HVLP for on site spraying

[jimbouk]

Hi Guys,

Just looking to get some profesional ideas on a hvlp setup to buy to do on site spraying of waterbased primer onto built ins.

I already have a shop setup but this is for when we do specific jobs that have to be finished on site.

All info is greatly appreciated, I have seen other threads on hvlp here but not found any that seem to be specific for this purpose.

Thanks.

 

[Scott B.]

Apollo 1050vr. I have youtube vids of it spraying waterborne primer, paint and clear finishes if you would like to see it in action.

 

[RDMuller]

Last night the Central Indiana Woodworkers had the technical support manager for Earlex speak.  Appears to be an excellent machine for the money ($300 to $375).  Most importantly, you can call him for support.  He made an issue of going on site

 

[Scott B.]

I've used the 5500 spray station. It's a nice basic unit. If I was doing a lot of waterborne paint grade it wouldn't be my first choice. It's a good general purpose unit.

 

[jimbouk]

Scott thanks for your input. Is there something in the middle of these two, in terms of quality and price. Although we are a professional outfit we don't do much site spraying and I'm struggeling to justify spending £1000.00 on the appollo....

I have seen a fuji one might be in the £600.00 ish bracket, do you have any feedback on these?

http://www.axminster.co.uk/fuji-fuji-q4-gold-xpc-hvlp-spray-system-prod846028/

 

[Scott B.]

Scott thanks for your input. Is there something in the middle of these two, in terms of quality and price. Although we are a professional outfit we don't do much site spraying and I'm struggeling to justify spending £1000.00 on the appollo....

I have seen a fuji one might be in the £600.00 ish bracket, do you have any feedback on these?

http://www.axminster.co.uk/fuji-fuji-q4-gold-xpc-hvlp-spray-system-prod846028/

What is your shop set up?

 

[tiralie]

Scott thanks for your input. Is there something in the middle of these two, in terms of quality and price. Although we are a professional outfit we don't do much site spraying and I'm struggeling to justify spending £1000.00 on the appollo....

I have seen a fuji one might be in the £600.00 ish bracket, do you have any feedback on these?

http://www.axminster.co.uk/fuji-fuji-q4-gold-xpc-hvlp-spray-system-prod846028/

Yes I have one and you can spray primer with it but it's slow and you have to thin it. There actually is a videohere of a member here doing that but they thinned a lot.
If you have a pancake or small compressor you might want to check out CAT HVLP guns. They are rated for smaller CFM of the smaller compressors but can push high solids based coatings like primers because of the higher pressure.
Tim

 

[tjbnwi]

Small compressor, 2 gallon pressure pot (so you can just set in the can and not have to clean the pot) I have a Fugi Q4 that allows the pot hose to be connected to the cup inlet. You'll need the #6 atomizer set.

Tom

 

[Scott B.]

Small compressor, 2 gallon pressure pot (so you can just set in the can and not have to clean the pot) I have a Fugi Q4 that allows the pot hose to be connected to the cup inlet. You'll need the #6 atomizer set.

Tom

Tom

How does your Fuji do in waterborne primers and paints?

 

[tjbnwi]

Well with the #6 tip and 10-15 psi to the pot. I also mix orfice (don't mix needle and orfice) and air caps to change how the product atomizes. Not as well as an airless or AAA. Can't bring myself to buy the Graco Pro Shot or True Coat. One of them come to think of it may be the OP's best choice.

Tom

 

[Scott B.]

Well with the #6 tip and 10-15 psi to the pot. I also mix orfice (don't mix needle and orfice) and air caps to change how the product atomizes. Not as well as an airless or AAA. Can't bring myself to buy the Graco Pro Shot or True Coat. One of them come to think of it may be the OP's best choice.

Tom

Cordless crossed my mind here too, but since his original post sounded like he was mostly interested in priming inside of builtins, the PS is tough to deal with that way. It is heavy and bulky in carcasses. It does fit the price range he is looking for though.

 

[jimbouk]

Scott thanks for your input. Is there something in the middle of these two, in terms of quality and price. Although we are a professional outfit we don't do much site spraying and I'm struggeling to justify spending £1000.00 on the appollo....

I have seen a fuji one might be in the £600.00 ish bracket, do you have any feedback on these?

http://www.axminster.co.uk/fuji-fuji-q4-gold-xpc-hvlp-spray-system-prod846028/

What is your shop set up?

Just a in a mates workshop, he has a large compressor, spray room with extract and filters and a drying room. Not sure what sort of size the compressor is but it pretty big. Not sure about the gun type either, most of the stuff sprayed in there is acid cat or polyurethene.

 

[jimbouk]

Thanks for all the ideas and help guys. I'm going to investigate the pressure pot option to use with the fuji and also look into the other units mentioned. Going to ring a supllier on monday and will report back with what they say ....

 

[tjbnwi]

I don't know if you can get the Graco X7 across the pond. It is an airless sprayer that will accept fine finish tips. It is inexpensive ($400.00??). I know it is not HVLP, but with the fine finish tips it may suit your needs. If you go this way, you need a different holder for the fine finish RAC X tips.

