Can you paint a car with these? I searched and found somewhat conflicting views. I plan on painting the car a dark green metallic found on the new F250s and mustangs and was wandering if I can get new car results. Sorry I don't know what kind of paint it is and I know that probably matters a lot but I am still kind of trying to figure out all the details. If you can paint cars with these turbine systems what one you suggest and can they be used with any HVLP gun? and if so what should I look for in a gun, do the kits come with good guns or should I buy a different one? I plan on painting every thing in sight before I touch my car It is going to be primed by the pros but if I can buy most of the equipment for what a paint job costs I would much rather learn to do it my self because I doubt this is the last one I will do.
-Johnboy

 

Check out a company called LexAire, their system is designed specifically for automotive use and comes with the gun, turbine, hoses everything you need just plug it in. I've used them and used to paint race cars with them. LexAire had a 90% transfer rate at a cap pressure of 3psi, they work very efficiently.

 

LEX-AIRE HVLP Turbine Equipment for Mobile Refinishers

 

Thanks for the help. I read a post when I searched that suggested the LexAire system and it was the one I was looking at. I would rather use a turbine to avoid the big compressor, I have a place to paint but don't want to have to wire a 220V in and go buy a compressor and mess with moving it I would also like to paint small parts like engines and what not at home (not where I will be painting) I really like the mobility the turbine offers. Do you have any pics of cars you painted with this system and which one did you buy?
-Johnboy

 

The system they sell now is similar to the system we used with just a few upgrades. I haven't used one in probably about 5 years or better unfortunately but I can only imagine that they're better than they were then. The company I worked for at the time was a mobile body service doing minor damage and repair for auto dealerships and rental car companies etc. I don't have any pics on this comp but I do on my other if I can ever get it up and running again.

The gentleman who owned the company I worked for when I was using the turbine systems is also the General Manager for the Western Union Indy Lights team, ( formerly Infinity Pro Series ). I used it to paint their open wheel cars and a couple Indy Car chassis. So to answer your questions of quality and ease of use, it worked great.

The orange peel was similar to any other HVLP system, even a little better in some senses because of the atomization and transfer rate, it really does lay out a smooth pattern. You also have to remember why the turbine systems first came about, they were designed to be used in spraying thin laquers for interior staining and woodworking situtations where painters needed a smooth finish but not much overspray, then it was adapted to automotive use.

 

Btw, how yall holding together out that way ? We're getting hammered by the storms at the moment and it's not looking good for Goodguy Nationals here this weekend.

 

Thanks for your help, thinking a turbine is the way I am going to go, just sounds so much easier and cheaper. We haven't had much storm wise here had some bad stuff go just to the south of us on day before yesterday that got just about the whole eastern half of the state we just got a little marble sized hail, thinking thursday is going to be the bad one the weather man was talking about how we are having a massive influx of storm chasers because it looks like it might get pretty bad.
-Johnboy

 

I used my first turbine system back in 1991. It was Accuspray and I still have it and use it. On my first try out of the box I had zero problems spraying the epoxy primers, primer surfacers and sealers. The single stage color coat definitely took a little more on the learning curve to keep the orange peel at a minimum. Finally did, but did not eliminate all of it since these are 60's vehicles and they all had some orange peel. I'm a purist at heart. With an assortment of needle sizes I can swap out one for the other when needed.