Spray Painting with a suction fed gun

[LSU]

I have an older Devilbliss Suction Fed Spray gun. I use to use it about 20 years ago to spray paint lacquer and enamel paints. The gun is in fine shape.

I'm a little rusty on using it.

What I'm planning to do with it is spray from enamel paint on a wooden door. I'll be spraying outside using my plain old 110v air compressor.

Years ago I used to have a water seperator/filter for my air compressor. It broke and I never got another one.

I'll be spraying Sherwin Williams enamel paint onto "old" wood that has been sanded.

I need a little advice.

What line pressure should I used? I'll be using about 25' of hose and I need to set the pressure accordingly.

What about thining the paint? I think I used to use "paint thinner" to thin it but how thin do I want to make it?

I have a very nice filter to strain the mixed paint through into the gun. Any trick that would help in this regard?

I have a nice mask to spray with. I bought it when I was spraying lacquer. I guess the cartiridges in it are still good. I won't be spraying in a booth so I'm not too worried about this.

Are there seals and valves in the gun that might go bad? My guns been sitting up for about 20 years.

I've sprayed lacquer and paint before with this gun. When I bought it gravity fed guns were not around. I looked at the gravity guns and just can't justify the costs. If my wife didn't want a specfic color, I'd just rattle can it.

Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

 

[Provincial]

Put some paint thinner in the cup and try spraying it on an old piece of cardboard. This should give you an idea of how the gun is working before you risk wasting paint.

It the gun "spits", it means the seals are leaking around the main needle valve. You can use a drop of light oil on the seal in front of the trigger if the needle is sticking, then tighten the packing nut a little at a time, testing in between. Don't tighten it more than just enough to stop the spitting.

Another place it could leak is at the joints in the pickup tube and where the tube meets the main body. These are less likely if the gun was left assembled when stored.

As for thinning, add enough thinner that the mixed paint runs off the end of your stirring stick easily. It should not gob up or make a long drip that hangs off the stick. Err toward too thick, then try it out on your cardboard test panel. If it spits or spatters, thin the paint a little more and try again. Remember to run enough of the new mix through the gun to clean out the older, thicker mix before you decide. Once it sprays smooth and even, you can spray your door.

Spray a light coat, let it dry until tacky, then apply a finish coat. That will help prevent runs.

Expect a big cloud of mist (overspray) from the old gun, but that is how it was back then!

Good luck!

 

[LSU]

Thanks.

I remember the cloud of the over spray. This is causing me to rethink this a little bit.

I'm going to use your tips so thanks for the advice.