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ADVICE ON PURCHASING A HVLP SPRAY GUN

35K views 38 replies 20 participants last post by  Camarofiend73 
#1 ·
I am planning on purchasing a HVLP spray gun and I am wondering what everyone else's opinion is on this type of gun. I have never used this type of gun yet, but would like to paint my HOTROD this following summer with one. I looked at a Craftsman model but the plastic paint can (where you put the paint) seemed kind of small (smaller than the conventional type) are they all smaller? Can you run the gun completely empty with this type (eliminating paint waste)? How much air pressure would you generally use for HVLP? Does the paint cover more area/go further with HVLP? What else can you tell me about this type of gun? THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ANYBODYS ADVICE........ <img src="graemlins/mwink.gif" border="0" alt="[mwink]" />
 
#2 ·
All the pro painters out there will stomp all over me for this suggestion but look at the Harbor Frieght 2 quart pressure pot HVLP. I have painted half a dozen cars with mine and love it. Cost is usually less than $100 (a fraction of the pro Binks, etc.), the free paint head makes painting a car from many weird angles a snap, and the 2 quart cup holds enough paint to do a whole coat w/o stopping. The quality is excellent and the design is a direct rip-off of the high priced units so performance is acceptable too. Obviously, if I were a pro and did high production work, I would spring for the top of the line equipment. For the hobbiest though, can't beat the Harbor Freight unit.

Ok, boys start stomping!!
 
#3 ·
willys is right, these guns are really getting affordable. you don't have to spend a lot money but make sure that your gun is really adjustable so you can fine-tune your spray, ie. air in, paint volume, pattern nozzle, etc.

psi is usually around 35-40psi going into the gun with about 7-9 coming out the nozzle. don't forget to use a watertrap filter.

JB
 
#5 ·
I bought my hvlp from a semilocal paint store,$90. Advantage brand. I really like how it sprays, never have used a highdollar gun, but the hvlp gun in the harbour freight catalog(#43430-2jja) with the cup on top looks just like mine. I've even thought about buying one to compare.(probably made in the same factory in taiwan)but for what I do it should suffice.
 
#6 ·
Thats the type I looked at, it was a Sears Craftsman model. It was $130.00 and I coudn't justify spending that much on a gun without knowing how well they work. The gun I am currently using is a conventional type Campbell Hausfield model and they are sold at Wal-Mart for under $40.00. Regardless of the price,I have done some VERY good paint jobs with it. I wonder if it pays to have an expensive gun!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
 
#8 ·
hvlp. Is high volume low pressure. Gravity fed hvlp guns transfer about 75 to 80%of material in the gun to the car siphon feed guns transfer about 60 to 65%.So the material savings are a lot with the price of paint.The other thing thats nice is less overspray if your painting in the garage its not as foggy.They make a lot of different tip sizes if your going to buy one gun try to get a 1.5 or 1.6.
 
#9 ·
From a person who paints everyday, cheap guns are for primer. I have two sata nr95 and two nr2000. They cost about 400 bucks a piece. I use 1.5 tips for sealer, solids and metallics then a 1.3 tip for clearcoats. I have used cheap guns before and you cant beat the quality of these guns. Ive had both of my nr95 for 4 years and they still work like new after using them everyday. Not saying you need guns like mine but you definitly get what you pay for.
 
#10 ·
What kind of difference does the tip make? Bigger for thicker and smaller for thinner??????Gravity feed is the type I'm interested in. Also,if you just want to paint something small, I am assuming you can mix just a little without having to throw any away like the conventional type because since you have the keep the gun level you can't siphon all the paint out of the can. Am I right or wrong???

