Looking for paint gun recommendations

[Scootertrash]

Got same painting to do, couple bikes and eventually a couple trikes. What's a decently priced spray gun? I'm looking for something in the middle of the price range between Hazard Fraught and top of the line Iwata type stuff.

One gun or a primer/top coat 2 gun set up? Or one gun with multiple tips?

I don't plan on going into professional painting, but I want my work to look professional when I'm done. ;)


ETA: I was pondering this one:

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-concours-gun-1-2-and-1-4-tips-plastic-andmetal-cup.html

231980

[El Camexican]

It's difficult if not impossible to make a paint job look professional without using good equipment. Small parts give you a better chance though. The right guy can spray bomb a gas tank to look like it was done in a paint shop. I use a conventional pot Devilbiss but I don't know what they sell for now. 20 years ago they were over $300, but they went down a lot. Make sure you get an in line adjustable regulator for any gun you buy.

[knappyfeet]

One of the best "bang for the buck" guns are devilbiss. Right now on ebay there is a Starting line 3 gun kit for a little over $200. This will get you what you need.

I spray with a Sata gun and have the devilbiss GTI....and I can't tell the difference except for the nearly $500 price difference. I also have a starting line set and they're fabulous.

Air regulator at the gun and the tank and set 10psi difference between the 2. Moisture seperator....you know the rest.

Test your patterns on some metal before spraying cause there's a difference between the 2 guns. And don't spray on cardboard.....always test pattern on some metal so you get the feeling

[knappyfeet]

Got same painting to do, couple bikes and eventually a couple trikes. What's a decently priced spray gun? I'm looking for something in the middle of the price range between Hazard Fraught and top of the line Iwata type stuff.

One gun or a primer/top coat 2 gun set up? Or one gun with multiple tips?

I don't plan on going into professional painting, but I want my work to look professional when I'm done. ;)


ETA: I was pondering this one:

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-concours-gun-1-2-and-1-4-tips-plastic-andmetal-cup.html

231980

Also had to add.....

Keep in mind a nice gun will lay smoother coats than a cheaper one. And between guns it takes just a tick of time to get use to the difference.

But the biggest difference between poor paint jobs and nice paint jobs in your case will be the product your spraying. A cheaper paint will not flow well, might solvent pop and just not cover as well. I've always used PPG brands but they are costly.......more than your gun.

When price is an issue the best product I've found was Kustom shop stuff. TCP Gobal is locally here and I've been purchasing from them for years. Nice products, good help and an awsome low gloss clear....perfect for those brake parts and such that weren't high gloss from the factory. Flow enhancers will help smooth stuff out and they got a nice low cost option.

I've learned to spray over the years because the finish on any project is always FAR more costly than anything else one usually encounters on a restoration.

[El Camexican]

One of the best "bang for the buck" guns are devilbiss. Right now on ebay there is a Starting line 3 gun kit for a little over $200. This will get you what you need.

I spray with a Sata gun and have the devilbiss GTI....and I can't tell the difference except for the nearly $500 price difference. I also have a starting line set and they're fabulous.

Air regulator at the gun and the tank and set 10psi difference between the 2. Moisture seperator....you know the rest.

Test your patterns on some metal before spraying cause there's a difference between the 2 guns. And don't spray on cardboard.....always test pattern on some metal so you get the feeling

Remember when Devilbiss was the ONLY gun you would see in a professional shop? (maybe I'm dating myself? :lol:) I would like to try the pot on top style some day, paint drips out of the vent hole on the conventional guns isn't fun, but I see some brands have them now with a vinyl hose to eliminate that.

[Scootertrash]

Thanks for the input gentlemen! Yea, there is no way I was gonna buy a paint gun for 20 bucks :p I figured if I got up around 200 I'd be in the ballpark

I was planning on PPG, Kustom/TCP or House of Kolor, not gonna cut cost on paint. What I use depends on who has the color I want. ;)

I can do a really good job spray bombing, so I figger if I have good equipment I should be fine.


ETA: Waddya mean I can't test on cardboard!!??!!?? :wondering :lol:

[fieldy]

You can get a used debelvis or sharp to spray primer. You really want a separate primer gun because it just stinks to put primer in your base/clear gun. A 2 gun washer is awesome. For oil based a wagner electric spray gun is really nice. Wagner is simple to use and does a nice job. Now i am not saying it would work with base/cearcoat. Never tried it but probably cheap at a yard sale. Top of the line air guns may lay metallics better but i would say debelvis would do great in comparison.

