FFLP tip finish

[Mace]

For a while have been contemplating about converting my airless to an AIr Assisted Airless. But, I recently heard a guy say that the new Graco FFLP tips work so well that you no longer need AAA because the new tips with an Airless give just as good of a finish as an AAA.

I never used an AAA but my thinking is then wouldn't the FFLP tips give the AAA an even better finish than they used too?

Does any body have any input?

TIA

 

[jmbfestool]

No not true at all.

Who ever said that has no clue.

Yes you can get a good finish or even  a very good finish with FFLP tips but you just don’t have the control.

AAA gives you a better finish a lot easier with all types of paints without thinning much easier than airless. 

  The added air with AAA breaks up the paint which completely eliminates any tails or sharp fan edges which you get with airless even using FFLP tips

When you upgrade to AAA you normally go onto flat tips which are better tips.

Graco G40 AA gun does allow you to use FFLP tips and air but I don’t know what that’s like.  I feel it’s half hearted attempt if AAA, best use flat tips

 

[Mace]

Big sale event at my PPG store tommorow, I'll talk to the sales rep about the Graco G 40 gun. I'll convert my airless to an AAA.......maybe.

I love the finish my Ultra handheld gives but I am wearing it out. An Air AA would match much longer.

Is there much of a learning curve with an AAA?
Is there a standard air pressure to spray on or do you just adjust by the spray pattern?

TIA

 

[Getmaverick]

If you are used to airless you wont have any problems. I recently converted one of my 440i to AAA.
Best money I spent in a long time. Lower your pressure at the pump and adjust the air to a perfect fan.

 

[Mace]

Went to the event and talked to the Graco sales rep. He said get some type of filter for my air compressor. Said if I use flat tip then always strain the material because they tend to clog and then you'll have issues.
I asked him how much for the G 40 gun and he said around $800.00. I said "No, seriously how much". lol! 

Thank you.

 

[jmbfestool]

AA guns are not cheap I paid £800 pound for gun and couple Flat tips.

Flat tips cost £100 each so a lot more expensive than a reversible FF tip.

All tips can clog but Flat tips on most guns are not reversible so it’s a pain when they clog.

So I bought a AA gun which uses reversible flat tips.  You have to remove tip to reverse it so it’s not as quick as a FF tips which you just twist but flat tips last longer and are better finish.

If you master airless with very good results and no runs etc  then using AAA is easier.

The standard air pressure is really dictated by the gun and it’s air cap.   

Like mine 2.5 bar seems happy medium and then I adjust it accordingly to Tip size and paint viscosity.

Going of spec Graco G40 are air hungry so watch out what gun you buy because your compressor might supply enough air.

You will need water filter and if your compressor is oil then also need oil filter on ther air line.

If you already own an Airless pump to upgrade it will cost you about £1200 for new gun,tips twin airline and filters. 

If you need compressor then about £400-800 extra.

You need a decent airless pump don’t know which one you have but minimum really would be Graco 495 or equivalent 

This is because piston pumps pulsate and it can show in the finish.

Ideally you need a twin diaphragm pump if you wanna be a true AAA owner.

When my pump dies that’s what I’ll upgrade to.

 

[Pnw painter]

In my experience the FFLP allows you to run a lower the pressure compared to a typical FF tip. In my experience I felt like the FFLP tip doesn’t atomize quite as well. Depending on the coating this can be a bit of an issue.

Recently I purchased a CA Technologies AAA gun and I’ve been using it with a Titan ED655 pump and a 2hp California Air Tool’s compressor that puts out about 6 CFM.

At this point I’ve only used this setup a couple times and with different materials. I can run a lower pressure than I could with the FFLP tips and it atomizes much better. The biggest challenge I’ve had so far it getting the gun dialed in because there are so many variables you can adjust.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Getmaverick]

I went through my Sherwin Williams sales rep and got my G40 with flat tip assembly and 2 tips for less than $800.00.

 

[tjbnwi]

This panel was sprayed with a Graco FP 395 AAA PC. Product is KA+. The gun used is a low pressure C.A.T. designed for waterborne products.

The gun uses flat tips, I have tip filters in place behind the tip plus 4 filters down line. Problem with the flat tip filters is the product does tail a little, advantage to the tip filters, the tips don’t plug. I’m going to change out the inline filters to a higher micron remove the tip filter and see what happens (if I ever remember to order them).

Tom

 

[tjbnwi]

Forgot to mention I do have a G-40 that I’ve run the FFLP tips in. They’re close but not quite there yet when it comes to a great finish, especially on pigmented finishes.

Tom

 

[tiralie]

They’re close but not quite there yet when it comes to a great finish, especially on pigmented finishes.

Do you mean KA or all pigmented you spray on cabinets?

 

[tjbnwi]

They’re close but not quite there yet when it comes to a great finish, especially on pigmented finishes.

Do you mean KA or all pigmented you spray on cabinets?

The KA+, it’s the only pigmented I’ve used on cabinets.

Tom

 

[tiralie]

Yes you can get a good finish or even  a very good finish with FFLP tips but you just don’t have the control.

Some painters have said the FFLP tips are inconsistent some are good and then another one in the same size will clog or spray poorly so they have switched to using TriTech ultras.
I am going to try them and see.
tim

 

[mattdh]

sorry if this is a stupid question but brand new to painting- if you go with  tritech ultra tips do you need a tritech guard or do they work with a graco guard?

 

[tiralie]

sorry if this is a stupid question but brand new to painting- if you go with  tritech ultra tips do you need a tritech guard or do they work with a graco guard?

You do not need Tirtech guards with tritech tips. Tritech tips should work with your Graco guard. BTW, most reversable airless tips are interchangeable. Triton tips and Graco tips are interchangeable. The only Graco tips that I am aware that are not interchangeable are the Rac X.
Tim