i need advice on what kind of spray gun to use. what i will need to use it. and if possible a place to get it. i will be spraying on primer

 

<cr>
I use three different guns. All of them are HVLP (high volume low pressure). If you have an air compressor that will handle HVLP, that's what you should do also. It cuts wayyyyyy down on the overspray. That means less paint in the air and more paint on the surface.

I use a no-name HVLP gun for primer (epoxy and 2K). It is also used for wood finishes, and paints like Zero Rust. I bought it for less than $50 from Harbor Freight. Amazingly, it lays down paint almost like a more expensive gun. The downside is, getting parts or different tips would be a real bear so it's almost a throwaway gun. I've used it for about 5 years so I guess I have gotten my moneys worth.

BTW, I can't testify as to the quality of similar guns. Maybe I just got lucky.

I also use a Sharpe Platinum LV gun. The Sharpe is a great gun and has about the lowest cfm requirements in the industry. Of course, you are talking some real money and it is overkill for primer.

 

what would be the best primer for the job
if i had a spray gun

 

i have a more professional setup, its a satajet B 1.4 conventional gravity feed. i love the gun very much but would never think of using it as a primer gun. i know this wasent much help, but if u tell me if you want a gravity feed, or a siphon feed and how much u are looking to spend, i could help ya out a lot more. thanks

Mike

 

I certainly hope Mike you aren't saying a Sharpe isn't a professional gun.

 

no not at all, a sharpe is a professional gun.ive never painted with one, but i know plenty of painters who do... i was just sayin that the only reason that i even have a sata jet is because i do paint proffesionaly. if i didnt, then there is no way that i would have a such an expensive gun, and i wouldent recommend for a hobbiest to shell out that kinda cash when there are several other lower priced guns out there. i didnt mean to offend you at all.

Mike

 

<cr>
Excellent. I thought we were going to end up in a Ford/Chevy type of argument.

How about a price of $175 for a Sharpe Platinum LV (normally about $425) or $185 for a Platinum HO. If I recall correctly, a Sharpe Cobalt (a great primer gun) can be had for about $60. On the downside though, with these prices you don't get a wrench or tooth brush although you do get your choice of tip and air cap.

 

are these primer guns u are talking about gravity or siphon feed. im in the market for a new primer gun, and one of those just might hit the spot

Mike

 

<cr>
The Sharpe Cobalt is a HVLP gravity gun. Here is the web link. If you decide to get one, send me some email and I'll fill you in on getting the prices I talked about.

 

What are the compressor requirements for the HVLP? I thought that they came as a kit. Compressor and gun together.

 

<cr>
A HVLP (high volume low pressure) gun is designed to only produce a maximum of 10 p.s.i. 'at the tip'. 'At the tip' means the pressure of the paint as it leaves the gun, not the pressure of the air as it enters the gun.

To atomize the paint though, it requires a large volume (measured in c.f.m, not p.s.i.) of air.

Conventional (non-HVLP) guns atomize the paint by causing the paint to leave the tip at a high pressure. They require less c.f.m. but produce more waste and as a result, produce more overspray. Some states and locations have outlawed conventional guns because of all the waste products that are put in the air.

The average c.f.m. requirement of HVLP guns is probably in the range of 13 c.f.m. That's a lot of air and most of your Sears type of compressors will not produce that much.

The Sharpe Platinum LV requires only 7.5 c.f.m. That is the lowest in the industry. They recently discontinued producing the Platinum but parts for them will be available for 10 years.
No, you can buy (and most people do) a HVLP gun that uses a standard compressor. I have never used one of those combined units but almost bought one. I'm glad now that I didn't from what I have read. Apparently they do not atomize the paint enough to produce an auto paint type of finish. Again, that's just what I read so I have no direct knowledge.

 

Thanks I can see that I need to research this some more. I do believe that my new compressor should produce plenty of SCFM. How about cost of HVLP guns? Can you spray any paint varnish laquer etc with them?

 

<cr>
You can pick them up for $50 - $495. I paid $175 for a reburbished Sharpe Platinum. I also bought a no-name HVLP gun from Harbor Freight for less than $50.

Matter of fact, you can use them to spray varnish. I just finished a dresser draw with Varethane last week. Used my no-name gun and the finish came out flawless. A great job , if I do say so myself.

 

Are they any harder to clean than a standard spray gun? Sounds like I need to add a HVLP to my "Need to buy list".

 

<cr>
Paper towels, lacquer thinner, toothbrush, & your air supply.

For a complete cleaning, I figure 10-15 minutes. That includes taking the air cap off, removing the tip, and lubing the gun. For a quick cleaning (like between basecoat and clearcoat), I figure on 2-3 minutes.

Most of the time, I just dump out the excess product, wipe the cup out with paper towels, perk the gun a couple of times, and wipe everything down with lacquer thinner.