[jb2wheels]

I like my $20 Harbor Freight purple HVLP gun.

I'm not a pro. It's the only gun I ever used so I have nothing to compare to.
If I was going to do more than hobby painting on my projects, I would consider a better gun.
Although, I planned to paint my Civic with it until I figured out it would cost more to rent a booth than to pay for a paint job. I can paint trike stuff in the backyard but I have no place to paint a car...

I use it for epoxy primer, BC/CC, and single stage poly.

I paint frames. I painted my ATC 90/110 and a couple of 70 tanks, too.

I did this 70 fork and tank with SPI black epoxy primer and Summit Red single stage poly.
I did have to wet sand some orange peel out of the tank. I believe that's an operator problem not a gun problem but could be wrong.
231983

Black epoxy on the frames (2 different ones in the pics) but frames are easy and hard to see screw ups.
231981
231982

This frame is for my 350X and I did it with Summit red ss poly over Summit gray epoxy
231984

This 200X frame got the leftovers from my ATC 90 project.
231985

This was the first thing I ever painted with a gun (the $20 purple HF gun) - the tank and fenders (fiberglass) on my 90/110 project.
I used SPI clear over TPC white base over SPI white epoxy.
No wet sanding or polishing. It came out great.
231986
231987

[El Camexican]

Thanks for the input gentlemen! Yea, there is no way I was gonna buy a paint gun for 20 bucks :p I figured if I got up around 200 I'd be in the ballpark

I was planning on PPG, Kustom/TCP or House of Kolor, not gonna cut cost on paint. What I use depends on who has the color I want. ;)

I can do a really good job spray bombing, so I figger if I have good equipment I should be fine.


ETA: Waddya mean I can't test on cardboard!!??!!?? :wondering :lol:

We actually market a $20 unit (same supplier as HF I suspect) and I can paint industrial items with it pretty darn good. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it as a primer gun for a moment, but don't expect it to last a life time. The one we tested before we added them to our line went a full month of daily use in an abusive shop before they used it for epoxy paint and forgot to clean it.

The biggest difference with a cheap gun and a good gun is the tolerances of the pins and orifices (think Chinese carb VS Mikuni) and the way the trigger feels and reacts to movement. The cheap guns react like light switches as the trigger is pulled and the good guns can be finessed in the right hands to lay only the paint that is desired without any "oh crap" moments.

House of Color has some beautiful tones, but unless the color is only available through them you may want to save your cash as they charge a fortune. I like the Dupont Chroma line for base/clear. Easy to work with and not too terribly expensive. Base/Clear lets you fix imperfections if need be and you can always sand and polish your way to a mirror finish if your spraying talents are less than stellar.

Same for the inevitable small scratches and swirls that occur with use. Lacquer or clear can be sanded and polished to make it look like brand new, but where you are I don't recommend lacquer as it doesn't like to expand and contract with temps.

[knappyfeet]

A couple of things somewhat recently painted using a Starting Line Devilbiss touch up gun and a Devilbiss GTI.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u105/knappyfeet/20151005_141819_zpsafrs55yz.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/user/knappyfeet/media/20151005_141819_zpsafrs55yz.jpg.html)

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u105/knappyfeet/20160515_112055_zpsqogtdjrr.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/user/knappyfeet/media/20160515_112055_zpsqogtdjrr.jpg.html)

The cb is a little dusty but you get the idea.

[Scootertrash]

Nice work ;)

[atc007]

In other news, Scooter, what brand air hose ends do you run? I have some awful Craftsmans atm that are on their way to the trash can. I know you updated a few years ago and made a thread, i haven't found it. Thanx.

[Scootertrash]

I'm running Milton type V connectors, they used to call them Hi-Flo. The ID is larger than your "normal" fittings. Bear in mind tho your tool fittings will work with the other type spring collars, but not vice versa. The other nice thing about the type V connectors is that the type V spring collar is a "push to connect" fitting. You do not have to pull the collar back to connect the tool. Push till it clicks.

ETA: Northern Tool link, they're on ebay too

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/NTESearch?storeId=6970&ipp=24&Ntt=Milton+Hi+Flo

[tripledog]

This is the equipment needed to get that Craigslist "Mint Condition" finish...

[jb2wheels]

I hate it when people re-post pictures but, DAMN, that Roundtop is sweet!




http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u105/knappyfeet/20160515_112055_zpsqogtdjrr.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/user/knappyfeet/media/20160515_112055_zpsqogtdjrr.jpg.html)

The cb is a little dusty but you get the idea.

