Spray gun recommendations - Ozito?

[surfdabbler]

I'm looking into getting a spray gun. I have a suction feed gun that I've had for years, and it works well for large projects, but for small projects (most of what I do), the spray is too large, and it's not worth filling up the gun and cleaning it out afterwards. I have a airbrush setup as well, which is much easier to use - easier to clean, tiny spray, but I've discovered that poly varnish is too thick to spray through even the largest nozzle (0.6mm) - I have to thin it down a long way before it even comes through, and the spray from the airbrush is very small.

I'm thinking about getting a gravity feed touch-up gun for something in between my two setups - something suitable for varnishing boxes and small projects, and easy to clean. After looking around, one of the picks seems to be the Ozito two-gun setup from bunnings. It's an HVLP setup, and has both a big gun for general use, and a touch-up gun for smaller projects. With the double-gun setup, I can hopefully retire my old suction feed gun.

I'll want to use this setup for poly varnish, as well as various paints, lacquers, deck oils, etc, from time to time.

Has anyone used this setup?
Any other recommendations?

[China]

I would look at something like this one rather than Ozito
https://starsprayguns.com/products/touch-up-spray-guns/mini-touch-up-guns-2/

[Alkahestic]

If you can wait till Sunday/Monday, I'll let you know how a 1.2mm tip ANI touch up gun goes with water based poly. The 1.2 tip definitely does not like latex paint, I've gotten a 2mm gravity fed gun that I'll give the latex a go with and if needed, the poly as well. I had a thread in this forum earlier and some folks with more experience doubted that the 1.2mm would be able to handle water based poly, so I'm thinking it's not going to end well. I initially got the 1.2 gun to spray shellac and lacquer but in the traditions of best laid plans - things have gone awry.

[DaveVman]

I'd like to know the answer to this as well. I've tried to spray oil based polyurethane and there just isn't enough volume. If I use more thinner then I get runs.

I haven't tried spraying shellac yet but that would be a good experiment. It's certainly less viscous.



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[surfdabbler]

I would look at something like this one rather than Ozito
https://starsprayguns.com/products/touch-up-spray-guns/mini-touch-up-guns-2/

Nice gun, although it says 0.5 to 1mm nozzles - and the varnish is not getting through my 0.66mm nozzle. I thought a lerger nozzle size was important for getting more viscous fluid through, but maybe I am wrong on that. What nozzle size would you use with a Star gun for varnish?

[China]

Varnish is a very loose term what do you actually mean by varnish

[surfdabbler]

Varnish is a very loose term what do you actually mean by varnish

Polyurethane, solvent based. I generally use Feast Watson Clear Varnish, Satin finish.

[China]

in my experience 1mm should be ok, the manufacture will have a recommended specification for their product

[Alkahestic]

So spraying Cabot's waterbased satin ployurethane with a 1.2mm ANI R150-T gun gives pretty good results. Much easier and neater than brushing on. I've attached some photos of pine straight off the thicknesser, MDF, and American White Oak sanded to 120 grit before spraying. My photos aren't great but the finish on the white oak is nice and smooth. The pine is a bit furry, which is expected, but the sheen is nice and even, no cratering. The MDF isn't evenly coated, but that's my fault. The white oak is quite smooth, a little furriness. A quick sand to knock off the raised grain and the second coat should be excellent. The closer up shot is when the poly is still very wet. The second image is about 45 minutes later.

[rustynail]

A 1.0 or a 1.2mm noz works fine with most varnishes. Water filter is critical. The better quality guns usually out-perform the el cheapo's. Star are a good starting point.

[China]

Just for your interest I use this gun and have done for a few years https://www.anest-iwata.com.au/products/gravityspraygun/ps.mgg
it has never given any trouble I think I payed some where around $100

[Cliff Rogers]

Have a look at the guns at Supercheap Auto, they have guns that you can get big nozzles for.

[onetrack]

The spray guns made in Taiwan are generally better quality than the knock-offs made in China. Arnold DeVilbiss used to be the Rolls Royce of spray guns, sold by CIG - now both CIG and DeVilbiss are just shadows of what they once were, and they either utilise China as their product source, or charge lots more for products made in Western countries.
Star is a good reliable brand - but I found a double gun set of Spear & Jackson Chinese-made, gravity spray guns in a little local hardware store that perform very nicely, and they have more spray and air supply adjustments than many other types. In this set was 2 guns, a 600ml and a 100ml, and a regulator with a gauge as well! - all for $45!
Gravity guns are good for small jobs, you get less spillage, you get to use every last bit of the product, and they usually have a plastic cup which is easier to clean.

Make sure you use a water filter, you can buy inline disposable filters that are quite effective. Also, a stand is important for gravity guns, you can usually aquire these simple stands for about $10-15.
Finally, use a paper filter strainer when pouring your product into your gun. These are available for about 20c each and you can get them with various sizes of filtering mesh.
It's amazing where the crap comes from - dirt and dust on can lid crevices, even lumpy bits in the product you're using - which are often a problem if you're using a product from a part-used can that has been lying around for a while.
A smooth, clean, filtered solution sprays beautifully, there's nothing like a blockage or a sputtering spray gun, to give you the sXXts, and ruin the final finish.
Finally, completely disassemble and clean the gun thoroughly, every time you use it, and make sure you don't lose any small parts.
Pay attention to the cleanliness and smooth operation of the fluid needle, and ensure every orifice is completely clean, and that there are no nicks in the cap seat areas, or the needle taper.
A thorough cleaning ensures satisfactory operation next time, and prevents problems caused by reaction with incompatible previous products used in the gun.

[Alkahestic]

I recently bought a Trade Tools 2mm gravity fed gun. For $50 it seems pretty decent, I used it to spray some latex paint and it seems to perform well. I'm sure it's not going to last as long as a $200+ pro gun, but so far, no leaks, all the controls work as they should, and hey, it's $50.

[Arron]

My opinions

China is on the money. Get a Star gun. Nice middle market guns.

I have Stars, Devilbliss and SCA guns (which I think are about same as Ozito) and when cost, longevity and output quality are balanced out the Stars win out - for all but a pro user.

Don’t get a touch up gun. There’s nothing a touch up gun can do that you can’t do with a full size gun with a bit of practice.

Don’t spray varnish - it’s awful. Spray precat lacquer. Better in every way.

Cheers
Arron