Etching Primer and Paint Gun? Options

[9fourteen]

Before I start cutting into the longs and hell hole I was thinking about sand blasting the whole area first to see what I have and then prime it before making the repairs. (eventually I am going to strip the whole tub. just doing it in sections) I already bought a blaster from eastwood. Now I need to get setup for painting so I can prime it immediately after stripping it. I have made a list of the main things I need to buy. I think I got most of it figured out but have questions on the primer and a good paint gun. I have never sprayed paint so any advice is welcome or if there is something i need to add to my list, let me know.

Here is a list of what I think I will need

paint gun
etching primer
fresh air respirator
hood
throw away coveralls
gloves
metal prep

I am sure I will need stuff to mix the paint with. The paint shop guys will help with that.

I am also going to build a chamber to limit the mess from the blasting and over spray in my garage.

I went to the local paint shop and they sell three brands of etching primer, nason, ppg and dupont. They are in order of price. Nason appears to be a low priced dupont brand. It's about half the price. Can I use the cheap stuff or should I stick with the ppg or dupont. Obviously I want to save money but I don't have a problem buying the right stuff if it is worth it and will work better. Actual suggestion items numbers would be welcome.

I was also looking at paint guns. They had a nice 2 gun set from DeVilbiss, one for priming, one for painting, i think it was around $200. They had other guns that were half the price or lower. I think i have read on here that the DeVilbiss guns are the best. (or at least in somebody's opinion they were). Is it worth the extra money or will I get the same results with the cheap gun?

thanks

I know everybody likes post with pictures so here is one.

[9fourteen]

I was just reading on ppg's website about the deltron self etching primer, product code dpx171. It says on the technical data sheet "should not be applied over media blasted steel". So if I sand blast or soda blast the tub I can't use a self etching primer on it? So, what should I apply over media blasted steel?

[scotty b]

I was just reading on ppg's website about the deltron self etching primer, product code dpx171. It says on the technical data sheet "should not be applied over media blasted steel". So if I sand blast or soda blast the tub I can't use a self etching primer on it? So, what should I apply over media blasted steel?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) I don't understand why they say that. I have used it on blasted pieces many times. If you feel uncomfortable with that then Epoxy is the only other real choice.

[9fourteen]

I was just reading on ppg's website about the deltron self etching primer, product code dpx171. It says on the technical data sheet "should not be applied over media blasted steel". So if I sand blast or soda blast the tub I can't use a self etching primer on it? So, what should I apply over media blasted steel?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) I don't understand why they say that. I have used it on blasted pieces many times. If you feel uncomfortable with that then Epoxy is the only other real choice.

Isn't there some prep or neutralizing required with media blasted steel, especially after soda blasting that if not done properly results in the paint not adhering correctly? Maybe they are just covering their butts like all corporations in case the steel isn't prepped properly and somebody sprays it over just blasted steel.

Could it have something to do with the how the surface is left as far as the texture after blasting? Maybe too smooth and not enough bite?

I'm still going to use it, if it is cleaned properly after blasting it should be just like spraying it on any other clean steel unless somebody can tell me any different. If you do it and I have seen many other examples here and everywhere else on the web of people doing it, it's probably ok. i hope.