HVLP guns

[HowardH]

I have a 4 stage Fuji turbine system with the standard bottom feed cup. I'd like to get a gravity feed sprayer to go with it but all I see at the big box stores are HVLP guns that appear to need to use a regular compressor verses a turbine for air delivery.  I'll suck it up and spend $400 if I need to get a Fuji gun but what other alternatives are there?  I want to spray latex enamel for a toy chest I'm finishing up this weekend.

 

[woodwise]

You may consider a Gravity Conversion Kit. Much less expensive if you don't need 2 guns.
https://www.phelpsrefinishing.com/f...-9960-u-tube-gravity-cup-conversion-kit-4pxgk
(no affiliation or endorsement just the first link I saw with a picture)

 

[HowardH]

You may consider a Gravity Conversion Kit. Much less expensive if you don't need 2 guns.
https://www.phelpsrefinishing.com/f...-9960-u-tube-gravity-cup-conversion-kit-4pxgk
(no affiliation or endorsement just the first link I saw with a picture)

I spoke to Roger and decided it's always better to have more than one of anything.  ;D ;D  except wives, that is...

 

[Bernmc]

I have a 4 stage Fuji turbine system with the standard bottom feed cup. I'd like to get a gravity feed sprayer to go with it but all I see at the big box stores are HVLP guns that appear to need to use a regular compressor verses a turbine for air delivery.  I'll suck it up and spend $400 if I need to get a Fuji gun but what other alternatives are there?  I want to spray latex enamel for a toy chest I'm finishing up this weekend.

What's the advantage of the gravity feed? I'm thinking of a Fuji, and you get to pick a gun, so I'm interested in opinions. (Mine will be for cabinet work initially, but then the sky's the limit...)

 

[afish]

If spraying Latex is the primary motivation I will add that spraying latex from any type of turbine or compressor HVLP has proven to be far from ideal.  Can it be done, yes but is still going to require considerable thinning and difficulty getting good results.  I have found there is so substitute for an airless sprayer when it comes to latex.  I have had large rigs in the past but sold them off and didnt want another one.  I mostly wanted one for spraying doors (non cabinet) and trim.  I bought the Graco cordless (cant remember the model off the top of my head) but it uses Dewalt batteries.  I got the one NOT rated for lacquer and love it.  It sprays un-thinned latex all day long with zero issues and lays down a nice finish.  The cordless freedom makes it super easy to go from room to room.  If I had to find a flaw it would be the cup tends to run out quickly but thats not the fault of the gun they make a bigger cup but I think it might make it to big and heavy at that point.  I would rather just do extra fill or two and keep the gun lighter and more nimble.  Some people complain they dont last but I think its a cleaning and storage issue.  I have had mine for several years always clean it well and keep pump armor in it when not in use and it works great every time with no issue.  If it broke today I would buy another ASAP without hesitation.   

 

[DynaGlide]

If spraying Latex is the primary motivation I will add that spraying latex from any type of turbine or compressor HVLP has proven to be far from ideal.  Can it be done, yes but is still going to require considerable thinning and difficulty getting good results.  I have found there is so substitute for an airless sprayer when it comes to latex.  I have had large rigs in the past but sold them off and didnt want another one.  I mostly wanted one for spraying doors (non cabinet) and trim.  I bought the Graco cordless (cant remember the model off the top of my head) but it uses Dewalt batteries.  I got the one NOT rated for lacquer and love it.  It sprays un-thinned latex all day long with zero issues and lays down a nice finish.  The cordless freedom makes it super easy to go from room to room.  If I had to find a flaw it would be the cup tends to run out quickly but thats not the fault of the gun they make a bigger cup but I think it might make it to big and heavy at that point.  I would rather just do extra fill or two and keep the gun lighter and more nimble.  Some people complain they dont last but I think its a cleaning and storage issue.  I have had mine for several years always clean it well and keep pump armor in it when not in use and it works great every time with no issue.  If it broke today I would buy another ASAP without hesitation. 

[member=73094]afish[/member] I like the Fuji MM5 for doing KA+, hate using it for thinning to do latex like you mentioned. Is that Graco easy to adjust to and does it spray most latex out of the can?

