Spray finish setup

[denovo]

Hi Everyone,

I've been researching spraying setups the last few months and I'm almost ready to invest but would like some expert opinions.  I do home renovations in Toronto and want to start spraying trim (onsite), doors and eventually finishing kitchen cabinet doors and gables (in my shop).  My projects are usually around the 500-800 sq/ft range and I'm a one man operation with a helper occasionally.  My budget is $3000-4000 CAD all in.  I'll probably be using Kem Aqua Plus products, BM Advance and SW ProClassic paints.  The equipment would only be used a few times a month and efficiency is important to me.

Right now I'm leaning towards Fuji Q5 with CAT Bandit 2Quart dual regulator pressure pot for cabinet/door work and Graco GX19 for onsite trim.

I'm also considering a CAT AAA H2O instead of the Fuji or just a Graco Finish Pro II 395. I get the feeling the extra setup and cleanup associated with AAA units is not efficient when doing smaller jobs and the 395 would be a hassle transporting to and from jobs.

Any comments/opinions would be greatly appreciated

Thanks,
Bryan

 

[JCLP]

Hi Bryan,
I too have been doing a lot of research and I am looking at the same equipment as you are, except for the GX19. For what it's worth, I talked to the reps at Graco and mentioned what paints I would be spraying, same as yours, and they did recommend the 395.
It will be interesting to see what others on the FOG say.
Cheers,
JC

 

[junk731]

As I have said in previous posts I'm using the CAT H20. cleanup is simple, put suction tube in container with clean warm water pump off remaining finish that is in the line to your original finish can watching for fluid change, a little water in WB isn't going to hurt, then pump at least 3/4 of gallon of warm water through or until you see straight water. Remove tip and drop into cleaner. Doesn't get much simpler on site or in the shop.

John

 

[denovo]

As I have said in previous posts I'm using the CAT H20. cleanup is simple, put suction tube in container with clean warm water pump off remaining finish that is in the line to your original finish can watching for fluid change, a little water in WB isn't going to hurt, then pump at least 3/4 of gallon of warm water through or until you see straight water. Remove tip and drop into cleaner. Doesn't get much simpler on site or in the shop.

John

In your experience would a Makita MAC2400 compressor (2.5HP 4.2G 4.2CFM @ 90PSI) be large enough to supply air to the CAT H2O?

 

[Scott B.]

My company runs the GX19 and the 395 Finish Pro II, among others.

The GX19 is new this year, and we have been testing it for 18 months. It is a great cost effective alternative to air assisted, at about 1/3 the price of a FPII.

It depends on the frequency of use and typical quantities involved when choosing between the two. The FPII is obviously the best around.

But it is good to have a value option.

Here is our review of the GX:
http://topcoatreview.com/2016/10/graco-gx-19/

 

[denovo]

Hi Bryan,
I too have been doing a lot of research and I am looking at the same equipment as you are, except for the GX19. For what it's worth, I talked to the reps at Graco and mentioned what paints I would be spraying, same as yours, and they did recommend the 395.
It will be interesting to see what others on the FOG say.
Cheers,
JC

The only downside I can see with the 395 is it's size and weight.  Hauling in and out of the truck for smallish jobs would probably get old quick.  I have a 7" and 10" wet tile saw and even though the 10" tile saw is far superior to the 7" I only use it if I'm cutting large tiles just because of it's size/weight.  Hence why I like the idea of getting two setups...

 

[denovo]

My company runs the GX19 and the 395 Finish Pro II, among others.

The GX19 is new this year, and we have been testing it for 18 months. It is a great cost effective alternative to air assisted, at about 1/3 the price of a FPII.

It depends on the frequency of use and typical quantities involved when choosing between the two. The FPII is obviously the best around.

But it is good to have a value option.

Here is our review of the GX:
http://topcoatreview.com/2016/10/graco-gx-19/

If you had 120' and an interior door to spray on site, would you grab the GX19 or 395 or something else from your shop to get the job done?

 

[Scott B.]

My company runs the GX19 and the 395 Finish Pro II, among others.

The GX19 is new this year, and we have been testing it for 18 months. It is a great cost effective alternative to air assisted, at about 1/3 the price of a FPII.

It depends on the frequency of use and typical quantities involved when choosing between the two. The FPII is obviously the best around.

But it is good to have a value option.

Here is our review of the GX:
http://topcoatreview.com/2016/10/graco-gx-19/

If you had 120' and an interior door to spray on site, would you grab the GX19 or 395 or something else from your shop to get the job done?

120' of what? And what is the finish?

 

[denovo]

[/quote]

120' of what? And what is the finish?
[/quote]

Sorry, I meant to say 120' of trim finished using BM Advanced or similar

 

[Scott B.]

120' of what? And what is the finish?
[/quote]

Sorry, I meant to say 120' of trim finished using BM Advanced or similar
[/quote]

Thats a pretty small quantity, I'd grab the GX on that one, because it is so mobile.

For larger quantities, I'd go to the effort of loading the 395.

 

[tjbnwi]

Where are reputable places to purchase the GX19? I only find a few retailers online I've never heard of before even show it with price range from $799-1049. That much of a swing in price is a bit nuts.

Call your local Sherwin Williams, they should be able to get it for you.

