Graco airless sprayer?

[Avri]

I’ve got a Graco TrueCoat 360 airless sprayer and am wondering if it would be suitable for guitar work? I’ve read different things about whether it’s suitable for lacquer or poly though. Anyone have any experience with using a Graco for luthier work?

 

[Beebe]

I do not. But I imagine it'll spray paint onto a guitar as well as onto anything else.

In general, finishes that will redissolve in their solvent are much easier to clean. Finishes that cure could ruin a gun if left to harden.

If it's compatible with alcohol, I'd pick up a can of shellac or shellac based primer, and some denatured alcohol, 91% rubbing alcohol, or 190 proof everclear for thinning and cleaning, and see how it does on a test piece.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I strongly suspect you will face a challenge using that particular device for kinds of thin viscosity finishing products typically used for guitar work (and even furniture) It's optimal for very viscous finishes, such as paint, however. To be sure of the capabilities, you'll have to check and see what N/N (needle/nozzle) configurations are available for working with thin finishes.

 

[SacDAve]

Those are really at the bottom end of airless sprayers. I have a Graco X5 you could finish a guitar with the right tip but just the cost just in lacquer thinner to clean it is a big negative.

 

[Avri]

Thanks for the input guys! I think Graco tries to steer these toward paint users vs lacquer/ poly probably for just those reasons noted. I’ve been thinking about going the HPLV route with a Fuji system but just not sure I’d have enough finishing work to really justify the cost…

 

[Boreas]

I would be concerned about spraying flammable solvents/thinners. Motors with brushes create sparks. Kinda looks like a big power drill to me.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Many, if not most, of these kinds of devices specifically prohibit spraying things like Lacquer with heavy solvents because those solvents, um...melt...the tool. Waterborne is fine. Shellac is fine. (assuming the tip can handle the low viscosity) Oil based is fine. (if you like a sticky mess from the overspray) But not things like NC Lacquer.

 

[old wrench]

I wonder how well it will atomize low-viscosity finishes like lacquer?

The air-less sprayers that I'm familiar with are actually high-pressure pumps that work especially well for pumping out large volumes of thick finishes - like latex paints or industrial coatings, in short order

They are more geared for covering large areas.

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