Which HVLP Sprayer?

[KescoNY]

Im in the market for an HVLP sprayer. Which brand do you guys prefer?

I will be using it mainly on cabinets and some small trim work. I have years of experience spraying cars and I've done many cabinets by hand (roller, brush)  Im looking for a unit i can use when my painter gets backed up or i need to spray small projects

I will be making plenty of practice runs in the shop before i actually use it on a clients project but i would like to start with something i will not grow out of anytime soon. 

I would like to stay under the $1500 mark but I'm open to other options.  I ve been looking at the fuji Q5 platinum. If anyone has experience with the fuji, what gun or guns do you guys prefer for occasional unusual angles of spraying.

 

[tjbnwi]

I use Fuji HVLP's.

I have the Q4 with multiple guns. I prefer gravity feeds, at times a bottom feed is the way to go. Gravities do not work well with a pressure pot due to hose path.

Her's a legend from the Fuji site, pick the one that suits you best, I would never get one less than 3 stages. I also like the Q series with the noise reduction.

If you can see you're way clear get both the T-70 and T-75. By staying in the same series the air cap sets are interchangeable. I do like my Xpc-G guns.
http://www.fujispray.com/hvlp-systems/

Hopefully others will offer their insights to other system to help your decision process.

Tom

 

[KescoNY]

Thanks Tom

Im pretty much decided on at least 3 stages. I was thinking of starting out with a gravity feed gun due to experience but i see your point.

In your opinion, do you think the price difference between the Q3 and Q5 is worth it for what i need to do?  I rather invest in multiple guns if the q5 isn't necessary.

 

[tjbnwi]

Q4 with both guns.

Tom

 

[harmonpa]

Will most of your work be on site?

 

[KescoNY]

Will most of your work be on site?

90% of it will be on site.    I ordered the q5 with both guns.

I will get to try it out next week and hope it works out.  I really didn't find anything else on the market that is comparable to the q5

 

[Dan-]

I'm in the same boat, trying to decide between the 4- and 5-stage Fuji. Mainly concerned about the ability of the 4 to handle GF Enduro White Poly or Target EM6500. Looks like I'd need a #5 cap regardless, but wondering if the 5-stage is a better choice or a 4 stage and a pressure-assist pot?

 

[monstrol]

Just my 2 cents, which ever one you get you will want a cleaning kit especially if you spray any waterborne. I have a Capspray 4 stage with 2 guns, gotta have 2 guns.

 

[tiralie]

I'm in the same boat, trying to decide between the 4- and 5-stage Fuji. Mainly concerned about the ability of the 4 to handle GF Enduro White Poly or Target EM6500. Looks like I'd need a #5 cap regardless, but wondering if the 5-stage is a better choice or a 4 stage and a pressure-assist pot?

You will need a pressure pot and #5 cap for the enduro white and the 6500. If you can afford the 5 stage go for it, but you will still need the pressure pot.
Tim

 

[tiralie]

I like the T series Fuji guns, the adjustments are nicer but the XPC guns are less parts when you break them down to clean and easier to convert to pressure pot setup.
Tim

 

[tjbnwi]

I use the T-70 for my pressure pot.

I looked at the specs for the Enduro White. The specs show 1.1mm to 1.8mm air cap sets for an HVLP system. Is the product that thick that it needs a pressure pot? I've shot Enduro but never Enduro White. 

Tom

 

[tiralie]

The specs show 1.1mm to 1.8mm air cap sets for an HVLP system. Is the product that thick that it needs a pressure pot? I've shot Enduro but never Enduro White. 

Tom:
You are correct the can does indicate those air cap sets or ranges for HVLP. I believe I used a 1.8 or # 5 cap set for the Enduro White and the 2.2 or #6 XPC cap set for the primer which is very thick.
Since you thin your coatings you may be able to spray the Enduro white without the pressure pot. I tried, and hated it, too many large droplets, had to spray to heavy a mil thickness and I had to move too slow.

