Graco Ultra

[JCLP]

Thought I would share my latest toy. Picked it up this morning. Chose the corded version because I hate batteries and I'm not a fan of Dewalt.

Cheers,
JC

 

[RKA]

Very cool!  I got one a few months ago and have been postponing the work it was intended for.  Any tips you want to share would be welcome. 

 

[Brice Burrell]

Since my spraying needs are pretty minimal, I've been tempted to buy an ultra.  If they offered a bare tool version I'd probably go for it.

Let us know for it works out for you.

 

[Cheese]

I’m also interested...was looking at one this summer, but I didn’t pull the pin. I’m also not a fan of Dewalt but I was considering the cordless version just for the convenience.

 

[Randel]

I noticed when they first came out that they pulsed the finish out so wasn't the most consistent for our work need would love to know if they fixed thats and if it performs more like an airless.

 

[JCLP]

Well well well,
For a while now I have been experimenting with spraying BM Regal Select tinted grey with my Fuji Q5 and T70 gun and I have had no success. I've tried every combination of needle and cap sizes and different levels of thinning from 5% to 30% and with every needle from 1.3 up to 2.5. Four gallons later and I was not any further ahead then when I started.
So I went out and purchased the Graco Ultra and thought I would try airless instead. After 8 hours of drying time, the test panels looked great and I was overjoyed to have solved my problem. But, after 24 hours of curing the panels look like crap. The attached photo is what I'm getting.

Some of my panel are MDF and maple veneer plywood, primed twice with either Wall & Wood primer from Sherwing Williams, BM Advanced primer and Lenmar Duralack undercoater. It doesn't seem to matter what the primer I use I get the same results.

Back to the drawing board.

JC

 

[TXFIVEO]

I have had the Graco Ultra handheld (corded) version since February.  Have sprayed about 20 large doors averaging 8' tall and 4' wide.  Most of my painted doors are built with Poplar.  I've used Benjamin Moore Advance, Sherwin Williams Pro Classic, and Behr Marquee.  No problems whatsoever with fantastic results.  The pulse issue most likely is due to the setting not being high enough.  I run mine at 9-10 with the 312 or 514 tip most of the time with great results. 

 

[Pnw painter]

Well well well,
For a while now I have been experimenting with spraying BM Regal Select tinted grey with my Fuji Q5 and T70 gun and I have had no success. I've tried every combination of needle and cap sizes and different levels of thinning from 5% to 30% and with every needle from 1.3 up to 2.5. Four gallons later and I was not any further ahead then when I started.
So I went out and purchased the Graco Ultra and thought I would try airless instead. After 8 hours of drying time, the test panels looked great and I was overjoyed to have solved my problem. But, after 24 hours of curing the panels look like crap. The attached photo is what I'm getting.

Some of my panel are MDF and maple veneer plywood, primed twice with either Wall & Wood primer from Sherwing Williams, BM Advanced primer and Lenmar Duralack undercoater. It doesn't seem to matter what the primer I use I get the same results.

Back to the drawing board.

JC

How do you prep the raw wood before priming? Once primed what grit are you sanding to?

Since I'm looking at the picture on my phone, it's really tough see what's going on with the finish. Could you try and describe what you're seeing or feeling on the finish?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JCLP]

Well well well,
For a while now I have been experimenting with spraying BM Regal Select tinted grey with my Fuji Q5 and T70 gun and I have had no success. I've tried every combination of needle and cap sizes and different levels of thinning from 5% to 30% and with every needle from 1.3 up to 2.5. Four gallons later and I was not any further ahead then when I started.
So I went out and purchased the Graco Ultra and thought I would try airless instead. After 8 hours of drying time, the test panels looked great and I was overjoyed to have solved my problem. But, after 24 hours of curing the panels look like crap. The attached photo is what I'm getting.

Some of my panel are MDF and maple veneer plywood, primed twice with either Wall & Wood primer from Sherwing Williams, BM Advanced primer and Lenmar Duralack undercoater. It doesn't seem to matter what the primer I use I get the same results.

Back to the drawing board.

JC

How do you prep the raw wood before priming? Once primed what grit are you sanding to?