Tom

 

[Scott B.]

Taking an airless gun inside builtin (or any) cabinets is one of those deals where its a kind of a bad idea, and you have to be a good, experienced sprayer operator to pull it off. There's a lot of room for error, and the errors are costly. The "airless with fine finish tip" deal is a racket in comparison to proper fine finish technologies and setups.

For those thinking about putting a hvlp gun on your air compressor, make sure your compressor can operate in a low enough range. Hvlp stands for high velocity low pressure. That effect is generally achieved at less than 8 psi, and it has to be constant. Any more than that and it can quickly become a less than desirable experience.

Also, if you go chasing down that road, you should filter your air, as most compressors will deliver a fair amount of condensation at the finish end.

 

[tjbnwi]

Yah, Scott the fine finish tip isn't a perfect solution. If he is just shooting primer, hopefully a sand-able one, (like Wall and Wood), it is doable. Never knew anybody how got experience without doing what ever it was they needed experience at. I've learned far more from my failures than successes, one of those, "I won't make that mistake next time".

As I stated my preference is an HVLP with a pot for heavier material. Using a pressure pot for more than about 250 square feet is great also.

Tom

 

[Scott B.]

Yah, Scott the fine finish tip isn't a perfect solution. If he is just shooting primer, hopefully a sand-able one, (like Wall and Wood), it is doable. Never knew anybody how got experience without doing what ever it was they needed experience at. I've learned far more from my failures than successes, one of those, "I won't make that mistake next time".

As I stated my preference is an HVLP with a pot for heavier material. Using a pressure pot for more than about 250 square feet is great also.

Tom

Very true Tom. I try to do the learning curves in controlled (shop) mock up settings, but its not always possible. Learning on the real project does make for lessons you never forget, and figuring out how to solve the problems you create is good, albeit costly, experience.

Sometimes we stumble on to good new things that work "one off", but that is rare.

3 years ago I made the mistake of shooting about 25 doors in a not so well lit basement. We didn't have an aaa or hvlp on site, just an airless because we had been spraying drywall. I bit on the airless ff tip option, sprayed the same way I do with aaa and got beat. You just can't go fast enough on verticals to keep up with the high pressure that airless requires for atomization. Those machines are not happy below about 3000 psi, and I am used to being at about 1000 on those deals. There were many curtains, fat lips, and overspray flash, and I never made that mistake again! Airless with ff tip is doable if its the only option. Even as much as I spray, I think I would sooner run a foam or velour roller inside of carcasses rather than airless and ff. The blowback in boxes is absurd at higher pressures, but you are right, a good primer and a good sanding program are the best workaround.

 

[Jalvis]

For those thinking about putting a hvlp gun on your air compressor, make sure your compressor can operate in a low enough range. Hvlp stands for high velocity low pressure. That effect is generally achieved at less than 8 psi, and it has to be constant. Any more than that and it can quickly become a less than desirable experience.

Also, if you go chasing down that road, you should filter your air, as most compressors will deliver a fair amount of condensation at the finish end.

I use an HVLP gun with a compressor and have amazing results.  The cost to get set up  if you already have a compressor is about $400.  This set up is what most auto paint shops use.  One advantage is that the air is a lot cooler in temp than most HVLP fan systems like the apollo or fuji.

As for achieving constant low pressure(8 PSI) you simply put a regulator at the gun.  Therefore the compressor is just a tank and a motor so it must have enough air to continue said pressure for the length of use.

Scott is also correct on filtering your air.  I use a minimum of 20 feet of coiled hose between the compressor and a condensation filter and then the line to my gun.

 

[mastercabman]

For those thinking about putting a hvlp gun on your air compressor, make sure your compressor can operate in a low enough range. Hvlp stands for high velocity low pressure. That effect is generally achieved at less than 8 psi, and it has to be constant. Any more than that and it can quickly become a less than desirable experience.
There's more than just a good compressor.It's also the hose,connectors and for compressor you will need at least a 2-3 hp and needs to put out good enough CFM
For the hose,get a 5/16" or 3/8" and no longer than 25'  Avoid putting too many connectors.

Also, if you go chasing down that road, you should filter your air, as most compressors will deliver a fair amount of condensation at the finish end.

Good filter indeed.Also you will need a small regulator at the gun.This is where you will need to adjust the proper psi.I usually set the regulator at 40-50psi at the compressor and adjust the gun to recommmended psi.

 

[mastercabman]

I use an HVLP gun with a compressor and have amazing results.  The cost to get set up  if you already have a compressor is about $400.  This set up is what most auto paint shops use.  One advantage is that the air is a lot cooler in temp than most HVLP fan systems like the apollo or fuji.

I agree with those turbine sprayers,they do get hot and it's not really good for some finishes.Like lacquer.
I use a HVLP gun from CA Technology.Puts you about $400.00(there are more expensive guns,...and less...)

Scott is also correct on filtering your air.  I use a minimum of 20 feet of coiled hose between the compressor and a condensation filter and then the line to my gun.
Also use hi flow connectors and keep them to a minimum