Air Assisted Sprayer Basics

Scott B.

Scott B.

Magazine/Blog Author
Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2011
Messages
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Based on some of our previous discussions related to finishing, I thought some of you might enjoy my current column in apc, about air assisted technology. Its kind of an intro to how it works and what it means. I know that it is a pricy technology and more than most of us need, but still interesting to be aware of the skill sets and ranges of the machines. The article is on pages 11-12:

http://digital.turn-page.com/t/13072
 
Today's episode...great way to end the week.

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mastercabman said:
Scott B. said:
Today's episode...great way to end the week.

[attachimg=#]
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Scott,what are we looking at? and what type of paint is that?
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mc

My crew and I have been prep, prime and painting on some master closet built ins this week. I was the lucky spray tech today with paint. These units are difficult to spray because they are loaded with cubbies.

The paint is Benjamin Moore 314 waterborne satin impervo.

edit: photo ended up in the quote somehow, but that is one of the units...
 
The finish looks really good in the first pic.
Did you use your AAA sprayer? 
Air assisted or airless?
 
mastercabman said:
The finish looks really good in the first pic.
Did you use your AAA sprayer?   
Air assisted or airless?
Click to expand...

Air assisted. To try to do detail work like this with an airless would be an exercise in utter futility. You just can't wind them down far enough on the fluid pressure to do this sort of work. And hvlp would suck going inside boxes like this, so its aaa all the way.
 
mastercabman said:
The finish looks really good in the first pic.
Click to expand...

Yes.
Really nice looking finish Scott.
I read the article, a couple times...
Tim
 
Scott,  Sounds like you are the man to talk to about AAA's.  I am looking into going air assisted airless for my bigger projects.  I currently use a couple of Sata hvlp automotive cup guns for most of my spraying.  I also have a Graco 395 that I use to spray undercoat and some latex.  Can I use my existing compressor and airless along with a aaa gun?  Do you recommend going that route? If so, what gun?  Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

Aaron
 
Thanks Tim, I appreciate that.

Aaron, theoretically yes. Although I have not set one up that way. The 395 pump would be the same on aaa as the 395 you have, in terms of gpm and flow, same piston pump. And your compressor could theoretically supply the air.

If you attempt this, the gun to have is the G40 from Graco.

The hose on an aaa is a dual hose going from the pump/compressor combo to the gun. It may be best to buy the Graco hose (stock hose for the 395 finish pro aaa) and then just figure out how to couple it at your compressor.

The risk in attempting this is that if it fails, you could be sitting there with an $800 gun. So, scope it out carefully before jumping in! I would be curious to hear how it goes. If it worked, it would be a serious score.
 
i have done this.  Picked up a refurb g40 on ebay for $400. Just used the fluid hose from the 395 and my regular 1/4" air hose.  needed to pick up one fitting to connect the air hose to the gun.
 
i'm starting to wonder if this would be the way to go for me. i could ditch the 5 or 6 stage hvlp and only shoot water based clears and paint through this rig. any impressions on its ability to shoot water based clears? i'd be looking at some of the higher end water based  clears/lacquers/etc...

i was sold on turbine hvlp since they're so easy to clean and switch from solvent to water. after seeing you sneak into those shelves i'm pretty excited about these tools.
 
duburban said:
i'm starting to wonder if this would be the way to go for me. i could ditch the 5 or 6 stage hvlp and only shoot water based clears and paint through this rig. any impressions on its ability to shoot water based clears? i'd be looking at some of the higher end water based  clears/lacquers/etc...

i was sold on turbine hvlp since they're so easy to clean and switch from solvent to water. after seeing you sneak into those shelves i'm pretty excited about these tools.
Click to expand...

We shoot wb clear all day long with aaa. Zar Ultramax satin omu.
 
RonWen said:
Very informative, thanks for the great article.   [thumbs up]
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Thanks Ron. Spraying across multiple sprayer and product technologies is both deep and wide, like Festool.
 
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