Tom

 

[JCLP]

If you go to the Graco web site you can use their search engine for your area. I here that SW stores do not carry the entire product line. In my area I  have a distributor that carries every product Graco makes.
Cheers
JC

 

[junk731]

As I have said in previous posts I'm using the CAT H20. cleanup is simple, put suction tube in container with clean warm water pump off remaining finish that is in the line to your original finish can watching for fluid change, a little water in WB isn't going to hurt, then pump at least 3/4 of gallon of warm water through or until you see straight water. Remove tip and drop into cleaner. Doesn't get much simpler on site or in the shop.

John

In your experience would a Makita MAC2400 compressor (2.5HP 4.2G 4.2CFM @ 90PSI) be large enough to supply air to the CAT H2O?

I can't see why it wouldn't, air requirements aren't that great for AAA guns.

John

 

[donnenwerth woodworking]

I have 3 of the Graco Nova 390 - low boys.  They weigh a little bit but are pretty mobile.  For an extra $200 I would chose one of these over the Prox19.  I made my mistake before with a tradesman 170 - burned through that in a year with minimal use compared to what I've been doing with my Nova 390's. 

They are pretty versatile.  I've been spray Precat lacquer and Conversion varnish for cabinetry.  Pro classic for Trim and doors. 

 

[Pnw painter]

If you're only gonna purchase one pump I'd recommend the 395 Finish Pro II. It'll be overkill for smaller projects, but you can purchase a separate gun and run it as an airless as well. I think the added versatility would be beneficial if you're only gonna purchase one pump.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tiralie]

Hi Bryan:

I'll probably be using Kem Aqua Plus products, BM Advance and SW ProClassic paints.  The equipment would only be used a few times a month and efficiency is important to me.

That's a wide range of product to spray. I think if you were only going to spray Kem Aqua you could get away with the Fuji and the pressure pot. I have used this to spray a full kitchen of cabinets with Kem Aqua on location and it works well, is easy to set up and break down and clean up.

The down side is it doesn't spray BM Advance out of the can (without thinning) and I still don't think it will lay down the best wet coat quick enough. I have not sprayed ProClassic so I can't comment. For spraying Advance etc. I don't think you can beat a fine finish airless system.
I painted the coffered ceiling panels with the Fuji Q4 set up but it was at it's limit as far as laying down a workable wet coat with Kem aqua.

[attachimg=1]

You could augment the Fuji system with a TrueCoat Pro Fine Finish the cordless Airless Sprayer (which I think you should have anyway) as it will solve a lot of in between projects one door or a 100 or so feet of casing etc. that you probably have. Great machine and it sprays Advance, Regal select out of the can beautifully.

I think the CATechnologies is a great solution for a shop or even on location and I am considering it myself, however I have some concerns as to how well it can spray Advance, Pro classic or some primers. Maybe [member=4907]kcufstoidi[/member] can comment.

In your experience would a Makita MAC2400 compressor (2.5HP 4.2G 4.2CFM @ 90PSI) be large enough to supply air to the CAT H2O?

If you look at the specs for the CAT H20 mobile unit it requires 7cfm at 40psi. I believe they are using a California Air tools pump on the cart. You can buy a California Air tools 22060 at Home Depot that is rated at 6.4 cfm at 40psi. It gets you close.

Hope that helps.
Tim

 

[junk731]

Tim they may spec 7 cfm at 40psi but that would be an output rarely needed, also Makita should be able to cover most typical use, if not maybe an upgrade to the MC5200 or your suggestion.

As far as BM Advance goes I don't spray house paint, the few times I have in the past ended in major frustration not from the spraying point but from the fact the crap doesn't dry, you can't sand or stack it. If you want to test some bring up a gallon and we'll put it through the gun and you can see what happens. Your welcome to drop by anytime.

John

 

[wptski]

Hi Bryan:

That's a wide range of product to spray. I think if you were only going to spray Kem Aqua you could get away with the Fuji and the pressure pot. I have used this to spray kitchens with Kem Aqua on location and it works well, is easy to set up and break down and clean up.

The down side is it doesn't spray BM Advance out of the can (without thinning) and I still don't think it will lay down the best wet coat quick enough. I have not sprayed ProClassic so I can't comment. For spraying Advance etc. I don't think you can beat a fine finish airless system.
I painted the coffered ceiling panels with the Fuji Q4 set up but it was at it's limit as far as laying down a workable wet coat with Kem aqua.

Hope that helps.
Tim

Tim:

You did the "whole" kitchen with a Fuji turbine?

 

[denovo]

Thank you for the info Tim.

After talking to JC and reading your comments; I have crossed the Fuji system off my list. 

I did look at the TrueCoat Pro FF but decided the GX19 would be more versatile and still a well built pump.  I also have an adverseness to battery operated tools as I always forget to charge the batteries.

Does anyone know if there is any concern about condensation with the CAT H2O using a normal compressor.  I understand the compressor on the 395 is always running (correct me if I'm wrong) so the air never has the chance to cool down.  I'm assuming that wouldn't be the case with the CAT AAA? 

 

[tjbnwi]

Thank you for the info Tim.

After talking to JC and reading your comments; I have crossed the Fuji system off my list. 

I did look at the TrueCoat Pro FF but decided the GX19 would be more versatile.  I also have an adverseness to battery operated tools as I always forget to charge the batteries.

Does anyone know if there is any concern about condensation with the CAT H2O using a normal compressor.  I understand the compressor on the 395 is always running (correct me if I'm wrong) so the air never has the chance to cool down.  I'm assuming that wouldn't be the case with the CAT AAA?

The compressor on the 395 shuts down when you release the trigger on the gun.

Tom