Low pressure spay gun

Post by **overider** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:44 pm

Hi just wondering if any one out there has any experience with the new High volume low-pressure spray guns. I was talking to a guy today who bought one from Argos and said it was brilliant.

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/store ... nt|8962941

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/store ... ls|8963158

I can vaguely remember a product test in the practical classics mag and they faired well.
Has any body used one and if so what do you think.

Post by **youngun** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:48 pm

Ive got a Devilbiss GTI HVLP, the only way to go was the general consensus.
Basically its a lot harder to get orange peel etc with a hvlp gun, the paint comes out slowly but thickly....much better!

Post by **overider** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 9:06 pm

Cheers YG where did you buy yours from, i looked on ebay for that make but only got the Devilbiss gun and there in us.

Post by **MoggyTech** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 9:27 pm

Upper end HVLP spray systems are brilliant. Much less overspray and fallout. I got the top end Earlex Gun from Homebase, and although not as good as the really expensive ones, it does just fine for spraying enamel and Cellulose. Also great for Garden work, creosoted my shed in about 5 Mins!

Post by **les** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 10:05 pm

the paint comes out slowly but thickly

So you hold the gun closer? Anyone know more about this system apart from the initials, Uses paint faster? More prone to runs than normal gun? I don't fancy buying stuff again unless a marked difference. Has anyone used both to compare?

Post by **MoggyTech** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 12:14 am

les wrote:
the paint comes out slowly but thickly
So you hold the gun closer? Anyone know more about this system apart from the initials, Uses paint faster? More prone to runs than normal gun? I don't fancy buying stuff again unless a marked difference. Has anyone used both to compare?

HVLP is High Volume Low Pressure. You can get more paint on the job in one go, but yes, you need to be carefull and not get runs. The air feed is low pressure so fallout is greatly reduced. I've used standard spray systems and HVLP and it takes a while to get used to the new type.
Not sure about other makes, but my HVLP gun always passes air through the nozzle even with the trigger released, so you need to be carefull not to blow paint edges into thicker runs. It's harder to do a blend in with HVLP in a panel section due to the above.

The thing is, with Cellulose, if you mix thicker for HVLP use, the flash off times go up, and if you recoat too early you can get solvent pop. So you really need to mix about the same and learn that the trigger only stops paint flow and not airflow.

The big advantage with HVLP is it's easier to get a high gloss finish, as paint gets a better chance to flow out. That means less colour sanding and burnishing.

Would I go back to standard systems? No

Post by **dunketh** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 2:41 pm

I'm glad somebody has asked this question.

Several years ago a friend re-sprayed his old landrover using an ancient HVLP setup consisting of a small compressor which apparently kept cutting out and a cheap low pressure gun.

I've been looking at those domestic 'Earlex' systems for years now, trouble is they used to be expensive (around £100) for a decent 'spraystation'. Recently I've seen the same products come down to around the £40 mark.

A true bargain - provided they really are as good as they claim.

Make sure you check your local DIY store before ordering anything from argos. I plan on buying one with my wifes staff discount - one day.
(even £40 is hard to find at the moment

)

Post by **overider** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 5:51 pm

MoggyTech wrote:Upper end HVLP spray systems are brilliant. Much less overspray and fallout. I got the top end Earlex Gun from Homebase, and although not as good as the really expensive ones, it does just fine for spraying enamel and Cellulose. Also great for Garden work, creosoted my shed in about 5 Mins!

Thanks for the advice MT. But what do you class, as upper end. Is the one I put the first link to at Argos for £99.74 upper end or should I be looking higher up the scale. I have seen some at £200.+

Where do you stop?

