Want to "up" my paint setup

[bkharman]

Hi all.

I have been limping by with a decent, but not great for Latex, Earlex 5500.  I want to step things up a bit.  I have been looking into the Fuji Mini-Mite 4 with a gravity gun and combine it with some Kem Aqua Plus.  My main work would be cabinet doors, some built-ins, a handful of interior doors and possibly my master closet I am building in the next few months.  I know there are plenty of folks who have a mini-mite and love it.  I don't need the Q4 as I want to keep my budget down and the thing will be in a different room anyways.  Any other recommendations based on my needs/wants?

I also have not had a lot of experience with spraying latex.  I did on occasion with the Earlex, but wasn't fond of the results.  I know Tom and others here really love the KA+, but I keep reading it has a long learning period with it.  Would that be better/same/worse combining it with the Fuji?  I even considered picking up the pressure pot with it if that helps things.  Not only do I want my projects to come out well, but I want high quality all around.  I don't mind learning, but i don't want to tinker around a lot to get this dialed in and on my project.

I am very familiar with most of the paints from SW, including ProClassic which i roll and brush very often, so if the KA+ falls into that same category, then I might be fine.

cheers.  Bryan.

 

[tjbnwi]

The MM 4 will do you well.

Get the T-75 with the package. Purchase air caps from 0.8-1.5 mm, get the 1.8 with the gun.

Latex/acrylics can be a different animal. Do a search here on the subject.

KA+ [thumbs up]

Tom

 

[rnt80]

I have the Q5 with the gun that Tom mentioned.  I took the cup off immediately and replaced it with the largest 3M PPS cup.  I love the set up.  I use the gun to exclusively spray KA+ white and the accompanying surfacer (which I love).  I took Tom's advice and thin (not the surfacer) it with 5-10% of General Finishes Extender.
https://www.amazon.com/General-Fini...e=UTF8&qid=1472526011&sr=8-2&keywords=general+finishes+enduro+extender

I think Tom uses the 1.8 to spray the surfacer.  I tried that for a couple of jobs but found that for me the 1.3 for both the surfacer and the top coats worked well.

 

[tjbnwi]

I have the Q5 with the gun that Tom mentioned.  I took the cup off immediately and replaced it with the largest 3M PPS cup.  I love the set up.  I use the gun to exclusively spray KA+ white and the accompanying surfacer (which I love).  I took Tom's advice and thin (not the surfacer) it with 5-10% of General Finishes Extender.
https://www.amazon.com/General-Fini...e=UTF8&qid=1472526011&sr=8-2&keywords=general+finishes+enduro+extender

I think Tom uses the 1.8 to spray the surfacer.  I tried that for a couple of jobs but found that for me the 1.3 for both the surfacer and the top coats worked well.

1.5 for the Surfacer, 1.3 for the top coat, 0.8 for the clear finishes and stains.

1.8 may be needed for the paints he mentioned.

Tom

 

[roblg3]

Well, gentlemen it appears I must do more testing?  ka+ w my mm3 seems best at 1.3. I get orange peel with the smaller cap/tip.!?? I love I'll say that ka+ is super easy to spray, level and get nice results with!  I tried thining and spraying Sherwin Williams top cabinet paint and even with the 1.8 had immense trouble. The ka+white went down like glass at 1.3 though!  Tom, you're wisdom and advice has saved me countless hours and made me a few bucks as well!  Eternal gratitude for your help!

 

[tjbnwi]

Well, gentlemen it appears I must do more testing?  ka+ w my mm3 seems best at 1.3. I get orange peel with the smaller cap/tip.!?? I love I'll say that ka+ is super easy to spray, level and get nice results with!  I tried thining and spraying Sherwin Williams top cabinet paint and even with the 1.8 had immense trouble. The ka+white went down like glass at 1.3 though!  Tom, you're wisdom and advice has saved me countless hours and made me a few bucks as well!  Eternal gratitude for your help!

Which KA +, pigmented (white) or clear? Very different animals.

This past weekends endeavor, after correcting the surfaces.........the stain was sprayed with G-Xpc 2H air cap set, KA + MRE sprayed with a T-70 0.8 mm tip, PPS cups on both.

Thank you for the compliment.

Tom

 

[roblg3]

My poor results are likely due to my inexperience and not a reflection of your wise advice [thumbs up] I've found that the white sprays flatter/more smooth@ a 1.3set than "medium rubbed effect" clear does at 1.0 with my non pressure pot mini mite 3 at my level of experience (which is still mediocre) even though people seem to think it's good, I can see it's really not all that good. Maybe that last beer made this make no sense...

 

[tjbnwi]

My poor results are likely due to my inexperience and not a reflection of your wise advice [thumbs up] I've found that the white sprays flatter/more smooth@ a 1.3set than "medium rubbed effect" clear does at 1.0 with my non pressure pot mini mite 3 at my level of experience (which is still mediocre) even though people seem to think it's good, I can see it's really not all that good. Maybe that last beer made this make no sense...