I'll be happy to swing by and pick it up for extended babysitting...

[tripledog]

I think that is the nicest SOHC 750 I have ever seen, Mr. knappyfeet. To say that you do nice work is a massive understatement!

[knappyfeet]

Thank you guys.

It has been fun working on older stuff.....and therapeutic. I've learned along the way......usually the hard way.

The CB hasn't been started since 2013. I'm currently getting it recommissioned and addressing a few things that were a bother in the past. I've owned that bike for some time.

The little 1971 Yamaha HT-1 is one I've been working on for some time but it's a slow process because im getting lazier. It runs good and starts easy.


http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u105/knappyfeet/20150130_154224_zps5jnxqprc.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/user/knappyfeet/media/20150130_154224_zps5jnxqprc.jpg.html)

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u105/knappyfeet/20151005_141819_zpsafrs55yz.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/user/knappyfeet/media/20151005_141819_zpsafrs55yz.jpg.html)

http://www.caferacer.net/forum/general/24220-yamaha-ht-1-1971-a.html?highlight=1971+yamaha+ht-1

[Scootertrash]

One of the best "bang for the buck" guns are devilbiss. Right now on ebay there is a Starting line 3 gun kit for a little over $200. This will get you what you need.

I spray with a Sata gun and have the devilbiss GTI....and I can't tell the difference except for the nearly $500 price difference. I also have a starting line set and they're fabulous.

Air regulator at the gun and the tank and set 10psi difference between the 2. Moisture seperator....you know the rest.


Test your patterns on some metal before spraying cause there's a difference between the 2 guns. And don't spray on cardboard.....always test pattern on some metal so you get the feeling

OK, so I have what I guess you would call your "basic" filter set up right off of the compressor. Should I invest the money in one of these Devilbiss Filter/dryer assemblies? I'm not afraid to spend the money to get a good job. Since I have 2 Harley's and eventually a 3rd to paint along with numerous 3 wheeler projects in the works, as well as unknown future projects, it may be money well spent.

I'll post a pic of my filter a bit later. ;)

ETA: Fergot to add pitcher:

232632

[tripledog]

^^^ Get ready for a stampede. A pitcher is worth a thousand herds.

[El Camexican]

^^^ Get ready for a stampede. A pitcher is worth a thousand herds.

I figured he was just baiting us with the spelling. He is after all a master of it.

[Scootertrash]

I have a firm grip on your thinly veiled innuendo

[El Camexican]

I have a firm grip on your thinly veiled innuendo

Looks like you beat T dog to that one.

[fieldy]

OK, so I have what I guess you would call your "basic" filter set up right off of the compressor. Should I invest the money in one of these Devilbiss Filter/dryer assemblies? I'm not afraid to spend the money to get a good job. Since I have 2 Harley's and eventually a 3rd to paint along with numerous 3 wheeler projects in the works, as well as unknown future projects, it may be money well spent.

I'll post a pic of my filter a bit later. ;)

ETA: Fergot to add pitcher:

232632

You can also buy the screw in water filter. It attaches to the bottom of the gun handle by the pressure regulator. If you have a nice shop one of those decandecet dryers could be alright for car painting. You bake the beads in the oven once in a while for maintenence. Just a regular water seperater would work if you also ran a disposable filter on the gun.

[tripledog]

I have a firm grip on your thinly veiled innuendo

Isn't innuendo the Italian term for suppository?

[El Camexican]

Isn't innuendo the Italian term for suppository?

Not sure about that, but I think they consider one who farts a lot to be a bigamist.

[knappyfeet]

Isn't innuendo the Italian term for suppository?

LOL.......:lol:

[knappyfeet]

OK, so I have what I guess you would call your "basic" filter set up right off of the compressor. Should I invest the money in one of these Devilbiss Filter/dryer assemblies? I'm not afraid to spend the money to get a good job. Since I have 2 Harley's and eventually a 3rd to paint along with numerous 3 wheeler projects in the works, as well as unknown future projects, it may be money well spent.

I'll post a pic of my filter a bit later. ;)

ETA: Fergot to add pitcher:

232632

Yea.....that would be good. Mine is off eBay and its fine.

Fieldy is correct with the one on the gun as well

Let's see some pics of the HDs if you have any. I've never owned an HD but my wife likes the new Limited and wants me to get one. I probably will since she let's me have anything I like but dam........they are expensive. The new Indian roadmster is my favorite but they are 30K.........that's a lot.