Spray Finish for Pine Entertainment Unit

[Harry72]

Yeah a few mates have them useless things, one of them has had his for about 12mths the thing has lost that much compression it dont even run a stapler very well anymore...
My old clisby14 2.2hp/50l is 7-8yrs old been used nearly every day, its still Ok just starting to loose compression now. Due for an upgrade soon, I'll keep the tank for an extra auxiliry tank for a spray room maybe.
Hare&Forbes has some nice looking units, Hafco super16 2.7hp/100l would be good at only $879 or the next step up a Pilot 3hp/100l $1195 which has a 2 stage pump Im guessing around 15-16cfm, should run my windi tool well!(dual action sander)

[Gazza]

Hi everyone and thanks for your input.

I have found out that my local Carbatec store sells MIROTONE MIROCAT clear laquer in 4 litre cans, more convenient than the Wattyl 20l cans.

Has anyone used MIROCAT and give any suggestions etc...

I am also looking at buying a compressor and spray outfit, the local airtools centre has some 120cf/m compressors for around $150 and 150cf/m for around $350.

They also have several types of spray guns, should I go for a standard gun or a HVLP gun ?

Should I go for a Gravity Feed gun or a Siphon gun ?

Which would be best and easiest to use for a complete novice.

I mostly want to spray laquer for cabinets, tables, etc.

Thanks

[echnidna]

My compressor is a chinese thing about 8 years old with 1.5 hp and I have sprayed a lot of furniture with it. Its done a lot more work than I expected a cheap unit to do.

I prefer a gravity feed gun but just use a hp siphon gun these days.

As well as the lacquer get some (compatible) sanding sealer as well for the first coat, much easier and a better finish than using lacquer all the way.

[Harry72]

Gaza spend a few dollars on a compressor, once you've had one for a while you'll realize they are very handy to have. Those ultra cheaps are not real flash, ok if you only use it a couple times a year for small batch spraying(e.g. not several big cabinets at once) with a touch up gun.
There are so many tools that can be run off a comp, for instance I find a rattle gun is a savior if you like to keep your car wheels/mags detailed(I got 15spokers...) or got any hard bolts.

With spray guns just like the compressor spend the dollars and save the heart ache, decent guns atomise(make finer droplets)the paint way better than cheapys thus giving a smoother flat coat, especially on the final coat this can be critical.
Syphon feed or gravity feed is a personal preference, both have advantages,
Gravity feed are good for flat horizontal surfaces the pot is vertical while spraying at a dowards angle like table tops, disadvantages the pot is usually small(500ml max) and all the weight is unbalanced above your wrist, when spraying under things like cabinet shelf's the paint tends to lap against the pot lid and if the seal is a bit dodgey your gunna end up with paint everywhere...
Syphon tend to have a pot around 1lt, usually balanced well, can spray at an upwards angle. Disadvantages while spraying at downwards angles paint can lap at the breather hole in the pot's lid(I put the hole towards the rear to combat this)dripping paint all over the freshly coated surface. Also if doing a big job like a fence or a roof you can get pressure pots which can hold 10-20lt.
You can get guns that have both feeds, I have a Advanti putty gun(3mm nozzle)which has both.
I have a Sampson S90 gun which is very reasonable they're worth around $200-250ish as a complete kit(you can buy them bare, no pot etc)
As a start go to an auto cheap shop and buy one of those small cheap touch up guns, grab some paint and give it a go, best thing to do would be to buy a book on spray painting(even if its an automotive one).
A 120cfm comp for $150, don't think so 120cfm is industrial site size job... huge, more like 120lt/m!

[Gazza]

Hi all,

Well I just put a compressor & spray gun on Layby at Carbatec.

The compressor is belt driven, 15cfm, 60lt and 1.5hp I think. Cost $395

The gun is a Porter Cable HVLP Gravity Fed, with a pressure gauge connected to the bottom of the handle. Cost $195

I have decided to use the Mirotone 30 ($80/4l) and Mirotone sanding sealer ($80/4l).

The compressor and gun are a bit more than I wanted to pay but when you think about it, I have spent thousands on machinery and the finish is what everyone sees, so it makes sense to spend a bit more and get quality gear, not the best quality as that would be wasted on me.

When I pick them up and spray the entertainment unit (in about 4 weeks) I will finish this thread off by letting you all know how it went.