I understand how peoples perspectives on quality can be very different. I had someone tell me the finish in the first picture in my previous post looked fine to him.

Tom

 

[bkharman]

So now I am thinking of getting the Q5 with the 5 for 5 deal. A few extra caps and tips and eventually a pressure pot. I saw a video of someone pushing pro classic (un-thinned) on some large panels with the Q5 and there was no orange peel and it looked like glass. I would mainly be spraying latex and KA+ so do you think the 5 would be a better choice?

Good seeing you in person at Connect Tom!

Cheers. Bryan.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tjbnwi]

Get the 5.

We'll deal with any issues once you get spraying.

Very nice to meet you as well.

Tom

 

[bkharman]

Get the 5.

We'll deal with any issues once you get spraying.

Very nice to meet you as well.

Tom

Thanks Tom.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bkharman]

So now I have utterly confused myself.  I thought I was sold on the Q5 with the GXPC gun, but as I look into it, I see i can save a bit with a Mini-Mite 5 and maybe the gravity gun.  Is there any big reason to NOT do the GXPC?  I think for my "part time" use of this setup, the MM5 might be fine to save a few hundred pesos, but then again, it is only about 300 difference.  Is the noise level that much different?

Cheers.  Bryan.

 

[tiralie]

Is there any big reason to NOT do the GXPC? 

The T 70 is a more refined gun than the XPC. I still use my XPC all the time, it's easier to clean. The T70 seems to spray finer to me. I like it for thinner coatings like shellac or thinned sealer.

Is the noise level that much different?

As I understand one is whisper quiet the other spounds like a vacuum.

 

[xtrememtnbiker]

My poor results are likely due to my inexperience and not a reflection of your wise advice [thumbs up] I've found that the white sprays flatter/more smooth@ a 1.3set than "medium rubbed effect" clear does at 1.0 with my non pressure pot mini mite 3 at my level of experience (which is still mediocre) even though people seem to think it's good, I can see it's really not all that good. Maybe that last beer made this make no sense...

I understand how peoples perspectives on quality can be very different. I had someone tell me the finish in the first picture in my previous post looked fine to him.

Tom

Was I that person Tom?  [embarassed]

 

[tjbnwi]

So now I have utterly confused myself.  I thought I was sold on the Q5 with the GXPC gun, but as I look into it, I see i can save a bit with a Mini-Mite 5 and maybe the gravity gun.  Is there any big reason to NOT do the GXPC?  I think for my "part time" use of this setup, the MM5 might be fine to save a few hundred pesos, but then again, it is only about 300 difference.  Is the noise level that much different?

Cheers.  Bryan.

Like Tim, I have both series guns.

I like the Gxpc for general use (I have 2), it's a fine gun. I have all the air cap sets for the first gen, nothing I can't wont spray with it. I use the 2nd gen with the 4H (only air cap set I have for the second gen) for surfacers and primers.

The T-70 gun is the bottom feed T series (T-75 is the gravity feed), have it for connecting to the pressure pot. Great gun.

The Gx series is very difficult to connect to a pot.

You're supposed to clean the guns? [laughing]

Tom

 

[tjbnwi]

My poor results are likely due to my inexperience and not a reflection of your wise advice [thumbs up] I've found that the white sprays flatter/more smooth@ a 1.3set than "medium rubbed effect" clear does at 1.0 with my non pressure pot mini mite 3 at my level of experience (which is still mediocre) even though people seem to think it's good, I can see it's really not all that good. Maybe that last beer made this make no sense...

I understand how peoples perspectives on quality can be very different. I had someone tell me the finish in the first picture in my previous post looked fine to him.

Tom

Was I that person Tom?  [embarassed]

You know you were. Notice I didn't throw you under the bus? 8)

That's what happens when all you see is painted wood trim.

Tom

 

[bkharman]

So.  I think I am good with what I will start with (don't ask me what that is!)...

Now the loaded "where to purchase it"?  I prefer to get it quick (

 

[xtrememtnbiker]

My poor results are likely due to my inexperience and not a reflection of your wise advice [thumbs up] I've found that the white sprays flatter/more smooth@ a 1.3set than "medium rubbed effect" clear does at 1.0 with my non pressure pot mini mite 3 at my level of experience (which is still mediocre) even though people seem to think it's good, I can see it's really not all that good. Maybe that last beer made this make no sense...

I understand how peoples perspectives on quality can be very different. I had someone tell me the finish in the first picture in my previous post looked fine to him.

Tom

Was I that person Tom?  [embarassed]

You know you were. Notice I didn't throw you under the bus? 8)

That's what happens when all you see is painted wood trim.

Tom

Once I saw the finished product after you sanded it I had no problems telling which one was better. I live in the land of white. What can I say...?

 

[xtrememtnbiker]

So.  I think I am good with what I will start with (don't ask me what that is!)...

Now the loaded "where to purchase it"?  I prefer to get it quick (

 

[tjbnwi]

So.  I think I am good with what I will start with (don't ask me what that is!)...

Now the loaded "where to purchase it"?  I prefer to get it quick (