Help with Spray Gun
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Help with Spray Gun
I thought I'd get some practice by painting some metal lockers before painting my truck in a few months. I used the spray gun that came with my air compressor. It's a Husky 26 gallon compressor, and the gun is the bottom feed gun.
Problem I'm having is that it seems that I'm getting a decent spray, but also seems to be "spitting" paint as well. Lots of dots of paint. I tried adjusting things on the gun, but wasn;t having much luck.
I tried thinning the paint as well, but the spitting continued. I was using Rust-O-Leum enamel if that helps.
What am I doing wrong? Oh yeah, I had the compressor set at 45 PSI.
Thanks.
Problem I'm having is that it seems that I'm getting a decent spray, but also seems to be "spitting" paint as well. Lots of dots of paint. I tried adjusting things on the gun, but wasn;t having much luck.
I tried thinning the paint as well, but the spitting continued. I was using Rust-O-Leum enamel if that helps.
What am I doing wrong? Oh yeah, I had the compressor set at 45 PSI.
Thanks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 2
From: Malvern, Ohio
Set it at 40 PSI n try it. But ive bought one of those guns home depot sells which is probably what gun you got, they arent so great so i just use it for priming only. But the PSI generally should be between 37 and 43 PSI. I dont use a gauge anymore I just adjust by the sound of the air flow. If it still drips its just a terrible gun then.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
The paint coming from the cup, whether it's a gravity fed or siphon fed mixes with the air turning it into small sprayable droplets, more like a mist allowing good coverage and an even coat. If the air pressure is off, or there's a gap between the needle and spray head, it will allow more paint than air through, causing the spatter you mentioned instead of a nice even pattern.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
It's a problem you'll see in your cheaper, high production volume spray guns. All the manufacturer cares about is getting them on the shelves, they could really give a crap about whether or not they all work properly, or then again, it might just be a faulty part which happens too. Heck, for all that matter, it might have the wrong size needle in the gun, don't ask me how I know that one. lol
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Thanks everyone. I had decided I was going to buy a mid range gravity fed gun when I got to the truck, but figured the one that came with the compressor would work for getting experience while painting lockers.
Oh well......
Oh well......
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 531
Likes: 1
From: New Mexico
Typically, the top **** is fan size and the lower one is flow. Try staring with the top all the way backed out---widest fan. And the lower one all the way in. Hold the gun about 8 inches from its target. Then, air connected, pull the trigger to a spray sheet of poster board and start backing the lower one out with the other hand. Don't pull the trigger too tightly. Pretty soon it will spray. When the amount starts to flow so much it sags if you delay the spray gun side to side movement, you are there. Turn it slightly in and that should be pretty close. That way, if your pressure is a little too high or low, the flow amount will match it. Follow the directions and the other guys advice about inlet and aircap pressure. Good luck.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,236
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver Island
You must thin the paint. I've sprayed hardware store polyurethane enamels and primers successfully, using Varsol as a thinner. I've got a Sears "viscosity meter" cup thing which you dip into the paint and then time how long it takes to empty out the hole in the bottom. Something like that should only cost a few bucks at an autobody supply store (or Sears if they still sell 'em).
I also strain the paint through a disposable paint filter before spraying. I have an air filter and regulator mounted to a wooden caddy so I can use a short (clean) hose between the regulator and the spray gun even if I'm working a long way from the compressor, and don't have to worry about pressure loss in the long air line.
Try a $25 made-in-Taiwan touch-up gun; the one I got works about as well as an antique Devilbiss as far as I can tell.
I also strain the paint through a disposable paint filter before spraying. I have an air filter and regulator mounted to a wooden caddy so I can use a short (clean) hose between the regulator and the spray gun even if I'm working a long way from the compressor, and don't have to worry about pressure loss in the long air line.
Try a $25 made-in-Taiwan touch-up gun; the one I got works about as well as an antique Devilbiss as far as I can tell.
