New finishing equipment

[phmade]

I was only joking about the $50 offer - although sadly, you'd probably get a less reasonable offer on Craigslist.  I'm always amazed at the responses I get on CL...
More realistically, if I was looking at a used FinishPro unit, it would have to be $1500 or less - but that's just my opinion.  

Tim - I am doing all of my own finishing.  Most of my work doesn't require finishing (laminate and glass) so my volume has been pretty low.  I seem to be doing more wood cabinets now and that's why I'm looking for a more serious solution.  I don't have a real spray booth (yet) but I do have a dedicated finishing area in my shop.  I spray all WB finishes so I'm not too concerned with explosion concerns.  I've looked at some used open-faced spray booths and I'll likely get one of these soon.  

 

[RDMuller]

I would base alot my decision on the technical support the manufacturer gives.  Cold call them, as  for tech support, state the model you are interested in and see what happens.  Don't ask for the sales department as they are not the ones you will be working with after the purchase.    I have  only purchased 3 or 4 over the years.  So far CAT technologies which is my most recent has been excellent

 

[phmade]

RD - where did you purchase your CAT Technologies equipment from?  I'm in Indiana too- I need to update my profile.  What part of Indiana are you in?

 

[Scott B.]

One of the things I like about the 395 is the versatility of it.

Kind of like Rotex takes on multiple personalities based on abrasive grit, we sometimes throw a 515RAC on the FP and transform it into a superclean production drywall sprayer. This gives it a range of utility that is hard to find...from ultra fine cabinet grade right on through straight up wall primer pumping.

In this video, we hand the G40 gun off to a group of 15 kids who have never sprayed before.

 

[tiralie]

In this video, we hand the G40 gun off to a group of 15 kids who have never sprayed before.

Looks like a lot of fun...
Tim

 

[Scott B.]

In this video, we hand the G40 gun off to a group of 15 kids who have never sprayed before.

Looks like a lot of fun...
Tim

It is fun working with the kids. They amaze us every time with how quickly they "get it".

And it is fun doing it in a clean way. Spraying drywall air assisted (which no one seems to do) results in so little overspray, which is critical because all the windows are masked during drywall spraying so it is difficult to ventilate. To do it with transfer efficiency, without compromising production, and with a 0 VOC primer is really a great way to do it.

We are happy to teach kids best practices like that. In every program we work with, the students have so much invested (time, energy) in their project that its a real shot in the the arm for their programs when we show up.

 

[mastercabman]

Scott
In the video I see someone spraying and then someone rolling the walls with a roller
What is that all about?

 

[Scott B.]

Scott
In the video I see someone spraying and then someone rolling the walls with a roller
What is that all about?

Drywall is primed through a process called spraying and back rolling. The sprayer is used to get the primer onto the surface, the roller smooths it out. This is critical to creating an even base. There is a huge difference in porosity and rate of absorption between the paper facing on drywall and all of the joint compound on the joints and screws. Back rolling evens this out, and also creates an even "roller texture" across the entire surface.

In a nutshell, all of this contributes to the reduction of "flashing".

Most of the bad paint jobs you see are done by guys who just spray and don't back roll. Compounded by not using primer at all...

At 1:24 in the video, you will see Todd and I demonstrating spray/back roll for the kids, then we turn them loose on it to experience both aspects.

Thanks for asking. Its one of those critical nuances of building a good finish that a lot of people either don't know about or skip.

 

[mastercabman]

Thank Scott that explain
I sometime observe what painters do and here they just spray the paint  wall/ceiling and never see them using any primer
spray it and go home!

 

[Scott B.]

Thank Scott that explain
I sometime observe what painters do and here they just spray the paint  wall/ceiling and never see them using any primer
spray it and go home!

That's the race to the bottom of our, or any, industry. Skip as many steps as possible, do the bare minimum, charge little, do it fast, get paid.

 

[phmade]

I forgot to ask about multiple gun / hose setups... I usually spray Waterborne clears, but occasionally I'll spray a color.  I've been using 1 gun for everything and I haven't had any issues but I was curious if others have dedicated guns for clear and/or color.  I really like the Graco FPII setup but I'm strongly considering an HVLP gun with a pressure pot.  It seems like I could get the Gun/Pot setup AND a new compressor for about the same price as the Graco FPII.  That seems pretty attractive....

 

[RDMuller]

RD - where did you purchase your CAT Technologies equipment from?  I'm in Indiana too- I need to update my profile.  What part of Indiana are you in?

DSI  Distributors Service Inc  http://www.distributor-service.com/locations.html.    They serve a triangular area from Michigan to Kentucky to Pennsylvania out of 8 locations, including Indy.  They are an excellent source of ML Campbell finishing products, sheet goods, advice, etc.

 

[WPeters]

+1 for DSI.  We get our CA Tech. products from them, along with ML Campbell.  We like the PPS system from 3m as well. Makes cleanup a snap on the HVLP.  Also I can't say enough good about CA Technology's customer service.  A tech answers the phone on the second ring.

 

[tiralie]

... but I was curious if others have dedicated guns for clear and/or color.  .

I don't, others might.
I always look at what I need to spray and how much and then pick or set up the appropriate system.
I have FUJI turbine HVLP (siphon and gravity cup), LVLP siphon, and CAT H2 o gravity and pressure pot.
All have PPS conversion for fast change.
If I could have just one I would take the Fuji and/with the pressure pot.
Tim

 

[tjbnwi]

Done properly a pressure pot is the easiest to clean. If I had to spray solvent stain I would get a 1 gallon pot just for staining.

As of now I am using a stain gun with 1 quart PPS (my Xpc gravity) and the T-70 for the Kam Aqua + connected to a 2.5 gallon pot.

No matter what system you choose, make sure the hose(s) have swivel ends. Those few extra spent dollars will save you hours of frustration.

Tom

 

[tiralie]

T-70 for the Kam Aqua + connected to a 2.5 gallon pot.

Tom
How do you like the T70 over the XPC? I haven't shot anything with mine...yet.
Tim

 

[tjbnwi]

T-70 for the Kam Aqua + connected to a 2.5 gallon pot.

Tom
How do you like the T70 over the XPC? I haven't shot anything with mine...yet.
Tim

It shoots very well. The balance with the fluid hose is excellent. I have not shot with the cup, I got it just for use with the pot.

I'm shooting with a 1.8 tip, fan set at 1/3, pot pressure set @ 14 psi.

Tom