Moving on from rattle cans?

[Parrothead]

Here's the story (short version, no really)

I need to paint some body panels and have been very happy with my rattle can results in the past, but due to the quantity of cars and the cost of having paint mixed and put into cans I think I'm ready to use my small compressor. I understand that a professional job with great equipment will be much better, but I am very happy with what I've done with rattle cans outside in open air. I did however use quality stuff, not off the shelf at Walmart. I used all DuPont product as they had the clear and primer already in cans and it was cost effective.

I own an 8 gallon Husky oiled compressor that gives out 4.0 cfm at 90psi. It's 5.0 cfm at 40psi and really am not in a financial situation to change that. So, let's see what is the best we can do with that equipment as the base.

Here's what I'm painting...

A door and fender on a Honda
A roof and 2 rear panels on a Nissan
A hood and tailgate on a Suburban
And maybe some other random body panels on at least 4 other cars. NONE of these cars are newer than 20 years old, with the exception of the Nissan, and even that's over 10.

From what I understand I'll need an inline filter, and a pressure gauge near the gun. Additionally a hose that hasn't had oil in it, and a gun? Sound right? Recommend me some cost effective tools and I'll give it a shot.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions and I will have plenty of time to gather all this stuff by spring when it's warm enough to paint.

 

[gdocktor3]

You can get everything you need at Harbor Freight, start making some money, then upgrade.

 

[d.mcfarland]

If you're happy with rattle cans, then don't splurge on high end equipment because you will be more than happy with how it comes out from a HVLP gun.

 

[theoldwizard1]

A lot of folks use the HF purple handled spray gun although it says it wants 6 CFM @ 40 PSI.

 

[kctyphoon]

Yes the purple HF guns get great reviews on here.. remember seeing them being used on a few tv shows building cars also..

 

[crab]

Sharpe makes some very good reasonably priced guns. You can get a plastic water filter that you can put in line with you gun, cheap, works fine. A regulator isn't that much and you need one. Most important thing is to follow the directions on the paint can as for mixing , temperature, flash time and pot life. Hardest part really is cleaning up after you're done, cover anything you don't want paint on.

 

[Richard Cranium]

sounds like the harbor freight purple handled spray guy is the winner.

 

[stikman56]

sounds like the harbor freight purple handled spray guy is the winner.

I've used one at work to paint on the coaches. They work well.

 

[southalabama]

Dad has painted compound bows for a national manufacturer and restored several award winning show cars.

He has Sata guns.........he also doesn't hesitate to use the purple HF guns.

 

[bdelmar2]

Harbor freight guns spray paint like crazy. My painter friend says like a garden hose.

Which is fine if you already know how to paint and have a compressor that can keep up with them.

Not so good to learn on with a sub par compressor.


From what I can tell, one of the things that tends to be different from cheap air tools to the more expensive ones is air consumption.

I don't see it mentioned a lot, but if you compare the specs of relatively similar tools or pay attention to how often your compressor runs you can see it.

Higher consumption tools, like spray guns, seem to have an even larger difference.


I have one of the 'purple' guns, the one with the good stock number, and with a little fix where the cup leaked like mad it works fine, I use it for primer, or did until I needed a gun to shoot a lot of rustoleum so I used that one.

Still works fine, but now that I have run the oil based through it, I'll just keep that gun for those paints and get another one for automotive primer.

The compressors I've run this gun on were all 80 gallon 2 stage compressors and they managed to more or less keep up with the occasional break to let them cool a bit, but I don't think the compressor you list will keep up or even let you get far before you have to wait for it.

You would have a little better luck with a gun with less air consumption, but even then I don't think you have enough compressor to keep up.

I have a lower end iwata, I don't recall the model number right off, but it was about $140 with tax at one of the local autobody/paint suppliers, the owner recommended it to me as a good 'reasonably priced' (read 'cheap') gun.

It runs the compressor a lot less than the hf gun. (even with the larger 1.4 tip, there is also a 1.3 tip for it. I've heard painters guess the hf is like a 2.0 or 2.2)


I also never had any luck with the small inline filters, they cut the air flow down a lot, didn't want to work at all, leaked, etc....

What I ended up doing was taking some pvc pipe and making a sort of 'L'-shaped deal. Its about 2' tall or so and is portable.

