Economical Spray Finisher Recommendation for Beginner (in Australia)

[eddomak]

Let me start by saying that I although I have done a lot of DIY, I haven't done much painting at all in my life. Neither walls, nor art work, nor finishing. My usual finishes are white melamine  [big grin] and Osmo PolyX for that reason. I really don't like clean up either.

Having said that, I believe I am about to embark on some projects that will require painting, so now could be the time to start on this skill, and I was thinking about spraying. I don't know much about finishes but seem to have picked up that I would need to spray laquer based and water based (easy clean up). I hear many people talking about latex but don't know much about this at all, and what benefits it has.

My projects are usually cabinets and furniture, and not a lot of them in a year. I don't think I will do that much staining. I think the coming projects are likely to fully built in joinery for bedrooms, an wall mounted entertainment unit and a modern formal dining wall  buffet/serving area.

I like quality tools, and I know you get what you pay for but I would find it hard to justify spending more than $AUD600 ($USD450 ish), as I don't know how much I will really get into painting/finishing.

I've done a search and read through this subforum, and one or two Google searches, and it looks like the Graco TrueCoat Pro-X Fine Finish seems to be recommended for my type of use but this is almost twice my budget. I have looked at the Wagner site and it looks like Wagner W670 FineSpray found mixed reviews on the internet, and wonder if it would do the job.

Anyway, I would really appreciate any advice/options from the friendly members of FOG, bearing in mind not everything is available in Australia.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tiralie]

Do you know what kind of finish you will be spraying? Or rather can you narrow down your finish to clear coats only?
It will make a difference. The fine finish x will cover a lot of ground but it does get tiring holding up that gun with paint in it and it is not great for tight spaces.
I would recommend a 3 stage HVLP, but if you are going to spray latex paint you will struggle unless you thin a lot.
Tim

 

[eddomak]

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the reply. I have no idea what finish I will be using. I am guessing I will want some type of paint that offers a "nice shiny modern look" that you can't even tell what material the furniture is made from (MDF / Plywood). If it is water based then I might have a preference for this to have less fumes and easier clean up.

Unless I get addicted to finishing, I reckon anything else like natural timbers I will be sticking with PolyX.

I have advice from one shop that I would probably be better going with a 3 stage HVLP as the Fuji Mini Mite 3, or Q3 series for the same price as the Graco Fine Finish (both around the AUD$1100 mark).

I have now had a look and found that I can get a Fuji Semi Pro 2 (2 stage) for around $AUD650, so am wondering how this differs from the Mini Mite 3.

 

[tiralie]

Thanks for the reply. I have no idea what finish I will be using. I am guessing I will want some type of paint that offers a "nice shiny modern look" that you can't even tell what material the furniture is made from (MDF / Plywood). If it is water based then I might have a preference for this to have less fumes and easier clean up.

To get a good coat with a pigmented polyurethane for that "nice shiny modern look" will require at least a 3 stage. 
I think I know what you are referring to. Get the Finish Pro x. Make sure you design your projects so you can spray smaller components flat or semi assembled. The fine finish will allow you spray water bourne primer, latex, pigmented polyurethane, lacquer, alkyd and clear coats like polyurethane. It's a bit unwieldy but a two stage will frustrate you if you want to spray anything that has the viscosity of acrylic latex.

Unless I get addicted to finishing, I reckon anything else like natural timbers I will be sticking with PolyX.

There are worse things to get addicted to, but I can't think of any off hand [big grin]

I have advice from one shop that I would probably be better going with a 3 stage HVLP as the Fuji Mini Mite 3, or Q3 series for the same price as the Graco Fine Finish (both around the AUD$1100 mark).

Agreed, but you will not be able to spray everything. A three stage will spray a lot of coatings, and with thinning you can get away with spraying some pigmented coatings. Some water bourne lacquers are easier to handle with a 3 stage than latex or acrylic latex will be.