[ January 17, 2003: Message edited by: STATUTORY GRAPE ]</p>
 
#11 ·
Gravity feed guns will use less paint because like you said you can run your gun dry. You dont have any extra like the siphon feed. Tip size makes a difference depending on what your spraying. The smaller the tip the more the paint will be atomized by the gun. This helps reduce your orange peel. Use to big of a tip and the paint will come out in bigger droplets leaving you with to much build and a more orange peel look. I found 1.5 works good for basecoats and sealers and 1.3 for clear. If you dont want to use two guns, some companies make a 1.4 that would work well for an all around gun.
 
#14 ·
The Sata 2000 gun is the best HVLP top loader gun on the market. I've been painting almost everyday for 30 yrs. & have tried most guns. The cheaper HVLP guns do not put out enough paint to do a complete repaint. Too small of a spray pattern - you will get a blister on your trigger finger.....try a Sata(most paint suppliers like PPG will loan you one).....Don
 
#15 ·
If you don't have enough air to drive your hvlp gun you will be very unhappy with it. Most hvlp guns require very high cfm to function properly. One option open to you is the new "high transfer" or "reduced pressure" guns. There are two companys building them, Sata and DeVilbiss. The Sata is caleed an RP and sprays nice but is very expensive and the DeVilbiss is called the Plus gun and it sprays better at a better price, msrp $389.00. The DeVilbiss comes with three different fluid tips for various products and the Sata comes with one. These guns will give you the material savings of the hvlp with a transfer of 70-80% but act and feel like a conventional gun and they use less air, 30lbs in with 10cfm. :D :D :D
 
#16 ·
Concerning the SATA vs the DeVilbiss on the new reduced pressure gravity feeds.

I am very interested in the reduced pressure guns. I am going to purchase one of these immediately, either the SATA SAT92xxx series or the DeVilbiss GFG670. Right now the Sata can be had for within a hundred bucks of the DeVilbiss but WOW the difference on tips! (140 bucks per tip vs 34 bucks per tip).

Are you saying the DeVilbiss actually sprays BETTER?

If not, I am willing to go the difference for the SATA since I take care of my tools and will have it for many years. Also, the Sata has the built in digital inlet pressure guage, quite nice.

Has anyone actually tried both of these guns? If not what was your feedback on these?

One more thing... In one or more ads for the DeVilbiss it is mentioned that spraying "upside down" is possible with the included cup liners. (ie. not sure if this ability to spray upside down is DUE to a special cup liner or if the reference is simply included together in the sentence)

-Jeff O
 
#17 ·
Oliphant said:
Concerning the SATA vs the DeVilbiss on the new reduced pressure gravity feeds.
I am very interested in the reduced pressure guns. I am going to purchase one of these immediately, either the SATA SAT92xxx series or the DeVilbiss GFG670. Right now the Sata can be had for within a hundred bucks of the DeVilbiss but WOW the difference on tips! (140 bucks per tip vs 34 bucks per tip).


One more thing... In one or more ads for the DeVilbiss it is mentioned that spraying "upside down" is possible with the included cup liners. (ie. not sure if this ability to spray upside down is DUE to a special cup liner or if the reference is simply included together in the sentence)

-Jeff O
==========================================================================================
You don't want either gun. The best gun I have seen come along in years is the Sata RP. I have never as in the last two years since
new seen a gun in so many body shops so fast. Your in Atlanta just swing by about 10 nice body shops and ask painters about it.
RE: Painting upside down -- any gun using the 3m system can.

Keep the Devilbiss as a primer gun or a cut in gun.
 
#18 ·
BarryK said:
==========================================================================================
You don't want either gun. The best gun I have seen come along in years is the Sata RP. I have never as in the last two years since
new seen a gun in so many body shops so fast. Your in Atlanta just swing by about 10 nice body shops and ask painters about it.
RE: Painting upside down -- any gun using the 3m system can.

Keep the Devilbiss as a primer gun or a cut in gun.
I do not understand the first part of your response "You don't want either gun". Can I interpret this as meaning "Buy the Sata and don't consider the DeVilbiss"?

