HVLP spray gun

[jaspr]

Happy New Year everyone!

I'm seeking some help in finding a suitable HVLP spray gun. I've done quite a bit of searching on this site and found several recommendations re spray guns.

Some people favour the Star 770, but it's not HVLP. Others have mentioned a Porter Cable supposedly available from Carbatec, but they don't seem to hold these in stock - and may not be HVLP (can't remember).

I can find a number of sites selling HVLP guns, but they seem to come with different spray nozzle sizes, so I'm not sure what I need. Can anyone help?

My first spray job is a paint finish on an mdf bathroom cabinet. I'm not entirely sure what I'll be using - Soundman and others have offered some very useful advice in various threads. So I'll be spraying primer and finish coat.

But the bottom line is I want to get a gun that will be versatile in the future for other finishing jobs.

Any recommendations on particular guns and nozzle sizes? Also, can anyone recommend an Ozzie supplier for these guns?

Thanks

jas

[Big Shed]

Hi, I have the Porter Cable HVLP gun and am very happy with it. I bought it from Carbatec, but have been told they no longer stock it. The only other place I can think of that sells it is Amazon in the US.
SuperCheap Auto also sells a HVLP gun, but I don't know how good that is, and at the time I bought the PorterCable it was dearer.
For spraying without a proper spary booth the HVLP gun is very good, dramatically cuts down overspray. I have sprayed all the kitchen cupboard doors, as well as all the laundry, bedroom and wardrobe doors with it, and my shed is still overspray free!

Fred

[BrettC]

Jaspr,

I'm in the same boat as you, done the searches and in the end I checked out the Porter Cable one but as you say Carbatec don't stock it and Amazon will not post it to Oz for some reason:~ .

I also was going to look further at the Star 770 but wasn't aware that it wasn't HVLP.

Cheers,

[Big Shed]

Just googled "porter cable HVLP" and it came up with lots of suppliers, all in the US, MikesTools, Toolbarn, PriceGrabber......
Don't know whether any of these ship to Oz, but is worth a question.
Also, apparently Amazon will now ship to OZ, see recent thread.

[BrettC]

Thnx Fred.

[jaspr]

Thanks guys

Looks like I'm off to Amazon - at least the Ozzie dollar's up. Probably good time to buy, if they will post here.

jas

[MajorPanic]

Have a look for the Star 870 HVLP gun. I love my 770 but the 870 is better!! See HERE (http://www.tradetools.com.au/ProdView.aspx?popup=1&Category=SXO90D1&Product=SV870-15S)

[Just George]

I remember a HVLP stand at this years Working with Wood Show in Brisbane. Try contacting the organisers and ask them for the contact details. I didn't get any information from them as that wasn't an interest of mine at the time...

[BrettC]

Jaspr,

I bit the bullet and ordered the Porter Cable PSH1 (and HVLP tip) from http://www.mikestools.com/ .

Gun cost US$80 but paid US$43 for shipping - still pretty good value I reckon.

Good luck with yours. Thanks others for advice.

BrettC

[Harry72]

These guys stock the good brands...

http://www.itwfinishing.com.au/profile.php?product=173
http://www.itwfinishing.com.au/profile.php?product=144
I'd like one of these (http://www.itwfinishing.com.au/profile.php?product=80)

[BrettC]

Harry,

Mucious gracious, some good general info downloads through those links..:2tsup:

[jaspr]

Thanks everyone,

BrettC - the mikestools price looks pretty good. ta

I did a bit more research here in Canberra this morning. Thought I might pass it on to others.

Firstly the fellow at Fisher Discounts told me I had to get a spray gun with all stainless steel innards if I wanted to use water based finishes - he didn't have any, would be a special order and very expensive. His reasons sounded - well, reasonable, but I was curious as no-one on this forum had suggested this.

I checked it out with a very friendly and knowledgeable guy at Magnet Mart. He apparently has been spraying cars and wooden things for years and done a few course too. He says it's not necessary - but he does recommend running about half a pot of thinners through the gun after using water based paints to clean it and dry it properly.

He also said the way he sets his compressor up is to use the factory installed water filter followed by a 1 metre length of coiled hose, then a paper filter/air drier. Apparently this setup traps the water best. A useful tip, I thought.

Another very helpful guy at Gasweld explained that there is not much point in putting a water filter on the compressor as the condensation forms in the hose. This gels with the MM advice.

The fellow at MM also suggested getting a good quality gun with different nozzle fittings for the difficult finishes and just using a general purpose pot for cheaper finishes. I'll probably do this.

Also, for anyone interested Fisher Discounts has the Star 770 on sale - the sign says $119, reduced from $169, but the guys says because he bought 'a truck load of 'em' he is offering them for $69.

... know I just have to work out which air compressor to buy - lots of useful info on this forum, but geeze there is a lot of confusing information put out by the manufacturers and a huge variability in knowledge amongst those who sell them ... doesn't make this difficult task any easier. ( I won't mention (much) the two teenagers in Bunnies - their very apparent lack of knowledge about anything to do with air compressors, didn't put them off offering advice.)

jas

[jaspr]

And I forgot to include another useful link about the differences between a HVLP and conventional gun:

http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/dent8.html

jas

[BrettC]

Just got my PSH1 Porter Cable Spraygun from Mike's Tools (US) :U - arrived today - looks and feels great but I won't be able to play with it until the w/e now :doh: .
Try it out with some H2O first to get a feel - better wait until after 7pm on an evens day though....

While I haven't tried it out yet was happy with this seller's service.

[jaspr]

mine's on order ... waiting, waiting, waiting

thanls for the advice BrettC

jas

[soundman]

The porter cable is almos identical to the star item that looks the same.
You should get one of these at most good trade tool suppliers like tradetools direct, glenfords.

As for the condensation thing, this has been discussed before.

The standard filter regulator will only trap moisture in droplet form.
In a hot air stream the moisture is mostly in vapour form and goes straight thru.
you need to cool your air stream.

getting several metres of hose between the filter and the compressor is a start.

the most effective low cost solution is to run a second reciever( tank) seperated by a metre or two of hoes from you compressor and run the filter after that.
Most of the moisture will drop out in the second tank, the air will cool and the filter will mop up the rest.

you need to take the air in and seperately out of the second tank.

This was the single biggest improvement to my air supply.

a second tank can be a dead compressor with the holes bunged up.

A new occurance is the arlec air tank which can be seen in some of the chain stores like big w or k mart in the auto department. This is a tank intended for cheap scates who dont want to cough for a compressor.

BTW i can lay my hands on HVLP guns too

cheers

[sinjin]

I have the STAR NEW CENTURY SV4000 HVLP gravity feed ...Infact i copied the name off the box i have in my hand. I bought this gun because i had spoken to a few tradies who said it was an excellent gun for the money. The Iwata, DeVillbus and a couple of other are about tripple the price. I also own the Iwata W-77 and i would agree its a gr8 gun but not as it was said a HVLP.

[Ashley Simpson]

Hi Jas,
Apollo HVLP Sprayers Australia have great HVLP guns and systems.
www.hvlp.com (http://www.hvlp.com)

Ashley