School Me on DeVilbiss Guns

[Bruce Amacker]

Howdy guys:

I'm looking to buy a new half-decent paint gun and am overwhelmed by the choices available. I had couple of DeVilbiss guns years ago when I had the shop but they went with the shop sale. I need to paint some panels on a car I'm selling so I am once again going to try my hand at painting.

My typical use- shooting acrylic enamel, reduced, with hardener on a lower budget car.

My experience- I've painted 30 cars and trucks, typically "20 footer" quality on beaters. I send any real work to a bodyshop.

I'm old school and know nothing about HVLP, and it seems like most guns are labeled this way. I have a nice shop and 5hp Quincy driving it. I anticipate painting something a few times a year, probably enamel but I might shoot a clear coat once in a while. I use HF guns right now but want to step up to a better finish gun.

I'm considering Devilbiss FLG-670 Finishline and figure extra tips would be a good thing.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[metaleltr]

HVLP is now basically the standard, it means High Volume Low Pressure. They use lower air pressure to transfer a higher volume of material to the panel. The older high pressure, now called conventional, guns used much higher air pressure and were less transfer efficient. the big advantage of HVLP is it's transfer efficiency, this means that more of what you put in the cup goes on the panel. the gun you have in mind appears to be adequate for what you are planning on doing. Just keep in mind that the higher quality gun you buy the longer it's going to last. If it wears out and parts aren't available you will have to find another gun.

 

[d_rock]

The devilbiss guns are excellent quality for the money. I would recommend them first for anybody who is just doing it for a hobby. I've used a lot of different guns and the devilbiss was my go to gun for many years until I finally bit the bullet and got a SATA.

 

[ianguilly]

I vote for Sata, my father in-law, and my painter at work both use them for a living and the job they do is awesome.

 

[metaleltr]

While Sata makes great guns, it not necessary for this situation. Let's think of Sata like Snap-on, they are the Snap-on of the paint gun world, and Devilbiss like Gearwrench. They both are good tools one's just much better.

 

[Bruce Amacker]

OK guys, thanks for the great info. I know Sata is state of the art but it's way too good for what I intend to do with it.

Now- is there a difference in using an HVLP gun over the old style guns I'm used to?

This sounds too good to be true- a DeVilbiss FinishLine gun with 3 tips for $140?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Cupless..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item2c66b7ebb8&vxp=mtr

Comments?

THANK YOU!

 

[d_rock]

not much of a difference as far as gun control and action. You will notice a far less "cloud" when you paint, and you will use far less paint. You will need more air volume to run an hvlp, but less waste in paint.

Here's a good forum for painting that will answer a lot of questions you may have
http://www.autobody101.com/forums/

Good luck!

 

[Mastermind]

the starting line setup is perfect for what you're talking about. just take your time and clean it good everytime, you'll be happy for a long time. for enamel the 1.4, base/clear 1.3. dont try the 1.8/2.0 for enamel, purely primer.
your air supply is sufficient as well.

 

[BWS]

Check you PM's

 

[Doc]

I am a hobby / side job painter. I was using an older sharpe and while it was ok, It put alot of material into the air vice the panel and I was never really happy with it. I ended up getting a Devilbiss Tekna Copper. This gun is so smooth and lays paint so much better. I cringed spending $400 on a hobby tool but from what I am saving in materials because of the paint transfer and quality of the paint job I am glad I did. I dont even have to cut and buff most of the time. Deliver as is. I have used a Sata and it was extremely nice but I do not spray 10 cars a day to make a living at this to make it worth my while for a cadillac of a gun.

Good Luck!

 

[mecpman]

I like Devilbiss. Ive been using them for a long time. I Like the GTI gun. Its a great all around gun and you can find them pretty cheap now. I recently picked up a Tekna but still grab up the GTI most of the time. Im not a pro painter by any means I just do small Sub Boxes and door panels Etc.

 

[countryroad82]

I use Devilbiss guns in my shop. The FinishLine guns are great guns for the money, I have one I use for primer, my paint and clear guns are GTi. The Ebay gun you linked to doesn't have a cup so you might want to pony up for a kit that has one.