Thinking about buying a Fuji mini-mite 3

[RJNeal]

As the tittle says. Any pros and cons. I really don’t do much finish work. But I have a bunch of smalls projects here and there I rather do than farm out.
Any advise would be helpful and great.
Thanks
Rick.

 

[tjbnwi]

Get the 4 with a T-75 gun.

Tom

 

[RJNeal]

Thanks Tom. I went with the Q4 and the T-75
Rick

 

[Packard]

I have the Sprayfine unit.  They sell it as a complete system (or in components).  Very good (but a bit noisy).  $560.00 including all the hoses, a good spray gun and the Level 4 sprayer.

I have no reservations about recommending it.  The only challenge was determining the right amount to thin the paint.  After that, easy.
https://www.turbineproducts.com/sprayfine-a401-4-stage-turbine-hvlp-spray-system/

 

[RJNeal]

Thanks Packard. I received my Q 4 today. Now practice makes almost perfect.
Rick.

 

[Packard]

When you figure out how much to thin your paint, it will all see easy. But until I got that right, I kept asking, Damn, what am I doing wrong.

When you figure that out you are on your way.

 

[RJNeal]

Thanks for the tip. They included a funnel type viscosity tester that you time the material flowing through.
Rick

 

[Packard]

Yes, a Ford cup.  I did not have one when I started.  I almost always spray Advance and I know how much water to add to the cup so I don't use the Ford cup very often.

I do recommend you get some mixing cups and lids.  You will find them very handy.  I got the TCP cups from Amazon.com.  Very cheap.

Get the ones with a few lids and also a pack of tongue depressors to stir the paint in the cups.

A mask and eye protection is a must.  I got the mask with removable filters.  The air flow is better.

 

[DynaGlide]

And when you're ready to 'upgrade', the 3M PPS 2.0 is wonderful. Spray upside down, any orientation without worrying about fluid getting to the gun and makes cleanup a breeze.

If you can get access to and become comfortable with products like SW Kem Aqua Plus you can skip the whole thinning process altogether.

Matt

 

[Packard]

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/collision-repair-us/featured-products/paint-preparation-system/

They are showing it for gravity-fed sprayers (which I have), but not for siphon sprayers (which I have and prefer).

Does it hook up to siphon sprayers?

 

[DynaGlide]

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/collision-repair-us/featured-products/paint-preparation-system/

They are showing it for gravity-fed sprayers (which I have), but not for siphon sprayers (which I have and prefer).

Does it hook up to siphon sprayers?

Here's the place to go [member=74278]Packard[/member] https://www.phelpsrefinishing.com/3m-pps

 

[RJNeal]

Thanks Matt and Packard. I did research on the 3M PPS cup. Looks awesome. I’ll probably pick one up depending on resources $ and how much I’m using this. Much appreciate the tips given.
Rj

 

[krudawg]

Get the 4 with a T-75 gun.

Tom

X 2

 

[Packard]

I’ve been shooting HVLP for about 5 years now.  I didn’t know I was supposed to need the 3M cup until now.  With a siphon cup I feel I don’t really need it.  The gravity feed is more of a nuisance to fill because it does not stand upright for me so if I used the siphon cup more often, I might spring for it.

 

[DynaGlide]

I’ve been shooting HVLP for about 5 years now.  I didn’t know I was supposed to need the 3M cup until now.  With a siphon cup I feel I don’t really need it.  The gravity feed is more of a nuisance to fill because it does not stand upright for me so if I used the siphon cup more often, I might spring for it.

With a siphon cup it's less of a need and more of a convenience. With the gravity cup I place it more into the 'need' territory. Having the collapsible liners that you can store for future use is pretty great. And the 3M lids have built in filtration which is another bonus.

Matt

 

[Packard]

But at over $200.00, I can't justify it.  I just don't paint that much.

 

[krudawg]

As the tittle says. Any pros and cons. I really don’t do much finish work. But I have a bunch of smalls projects here and there I rather do than farm out.
Any advise would be helpful and great.
Thanks
Rick.

I bought the MiniMite4 a few years ago from Phelps Refinishing.  Roger not only sells the Fuji Systems he is always available for painting advice.  With HVLP systems, it pays to buy one with as many turbines as you can afford, so if you can afford the MiniMite4 I recommend you dig a little deeper for at least a 4 turbine sprayer

 

[Rjk75]

If one has the mini3 is all lost. .  Is it just a little more dilution? I assume it’s still better off than the Wagners I see used with success.