Okay I'm going to bite the bullet and purchase a HVLP spray gun for my $50 paint project. I'm looking for some input for those who have used them in the past. Which brand and what to look for? Price is not really an issue but I'm not doing this for a living so I really don't want spend any more than I have to. Any info would help. I'm rolling my window frame for now but I would like to spray the last few coats to ensure a smoother finish.
HVLP Gun
- Thread starter Greg1190
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Harbor Freight Gun
I bought a harbor freight gun on sale from 34.99 to 9.99. So far it has worked fine for me. I wish the mist sprayed a little finer, but I plan on wetsanding it until I get the finish I want.
I have tried the roll method and I think that spraying it, BY FAR, will get you a better finish.
I bought a harbor freight gun on sale from 34.99 to 9.99. So far it has worked fine for me. I wish the mist sprayed a little finer, but I plan on wetsanding it until I get the finish I want.
I have tried the roll method and I think that spraying it, BY FAR, will get you a better finish.
- Thread starter
- #4
Thanks there 73fj55 I was woundering about the amount of paint coming out of the tip. I read about this when I googel HVPL. I'm not to sure witch one I need for our application. ($50 paint job) I understand there are several tips that would allow a certain amount of paint to pass. I need more info about this.
There is a decent amount that comes out. I was surprised and turned the air pressure down a bit as well as the needle adjustment on the gun.
When I bought it, hell it was 9.99 and I decided that I would make it work. I guess I got lucky. I am learning it is better to take a several slow even passes rather than a couple heavy quick ones. I just want to get this done!!!
I used to manage a furniture store where we painted our own and other peoples furniture in house. We normally used a $300 Binks spray gun...but when it would fowl we would run to Harbor Freight and buy which ever was the sale of the week.
They would last with a good cleaning, shooting oil based paint, therefor cleaning with lacquer thinner, about 4-6 weeks. At that point you could tear it down and buy their rebuild kit but why a whole new gun is only $10. I am planning on picking one up when I break down and decide to repaint the 80.
They would last with a good cleaning, shooting oil based paint, therefor cleaning with lacquer thinner, about 4-6 weeks. At that point you could tear it down and buy their rebuild kit but why a whole new gun is only $10. I am planning on picking one up when I break down and decide to repaint the 80.
- Thread starter
- #7
Okay let it be writen! I'm off to HB to my HVLP gun. I'll make it work. I think I'm putting to much thought into something I dont need to.
Thanks for both your input.
Thanks for both your input.
Hope I'm not catching you too late. I found the harbor hvlp gun to shoot paint in droplets, rather than mist. You'd probably be much happier with their siphon type gun. I threw my harbor hvlp in the trash. I was unable to get an automotive type finish with it.
- Thread starter
- #9
Thanks Texx, I never made it to HF but now I'm back to the dilemma of HVLP guns. I know that a $50 paint job is nothing like a 3K paint job but I don't want it to look like a $50 either. Just want a good paint job without the cost. I seen many $50 jobs and they came out really nice. Like I said want a nice paint job so when I get a 4X4 scratches I wont feel so bad at the same time I would like an eye catcher.
I just sprayed 2 weeks ago using a HF HVLP. I shot at 50psi and everything went well, set the regulator on the compressor and a regulator that attaches to the gun inlet.
Went on well, no runs or drips. I was thinking more thin coats vs trying to lay it on heavy would be the way to go for me since i had no prior experience.
You could get a test panel and mix a small amount of paint to familiarize yourself with the guns adjustments, once your satisfied you could hit the rig.
Went on well, no runs or drips. I was thinking more thin coats vs trying to lay it on heavy would be the way to go for me since i had no prior experience.
You could get a test panel and mix a small amount of paint to familiarize yourself with the guns adjustments, once your satisfied you could hit the rig.
thecrazygreek
A.K.A. TheCraftyGreek
Its all about atomizing the paint. The more the merrier,,,
The $$ guns will put out what looks like fog... (the best)
I bought the 35 - 50 (depends on sale) gun at HF and am getting pretty damn good results. Not a fog, but a good mist.
Sanding is the key to any good paint project. The better the gun the less sanding you have to do.
Orange peel = 400 grit
Then 600
Then 1000
Then if you want to beat yourself up some more 1500 - 2000
This assumes you put down a good amount of paint, 4-6 coats.
The $$ guns will put out what looks like fog... (the best)
I bought the 35 - 50 (depends on sale) gun at HF and am getting pretty damn good results. Not a fog, but a good mist.
Sanding is the key to any good paint project. The better the gun the less sanding you have to do.
Orange peel = 400 grit
Then 600
Then 1000
Then if you want to beat yourself up some more 1500 - 2000
This assumes you put down a good amount of paint, 4-6 coats.
- Thread starter
- #12
Thank all of you for your input. Okay! off to HF to pick up my first HVLP gun. I plan on testing the gun prior to laying down paint on my rig. I need to pick up two front fenders from Spector. Those will be my test subjects. If all lays well, look out rig here I come! I don't mind sanding with 2000. The finer the better. Again thank you for giving me hope and help.
The gun from HF I have used and our expensive Binks were both siphon feed (tank on bottom). I have never used a gravity feed (tank on top). The technique in painting is different with each gun, so I am planning on sticking with a siphon feed as that is what I am used to. HTH
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- Thread starter
- #15
New Gun
I pulled the trigger and bought a new HVPL gun from HF model# 47016 w/ 20 oz. cup. I also bought a air filter regulator item # 95439 from the same place. All I need to do is plumb some black pipe from my compressor to my regulator so that I'll have easy access to regulate the air pressure. Hope this works and I hope I bought the right stuff. More to come upon completion of the air line plumbing.
I pulled the trigger and bought a new HVPL gun from HF model# 47016 w/ 20 oz. cup. I also bought a air filter regulator item # 95439 from the same place. All I need to do is plumb some black pipe from my compressor to my regulator so that I'll have easy access to regulate the air pressure. Hope this works and I hope I bought the right stuff. More to come upon completion of the air line plumbing.
Why did you choose the gravity feed gun? -- I'm in the market myself, and was thinking of a siphon gun, but I'd like get your thinking...
Thanks.
Thanks.
- Thread starter
- #17
Honestly I don't know. I thought HVPL guns were gravity fed not syphoned. Did I make a mistake in buying the gravity gun? When I googel HVLP all I saw were gravity guns. Now I'm back in my delima again. This is getting harder and harder to figure out.
High volume low pressure guns will put more paint on the object your coating than a siphon feed. I've been told 2/3 of the material for a HVLP verses 1/3 for a siphon feed. Pretty simple discision considering the price of paint. Don't have any experience with HF guns . any of the types should last a life time if you clean them properly.
Didn't mean to suggest one is better than the other - I have no idea - the extent of my painting experience is with rattle cans. I've just seen most guys in paint booths using a siphon gun... But they've got pro setups, I'd like to know, too, what is best for a home garage job.
I would say the best gun for home use would be an HVLP they put a lot less paint in the atmosphere than a siphon feed, equals less mess in your garage. Most body shops use HVLP . they will have guns for primer and another for finish because of the difference in viscositys. Again because of the price of paint ! I assure you they are not buying their guns at HF !! But that might be the best place for a starter gun