I have now had a look and found that I can get a Fuji Semi Pro 2 (2 stage) for around $AUD650, so am wondering how this differs from the Mini Mite 3.

If you restrict yourself to clear coats only (no pigmented of colored paint) you will be fine.

Tim

 

[eddomak]

To get a good coat with a pigmented polyurethane for that "nice shiny modern look" will require at least a 3 stage. 
I think I know what you are referring to. Get the Finish Pro x.

Just so I can be clear, this was the Pro X Fine Finish, right, as there is a product (TrueCoat Pro-X II) that does not have the "Fine Finish" in the title.

I have advice from one shop that I would probably be better going with a 3 stage HVLP as the Fuji Mini Mite 3, or Q3 series for the same price as the Graco Fine Finish (both around the AUD$1100 mark).

Agreed, but you will not be able to spray everything. A three stage will spray a lot of coatings, and with thinning you can get away with spraying some pigmented coatings. Some water bourne lacquers are easier to handle with a 3 stage than latex or acrylic latex will be.

Hmm... so now the choice is TrueCoat Pro Fine Finish versus Fuji Spray Mini-Mite 3,

I have now had a look and found that I can get a Fuji Semi Pro 2 (2 stage) for around $AUD650, so am wondering how this differs from the Mini Mite 3.

If you restrict yourself to clear coats only (no pigmented of colored paint) you will be fine.

So if I get this right, it looks like the Semi Pro 2 can't do the type of paint that's suggested for the cabinets, so I need to rule the Semi-Pro 2 out?

Thanks again for this advice.

 

[tiralie]

Just so I can be clear, this was the Pro X Fine Finish, right,

Yes if it has Fine finish in the name it is the right one. In NA this is called a TrueCoat Pro Fine Finish in Australia as you have referenced  it is branded as the TrueCoat Pro-X Fine Finish. In NA it comes with a 20V battery and probably some other improvements over the 18V version. It maybe the updated version not sure, [member=13337]Scott Burt[/member] may know.

Hmm... so now the choice is TrueCoat Pro Fine Finish versus Fuji Spray Mini-Mite 3,

Unless someone has any other suggestions...

So if I get this right, it looks like the Semi Pro 2 can't do the type of paint that's suggested for the cabinets, so I need to rule the Semi-Pro 2 out?

Unless someone who has experience using a Pro 2 can comment. Not knowing what paint you will be spraying my suggestions are to cover the most variables and reduce disappointment and frustration.

Tim

 

[eddomak]

Many thanks again! I note your comments inhttp://festoolownersgroup.com/finishing/hvlp-purchase-help!/50/

I think for the occasional hobbyist, spraying maybe more of investment in dollars and time than they bargain for.
You can go nuts trying to create a "clean" room etc. to accomplish a finish that ultimately you may be as happy if you just applied it with a brush.

Hah, I still need to weigh this up.  [wink]

I'll update this thread if I go ahead with anything.

 

[denovo]

You should be able to find someone locally who you can pay to professionally spray your projects.  There is nothing wrong with going this route.  After all, how many people would consider repainting their car themselves?

 

[tiralie]

Many thanks again! I note your comments inhttp://festoolownersgroup.com/finishing/hvlp-purchase-help!/50/

I think for the occasional hobbyist, spraying maybe more of investment in dollars and time than they bargain for.
You can go nuts trying to create a "clean" room etc. to accomplish a finish that ultimately you may be as happy if you just applied it with a brush.

Hah, I still need to weigh this up.  [wink]

You were warned  [big grin]
Tim

 

[Kev]

For what it's worth I haven't enjoyed using anything with Wagner on the box.

Setting up a spray booth / clean room and ensuring you are well protected for breathing, ventilation, etc will be significant costs, so going cheap on your spray equipment may be a false economy.

I'm noob in this space too, but intend to come up to speed soon. I've been considering using these guyshttp://www.airless.com.au