Since I'm looking at the picture on my phone, it's really tough see what's going on with the finish. Could you try and describe what you're seeing or feeling on the finish?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The panels have 2 coats of primer, sanded 320 between coats. There is probably 3 coats of paint on this panel. Sanded baby smooth between coats with 320. When the paint os layed down it looks beautiful. No visible flaws and it looks like a wet lake. Something happens when it dries for about 24 hours. Feels like 600 grit sandpaper after 24 hours and the surface is not smooth.

Cheers,
JC

 

[Swordstriper]

I am a painting contractor and use Fuji hvlp spray equipment too. Would you mind telling me what your  reasoning behind spraying BM regal select. I’ve followed your posts with very much interest.

 

[frodo]

I have had the cordless ultra for half a year now and have had great results with it. No pulsating issues and smooth flow out with no thinning. (SW pro classic). Sprayed several doors and am happy with the finish.

 

[JCLP]

I am a painting contractor and use Fuji hvlp spray equipment too. Would you mind telling me what your  reasoning behind spraying BM regal select. I’ve followed your posts with very much interest.

For this project, all I'm doing is replacing the doors and drawer fronts for the client's kitchen. They are going to paint their own cabinets and I'm going to spray the new doors and drawers fronts. The reason I'm using Regal Select is because there is a lot of trim and crown moulding that was done with this paint tinted BM Stone Harbor ( 2111-50). I would of liked to use Advance instead, but when you tint it the same colour it does dry noticeably different. Thus my predicament.

In saying that. I sprayed some Advance yesterday with my new Graco Ultra with a 312 nozzle, 12 inches from the surface and pressure set to 9. After approx 18 hours of drying, I'm getting the same crappy results.
I tried Advance with my Fuji Q5, thinned 10%, 1.8mil needle nad full power with no luck either.

I've been at this now for over a month and 4 gallons of paint with no success. There is something I'm doing worng and I'm stumped at what it could be. My wife is pissed as well.

Cheers,
JC

 

[Swordstriper]

When the paint manufacturers changed paint formulations in 2010 to comply with Vic regulations stuff like this started cropping up. To me it sounds like solvent entrapment. Try spraying with a 1.3 mm and thin 20-25% plus add 1cup BM extender per gallon. Then hold the gun 3-4 inches from the surface you are spraying and with 50% overlap and lay it on 3-4 mild wet and see what happens. You are using sandpaper made for water base paints?

 

[Pnw painter]

It's quite possible that your primers aren't sealing the MDF enough to prevent grain raise when you're applying your top coat.

I'd recommend trying an oil or shellac based primer such as CoverStain, BM 217, Bin or Seal Coat.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Swordstriper]

Am l understanding right that this problem is happening over maple veneer also?

 

[JCLP]

Am l understanding right that this problem is happening over maple veneer also?

Yes. Maple veneer and mdf panels. After much practice and thought, I change my spraying method and after 8 hours of drying it looks good. Now the real test will be in the morning after 20+ hours of drying. Stay tuned.

JC

 

[TXFIVEO]

I typically use BIN or KILZ with zero issues. 

 

[JCLP]

Well it's morning and the test panels look crappy. Not a smooth coat at all.
Therefore, after 1 week of ownership I have decided to sell my Graco Ultra corded. Check out the classified setion for details.

Thanks everyone for their ideas and help.

Cheers,
JC

 

[Swordstriper]

Could you be a bit more specific on your procedure. What is the viscosity of the paint, how long are letting each coat dry, what is the temperature and humidity where you are spraying and where you are drying your pieces, what is the wet mil thickness on a panel that’s been sprayed. What kind of sand paper are you using and how are you getting rid of dust produced? I don’t want to spout off all kinds of irrelevant information.

 

[JCLP]

Could you be a bit more specific on your procedure. What is the viscosity of the paint, how long are letting each coat dry, what is the temperature and humidity where you are spraying and where you are drying your pieces, what is the wet mil thickness on a panel that’s been sprayed. What kind of sand paper are you using and how are you getting rid of dust produced? I don’t want to spout off all kinds of irrelevant information.

Viscosity - Tried 30sec - 42 sec, thinned with water, tried thinning 15% water and 10% extender same crap
Drying - Coat looks creat after 4-5 hours of drying, however, after 24 hours looks crappy
Wet Mils - TDS says 3.8. Tried 4, 5. Same results
Temp and humididty - 72 F, 55-60-% humidity
Sanding - using Granat 320 grit
Dust removal - Vacuumed panels with Midi Dust Extractor and clean with damp lint free cloth with distilled water.

Cheers,
JC