Again, you may be fine with it without a pressure pot if you thin it, I just didn't like it or the results. Be aware it takes a long time to dry and at least a week to cure.

This is a photo of a recent project that was sprayed with Poly white and polished.

[attachimg=1]

 

[tiralie]

I use the T-70 for my pressure pot.

I don't like the way you have to plug the nipple with a rubber cap when you add a pressure pot hook up to the T70. I removed the nipple on my XPC siphon by removing the hose connector and replacing it with the hose connector from the gravity gun. I got the part from Fuji.
I break everything, I am sure that nipple plug thing would pop off in the middle of a spraying.
I would not be happy.
Tim

 

[tjbnwi]

I use the T-70 for my pressure pot.

I don't like the way you have to plug the nipple with a rubber cap when you add a pressure pot hook up to the T70. I removed the nipple on my XPC siphon by removing the hose connector and replacing it with the hose connector from the gravity gun. I got the part from Fuji.
I break everything, I am sure that nipple plug thing would pop off in the middle of a spraying.
I would not be happy.
Tim

I don't use the little cap, I just turn the check valve around on the short hose, remove the long hose. When I go back to the cup, I turn the check valve in the proper direction.

Tom

 

[tjbnwi]

The specs show 1.1mm to 1.8mm air cap sets for an HVLP system. Is the product that thick that it needs a pressure pot? I've shot Enduro but never Enduro White. 

Tom:
You are correct the can does indicate those air cap sets or ranges for HVLP. I believe I used a 1.8 or # 5 cap set for the Enduro White and the 2.2 or #6 XPC cap set for the primer which is very thick.
Since you thin your coatings you may be able to spray the Enduro white without the pressure pot. I tried, and hated it, too many large droplets, had to spray to heavy a mil thickness and I had to move too slow.

Again, you may be fine with it without a pressure pot if you thin it, I just didn't like it or the results. Be aware it takes a long time to dry and at least a week to cure.

This is a photo of a recent project that was sprayed with Poly white and polished.

[attachimg=1]

The only coating I thin constantly is the KA+ White. The KA+ clears go on straight. For some reason the white lays down much better when cut a little. The KA+ White Surfacer which is thicker lays down great, I have no clue why it happens this way.

Latex paints are a hit or miss when it comes to thinning. Some I can shoot straight, others I can warm a little and they're fine, then theres those that require thinning.

I should probably invest in a 2 quart pot, make my life a little easier.

Very nice piece of furniture you did.

Tom

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I hear a lot about the Fuji HVLP,  has any one used any of the Apollos HVLP?

 

[tjbnwi]

I hear a lot about the Fuji HVLP,  has any one used any of the Apollos HVLP?

I have read they are very nice units. I needed my sprayer on short notice years back, the Fuji was to me in a day, the Apollo was a week. If it was the other way, I'd probably be talking about the Apollo I use.

Tom

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I have just started using my graco 9.5 hvlp set up I bought a year ago.  I have only painted some machinery with it, but it turned out looking good.

 

[tiralie]

I don't use the little cap, I just turn the check valve around on the short hose...

Very creative solution.

The only coating I thin constantly is the KA+ White.

I find the KA white dries very fast. If I miss spraying wet on wet (too light a coating or not enough overlap) I get striping.

Latex paints are a hit or miss when it comes to thinning. Some I can shoot straight, others I can warm a little and they're fine, then theres those that require thinning.

I don't spray Latex, well only once to coat some cabinet hanger covers.

I should probably invest in a 2 quart pot, make my life a little easier.

They are very handy, particularly for on site projects.

Very nice piece of furniture you did.

Thanks. The poly white with two coats of high gloss clear polished up very well. I cured for about 4 weeks.
Tim

 

[tjbnwi]

How do you (a question for no one in particular) support butterfly cabinet doors to spray the face side. The back is easy, front can be a pain. This is my solution.

Tom