Kloun
Tele-Holic
I want to get away from rattle cans and into equipment that I can spray my own nitro. I have a very small air compressor, and was wondering what kind of spray equipment spray gun I can use that is inexpensive.
What's good budget spray equipment to use with a small air compressor?
- Thread starter Kloun
- Start date
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A touchup gun for non-pros is easier to manage for people who don't spray large volumes. Also needs less air pressure/volume.
Here is my spray outfit. The compressor was fifty bucks at a yard sale - 8 gallon, 3 hp. It is marginal for the 15 amp circuits to my shop (I can't have a heater or any other tools on when the compressor is running. A good filter and regulator at the compressor
I've tried both syphon "jamb" guns and an inexpensive little gravity feed gun, I like it better. Regulator and gauge at the gun. The hose is nice and flexible so I can move around the work
I don't know the nozzle size in the gun, its whatever came in it. It is no name from an auto paint dealer - I probably paid 25 bucks for the gun and another 15 for the regulator and gauge. I have shot both solvent and various water born lacquers with it with very good control. I am anal about totally disassembling the gun after every session and cleaning it thoroughly - I've never had a problem.
I shoot outside on nice days with temperatures above 65 and moderate humidity. Very satisfied with the whole outfit - there have been pictures of some of my guitars posted in other threads.
I've tried both syphon "jamb" guns and an inexpensive little gravity feed gun, I like it better. Regulator and gauge at the gun. The hose is nice and flexible so I can move around the work
I don't know the nozzle size in the gun, its whatever came in it. It is no name from an auto paint dealer - I probably paid 25 bucks for the gun and another 15 for the regulator and gauge. I have shot both solvent and various water born lacquers with it with very good control. I am anal about totally disassembling the gun after every session and cleaning it thoroughly - I've never had a problem.
I shoot outside on nice days with temperatures above 65 and moderate humidity. Very satisfied with the whole outfit - there have been pictures of some of my guitars posted in other threads.
sleazy pot pie
Tele-Afflicted
Sutekus Mini HVLP Paint Spray Gun... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MLTYSWQ/?tag=tdpri-20
TCP Global HMini Touch-Up HVLP... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002XWB5MU/?tag=tdpri-20
I have a small 8 gal compressor and really like both of these guns.
I would suggest spending the little extra on the tcp global gun because of build quality and the 1 year warranty.
you can’t spray flake with these, but color and clear coats are no problem
TCP Global HMini Touch-Up HVLP... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002XWB5MU/?tag=tdpri-20
I have a small 8 gal compressor and really like both of these guns.
I would suggest spending the little extra on the tcp global gun because of build quality and the 1 year warranty.
you can’t spray flake with these, but color and clear coats are no problem
eallen
Friend of Leo's
The Harbor Freight purple gun goes on sale for $10 regularly and is a good a starter as any under 100.
Keep in mind, cheap guns aren't as easy to use as many brand name expensive ones. At the same time, I don't encourage jumping in spending a ton of money for something you may not enjoy enough to do more of.
Some will say you need a full HVLP system. If you are doing a lot of spraying that is no doubt a great way to go. You don't need it to start with.
Eric
Keep in mind, cheap guns aren't as easy to use as many brand name expensive ones. At the same time, I don't encourage jumping in spending a ton of money for something you may not enjoy enough to do more of.
Some will say you need a full HVLP system. If you are doing a lot of spraying that is no doubt a great way to go. You don't need it to start with.
Eric
Hereandthere
Tele-Meister
The cheap gun from Harbor Freight seems to work pretty well, just strain everything through a filter before you put it in the gun. Harbor Frgt. pack of disposable strain filter cones worked for me. They have paint-gun liners for the paint tank also. I bought them but never tried them. It's all very cheap. The thinner is a significant % cost in relation to the whole setup.
sleazy pot pie
Tele-Afflicted
I have bought and used at least a dozen of the purple guns from HF
I would say the two I posted above are better quality. Especially the fox global gun. They are both 1.0 needles vs 1.4 on the purple gun.
mat the end of the day, no matter what gun you buy, you need to spend some time figuring out how to use it.
put some paper on the wall and fill the gun with water. Practice with the fan and fluid wide open to see how quick you need to move left to right without getting a run.
