fwiw
friend of mine is a large dealer for commercial paint shop equipment. sells everything/seen everything. HVLP is overkill and actually harder to paint with for novices. HVLP is for commercial shops to meet EPA.
www.spraygunworld.com is excellent resource. Devilbiss Finishline set is good value/good quality (see below). SATA is
the best.
conventional guns are HP (high pressure)...lots of overspray & waste
best setup are the new "RP" (reduced pressure) guns....falls between conventional and HVLP....much easier to use and less expensive than HVLP yet good finish quality and lower waste almost to HVLP levels. also requires less compressor volume i.e. no need to buy a turbine if you have a decent size compressor (get an air dryer!)
--> CFM is the most critical spec when match guns to compressors...PSI at the cap is less important
bottom line...you get what you pay for. BUT there is a limit for the novice/hobby painter, i.e. best guns don't mean best finish b/c technique counts for a lot.
if you plan to shoot
2-stage or
metallic paint, spend the $$ for better gun than if you go 1-stage paint. 2-stage (base/clear) is much less forgiving.
my friend recommends using a cheaper gun for primer and heavy stuff (prime/fill) but NOT for finish. buy a better 2nd gun for finish. said best bang for buck for 1-time airplane paint job is prob DeVilbiss 2-gun FinishLine III set around $250...primer gun w/1.8 tip and finish gun w/1.3 tip. Also look for rebuilts from body shop supply. Those guys trade in guns like underwear, although they usually buy the most expensive stuff.
as a general rule: the
cheaper the gun, the
more time you'll spend sanding/buffing (assuming your painting technique is ok)
pro (cost PER gun)
+$500: SATA (most paint shops; the RollsRoyce of paint guns)
$450: Iwata
$350: Binks
$300: Accuspray
hobby (cost for 2-gun sets)
$250/350: DeVilbiss III
$150: Devilbiss II (also Craftsman)
<$100: HF and other clones.
paints:
DuPont (except Imron) or Sherwin Wms are more forgiving/decent finish quality
--both are excellent for cockpits/interiors
PPG or Sikkens best finish but harder to work with
--PPG better at temp extremes/cold climates
--Sikkens better for hot climates.
me: SW interior; PPG 2-stage exterior; rebuilt RP guns; 5hp shop compressor w/dryers; turbine breather
hope this is helpful