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SouNdguy, Why do you have to mix quantities that are far too large (3 times)? Sometimes I overestimate the sprayable quantity needed, but I try to match the mixed quantity with the anticipated need and have only a small amount left over in order to minimize waste. That's especially important with expensive catalyzed paints that have a pot life. I never use the gun cup for mixing purposes, even my spot gun 6oz cup. For small quantities, I generally use a 3oz throwaway paper drinking cup for measuring and a 10 or 12oz throwaway paper cup for mixing. I have even used teaspoons and tablespoons as measuring devices if the 3oz cups are too large but I can estimate 1-1/2 oz easy enough with a 3oz cup. I've even estimated 3/4oz that way. Careful measuring is important but extreme precision is not necessary. I always strain the mixed product during pouring into the gun cup from the mixing container. The gravity fed guns theoretically minimize waste, compared with the suction and pressure fed arrangements, but I can never estimate the quantity ahead of time close enough to take much advantage of that particular aspect - so it's not important to me. Just about every project I undertake is different enough from the previous ones that I cannot rely on any past usage to accurately judge quantity beforehand. I want to avoid running short on the last coat so a certain amount of leftover material is always a given. I almost always apply three coats of color so I keep watch of quantity used and quantity remaining between coats. If it looks like I might run short after the second coat, I will add some more mixed material in that flash time between second and third coats. I actually prefer to "finetune it" that way but sometimes blow it in the very beginning and have more waste in the end than I'd like. But that's my fault in estimating beforehand, not in any mixing or measuring method I use or gun choice I make. Anyway, I think you will like the spot (touch-up) gun and may find yourself using it more than your full sized one, especially for tractor and similar work with disassembled, individual parts. That's true for the majority of painting I now do. If I think I can cover everything I have ready with one coat using 6oz of material, I'll choose the spot gun most times unless the object is a large, flat area such as a car panel. The hood on my AC-B was easily done with a spot gun. Likewise, my Kut-Kwick painting project was done with only a spot gun. Rod
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