Picking a spray gun system

[John T.]

Hi everyone, I'm trying to research paint systems and could use any input you may have. Example uses I can think of are utility boxes on house exterior, metal furniture/equipment, maybe a couple of cabinet projects including paint and clear finishes. I believe I'd be spraying latex, catalyzed lacquer, and water-based polyurethane for those applications. I use oil/wax finishes for interior furniture so I won't be using this spray setup more than a few times a year.

Airless seems like overkill for the project sizes. Pneumatic HVLP seems like a bad fit since I don't have workshop space for a large stationary compressor. Upgrading from my 1/2 HP nail gun compressor to a larger pancake compressor would be an option although I don't know that it'd replace it since I like the small foot print and low noise for light workshop use. It seems like the best options are HVLP turbine, or pneumatic LVLP or conventional with a pancake compressor.

Budget (~$500 or less) and finish quality are my priorities. Application efficiency for time and material usage aren't. Are those priorities aligned with HVLP turbine, pneumatic LVLP, or conventional, or am I asking for too much versatility, performance, and compactness out of a system without giving enough budget?

 

[Packard]

I have a stage 4 system from Turbine Products for several years now.  I don’t spray any oil-based paints at all, but it has sprayed everything I have tried.  I do have to add water to all the materials I shoot (Mostly Advance from Benjamin-Moore).

I strongly advise that you also buy a “Ford cup” to measure viscosity.  If you keep the viscosity constant, you will have a rather easy time of it.  A genuine Ford cup is fairly expensive, but the knock-offs are available for much less.

Always disassemble and clean your gun after each use.  I tried just running water through the gun until clear, which was fast and easy and eventually was a bad idea.

Turbine products has been reliable and competitive.  Also, an excellent customer service “department” which had me speaking with the owner half of the times.

They make Stage 3, 4, and 5 kits.  The stage 4 has been adequate, and their guns have been fine too.
https://turbineproducts.com/

 

[woodferret]

For those projects, I would have said use BM/Corotech Command.  But that does require a 1.8 spray nozzle (Fuji).  It's also rollerable.  Given the budget, I'd figure a cheap like the Earlex/Fuji Hobby Pro2 would probably do an mildy acceptable job with a bit more sanding.

 

[Packard]

I would note that Advance, which is a very slow drying paint, levels beautifully on horizontal surfaces but will run or drip on vertical surfaces. My last project was door fronts for kitchen cabinets and they painted up nicely.  I painted the original boxes that were still mounted on the walls with a brush.  With a good brush and good technique it can be difficult to tell from a sprayed finish, especially since I was only brushing on the face frames.  The doors, drawer-fronts and end panels were all new and painted in the shop. 

I probably did not give Command a good enough try, but I kept getting orange peel, and I found that it did not level well as it dried much faster.

But if you can master Command it will speed the job through your shop.  Advance needs 8 hours between coats, so three coats would be over a period of three days. 

Be aware that white and light colors dry substantially harder than dark colors.  It is really quite noticeable. 

Also, Advance is an interior only paint except for the high gloss finish which is rated for exterior surfaces.

For whichever paint you use, the Ford cup will assure consistent viscosity and a more consistent finish.

Also note the the air pump is pretty annoyingly loud.  I solved this by putting the turbine in a small room adjacent to where I spray and drilling a hole in the wall to accept the rather long hose that Turbine Products supplies with the kit.  I close the door and it is suddenly quiet.

Another option would be to wear hearing attenuators.  But in any case, be aware that these turbines are noisy (I assumed that it would be a “hum”, but that assumption was wrong).  They also generate a bit of heat and you need to leave room around them so that they will not overheat.  Mine has a heat sensor and cut off switch when it gets too hot.  It only happened once, and that was because I placed it in a corner against the two walls. It is not problem, but you should be aware of it.

I always make a test spray to check the spray pattern.  So I collect things in my shop that would benefit from some paint and use them for the testing.  Why let the paint go to waste?

Good luck.

 

[John T.]

Sounds like HVLP turbine is the likely solution for a spray system. I'll check out the Turbine Products. The Fuji hobby machine came up but I wasn't sure how it'd be impacted by being only two stage.

I'll check out Command and Advance and see if I can get some samples or quarts from the paint shop. If I can get a smooth spray-like finish with a roller that'd be great.

 

[waho6o9]

I was in the same boat and purchased different systems

1) Magnum Airless 2800 PSI Project Painter Plus Stand Paint Sprayer. This was a good system as I put four gallons of paint
in a five gallon bucket and sprayed my house.

2) 2 Quart PAINT PRESSURE POT TANK SPRAY GUN SPRAYER. A nice little sprayer but it ran out of paint quickly. It's a good
sprayer for small jobs. This system does require an air compressor. 