I would say the two I posted above are better quality. Especially the fox global gun. They are both 1.0 needles vs 1.4 on the purple gun.
mat the end of the day, no matter what gun you buy, you need to spend some time figuring out how to use it.
put some paper on the wall and fill the gun with water. Practice with the fan and fluid wide open to see how quick you need to move left to right without getting a run.
Kloun
Tele-Holic
Thanks for helpful advice folks. Much appreciated. I'd looked at the Harbor Freight purple HVLP, but I'm afraid my compressor isn't big enough. It's one of these HF models. https://www.harborfreight.com/1-3-hp-3-gallon-100-psi-oilless-air-compressor-97080.html
Too small to use that gun. Was hoping for something that would work with the crappy one I have so I didn't have to buy a new compressor. Wanted cheap because I really don't plan on spraying very much but, just wanted the ability to mix my own colors. Perhaps since I don't plan on using it that much, might need to stick to rattle cans.
Too small to use that gun. Was hoping for something that would work with the crappy one I have so I didn't have to buy a new compressor. Wanted cheap because I really don't plan on spraying very much but, just wanted the ability to mix my own colors. Perhaps since I don't plan on using it that much, might need to stick to rattle cans.
sleazy pot pie
Tele-Afflicted
You can mix your own colors and use a preval. That’s what I did before I got a compressor.
eallen
Friend of Leo's
Not optimum but you should be fine on a guitar. It will run a lot but I never run harbor freight guns over 40 psi. The reality is a coat of finish on a guitar really takes less than 30 seconds so it is not extended use & has time to catch up.
Regardless of what guns say on recommended psi I find all cheap guns run similar. At the price range they are just throwong numbers on a package and arent doing any research.
Eric
sleazy pot pie
Tele-Afflicted
Good point. give it a shot. You can buy the gun and hardware to hook it up for $30-40 depending on what you already have.
None, really.
Abandon your compressor - it's holding you back. Even the cheapest HVLP turbine/hose/gun rig from Rockler or Harbor Freight ($130, made by Earlex)) will be 50x as good as anything you hook up to a small compressor. It will also eliminate most overspray and bounce and give you excellent control. NO gun will be able to keep up and maintain a consistent fan pattern with a small compressor.
The only issue with inexpensive HVLP's is that they are "bleeders" - the air is not triggered and is always running. But you simply have to remember to ALWAYS move the spray up and away from the surface - NEVER back across the surface, which will cause waves and ripples and blow dirt and dust around.
If you are going to be spraying guitars somewhat regularly, though, a $300 compact Fuji HVLP turbine/hose/gun will get you FAR better, consistent results. They are professional units - just meant for small jobs like guitars.
I bought a cheap Harbor Freight unit, borrowed a friend's Fuji, and tested them against my 25 year old Capspray (about a $1000 unit nowadays). There was virtually no difference in results, handling or cleaning of the Fuji vs the Capspray. The Earlex unit was slower, took far more care/accuracy to avoid "blown air" issues,and was more of a pain to clean. The actual results with the Earlex were good - but not as smooth/glassy as the Fuji or Capspray. It was better than aerosols, but not by a huge amount IMO and not worth the investment.
I hope that helps.
CapnCrunch
Friend of Leo's
This^
As you stated in your OP, it makes no sense to buy a several hundred dollar HVLP spray rig when you are going to spray very infrequently. I have sprayed a bunch of guitars with the cheap "HVLP" conversion gun from Home Depot. Get your lacquer, your thinner and your retarder, and spray scrap till you master the gun you end up with. You're spraying a guitar, not a house. Your small compressor will be fine.
I have a Fuji HVLP that was about $800 and I still use my $30 Home Depot gun when I'm shooting Nitro Lacquer. Other coatings, I prefer the HVLP, but with Nitro, I like the conversion gun and get better results with it. It just takes some practice.
