HVLP 5-stage turbine or HVLP gun with compressor?

[Allyson]

I have reviewed a lot of the thread on HVLP turbine versus HVLP gun with compressor spraying.  I do both shop and onsite work, and the finish must match ( I often do boxes/moulding onsite, but doors/drawers in shop).  I currently spray with a 3-stage HVLP turbine.  It works well, but it's just missing that super high quality of a cabinet maker like William Ohs.  I spray mostly water-based/born paints and top coats, but will also be spraying pigmented primers/lacquers and top coats, as well as stains.  The information out there is overwhelming, and I've heard that I should upgrade to a 5-stage turbine or switch to a great HVLP gun with a compressor.  Portability is an issue because I weigh about 105 wet, but quality trumps.  I'd appreciate any input on currently available systems.  Thanks!

 

[roblg3]

The compressor needs a good reserve to operate the HVLP gun optimally, which kinda rules out portability.  Have you tried any types of conversion varnish?  I have a 3 stage Fuji using a 1.mm tip and can get very lustrous pieces...I took the very first and only piece i ever sprayed to a pro and he thought it was good enough for sale!  I personally saw flaws that needed repair, so i guess maybe he was being kind.  I know several pros using 3 stage turbines that have wonderful finishes.

 

[duburban]

I have a 5 stage Graco and adore it. My first project with it was California Paint's "Ultra Plate". I fairly thick paint. I thinned at 10% or less and it shot great.

In a matter of time I will also have a graco AAA

 

[sancho57]

had a accuspray LVLP. It was designed to work with a 2 HP 4 gal compressor. It worked great. However accuspray got bought by 3M and they quit making that model so I got rid of it when I got rid of my stationary tool.

There are other manufacturers that make  guns that will work with small compressors.

I suggest talking to Jeff at homestead finishing .com He is not only a accomplished finisher, author but sells spray guns to. he will set up a gun specifically for your needs/ wants. All in different price ranges.

http://homesteadfinishingproducts.com

 

[roblg3]

I wish I had thought of recommending Jeff Jewitt also.  He's an awesome source for all things finishing!  Super receptive and replies to emails very quickly!

 

[mastercabman]

They are lots of choices out there for spray system
I'm not big on turbine
It took me a long time to finally get my gear
I use compressed air
I now have 3 guns that i use
Asturo wb5008
CA Technology j100
CA Tech Jr (for touch up)
All guns are low cfm(4-6 cfm for the j100 and asturo)
I have 2 rolair jc10 connected together when I use the regular guns
But only need 1 for the tech Jr touch up
The finish is fantastic!

 

[Scott B.]

I have reviewed a lot of the thread on HVLP turbine versus HVLP gun with compressor spraying.  I do both shop and onsite work, and the finish must match ( I often do boxes/moulding onsite, but doors/drawers in shop).  I currently spray with a 3-stage HVLP turbine.  It works well, but it's just missing that super high quality of a cabinet maker like William Ohs.  I spray mostly water-based/born paints and top coats, but will also be spraying pigmented primers/lacquers and top coats, as well as stains.  The information out there is overwhelming, and I've heard that I should upgrade to a 5-stage turbine or switch to a great HVLP gun with a compressor.  Portability is an issue because I weigh about 105 wet, but quality trumps.  I'd appreciate any input on currently available systems.  Thanks!

If I had to choose, I would take a 5 stage turbine, as much for portability as anything. The Graco 9.5 and Apollo 1050vr are excellent choices. Also, I'd recommend gravity style gun over cup style.

 

[tiralie]

I have reviewed a lot of the thread on HVLP turbine versus HVLP gun with compressor spraying.

You mean the threads here or elsewhere?

I do both shop and onsite work, and the finish must match ( I often do boxes/moulding onsite, but doors/drawers in shop). I currently spray with a 3-stage HVLP turbine. 

If you have the funds, I would recommend that you step up to a system like Apollo 1050vr/4500 It's portable, and the components are relatively easy to break down and assemble.
The Apollow 1050vr/4500 is a 5 stage turbine system with a pressure pot assisted by a small compressor. If you are comfortable with assembling your own, you could also build your own system using a Fuji for eg. or any other turbine and attach (your own) portable compressor and pressure pot to it.
I have a 4 stage Fuji with a pressure pot and compressor that I use for on site work, and it works very well for 98% of the coatings I spray.

It works well, but it's just missing that super high quality of a cabinet maker like William Ohs.

I have not seen any of William Ohs work in person, but based on the type of customers they are targeting, they probably have very experienced finisher either in the shop or contract with one that has a dedicated spray booth. I know very experience pros that get extremely high quality finishes using an HVLP turbine system on location. With experience and patience, in time you should be able to create the same level of finish they do.
Tim

 

[Allyson]

Hi all.  Thanks for your comments.  Regarding products, I have sprayed pigmented post cat lacquer in someone else's Apollo 4-stage.  I don't know the gun, but it was siphon feed.  This is the product William Oh's uses, so I was looking forward to it.  It didn't turn out nice at all, so I was super disappointed, but boy was the paint stick I used to mix the parts gorgeous!  I haven't tried it with my system, because it did a number on my psyche.  W Oh's is a company that has seen my work in homes, and they've asked me to get in touch with them (what they have seen is waterborne/based paint/glaze work which can hide a lot of sins).  Until I figure out pigmented lacquers that I would be proud to put my name on, I haven't wanted to contact them.  Stupid, I know.  I know that Jeff J is awesome, but my thought was that he doesn't offer Apollo, and I want to give this decision process a fair shot.  I have read about the 7500 atomizer gun and 1050vr Precision system, but also am hearing that I won't get the high-quality results unless I go the compressor route.  I don't know nearly enough about pressure pots.  So much to analyze/study and I am not patient on that front.  Kind of like getting my last computer...ugh.

 

[Scott B.]

...but also am hearing that I won't get the high-quality results unless I go the compressor route.

I'd have to disagree.

We did this a few years ago onsite. That was before Thomas Bader encouraged me to explore gravity more deeply, which we are now partial to. This is bone stock cup gun on turbine.

 

[tiralie]

2 coats of satin polyurethane over General Espresso stain on ash veneer panels, sprayed with a Fuji T70 siphon on Q 4 (4 stage) HVLP.

The Fuji T series gun is an improvement over the older X series.

[attachimg=1]

 

[tjbnwi]

Looks really good Tim.

Tom

 

[mike_aa]

Tim, Are those the wall panels you used in the post with the hidden door?  They look great!

Mike A.

 

[tiralie]

Looks really good Tim.

Thanks Tom.

 

[tiralie]

Tim, Are those the wall panels you used in the post with the hidden door?  They look great!

Yes, these are the panels from the hidden door and stairwell project. I just want to show (prove) that you can get good results with a HVLP turbine system. While there are some coatings that need better atomization than can be accomplished with a straight turbine setup a pressure pot will provide a reasonable work around.

Here's a picture of the "wet" panel. Sorry it's a bit out of focus.

[attachimg=1]

This is Target 9000 polyurethane, and you can really push the mil thickness. I used a 1.3 cap and needle. It's very forgiving.
Too bad the Target 9000 batches are so inconsistent. You can open a can and it will be perfect, and then open another can and spray it and it will fish-eye all over the place.

Here's some door fronts for some kitchen cabinets that I sprayed with Agualente tinted to BM OC 17. I am going to spray that frame around the cabinet on site with the Agualente. Should be fun.

[attachimg=2]

I will take some close up photo's of this with a better camera and post to show some of the errors I made on these panels.
Thanks.
Tim