I will soon be painting a cowl, wheel pants and canopy edges. After reading countless posts regarding paint compatibility and fuel resistance with spray cans; I dont want to deal with trial and error - really the error part! I would like to get this done right the first time.

I have a few questions about Nelson Hobby Paint that I hope someone can answer:

1) The cowl I am painting is red and white, which will be painted all white. Do I need to use the Nelson Hobby Primer; or can I use something else that is compatible? Their primer seems to be about $23.

2) From what Ive read, using the Nelson Hobby Ultracote White and Clear will be fuel proof against 15% nitro - yes?

3) Can I get good results by brushing on with a foam brush? - If so, will I need to sand between coats or between White and Clear, if at all?

4) Are there any tips for using the Nelson Hobby products?

I'd like to keep this as cost effective as possible, but would like a decent result.

Thanks.

Standard sandable primer that you but at auto parts stores and or Home Depot type stores is laquor based. I have never found any type of paint that was not compatible with it. Its a lot cheaper too, around $7 a can. Also Look for Laquor based spray paints if you can use them, A lot cheaper. Good luck with brushing th paint on, it usually is a lot of work to get it sanded out and seldom really looks as smooth as sprayed on paint.
Denny
Denny

I have used Nelson's paint for years. It is a high quality product, but it does take some practice to get the flow adjusted correctly if you're spraying. It tends to spray on dry, so you get a fogged appearance unless you reduce the air pressure. I have used the foam brush application with excellent results. Regarding primer, I have never found anything that Nelson's will stick to except Nelson's primer. I ruined a beautiful paint job by using Rustoleum primer that his literature says will work. It does not. The paint lifted, and the problem is that the paint dries to a plastic like condition. It is impossible to remove once it's cured. The paint and primer are actually a good price because you don't have to buy thinners, reducers, etc. And the paint goes a long way as you apply it. Nelson includes an instruction sheet and it is very good about answering all your questions. It is fuel proof. Once cured, it is a very tough finish.

I have used Nelson Hobby paints for over ten years. I was fortunate enough to go with Jerry to the manufacturer a few years ago. I asked the engineer about what primers he recommended. He answered me by asking me if I was going to paint a car with PPG products what primer I would use and my answer was of course PPG primer. He then asked me why I would want to do anything different with the Nelson paint, wouldn't you stick to the system here too?
Over the years I have brushed, foam brushed and sprayed this paint and like everything else one simply needs to put in a little time with the product and learn how to use it.

I've used Nelson paint with good results. Unfortunately, he's now out of the business.

Good Morning Top Gunn: I just bought Nelson Hobby from Jerry last week and will up and running with paint in about 6 wks. Still need to relocate the business from Texas and I will do that in a next couple of weeks.
I bought the business because I didn't want to lose all the things I have worked with from Nelson Hobby over the years.

John Desilets

Hey, that's great news! When you've got a url for the business, let us know.

Top Gunn: I bought Nelson Hobby, the website is the same and my contact info is also there.

Since your the new owner, i checked out the website and the contact us section still has jerry's info. how does one go about ordering paint from nelson hobbies now? thanks!

It's on the intro page

I got my order of paint from him a few weeks ago.. Great stuff!

I'm looking to use the Nelson paint for the first time. Everything I've read, and the conversation I had with Jerry (some time ago)indicates it's the solution for the disappearing Lustre Kote and other fuel proof paints. However, I've only ever used spray cans or my body shop to paint cowlings and such. The body shop guy is all smiles when I bring him a small project, wonder why???

Seriously, what spray equipment to you recommend? Pressure? Guns? Airbrush? As I'm going to invest in this aspect of the hobby, I want to do it right the first time.

From everything I've seen, Nelson's paint is one of the more tricky ones to spray right. The good news is that it flows out nicely when you brush it. So I'd go that route.
BTW, Nelson's is rebranded Systems Three WRLPU. Nelson's mixes custom colors and sells it in hobbyist quantities. But any info you can find about using Systems Three will also apply to Nelson's.

I have used Nelson Paints a lot in the last few years. Does anybody know what happened to John Desilets and/or Nelson Hobbies. His website is no longer active. It would be a shame to not be able to get that paint anymore. It is great!

I have been wondering the same thing myself. No one seems to know.

Dan