HVLP Systems for a beginer.

[Brother Mist]

Hello,
I am going to be shooting a basecoat/clearcoat job on my Bug. I have been reading a lot of posts, here and other places, about all the prep. work and all that jazz. I know I wont be pumping out show quality paint jobs... but as long as it looks better than a "rattle can" job I'll be happy. Plus I got a rock crawling Jeep I can practice on, as that thing aint gotta be pretty. Hey, you cant learn without doing it... right?

My question is about the HVLP systems. I have been looking around and know at least I'll need a 3 stage design turbine unit. Gotta take all the help I can get with the technology. I dont want to spend too much money on the system, but I also dont want a hunk of junk either... I've seen a HVLP from Harbor Freight for $50... I bet that would produce a real show stopping paint job!

I figgure I am looking at spending right around $550-$650 for a quality unit. Well, unless anyone knows of a better deal.

I've been looking at the Fuji SuperPro System. It costs $549.00 US
No shipping charges and a FREE Maintenance Kit. Complete system includes: Super PRO 3-stage turbine, hi-flex hose, Fuji XT Non-Bleed spray gun with 1Qt cup, paint strainer, viscosity cup, cleaning brush, and 20 page User manual.

The only thing I can not find info for on this unit is what pressure and cfm it operates at.

Any ideas or tips that would help me in my search for a good, low cost HVLP system would be appreciated.

[Soul]

I can't answer your question, however I've seen two paint jobs done with the Harbor Freight HVLP systems and they looked pretty good to me. I guess that's not saying much. I've been looking into the the HF HVLP and most people I've talked to like them. The only people that had negative things to say about it have never actually used one. (Go Figure)

Here's the reponse that I got from a guy that shoots with it all the time.

I first thought "how good can it be?" but when we took over a distributor in Milpitas CA, I got to use one of their Turbinaire HVLP Turbine style guns. Worked great shooting heavy industrial paints, so I tried some lacquer and some urethane and it was just as easy as using my old Binks 77 or Iwata W series gun (probably two of the finest conventional guns one could ever use!)
What took some getting used to was the ammount of paint you can lay on quickly. It transfers MUCH more than normal guns, so you have to paint and move much quicker. I would say I have to move shooting thick urethanes like I used to shoot acrylic lacquer with a conventional gun.

Going on what I like about the Harbor Freight HVLP is that it's self-contained and I dont; need to clear out the garage to shoot something (not that I have a garage, mind you---but I don't have to clear out the area between the sheds)...

My ONLY complaint is that I would like a longer hose so I could mount the thing to a wall, and shoot without moving the unit. Not that its a big deal, but the Turbineair unit had a longer hose. Of course it costs $1500, and not under $100, so I think that's a reasonable tradeoff.

Using it only entails running an extension cord out to the driveway, and after watering down for dust, I shoot away.

Now, their conventional gun they sell for like $19 or $29 works as well and is a knock-off of my Binks 77. But then you need a 5hp compressor, dessicant system, water filters, blah blah blah. I mean I HAVE all that stuff since I'm in compressed air as a business, but this thing is so much easier to set up and shoot---ESPECIALLY for top coats. I usually have the air hose out for body work, so I usually shoot primer with my old guns, and then go to the turbine unit for topcoat (especially since I can paint a car with about HALF as much paint as I used with conventional guns.

Such is HVLP.

[NO_H2O]

I did alot of looking on paint/body forums nd the gun that got more good reviews for the $$$ was a Sharpe Finex 300 HVLP gravity feed @ $70. I bought one with a 1.4 tip but haven't shot with it yet. Every post I read about it was good.

[Brother Mist]

Thanks for the replies.

Soul, I think I'll pass on the Harbor Freight $50 special... Its a single stage system and only 2-5 PSI (so probably really 3.5PSI).

NO_H20, That is a HVLP Conversion gun. For running a standard air compressor system. I am looking for a true HVLP system, a turbine driven air setup... and at least a 3 stage unit.

I've been watching ebay and the prices the HVLP units sell for on there are only about $50-$100 cheaper than getting a unit new.

Anyone got any advise on a decent quality, True HVLP, 3-4 stage system that is under $550?

Thanks,
Brother Mist.

[rustbucket]

I looked at these systems a while back. If I remember right, quality units were ~700$ or more. Eastwood used to sell them, but I don't see them listed in their current catalog.

Personally, I'd give the HF unit a try for the price. At worst, you could use it to paint stuff around the house. I would only invest in the high dollar systems if you plan on painting multiple cars. That's why I decided against it in the end. I might only ever paint 2 or 3.

[Brother Mist]

Rustbucket,
I appreciate your input, as I do the others that have replied. I am quite sure that I will invest in a HVLP unit, just not sure where my money will be best spent.

I thought about just having my car painted by a pro. But the way I see it is like this...

My '59 Type 1, daily driver, needs minimal body work and a fresh paint job. I can spend the $1000-$2000 to have it painted, but since its a daily driver it will get rock chips, scratches, and eventualy a shopping cart smashed into the door or something. If I have it painted by a shop, I have to take it back to the shop to get the required spot repair/color match work done. If I invest in the HVLP system and learn to paint by shooting the car myself, I can repair the paint myself.

I also have a '58 that I will be restoring. Body work and paint are to be the first things done, I'm modding a bike, my brother has a sweet Norton 750 Comando bobber (in primer), and I have a rock crawling Jeep that I am always ripping the paint, and other things, off of. I always have some type of project going on. If I dont learn to paint I'm going to go broke!

I've found a site that did a test on 5 HVLP systems, under $500, and found that informative. Click Here to see that page.
The tests done at that site found the Wagner SoftSpray Model 2600 to be the best out of the tested systems. I've also seen quite a few BB's where the Wagner line of HVLP units were praised.

... the jury is still out, for now.

[Panelfantastic]

Interesting topic... I've learned a little from it, thanks for sharing your research. I've seen the turbine stuff advertised but never actually seen one in operation. I know a couple guys who do custom paint work but they use conventional stuff... turbine seems better, wonder why they resist it?
Dave, you dabble in a little body work , what's the deal?
The first thing I think of when Wagner is mentioned are those hideous things they sell for house painting. Makes a godawful racket and will vibrate your hand numb in seconds...

[Brother Mist]

Originally Posted by Panelfantastic

The first thing I think of when Wagner is mentioned are those hideous things they sell for house painting. Makes a godawful racket and will vibrate your hand numb in seconds...

Thats exactly what I was thinking when the Wagner units were first suggested to me. I work as a vendor rep. for various manufactures supplying Home Depot stores with merchandise. I see those units all the time. But the Wagner turbine units are a completly different animal, and they aparently out perform a lot of the more well known turbine system manufactures.

From what I have learned, HVLP is a mandated system in some areas now for environmental contaminate reasons. The HVLP systems require someone with experiance on standard compressor systems to re-learn technique, I think that is the main reason for resistance... but I could be wrong.

The HVLP systems are more efficient and use less sprayable material, and if you do not already have an air systen, compressor driven, with a desicant system inline, the HVLP is much cheaper.

... still learning...