Look into a small airless instead of the compressor.
HVLP or Spray virgin....
Hi All,
I'm constantly (brush/roller/spray) painting home and diy projects. Now that I have added painting 11 interior doors, kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and a new fireplace surround to this years to-do list... I'm thinking that I should finally get around to buying a compressor style paint gun set-up. Only problem is, I know nothing about them! I do have an air compressor but am a little overwhelmed by the information online as to purchase the rest. I prefer oil based but will most likely be going with eggshell, satin, or semi gloss paint in latex. Although I'm completely open to suggestions for paint choices, as well. If someone could break down what all the components needed are, and suggest an inexpensive brand and products to start with, that would be SO helpful.
I'm constantly (brush/roller/spray) painting home and diy projects. Now that I have added painting 11 interior doors, kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and a new fireplace surround to this years to-do list... I'm thinking that I should finally get around to buying a compressor style paint gun set-up. Only problem is, I know nothing about them! I do have an air compressor but am a little overwhelmed by the information online as to purchase the rest. I prefer oil based but will most likely be going with eggshell, satin, or semi gloss paint in latex. Although I'm completely open to suggestions for paint choices, as well. If someone could break down what all the components needed are, and suggest an inexpensive brand and products to start with, that would be SO helpful.
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
Look into a small airless sprayer instead of the compressor. Forget the oil based paints the new latex and hybrids are better, easier to use, and clean-up is hassle free.
Is there any brand in particular you would recommend?
JMHO but I would not suggest a small airless sprayer for any kind of paint unless you want to thin the hell out of them.There are a lot of options for airless sprayers that will work well but you did not say what your budget was?
I'm just assuming from your OP that the compressor you have would probably not put out enough CFM to spray paint.Look at the serial tag on it and post the CFM rating and we can give a better answer
I'm just assuming from your OP that the compressor you have would probably not put out enough CFM to spray paint.Look at the serial tag on it and post the CFM rating and we can give a better answer
I would HIGHLY recommend going to your local PROFESSIONAL paintstore. Talk to someone "in the know". Usually, the manager has lots of experience selling sprayers. Graco and Titan are two names I trust. Your needs for spraying seem pretty specific and someone who sells them on a daily basis can direct you to the right sprayer.
The good thing about an airless is you do not have to thin ANY. They will shoot latex right out of the can even thick ext. The ones that require a lot of thinning are the small HVLP not airless.JMHO but I would not suggest a small airless sprayer for any kind of paint unless you want to thin the hell out of them.There are a lot of options for airless sprayers that will work well but you did not say what your budget was?
I'm just assuming from your OP that the compressor you have would probably not put out enough CFM to spray paint.Look at the serial tag on it and post the CFM rating and we can give a better answer
Look at the box stores they have small Graco units. Not sure of the model number but I think it's like LTX5. And you will still need tips. You can rent these sprayers but usually the rentals are bigger units and for all you projects you could buy one for the rental fees.
I would say no it will not work it is way too small.
Well............that's what I thought using a Graco airless handheld which worked fine till trying some Behr exterior All in One latex. Wouldn't run two seconds without plugging up. I've seen a video of a pro using the same Graco on cabinets using SW Pro Classic and he strained it as well.The good thing about an airless is you do not have to thin ANY.
This isn't thinning, it's straining but I'd guess if you'd thin, you'd strain too.
I don't think those hand held models are up to spraying unthinned, but the Graco Magnum x5 would more than likely work, can pick up one of those for $220.00
The Graco 16N673 TrueCoat Pro II, max pressure of 2000psi which done fine up till that point is $300-$350.I don't think those hand held models are up to spraying unthinned, but the Graco Magnum x5 would more than likely work, can pick up one of those for $220.00
Was not talking hand held. Tried one said no thank you and took it back.
Are the Graco handheld sprayers really that much of an inconvenience? I am highly considering one for some small projects around the house
Are the Graco handheld sprayers really that much of an inconvenience? I am highly considering one for some small projects around the house
I have the Truecoat 2 and I like it. It's quite handy for many things.
There are a few drawbacks. For one the size and weight of the machine can be awkward when spraying certain things. It takes some getting used to, and your somewhat limited in the angle of spray.
Another thing is the spraying action is different than a regular airless. The handhelds spray in pulses rather than a continuos stream, so getting an even film is dependent on an fairly narrow range of spraying speed. If you go too fast, there will be thin spots between pulses. Too slow and you'll have heavy spots. With practice this can be overcome with most materials. However with materials especially sensitive to uniformity of application like Breakthrough or Pro Classic, it can be hard to avoid runs.
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And regardless of the sprayer you should strain your paint. Sprayers atomize the paint to very small droplets so it doesn't take much to cause a plug.
Why not use an earlex spray station? I bought one about a month ago and plan to use it for the first time in February on some cabinets and other wood items I plan to make. It has great reviews, and the videos online show it working very well. Paint needs to be thinned but it doesn't seem that hard to do. Amazon had it priced at $246 at that time but it's up to $300 now. I plan to use mine on trim, cabinets, doors, and wood items I'm going to make.
One thing to be careful of on these units is the term thinned latex. Some of the new latex paints cannot be thinned much. ProClassic and Advance come to mind. These paints have things in them that to thin has a bad effect on the paint.
On HVLP, if thinned, the warm air from the turbine unit will dry the paint too quick and it will dry looking streaked and it won't level out because it doesn't have time before it dries. My experience with these small units is that the latex has to be thinned to much. Of course some paints will work but usually you don't know which ones till it's too late. These units are OK for clear finishes or oils though.
On HVLP, if thinned, the warm air from the turbine unit will dry the paint too quick and it will dry looking streaked and it won't level out because it doesn't have time before it dries. My experience with these small units is that the latex has to be thinned to much. Of course some paints will work but usually you don't know which ones till it's too late. These units are OK for clear finishes or oils though.
I've read about people shooting SW pro Classic straight from the can with a 3 stage Turbinaire(HVLP). Their motto is to try any paint straight from the can before thinning.
That 3 stage Turbinaire is only 6psi. Airless tips are a fraction of HVLP tip sizes but much higher pressure.
The first time I tried Behr Exterior Primer in One latex with my Graco Truecoat Pro II with a pressure pot it kept on plugging up with a .013" tip, switched to a .015" tip with no change. I had devised a setup to use the same PP with my Fuji 4 stage and completed the job without thinning.
The Graco had a 60 mesh filter and the Fuji setup had a larger 50x60 mesh filter but I have no idea why it worked.
That 3 stage Turbinaire is only 6psi. Airless tips are a fraction of HVLP tip sizes but much higher pressure.
The first time I tried Behr Exterior Primer in One latex with my Graco Truecoat Pro II with a pressure pot it kept on plugging up with a .013" tip, switched to a .015" tip with no change. I had devised a setup to use the same PP with my Fuji 4 stage and completed the job without thinning.
The Graco had a 60 mesh filter and the Fuji setup had a larger 50x60 mesh filter but I have no idea why it worked.
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