I have a male air fitting on the top and then about a 2' straight section with a ball valve at the bottom and open after that, about 8-10" up from there is a 'T'. (creating my own little water trap)

Off the 'T' I have a larger water trap/fiter/regulator and then a female connector.

I can plug an air hose (ideally clean) from the compressor into the top and sort of hang, or set, the assembly upright wherever, which gives me some distance from the compressor for whatever condensation comes out of the tank to cool down into water to be caught by my little trap.

Whatever gets by that, the inline water trap/filter can catch, and I still have good flow which I can regulate if I want to.

Then I can hook up another clean hose to the male 'out' side and run that to the gun.

On the gun itself I have a small pressure regulator, also recommended by the paint store guy. It was like $20 and works well.



I don't paint a lot, so I just keep the 'out' hose with my home made trap/filter/regulator assembly, and hook the 'out' line to the 'in' fitting. That way I have at least one 'clean' hose leading to the gun without any extra hassle.

I oil my tools at the gun, so oil in the lines isn't really an issue, but mostly doing mechanical work my hoses get greasy/oily/dirty on the outside (even with wiping down) and I don't want to hold onto or drag a dirty hose around when I'm trying to paint.

As an added bonus, I can grab the assembly and my clean hose as a unit, and the little box I keep my guns, gun cleaning tools and mask in and spray with a halfway decent setup wherever I might go with minimal effort as long as a decent compressor is available.


I agree with following the paint 'instructions' that come with the paint, or the tech sheets are available online as well.

This time of year you will want to make sure to pay attention to the temp.

A car body heats up much more slowly than the outside air, so if its cold at night you will want to make sure the vehicle to be painted has had plenty of time to come up to temp.

I can tell you that, even in FL, if the temp gets down to the mid to high 50s and you wait until like noon or 1 pm the next day to paint - it still isn't long enough for the car to come up to temp, though I'd rather not discuss how I know this.

 

[Parrothead]

What do you guys think about this gun?

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Pro...667?utm_campaign=zPage&utm_source=grizzly.com

I like the fact that is a LVLP gun and seems like it will work for my compressor. Thoughts?

Also links to the pressure gauges or in line filters would be great if anyone has specific recommendations.

 

[Provincial]

If you can find a used air compressor tank on Craigslist, scrap yard, or other local source, it can buffer your compressor long enough to spray a panel. I would think 30 gallons would be minimum, and 60 or 80 would be much better. You would have to let your compressor build up the large tank until it cuts out, then let it cool off. Once you start spraying, the pressure in the large tank will drop. When it gets below the cut-in pressure of your compressor, the compressor will reduce the rate of pressure loss, but it won't keep up with the demand. As long as you limit the total amount of air you use, you should have enough reserve to finish your job.

Used tanks can be found pretty cheap. If the compressor head or sometimes even the motor fails on a larger compressor like this, a business often will just scrap the whole thing. Inspect the tank for rust or physical damage. Unless abused/neglected, these tanks last a long time.

If you get a larger compressor later, the tank can still be used to expand your reserve of air.

I have a 700 HP Caterpillar generator set with an air starter on it. We had one 5 HP/80 gallon compressor and a second 80 gallon air tank plumbed together. Since the generator was the power source for the compressor, we had to start it off the 160 gallons of stored air. Once we forgot to open a valve and started the engine (on a real cold day) with just one 80 gallon tank! It was plumbed with 1-1/2" pipe, which gives you and idea of the air consumption of the starter.

 

[Tom.C]

The touch up/detail gun may be worth looking at, I believe they have a lower cfm if your compressor can handle a full size hvlp.

 

[slip knot]

I've painted a couple of items with the purple gun from HF and didn't consider it an air hog. but I do have a 60 gallon compressor.

The one thing about the purple gun is to clean it really well before you ever even use it. every one I've bought has had some kinda **** in it somewhere.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I'm a big fan of the 10$ HF purple HVLP paint gun. Most of the painting I do are cabinets and equipment. A few years back, I painted a '81 Yamaha 750 Virago with a 3 step paint kit (base, candy color & clear coat), using the purple gun with a 2hp compressor with a 60 gallon tank. First time I tried out that type of paint. I was very pleased with the results.

