Dave: As for budget, I honestly don't know, I lost track through my November, December buying spree. Just never kept track. I would guess I am somewhere between $ 8-$10,000 total outlay, and probably closer to the $ 8,000. I could go back and add up the big stuff, but there have been lots and lots of $ 50 and $100 purchases for small stuff like pieces of steel, grinding discs, thinner, bolts, etc, etc.
I am not good at watching my money, and it all got jumbled together when Christmas came and I was spending money on my Kids and the rest of the family. I know it sounds lame, but I am terrible at accounting. I may go back when it is all done and try to add up as much as I can remember. Safe to say, I didn't hit the $3,000. :o :o
As for the primer, I am shooting Nasons primer/surfacer. I know it isn't the premium paint choice, but I am comfortable with it and get pretty good results, even though I am far from a pro painter. The last time I shot the primer on the tranny it was not flowing well, which is why I had to sand and redo it. I had the same trouble when I painted my Jeep truck about 5 years ago, and the guy at the paint store loaned me his "primer gun" that had a large orifice, and it did the trick. I just figured that is what is happening here now, plus being in Florida's high heat and humidity complicates things. The primer seems to go on like sandpaper, dry when it hits the surface.
That is my logic anyway, but maybe there is something else going on. I just didn't want to have the same problem on the frame, that would be a tough one to have to redo. :eek:
Don
PS: Just reread you post, maybe she said something other that # 1. Whatever it was, it was a bigger opening than my gun.