 

[Cheese]

I bought the Graco cordless (cant remember the model off the top of my head) but it uses Dewalt batteries.  I got the one NOT rated for lacquer and love it.  It sprays un-thinned latex all day long with zero issues and lays down a nice finish.     

[member=73094]afish[/member] I like the Fuji MM5 for doing KA+, hate using it for thinning to do latex like you mentioned. Is that Graco easy to adjust to and does it spray most latex out of the can?

I've been looking to replace my Binks HVLP with a small Graco Fine Finish cordless for the last 3-4 years. Just noticed they've changed the names of the guns again, this must be the 4th or 5th iteration.  [unsure]  Started with Fine Finish...then TrueCoat...then Ultimate...and now TC Pro.
https://www.graco.com/content/dam/graco/ced/literature/brochures/344185/344185EN-B.pdf

 

[DynaGlide]

I bought the Graco cordless (cant remember the model off the top of my head) but it uses Dewalt batteries.  I got the one NOT rated for lacquer and love it.  It sprays un-thinned latex all day long with zero issues and lays down a nice finish.     

[member=73094]afish[/member] I like the Fuji MM5 for doing KA+, hate using it for thinning to do latex like you mentioned. Is that Graco easy to adjust to and does it spray most latex out of the can?

I've been looking to replace my Binks HVLP with a small Graco Fine Finish cordless for the last 3-4 years. Just noticed they've changed the names of the guns again, this must be the 4th or 5th iteration.  [unsure]  Started with Fine Finish...then TrueCoat...then Ultimate...and now TC Pro.
https://www.graco.com/content/dam/graco/ced/literature/brochures/344185/344185EN-B.pdf

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] I know Home Depot has had their own naming scheme as well but it was otherwise identical. Perhaps Graco has been in talks with Apple. The New, New Graco TC Pro Plus Ultimate Fine Finish.

 

[afish]

You adjust the Graco by switching tips.  Airless tips come in all different sizes and have a 3 digit # for example 315 the first # 3 is half the width of the fan at 12inches so a #3 tip is supposed to be 6 inches wide at 12 inches from the gun. the second pair of numbers "15" is the orifice size.  you very this based on the viscosity of the paint.  Thicker paint needs bigger orifice.  .015-.018 is generally suited for latex.  I have sprayed all kinds of Latex and have never found one that I couldnt spray with it.  Its an amazing little gun for latex IMO

Other than the swapping out tips which is very easy and tool less you just twist and pull.  There is a pressure dial on the gun to fine tune it further.  You always try to adjust the tip to what you are spraying and adjust the pressure down to minimize over spray. 

The gun works fantastic for small jobs like trim and doors. You just have to remember its not a full size rig and not meant to be.  Dont go trying to spray full walls or ceilings with it.  I do sometimes spray the ceiling to wall corners first with ceiling white, then roll out the ceiling.  It makes it fast and easy.  Then I just cut in the wall to the ceiling. 

As far as the naming goes yes its a little confusing but Im pretty sure Dynaglide is right all the different names is mostly depending on the retailer and most of the big retailers require exclusivity.  So they change the names slightly.  Dewalt does some similar things for Lowes/HD.  Im not sure who sells which and there are corded/cordless versions too.  This is the version I have.  They also make the pro plus for spraying thinner based paint but I spray that with a HVLP plus it requires a goofy grounding cord to be worn by the sprayer which kind of defeats the cordless aspect. So, really I dont see the need for the pro plus but some might. The TC pro will spray anything that you can clean with water or mineral spirits. If it needs Lacquer or acetone to clean then you cannot use the TC pro. 

The only thing I wish is they offered it in a bare tool not just a kit for those who already own a bunch of dewalt stuff, but I would buy it again either way.   

 

[DynaGlide]

The only thing I wish is they offered it in a bare tool not just a kit for those who already own a bunch of dewalt stuff, but I would buy it again either way. 

Thanks [member=73094]afish[/member] . If you go to HD's site, there is a tool only option:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Graco-TC-Pro-Cordless-Airless-Paint-Sprayer-Tool-Only-17P518/310211853

It's only $50 cheaper though.

 

[Cheese]

There was a time when these Graco Fine Finish guns were only available from Graco & Sherwin Williams Pro stores. SW would run a pretty decent sale every 6 months or so along the lines of an extra spray cup and your choice of a couple extra spray nozzles, that was my first introduction.

