolute joy to use for quite a few years now. I paint alot and haven't had to do anything to it other than the normal cleaning and maintenance. Parts are readily available if the need should arise, I hope to use it for many years.

My larger guns are Devilbiss and lately, Tekna, an offshoot I believe of Devilbiss. The latest gun in my stable is the Tekna Pro Lite. Full size gun but with a smaller body and as the name would imply, very light. Set me back around $500. I'll be using it for the first time to clear the Firebird. Nothing like making a $20,000 jet a guinea pig.....

The weird looking cup on the Iwata is the 3M PPS system. Using this has many advantages for me, namely I can spray upside down and the liners are disposable. No cleaning of the cup so I use much less solvent to clean the gun. More of a luxury than a must have but way cool nonetheless. Wouldn't go back to a regular cup after using these.

I have read alot on the forums here about using the cheap Harbor Freight type spray guns. Thirty dollars and off you go. I won't get into the argument about quality, parts availabilty, ease of use and etc.. only to say that you really do get what you pay for. My gun is an extension of my hand, don't really want to think about it when I'm spraying, just do it. Quality allows that, cheap does not. Painting is what I do so I'm biased, I admit that. But once you use real quality equipment it's tough to go back. Kind of like asking why a musician doesn't get his gear from WalMart. If you have good luck with it that's great. Have fun and be creative. That's what it's all about.

The paint I use is from PPG, all of it. I haven't found as of yet any reason to look elsewhere. Yes, it's expensive but it works, everytime. DuPont, BASF, Akso Nobel and others make quality product as well so use what you are comfortable with. Just know that prep is everything. Skimp on the paint if you like but keep the prep level top notch and you most likely will be very happy.

Airbrushes are Iwata too. Eclipse HPC is what I use most. I would love to spend a week with Jeremy (LGM Graphix) and just be a painting sponge when it comes to airbrushing. He's the man!

Hope this helps the budding painters out there.
Dan