Post by **overider** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 5:58 pm

dunketh wrote: Make sure you check your local DIY store before ordering anything from argos. I plan on buying one with my wifes staff discount - one day.
(even £40 is hard to find at the moment )

I might have a good idea you could get two with your wife’s discount then you could sell one to me for the discounted price. Plus postage of course

Post by **MoggyTech** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:53 pm

overider wrote:
MoggyTech wrote:Upper end HVLP spray systems are brilliant. Much less overspray and fallout. I got the top end Earlex Gun from Homebase, and although not as good as the really expensive ones, it does just fine for spraying enamel and Cellulose. Also great for Garden work, creosoted my shed in about 5 Mins!
Thanks for the advice MT. But what do you class, as upper end. Is the one I put the first link to at Argos for £99.74 upper end or should I be looking higher up the scale. I have seen some at £200.+ Where do you stop?

The Earlex 3900 for £99 will do nicely. I would call that a mid range system. You only need top end, it you plan to do Metalic/Candy or Pearl finishes. There isn't any real mystery or black art to spray painting, 90% of the job is in the prep work. Although it applies to standard spray guns as well, one thing you really need to watch with HVLP, is to keep the gun parallel to the panel at all times. The last job I did with HVLP, I didn't even need to colour sand the final coat, just a slight burnish with cutting compound.

Post by **les** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 8:29 pm

Thanks for your reply, think I'll stick to the old method, dont want to start learning again on this job, especially with cellulose getting harder to obtain.

Post by **overider** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 4:11 pm

Cheers MT I think I will have a punt on one of the hvlp systems.

Les it not true that celly hard to find it is still ready avilable now as its ever been.

Post by **les** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 8:02 pm

Les it not true that celly hard to find it is still ready avilable now as its ever been.

Lets agree to differ then! Others may also.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:09 am

The good thing about the "old" way of doing things is you buy a decent compressor to spray with and can then use a whole range of fun and useful air tools, everything from air hammer to schutz gun (for waxoyl etc), plus can blow tyres up, use a blow gun to remove dust from a primed and sanded panel, etc etc.

Post by **gairlochrosie** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 12:31 pm

I'll stick with old school! Compressor for spraying and all those other toys you get to play with.

Post by **MoggyTech** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:16 pm

gairlochrosie wrote:I'll stick with old school! Compressor for spraying and all those other toys you get to play with.

Very valid point that. Mind you, there is no harm in having both, more toys

Post by **gairlochrosie** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:47 pm

LOL yeah maybe so but the more toys I get around me the more it can add to my vocabulary when things dont go the way I intend them to go

I then find myself looking for my hammer....I so love that tool.

I admit I have never tried one of those new thingys....maybe I should give one a try and see how it goes....then again, maybe I should steer clear....i've just hit myself on the knee cap with my hammer! Knocked it off my desk and it thumped my knee...must run. see yea

Post by **alainmoran** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 3:51 pm

I'm quite partial to my rubber mallet myself, you can give things a good satisfying thwack with it without doing too much damage!

If you do try out one of these guns, let us know how it turns out since I could use some form of spraying eqpt myself, and they look like a much smaller & cheaper option than a compressor.

I'll be honest though, they dont look all that hot, and my initial inclination is to go the old-school compressor route.

Still, I'm always open to be corrected.

Post by **gairlochrosie** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 5:09 pm

alainmoran wrote:I'll be honest though, they dont look all that hot, and my initial inclination is to go the old-school compressor route.

I must admit, thats my thoughts on it too. However, I am willing to have a demo with one or two. To be honest, I just cant see by the compressor. Apart from anything else, I love noise! If its noisy, its working...thats what I say

I must admit the consensus within the car body shop is a thumbs down. But as I said, I'll investigate the item...not saying I'll go buy one...I'm sure a few of the guys I know in the trade will give me a shot (on someones pride and joy) if they have one around. Having said that, I really dont think they will have such a thingy for high quality car repairs tho. I know one guy thats tops in his job of spray painting, hes just told me to forget it!! ...but one never knows. I will do my nosey.

Post by **gairlochrosie** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 7:56 pm

Hi folks, had a discussion with some of the guys with regards to this system.....fraid the cosensus is stick with the compressor. Therefore, I'm not even going to try it out. I'm firmly sticking with the old school on this one. Compressor, Compressor.... eh whats that called again, oh aye, COMPRESSOR!!!!!!