 

[manuc]

Have you looked at the 3M PPS? I have this and will never use anything else. Clean up is easy and you can spray in any orientation.

 

[afish]

The only thing I wish is they offered it in a bare tool not just a kit for those who already own a bunch of dewalt stuff, but I would buy it again either way. 

Thanks [member=73094]afish[/member] . If you go to HD's site, there is a tool only option:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Graco-TC-Pro-Cordless-Airless-Paint-Sprayer-Tool-Only-17P518/310211853

It's only $50 cheaper though.

OH, nice that option wasnt available when I bought it but its been probably 3+ years (Im bad with time) but yea, for 50 bucks I would get it with the batteries.  Mine came with two 2ah batteries.  Which I happen to like for size/weight issues.  The gun does have some weight with a full cup so I like the smaller batteries on it to keep the weight down as much as possible. They last a long time spraying too.  You will have filled the cup many times over before you need to swap batteries so its a non issue to me. 

 

[afish]

I use the 3m pps on my gravity feed gun but thats a different animal and not for spraying Latex paint.  Latex is just to thick to spray efficiently through a HVLP gun.  Once again, can you? Yes, and I have done it but it sucks compared to airless.  Actually the Graco uses a similar setup to the PPS with a disposable liner that can just be tossed. You still need to clean the gun.  I know 3m PPS gun you can dispose of the whole front part of the gun too. However its not designed for latex paint.  I tend to reuse the liners because Im thrifty like that, but its nice to have the option to just toss or clean them.

 

[Vondawg]

Agree with all [member=73094]afish[/member] had to say…these units are a game changer, so easy to just spray a door or window for instance….keeping it clean and using pump saver, goes a long way, all in a bag smaller than the size of a couple gallon cans.

 

[presidentsdad]

I use the 3m pps on my gravity feed gun but thats a different animal and not for spraying Latex paint.  Latex is just to thick to spray efficiently through a HVLP gun.  Once again, can you? Yes, and I have done it but it sucks compared to airless.  Actually the Graco uses a similar setup to the PPS with a disposable liner that can just be tossed. You still need to clean the gun.  I know 3m PPS gun you can dispose of the whole front part of the gun too. However its not designed for latex paint.  I tend to reuse the liners because Im thrifty like that, but its nice to have the option to just toss or clean them.

Sorry for the noob question, but are the latex like finishes that are better sprayed out of HVLP.  Like not a stain or clear finish but something with some color like mineral paint, chalk paint, alkyd paint??

 

[afish]

Not exactly sure what you are asking but the main issue is with viscosity.  Thick paint such as latex is hard to spray and anything water based doesnt typically like to be thinned.  Typically most mfr. dont recommend thinning more than 10%.  Airless uses a high pressure pump, not gravity or suction to move the paint more like a power washer.  It forces the paint out the small orifice which atomizes the paint there is no air used to atomize the paint.  Solvent based coating are more forgiving on being reduced or thinned making them easy to atomize.     

 

[tjbnwi]

My few cents…..

Get the T-75 gravity gun. Hopefully your bottom feed is a T-70, this will make the parts interchangeable.

Avoid the latex, find the color you want in an acrylic or urethane. Both will spray better through the Fuji. They are also much more durable products.

Remember the Ford 4 is your friend.

If you are certain you want to spray latex, the Graco Gx-19. The Gx-19 is an entry level airless designed to do finer finishes. I’d recommend the set ups I use but they would be cost prohibitive for this situation.

The cup airless guns mentioned above will work with latex, they do not have the finesse of the Gx-19.

Tom

 

[afish]

That gx-19 is a nice rig and would be good if you spray latex on a more regular basis.  It really kind of depends on what and how often you plan on using it.  I dont spray much latex but have the tc pro for when I do.  One thing is for sure airless is the way to go for latex, which set up you choose will depend on budget and the end users specific needs.

 

[tjbnwi]

The few hundred dollars for the Gx-19 over a hand held makes it a no brained for me.

Having to replace the pump in a hand held every 50 gallons or so makes the investment closer over time.

Factor in he’s considering a 400 dollar gun already.

With the 19 you’ll find yourself spraying more things that you normal would have used the Fuji on due to time to apply finish.

Tom