Using a spray gun?

[acarter92]

Hi ya'll,

Anybody have experience with the harbor freight spray guns? Something like this....

http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-hvlp-spray-gun-kit-93305.html

The project I would be buying it for is to paint my dump trailer. I would need something like this with a tank seperate from the gun so I could move the gun around to get all of the framework under the trailer.

I've never used a spray gun before, so what is involved. Can I just run regular oil based paint through it (like rustoleum)? I know it has to be thinned, but what do you use... How easy are these guns to use?

Thanks,
Austin

 

[Zeke]

That is a pretty good gun all around and the remote pot does let you spray upside down. Thin your paint no more than 10% and do that in increments. Over thinned paint likes to run easily and offers less protection. Actually, that pressure pot type of gun will force out some thick material but it will be grainy on the surface. For a trailer that might not be an issue.

 

[Stinger]

I've not had good luck spraying oil based house paint out of automotive spray guns. Maybe if the tip is large enough it would work but when I tried it, it didn't cover very well by the time I got it thinned enough to spray properly. Took many coats.

Why not just use proper automotive paint? It will last WAY longer than an oil based house paint and will be easier to spray.

 

[astroracer]

Rustoleum will work fine, it is oil based but it is not house paint. Thinning and spraying directions are right on the can. Any hardware store will have everything you need to do the job.
You do have to make sure the surface is clean and grease free before you spray otherwise you are wasting time and money. A good pressure washing and scrubbing of the surfaces with ScotchBrite and a cleaner/degreaser will be required to get a tooth for the paint to attach to.
Mark

 

[Nekit]

I've used these before. They are nice for spraying a lot of paint and will spray thicker paints. The pain is trying to clean them and the lines.

 

[countryroad82]

I used to have one of those old pressure pot guns. It was pretty good when you had to do a lot of painting and handy as heck when you were trying to get everything covered. Nekit hit the nail on the head, they are a PIA to clean!! As for you being a newb to playing with paint guns, you picked the perfect project for learning. Just don't get in a hurry and you will be fine.