Spray Paint vs Cheap Paint gun quality?

[packratt]

I have bought that hardener at tractor supply and added it to some rustoleum I had laying around; it turned out great. So if anyone is wondering if you can use their hardener in other paints like rustoleum, it definitely can because I did it. I also used their enamel hardener in other oil based paints, and it worked every time.

 

[1967marti]

the small detail gun works great, as does the big one (hvlp) only think that i've noticed is that you dont want to take them apart as you will never get them to stop leaking. I just run 1/2 a cup or so if clean thinner or acetone through the gun to clean it out. Works for me.

 

[darkk]

Painting is a funny thing. There are many good sites on the web that come up during a search. They all do say one thing, you get what you pay for with paint equipment.
Always use respiratory protection. The one listed is good for the first level. For clears you need to be using a body suit and air supply.
Painting can be fun, you just need to spend what is appropriate for the job.

Every time I see this kind of answer posted I can't help but think the system has you all fooled. I will admit that spending a weeks pay on a paint gun *may* get you a high quality piece of spray equipment. But I will also state as a proven fact and from personal experience. I have purchased $20 paint guns that spray as well as your paycheck gun. If your cheapie gun is free from manufacturing defects, if you understand how to properly use it, it will paint as well as any gun on the market. Most people don't seem to understand that a high dollar gun will not give you a better paint job, experience will. Yes I am an experienced painter, I have spent almost my entire life doing it. I am retired now, but thems the facts...That being said, I am in no way saying you can't get a nice paint job from high dollar equipment.

 

[luv2diy]

Good read. I always use google for my research and it seems all the good answers link me right back to GJ.

 

[J Banning]

I've done some oil based painting with the Harbor Freight HVLP guns. Just recently I painted the racing fairings for three track bikes using their $13 20oz HVLP gun and quart cans of Rustoleum or Valspar Anti-Rust Armor (depending on the colors I want). I use a 4:2:1 ratio (paint, thinner, hardener) and it works great. I use acetone for the thinner and Tractor Supply sells a clear enamel hardener.

This paint probably isn't as durable as automotive grade paint (especially since I'm not clear coating it either), but it looks great from 10 feet away... AND... considering the usage of these bikes (they'll probably be crashed within the next year or so) the $9 per can I spent on paint doesn't bother me for a second.

P.S. Definitely use the hardener or else the paint will literally take a week or more to dry. With the hardener and mixing ratio I mentioned above, however, (one light coat followed by two heavy coats) the paint will be dry enough within 24 hours to be then be taped, prepped and another color painted over top of it (I don't have an oven, just air dry at approx 60*F).