 

[AA/FC]

I'm not a pro painter but the purple gun from HF has been great for me. Even my friend who paints on a semi professionally bassis says "everyone needs a Chinese touch-up gun from Harbor Freight" lol. I've seen some of his work and it looks like a factory paint job when he's finished. Even before color sanding the paint finish looks great to me. If I was considering a budget paint setup, I would look no further that the purple gun from HF.

 

[FJ 432]

I went this route for painting tool boxes

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D4NPMJE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Extremely happy

 

[AA/FC]

I went this route for painting tool boxes

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D4NPMJE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Extremely happy

That looks like a great system...... however, the OP mentioned a few different times that he is on a tight budget. I'm willing to bet $400 is probably over his budget.

 

[ritestuff]

I'm another big fan of the 10.00 HF purple gun. I also don't find them to be air hogs, and often use them with one of my smaller (60 gal) compressors. I do restoration work for a living, and the best thing for me is the price and performance. I hate cleaning guns, so I use them once then chuck 'em in the trash after every job. I just bill them out to the customer as a consumable on the invoice under "materials". It's almost cheaper than buying the cleaning solvents.

 

[IndyGarage]

hf purple gun will lay down paint.

It's hard to get it adjusted to where you don't get orange peel, but if you don't mind wet sanding and polishing, you can end up with good results.

Most all of the cheap guns work similarly, so if you are under $150 they all will produce similar results. Professional guns have better airflow and higher precision parts, so they have a better fan and better atomization adjust easier, stay in adjustment longer and of course last much longer

 

[FJ 432]

That looks like a great system...... however, the OP mentioned a few different times that he is on a tight budget. I'm willing to bet $400 is probably over his budget.

Yep sorry. Although expensive this system does not need a drier system and is out of the box ready to shoot. But this is clearly an option for those who read this thread and don't want to go through the expense of compressor, etc.

 

[motofool33]

purple gun is good, i used a few much further then they should have been.

i think you need to find a Low Volume, Low pressure Gun to save on air with that small compressor.

Astro Pneumatic makes some good cheap ones and hes on this site to help out.

 

[roblouvasz]

Just my 0.02 cents. As mentioned before, if you go the purple gun route, take it apart and clean everywhere paint will be and flow! They seem to like to oil every inside and outside surface. Make sure the needle seal/packing is correctly adjusted/tightened. If you overlook this you'll have paint leaking out of the gun! (Ask me how I know!). Another option would be to find a used turbine system like TP Tools or Eastwood sells. You wouldn't have to worry about using your compressor at all.

 

[dnschmidt]

The hot setup for this dude is an Astro Pneumatic touch up gun. If you're use to using rattle cans and spraying relatively small objects the fan of this gun is very similar in size to that which comes out of can and the air consumption is quite low. It is capable of excellent finishes on a par with my SATA MiniJet 4. Depending upon the viscosity of what you want to spray it can be obtained in either a 1.0 of 1.2mm tip.

Here is it's listing on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042KJ5W8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Parrothead]

I went this route for painting tool boxes

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D4NPMJE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Extremely happy

That looks like a great system...... however, the OP mentioned a few different times that he is on a tight budget. I'm willing to bet $400 is probably over his budget.

Looks like a nice setup, but indeed out of my price range

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

Harbor freight guns spray paint like crazy. My painter friend says like a garden hose.

LOL

try Craigslist for used quality gun?

 

[Jazz1]

Yes the purple HF guns get great reviews on here.. remember seeing them being used on a few tv shows building cars also..

HF has a few purple guns. Model # is critical. Some are 6cfm, others as high as 12cfm

 

[Parrothead]

HF has a few purple guns. Model # is critical. Some are 6cfm, others as high as 12cfm

I did notice that there are 3 spray guns that are purple, each with 6cfm. What model number do I want?

Thanks everyone for contributing!

 

[texasfiremedic]

I did notice that there are 3 spray guns that are purple, each with 6cfm. What model number do I want?

Thanks everyone for contributing!

I was wondering to.

 

[Parrothead]

Reviving this thread as I'm now getting ready to purchase.

LVLP?

SPRAYIT SP-33000K LVLP Gravity Feed Spray Gun Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FDMXRW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It's in my price range and the reviews are good. Also, it appears that it will work with my little compressor.

