HVLP for automotive

[dmaxfireman]

I'm going to be replacing rockers on my Chevy in the not to distant future. I do not plan on painting frequently, but have an appreciation for decent tools that I will not outgrow, and am not opposed to buying quality first time around.

So I am looking for a good HVLP sprayer capable of taking multiple tip sizes for doing primer/sealer/base/clear. My compressor is capable of just about 20cfm from 40-90psi hand calculated so that shouldn't be a limiting factor and has a cooler with dual water separators / filters. Plenty of respirators with p100 / organic vapor cartridges and tyvek suits available as well.

What do you experienced painters recommend for a guy just wanting to do his own work?

 

[tarbellb]

calling @dnschmidt

 

[f575gtc]

Can't go wrong with a Devilbiss Finishline FLG if you're not planning on painting often. I started with the FLG4, I'm not sure if it is available anymore but they still make a variant of it.

DeVilbiss FLG GRAVITY (693 - 1.3 - 1.4 - 1.8 - CUPPED) 905163

FLG Gravity Paint Spray Gun

www.eastwood.com

 

[xjfish]

I don't mean to threadjack but is there a Harbor Freight gun that may fit the bill currently? I'm out of the loop...

 

[f575gtc]

I don't mean to threadjack but is there a Harbor Freight gun that may fit the bill currently? I'm out of the loop...

HF doesn't sell a single spray gun that that has multiple tips to be used for various layers of paint, their tips range from 0.9 on the mini gun to like a 1.7 or 1.8 on some of their bigger guns, their cheap $10 gun is a 1.4 tip if I recall correctly and will do most spraying decently except if you need to spray a thick primer.

If you want a cheap gun with multiple tips for home spraying look at the SPRAYIT SP-33000K, they have gone up in price in the recent years but come with multiple tips and spray pretty well. They are a LVLP gun so they get adjusted differently but also produce much less overspray and work on smaller compressors.

 

[Steve_P]

I have three Finishline guns and they're great. But for primer, just get a cheap gun from HF. I am sure I'll get flamed for this, but you want a different gun for primer and top coats. Primer can be a cheap gun because you're going to sand it, so it can almost be rolled on.

 

[real_life_ram_air]

Another vote for the DeVilbiss FLG as linked above. Keep it super clean (remember when painting you can never have something too clean) and it’ll work for primer, sealer, base coat, and clear coat, direct gloss and/or single stage. I'll give you pro results and last a long time if not lifetime.
Moreover, Steve_P has a good idea - pick up a cheap HF primer gun to use and abuse.

mc

 

[Kscardsfan]

I have three Finishline guns and they're great. But for primer, just get a cheap gun from HF. I am sure I'll get flamed for this, but you want a different gun for primer and top coats. Primer can be a cheap gun because you're going to sand it, so it can almost be rolled on.

Agreed. Some of the HF guns are just about cheap enough to be one time use if use some coupons lol.

 

[vwpieces]

Get the purple 1.4mm HF gun for primer, especially if you going to use Epoxy primer.
Even buy 2 and keep one dedicated to primers.
Sadly I have spent more money on solvents cleaning my first one than I paid for it. Couple months ago I bought my second one because there was a $10 deal... I didn't think I would see them for $10 ever again and may not.

 

[dnschmidt]

Anest Iwata sells a line of guns made in Italy called Air Gunza. They are excellent value for money and are available with various tip sizes and are available in both compliant (my preferred version) and HVLP. Most automotive paint stores will have access to these guns. Eastwood also makes some acceptable cheaper guns. If you go DeVilbiss I recommend you buy them from England at Spraygunsdirect.com as they have the FLG5 which is not available in the USA and is compliant.

Although not available with multiple tips in one package the ASTRO Pneumatic guns made by STAR in Taiwan are fantastic for the money. I would recommend the green line (HVLP) for your application in 1.3 and 1.8. Each will cost slightly more than $100 but as has been previously mentioned you need two guns, one for base/clear and the second for primer. Using the same gun for primer and paint is just too difficult because no matter how hard you try getting rid of the primer in any gun is never easy.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I bought a 3 pc set of ATD guns from NAPA a decade ago. They have worked fine for me.

