Turning a Graco airless into an air assisted

[Bob Wolfe]

Has anyone experience with attaching a G40 airless gun to a smaller Graco airless pump like a GX19 or X5 and supplying supplemental air. I have an X 5 and would like to get a better finish on some cabinet doors I have to finish. I also have a Graco 9.5 turbine system, does a good job just a bit slow.

I also came across a Graco 295 air assisted airless on the Graco site, never new there was such a thing. Anyone have any experience with this unit?

In my part of the world, southern Saskatchewan, a new Graco 395 will eat up $6000 Can.

Thanks for any information
BW

 

[AlexThePalex]

Want the best finish on your doors, get yourself a nice Devilbiss spray gun for the car industry, with a compressor that can deliver enough air, and you'll get a better finish than whatever airless/air assisted path you're on now.

The gun should cost you about $500-600, and the compressor about the same, maybe a bit more. You should be set for $1500 can tops.

Airless is for volume, not for finesse.

 

[Paul_HKI]

Want the best finish on your doors, get yourself a nice Devilbiss spray gun for the car industry, with a compressor that can deliver enough air, and you'll get a better finish than whatever airless/air assisted path you're on now.

The gun should cost you about $500-600, and the compressor about the same, maybe a bit more. You should be set for $1500 can tops.

Airless is for volume, not for finesse.

Completely agree with Alex on this one.

A Devilbiss FLG-5 with 1.4 and 1.8mm nozzles, good lines, separator/regulator and compressor will do everything you need if you're considering 'air' in the first place. 

 

[Packard]

I have a Graco XL7 airless and a stage 4 HVLP.  For cabinets it is the HVLP sprayer.  The airless feels like a runaway train.  Also the smoothness of the finish seems much nicer with the HVLP.  It could be that someone with a superior skill set can do better with the airless, but the HVLP was easy to use right out of the box.

 

[Getmaverick]

I have done this with a Titan 440. I used a 20 gallon Husky for years but always needed more air. I recently upgraded to a 60 gallon Quincy. You will need a water and oil filter on that compressor line. You x5 should work because you need very little pressure coming from the rig. All the atomising comes from the air. I spray mainly KemAqua and ProClassic Hybrid.

 

[rst]

If you are looking for fine finish the HVLP is the way to go.  Much cheaper and simpler than going auto paint worthy.  Started finishing in 1971, still have my Binks model 17 although i haven't used it in years.  Most of my auto painting is small rattle can now.

 

[Bob Wolfe]

Thanks all for the information. 
I have an Devilbiss FLG2  that I bought 25 odd years ago, first gun I bought, but it would never spray a material like pigmented lacquer or a latex paint without excessive thinning. My last setup for pigmented lacquer has been an Accuspray gun on a 5 stage Graco turbine, good finish but even using a pressure pot, not that quick.

For Getmaverik… what gun did you put on the Titan?

Thanks again.

 

[tjbnwi]

You'll need a G-40 gun (the X-5 pressure exceeds the rating of a G-15 gun), dryer/regulator on the air line that supplies the gun, the fluid hose from the pump to gun is the same (1/4"), you may have to do some fitting adapting for the air line.

The X-5 sprays just over a quart a minute, keep the flat tip size at X15 or smaller, you should be fine.

Tom

 

[tjbnwi]

The AAA can lay down as good of finish as any HVLP. As with any finishing outcome depends on prep and the operator.

I own and use a Q4, a Q5, 3 Graco AAA’s and a Graco Triton. Which I use depends on the job and product. Some days there is a different color/finish in every gun (11 total).

I highly recommend you look into a KCMA certified finish. My next choice would be an acrylic finish.

These are right off the gun, a Graco G-15 supplied by a Graco Merkur 15:1 air driven pump. Product is Sayerlac Hydro Plus, 315 flat tip, 55 psi pump pressure, 14 psi air cap pressure (with trigger pulled, 19 psi static). Wet mill 4 (0.004”).

Tom

 

[Getmaverick]

I have the G-40. I use the flat tips. I agree with tjbnwi. HVLP was not meant for production work. I couldn't imagine spraying a full Kitchen with one. Depending on what you spray, you should not have to thin down your product to get a smooth finish.

 

[Bob Wolfe]

Thanks all. I have been eyeing a G40 gun for some time so I’ll get my butt off the fence and get one.  ( having Tom chime in really made my day…… I think I have read nearly all  his posts)

 

[tjbnwi]

Thanks all. I have been eyeing a G40 gun for some time so I’ll get my butt off the fence and get one.  ( having Tom chime in really made my day…… I think I have read nearly all  his posts)

When you first get the G-40 connected and working be aware how fast it will deliver the product compared to what you're used to.

Start 12-16" from the surface, a 3' wide surface should take 5-6 seconds to make the pass over.

Check the products TDS, it will give you the tip size range, start with the lowest size orfice.

and just for fun----the tips are just over $100.00 each, they last 75-100 gallons.....

Tom

 

[Bob Wolfe]

Good information, and a tip will be more like $130 here.
Thanks
BW