And I'm sure I'm overthinking this, but could someone recommend (possibly a link) of the regulator and any in line filters/dryers I may need.

 

[lilredex]

I use this one for a lot of projects..

https://www.harborfreight.com/20-oz-high-volume-low-pressure-gravity-feed-spray-gun-47016.html

My compressor (2HP) is set for about 80PSIG and I use that air unregulated with about thirty feet of hose. My air is clean and un filtered. You'll know how clean your air is from using a blow gun.

Get some paint strainers and get painting some smaller items and judge from them if anything else is needed.

I clean my gun with Varsol first, lacquer thinners second then finally run a shot of ATF through it to keep it all free moving while being stored.

* You can see my regulator in that picture, but I hardly ever use regulated air. It is a Fisher 1/2" type 64 that I got when I worked for those guys.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I'm NOT in the purple gun camp.

I had one, and they are super great for 2 or maybe 3 jobs, then the leaks begin the seals and fits just don't hold up. A big old drip on your part really negates the savings.

I do metalwork ( I have a CNC Plasma Shop ) and the occasional Jeep or racecar. I'm a novice in comparison to a bodyman.

Follow the directions for each paint can, filter any paint that goes in the gun, and clean your gun thoroughly. I spray ACME/Finish1 and Nason with nice results.

I run an Astro EuroPro, a screw on dessicant and a 3M flow control valve. That's it other than a bowl trap at my compressor.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00407QGZC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KSTEZO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0054S5LKM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[dnschmidt]

Your asking somebody that has 30 SATA, 8 Iwata, 10 Devilbiss and four Sagola spray guns for a cheap spray gun recommendation? Well, OK, Astro's Euro guns are very good for about a C-note and are available in both HVLP and RP configurations. Most pros use an HVLP for base and an RP gun for clear. The Astro's have forged bodies which are very well machined. They are an outstanding value.

 

[4 Ever-Fish N]

These are expensive spray guns. Do you paint vehicles for a living?

Your asking somebody that has 30 SATA, 8 Iwata, 10 Devilbiss and four Sagola spray guns for a cheap spray gun recommendation? Well, OK, Astro's Euro guns are very good for about a C-note and are available in both HVLP and RP configurations. Most pros use an HVLP for base and an RP gun for clear. The Astro's have forged bodies which are very well machined. They are an outstanding value.

 

[sberry]

I seem to fall back to the old stand by and a touch up gun most of the time I don't need a pot.

 

[brownbagg]

You can get everything you need at Harbor Freight, start making some money, then upgrade.

get the purple paint gun, It s like $11 but the quality is so damn good, google it

 

[dnschmidt]

4-Ever-Fish N
Once upon a time I did. Now it's just a hobby, primarily race cars. Just finished a drift car, which I've named Shamu due the the color scheme picked out by the owner, which makes the car look exactly like a killer whale. I am a spray gun collector. More accurately a spray gun collector addict. People tell me that it's cheaper than cocaine but I can't prove that.

 

[moparguy01]

The harbor freight purple gun is good for what it is. $10. I have used many of them for painting trailers, rear ends, etc. I did a Bronco with one once. The best part about the $10 guns is the clean up. I've never bothered. I finish the job, let it dry, and toss it in the circular file. They really are a throw away gun. I always use these if I'm spraying implement paint. If that stuff hardens, forget about trying to get it off.

When I paint nice stuff I'm a huge fan of DeVilbis. However that's what I learned to spray with, so I'm sure I am biased. I've got a couple nice Sata's too. But those are all pricey.

 

[Parrothead]

I see that the Harbor Freight gun is well loved, and for good reason, but am I actually going to be able to spray a car roof with an 8 gallon compressor?

HF gun = 6 CFM @ 40psi
My compressor = 5 CFM @ 40psi

Just wondering and concerned. Maybe I'm overthinking...

I might try it with the primer and see how it goes

 

[CKS1955]

Has anyone tried the Menards Tool Shop High-Volume Low-Pressure Spray Gun
Model Number 2071714, SKU 2071714 for $39.99. Comes with a 2 year warranty, comes with 2 nozzles & needles size 1.4 mm and 2.0 mm, air regulator.

https://www.menards.com/main/tools-...23542713-c-12915.htm?tid=-5965536894076808258

Jay