 

[Steve1]

Sounds like HVLP turbine is the likely solution for a spray system. I'll check out the Turbine Products. The Fuji hobby machine came up but I wasn't sure how it'd be impacted by being only two stage.

Two stage turbine unlikely to be up to the job with paint. (although some do use it that way)
I normally spray polyurethane finish (which is low viscosity and perfect for turbine unit) but bought the 5 stage turbine Fuji because I want to be able to spray paint also.  I also have a Graco Ultra handheld airless, which is better suited to paint, but I hate that thing.
But I have sprayed very little paint with my Fuji, so can't give an accurate evaluation.

 

[Packard]

The Ford viscosity cup is shown at about the 40 second mark.  This is a plastic molded piece (which works just fine); I believe the authentic Ford cup is made from stainless steel.  I don’t see how it makes a practical difference, and I was shocked at the price of the genuine Ford cup.

This is a cheap and effective way to measure viscosity.  Also, I always use a filter funnel made from paper and mesh.  These are very cheap and disposable.  I highly recommend them. 

I always filter the paint being poured into the gun.  I recommend it as a good habit to get into.

Both items are available from Amazon.

I use TCP Global for these supplies.  They are sold direct and also through Amazon.com.
https://www.google.com/search?q=tcp global&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1-m

 

[Steve1]

Check what is included with the sprayers you are considering.
The Ford viscosity cup was included with my Fuji sprayer.

 

[Muttley000]

Check what is included with the sprayers you are considering.
The Ford viscosity cup was included with my Fuji sprayer.

Mine as well!  I have a 4 stage Fuji, it was a failure the only time I shot paint, but great with varnish and lacquer. Looking at the Gravo Quickshot for a kitchen, laundry room, pantry, and several vanities that all need painted.

 

[krudawg]

Hi everyone, I'm trying to research paint systems and could use any input you may have. Example uses I can think of are utility boxes on house exterior, metal furniture/equipment, maybe a couple of cabinet projects including paint and clear finishes. I believe I'd be spraying latex, catalyzed lacquer, and water-based polyurethane for those applications. I use oil/wax finishes for interior furniture so I won't be using this spray setup more than a few times a year.

Airless seems like overkill for the project sizes. Pneumatic HVLP seems like a bad fit since I don't have workshop space for a large stationary compressor. Upgrading from my 1/2 HP nail gun compressor to a larger pancake compressor would be an option although I don't know that it'd replace it since I like the small foot print and low noise for light workshop use. It seems like the best options are HVLP turbine, or pneumatic LVLP or conventional with a pancake compressor.

Budget (~$500 or less) and finish quality are my priorities. Application efficiency for time and material usage aren't. Are those priorities aligned with HVLP turbine, pneumatic LVLP, or conventional, or am I asking for too much versatility, performance, and compactness out of a system without giving enough budget?

I never sprayed before I bought my Fuji MiniMite 4 Platinum with the T75G Gun.  Great system but if you can spring for the 5 Turbine Fuji then I'd so that.  Also, bite the bullet and get the 3M PPS Series 2 system - you can thank me later but your budget is sub-$500 I'd look to buy a used Fuji MiniMite 4 system.

 

[krudawg]

Hi everyone, I'm trying to research paint systems and could use any input you may have. Example uses I can think of are utility boxes on house exterior, metal furniture/equipment, maybe a couple of cabinet projects including paint and clear finishes. I believe I'd be spraying latex, catalyzed lacquer, and water-based polyurethane for those applications. I use oil/wax finishes for interior furniture so I won't be using this spray setup more than a few times a year.

Airless seems like overkill for the project sizes. Pneumatic HVLP seems like a bad fit since I don't have workshop space for a large stationary compressor. Upgrading from my 1/2 HP nail gun compressor to a larger pancake compressor would be an option although I don't know that it'd replace it since I like the small foot print and low noise for light workshop use. It seems like the best options are HVLP turbine, or pneumatic LVLP or conventional with a pancake compressor.

Budget (~$500 or less) and finish quality are my priorities. Application efficiency for time and material usage aren't. Are those priorities aligned with HVLP turbine, pneumatic LVLP, or conventional, or am I asking for too much versatility, performance, and compactness out of a system without giving enough budget?

I have the Fuji MiniMite 4 Platinum.  The most important thing to remember when using a Turbine System -  Always use the  #4 Ford cup for each spray jobs.  Thin the paint with water, for latex, to about 30 seconds and use the 1.8mm air cap.  Don't pay attention to comments from Pros who brag they shoot all latex without thinning with my 1.3mm Air Cap.  Hog Wash!