Spraying a perfectly flat texture

[ryanjg117]

I've got an Apollo HVLP (three-stage unit) with a new 7700T gun and multiple tips (1.3, 1.5 and 1.8mm). I've been spraying BIN primer and, of late, General Finishes Pigmented Poly, using the 1.3mm tip. It seems to atomize just fine, and I'm getting good coverage.

What I am noticing is a very slight texture. Not really something you can see from a distance, but up close you can see just a little bit of orange peeling.

I'm wondering if this is something I can fix with gun controls (the 7700T has adjustable material flow and also an overspray control knob, which I currently have set all the way to the OFF position). Am I putting it on too thick? Or do I need to thin the material to get rid of that texture?

I'm trying to avoid thinning the material as I feel it screws with the chemistry and could effect long term performance.

 

[tiralie]

What I am noticing is a very slight texture. Not really something you can see from a distance, but up close you can see just a little bit of orange peeling.

Not sure which material you are referring to or both. Shouldn't matter with the primer as you sand that out. I would cut back material flow. The 3 stage is challenged with pigmented/high solids coatings. General Poly is relatively easy (forgiving) to spray with HVLP, and should lay down perfectly flat from the gun without pinholes etc.

I'm trying to avoid thinning the material as I feel it screws with the chemistry and could effect long term performance.

I agree, I don't like thinning unless it is for effect, like dying/staining or seal coating for cerusing etc.
Tim

 

[sancho57]

You should spray very light multiple coats. Also apollo has multiple caps. I just sprayed so Behr outdoor stain sealer.
Do you have the coresponding needles for those tips? (Sorry but unless you tell us we cant read into it)

I used the 2.0 N/N with the Blue "C" HS air cap which is made for heavy material.

Ya might wanna look at that

I got the Apollo 4 stage Eco 4. Is that 7700T the new gun for apollo?