 

[Ashgrove]

Spent a lot of time with a second generation 3M gun this past winter. Will take 1.2 thru 2.0 nozzles.
The single use cup liner system is really nice. Probably the last gun I will buy.
My trusty Binks #7 still sits on the shelf as a display piece, a well earned retirement.

 

[GeoBruin]

Also have a finish line gun but as mentioned above, the best investment for me so far has been the DeKup system of disposable cups and liners.

 

[dmaxfireman]

Great starting place, thanks all.

 

[IndyGarage]

I've got an Air Gunza as my cheap gun and except for final clearcoat, it's just as good as my expensive one.

I would second Dekups system for keeping stuff clean. My most used cup size is 9 ounces.

Everybody talks about how expensive automotive paint is these days, but with the HVLP guns you use very little paint to get the job done. I often buy 1/2 pint to do one or two panels.

 

[wake74]

I shot the TR6 in the garage (in an HOA even, shocking to some on here) with a Devilbiss FLG4. The paint is far from perfect, and would not be considered show quality to any knowledgable eye. But I wanted to see if I could do a frame off / nut-bolt by myself. Painting is 1 part science, 3 parts art, so be prepared for some practice, frustration, etc. The TR6 was shot with BC/CC, I later shot the Formula Ford with SS, figuring it would be easier to touch up / repaint given it's use. I didn't go with the Dekups system, but in the end I probably should have. I used the disposable cups that HF sells. Probably more expensive in the long run, but cheaper for my infrequent usage.

And remember that modern paint is VERY nasty stuff. I'm not sure I'd shoot modern paint with just a 1/2 respirator. I used the HobbyAir supplied air system, and felt much more comfortable with that.

 

[johninct]

If you used a good brand of paint and put enough on, some wet sanding /buffing will make it look almost perfect.

 

[Mallen]

I'm going to be replacing rockers on my Chevy in the not to distant future. I do not plan on painting frequently, but have an appreciation for decent tools that I will not outgrow, and am not opposed to buying quality first time around.

So I am looking for a good HVLP sprayer capable of taking multiple tip sizes for doing primer/sealer/base/clear. My compressor is capable of just about 20cfm from 40-90psi hand calculated so that shouldn't be a limiting factor and has a cooler with dual water separators / filters. Plenty of respirators with p100 / organic vapor cartridges and tyvek suits available as well.

What do you experienced painters recommend for a guy just wanting to do his own work?

I have a decent one i got from a pawn shop. But if i didnt, and i didnt know anything about them, id go buy the 10 buck one from a harbor freight. Not to shoot 200 dollars of paint on a car. But to shoot a few dollars of something cheap on an old fender. Maybe you will get lucky and find a hardbor freight gem. Maybe it will **** but you can make it work well enough for the one job you want to do. Or maybe it will just be total trash and you will learn what you NEED in the tool. Then you can toss that 10 dollar tool in the trash and go buy what need with a bit of experience under your belt and knowledge of what is gling to work and what is not. Or at the very least you can ask intelligent questions.

Thats my general rule of thumb on any new thing i try when i know so little i dont even know what equipment is goid or bad or what i need. For exampke, i decided to try fishing. I knew nothing about it. The internet talked about all sorts of expensive stuff. So i went to walmart amd dropped 20 bucks on a cheap rod and some various supplies. I tried them out. Yea, it sucked. I then went to sportsmans warehouse and talked it over with the guy in the fishing department and bought some decent stuff, that was appropriate for where i was fishing and what i could catch there and appropriate for my skill level. Knowi g the questions to ask and what was ok and what sucked made all the difference.

Of course most important for artistic skills loke painti g, body work and the like is practice on some old junk until you get it consistently rifht before touching the real thing.