Like many of you, my budget isn't unlimited, and I have often found that buying a "used" better product is a better deal than buying a "new" lesser product (for the same money). Does this apply to sprayguns? How can I tell if a used spraygun is in good working order (especially when buying on E-bay, etc.). If a gun is covered with paint splatter on the outside, would a good cleaning bring it back to life (obviously it is the "inside" that matters)?
My opinion is this. If the gun is clean at the time you are looking at it, it MAY have been taken care of. If it is dirty, with dried paint on the outside, I would bet that it HAS NOT been taken care of. The replacement/repair parts for some guns are hard, or impossible to get. On some guns, the parts are quite expensive.
Unless I can try out the gun, or know the person I am buying it from, I wouldn't purchase a used gun.
This is just my opinion, and others may disagree. If I am going to spend the money for a good gun, I want a GOOD gun.
Adtkart - How do sprayguns get "messed up"? Does the paint harden in various internal passages and simply clog them up? Given the nature of new urethanes can a gun actually be "cleaned" (i..e with typical lacquer thinner) if paint has hardened inside?
If the catalyzed paints and clears are allowed to harden inside the gun the only way to clean it is strip it down completely and immerse it in specialized gun cleaner. After it has been cleaned of all residue it must be rebuilt with a quality rebuild kit.
I also would not buy a used gun that I did not know the history behind.
Vince - What does a rebuild kit consist of and typically cost? I'm seeing used SATA guns on E-bay for well under $200. If I can get one for $150, and rebuild kit for the same then it would appear I could get a $500+ gun for $300. Don't know about the kit cost though.
Generally a rebuild kit consist of various "O" rings and air valve packing. In severe cases a new nozzle set is required. I am not familiar with Sata parts prices, so I cannot comment on that other than to say they probably aren't cheap.
A while back I had a guy that was supposed to be giving me a SATA, but it needed to be rebuilt, and need a new needle and nozzle set. I priced the needle and nozzle for that gun and they were in the neighborhood of $200.
I never did get the gun, as I left the company before he brought it in. The painter there got it, and said that it was so messed up, it wasn't worth messing with.
Aaron
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