Help? Paint gun/compressor vs turbin

npowell · #1 05-01-2008, 06:44 PM

I had planned to get a HVLP turbine to paint my RV. I was told today that, with todays paint, I would be better off to use a high quality HVLP gun with a compressor. Any tips??

Thanks in advance for your help.

Neal

RV-9A

lluciani · #2 05-01-2008, 08:13 PM

I used a gravity fed HVLP gun from Harbor Freight with automotive paint (PPG Concept). This gun/paint combination works OK if you use the maximum recommended pressure at the tip. I think Concept is a less viscous than the gun was designed for.

If you go with this setup you need to find a way to defy gravity to paint bottom surfaces. Fortunately for me, I did my RV8 while it was under construction so it was no problem putting the wings on a rotisserie (2 saw horses and some large diameter PVC) and raising the back of the fuselage to the garage ceiling.

I had to teach myself to paint. I made mistakes and had to redo most of the empennage. The often told advice that most of the work is preparation is very much true. Even so, I will do it this way in a heartbeat if I ever build another plane. The quality will not win awards at OSH but it isn't too shabby either.

Luis Luciani
RV8, N188LC

frankh · #3 05-01-2008, 09:58 PM

from the Harbor freight HVLP guns (both small and large sizes) and my finish was close to perfect..I used an oil free aircompressor and NEW hoses...If you have the slightest speck of oil you'll get fisheyes..Not nice!

Wind the pressure up to 45psi with the trigger pulled.

Practice on an old metal shelf to get the spray pattern and gun speed...it will be surprisingly slow.

mix the paint up a little bit thinner (just a touch) than the directions...I used Valspar polyeurathane.

Frank

N916K · #4 05-02-2008, 02:11 AM

I am just about done painting my plane and I have been using the DeVilbiss Plus gun. It's made for lower capacity compressors and it atomizes great.

http://www.autorefinishdevilbiss.com/products.php?pg=1

I replaced the paint cup with the DeKups system. It's basically a baby bottle for the gun. It allows you to shoot upside down and it makes clean up so much nicer.

http://www.autorefinishdevilbiss.com...cts.php?pg=149

I'm sure a good painter could use just about any gun, but for someone like me, the gun made a big difference. I've used a few and this gun is by far the best. Any flaws in my paint are caused by me, not poor equipment.

jmbrwn · #5 05-02-2008, 10:12 AM

Which guns specifically from Harbor Freight are ya'll using?
Thanks.

frankh · #6 05-02-2008, 10:51 AM

One is called a 20oz gravity feed gun for about $14...Even though it looks identical it is NOT and HVLP gun!

It is great for primer though.

Then there is the 20oz HVLP and the touch up HVLP...with about a 3oz capacity. These will cost between 45 and 65 bucks depending if there is a sale going on.

You will need both guns...The small gun is great even for surprisingly large areas such as the canopy and instrument panel.

20oz HVLP is used for the big stuff, wings, tail, fusealage

Frank

jmbrwn · #7 05-02-2008, 12:59 PM

Thanks Frank...I think I know the one's your referring to.
Is this it?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90977

CESSNADON · #8 05-02-2008, 04:55 PM

I don't believe that there is any difference in the end result. The turbine produces a high volume of air at an inherently low pressure. The HVLP gun for use with a conventional compressor has a regulator installed on the gun which provides a high volume of air at a low pressure to the gun. Preperation and following the paint system instructions are by far the most important part of a great paint job. You also need to protect your lungs and eyes by using a supplied air respirator.

Aden Rich · #9 05-02-2008, 09:50 PM

I would stay away from HF paint guns to use them for painting top coats. They are ok for primers and interior paint. I have a couple and the quality is poor and so is the painting with them I use mine for painting thinned down high build primers for fiberglass. The one I bought for top coats didn't work very well and the needle wanted to stick all of the time. When I painted my airplane we used a Sata Hi-jet. These are top quality guns and cost about 400-500 bucks. They will last a life time. Devilbiss makes a good gun. You can get an economy gun at the paint shop that are still good and better than HF in the 100 dollar ran. I would recommend the HVLP with the compressor, but make sure you compressor can keep up. I had to use two compressors with the Sata to keep the pressure at the tip up. Spend good money on water removal equipment also. If you want to paint upside down, use the PPS spray system. It used an adapter to screw into your hvlp gun. Then you ahve a solid cup with a liner and cap. You pour the paint into the line, put on the cap and click it onto the gun. It siphons out all of the paint and C/U is easy. Once you buy the system, it's cheap to get the liners. I use it for primer all the time. It's cheaper that using a lot of thinner to clean you cup and lid.
I have not heard much on turbine system. I know of one guy who tried it and did not like it at all. I know of several body shops and they won't touch them. It's probably best to stick with the stuff that all shops support as well as the paint companies.

frankh · #10 05-03-2008, 10:11 AM

Not sure what your problem was but I have guys who've been painting for 20 years who swear the HF guns are the best they have ever owned...The plastic cup is cheesy but thats a mall price to pay for an excellent finish and less that $100 for both guns for a superbfinish is a steal.

Did you wind the pressure up to 45psi?...Much better.

Frank