The Sata RP is exactly the gun I am looking at. The model number I quoted is this gun with xxx being the placeholder for the various tip sizes.

Also, what exactly is the "3m system" that you are referencing in this case? I take it from this response that the Sata can spray upside down as well as the DeVilbiss.

Again the reduced pressure guns I am researching are the
1) Sata RP gun is SATA SAT92xxx (for example the SAT92106 has a 1.3 tip)
2) DeVilbiss GFG670 (comes with 3 tips!)
 
#20 · (Edited)
Man that sounds too good to be true, but at that price I might pick one up for an "extra".

Also, please keep the thread going on the SATA, I really would like to get a comment from someone on the DeVilbiss vs the Sata RP gravity feed if anyone has first hand experience.

Thanks,

-Jeff




[email]willys36@aol.com[/email] said:
I bought one of these last week. On sale for $40 and sprays like a dream! I can't immagine a $400 gun spraying any better but that's just me.

HF HVLP gun.

Only problem is I wish it held 9/32 quart instead of 0.3 litres.
 
#21 ·
Oliphant said:
Man that sounds too good to be true, but at that price I might pick one up for an "extra".

Also, please keep the thread going on the SATA, I really would like to get a comment from someone on the DeVilbiss vs the Sata RP gravity feed if anyone has first hand experience.

Thanks,

-Jeff
I have two Sata RP's 1.4 - base and a clear gun.
I have also sprayed with the Devilbiss at Pickens tech last week
as they had two new ones. There is no comparison the RP wins hands down. I have every Geo hvlp and Optima hvlp and Sata Hvlp ever made and this RP is the best all around gun I have ever used. Its gone so well that Devilbiss has announced there coming out with an RP soon.
 
#22 ·
BarryK said:
I have two Sata RP's 1.4 - base and a clear gun.
I have also sprayed with the Devilbiss at Pickens tech last week
as they had two new ones. There is no comparison the RP wins hands down. I have every Geo hvlp and Optima hvlp and Sata Hvlp ever made and this RP is the best all around gun I have ever used. Its gone so well that Devilbiss has announced there coming out with an RP soon.
Ok, I need to make my question clear. I AM looking at the DeVilbiss RP , NOT and older DeVilbiss. I am actually considering the one you mention they are "comming out with". It IS already out. That is the model number I quoted. I am already sold on the RP completely. Just need to determine if the Sata is that much better with the $100 price difference and the $110 price DIFFERENCE per tip. I am looking for comparison of RP to RP.

-Jeff

PS
I bought the little Harbor Freight gun for a quick touchup extra gun I can "grab" for. Have not fired it up yet but WOW "willys36"
was not kidding, thanks for the lead! This thing is machined beautifully with heavy brass knurled knobs and a flawless finish as well. Absolutely beautiful item for 39 bucks. I will report soon on my findings with this as well.
 
#24 ·
I CAUGHT WILLYS DOING THE MATH WRONG!!! :thumbup:

Only problem is I wish it held 9/32 quart instead of 0.3 litres.
9/32 = 0.28125, quart, equals; 0.2661618 litres

so if you want it to hold 9/32 quarts instead of .3 litres, just pour less into it...

:thumbup: :thumbup: :p :p :D

sorry willys mut i just had to pounce..


btw, i bought an Iwata 400, and i happen to believe its heaven sent, its a dream to work with, the quality is better that the sata jet i borrowed before i got my iwata and it is way lighter...
 
#25 ·
BarryK said:
I'm sure it won't be out till late summer or fall.
It is out now and available at SprayGunWorld.com
Here is the link, great price as well :

http://www.spraygunworld.com/products/DeVilbiss/DeVilbiss DEVGFG670.htm

(Well apparently the link works ok, even though it is displaying funny. It it gives you any difficulty just try www.spraygunworld.com and look for the DeVilbiss, then choose the New reduced pressure section on that page, and you will find it just fine)


-Jeff
 
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