HVLP paint spray gun question ????

Crazy Horse · Aug 19, 2015

I borrowed one of the high volume low pressure paint spray guns and am going to give it a try. It's one of the inexpensive "Harbour Freight quality" ones, the paint jar is mounted on top of the spray trigger mechanism. I do not have an instruction manual to follow. I will be spraying regular oil-based machinery enamel paint.

So my question relates to the pressure ........ what sort of pressure range is a guy dealing with here?

OldFarmTractor · Aug 19, 2015

The manuals are online for all items that are sold by Harbor Freight.

Here is the link to one of their guns, the manual is a link on that page.
HVLP Page

Goose · Aug 19, 2015

I have several, and I usually run around 40psi on pressure. I use them for everything except primer. I do have a couple of higher quality HVLP guns for spraying automotive clearcoat, more because of higher capacity than a higher quality job. I've wanted to experiment with maybe 30 psi on pressure to see what happens.

Actually, when you catch these guns on sale at HF, you can buy the entire gun for less than a replacement cup.

You'll find an HVLP gun with a 20 ounce cup will cover approximately the same area as a siphon gun with a 32 ounce cup. And with most automotive paints well over $100 per gallon, that's quite a savings.

Chris in SK · Aug 19, 2015

I'm no expert, but I think I used about 40 psi at the gun. Its useful if you have one of those small regulators and gauges right at the gun. Go to the 'Paint and Bodywork' (or what ever its called) forum on this site.... there is a stack of info on HVLP guns there.

PJH · Aug 19, 2015

Goose - educate me - you said, "I use them for everything except primer". Why don't you use the HVLP guns for primer? I have a new HVLP gun, but haven't tried it yet, and the first thing I was gonna use it for was primer, ha.

Paul

KenL · Aug 19, 2015

I have a Devilbiss and I spray at 28 lbs. Works perfect. At 25 lbs. it doesn't atomize

Stephen Newell · Aug 19, 2015

If you mean the purple gun, I have one. I use it with 40 psi. A word of caution, make absolutely sure you don't get paint in the threads of the cup. It tends to glue the lid on and it's an awful job to get the lid off. Spraying an oil based enamel I would recommend using naphtha to thin it. It will dry a little faster than paint thinner lessening the chance of bugs getting in the paint.

Goose · Aug 19, 2015

Mostly because with primer you can let it sit in a siphon gun for a couple of days or more, stir it up, and start shooting it again with no product left over. (Assuming the primer doesn't use an activator).

It's just not that simple with a top cup. It could be a lack of refined work habits on my part.

HVLP paint spray gun question ????

Crazy Horse

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OldFarmTractor

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Goose

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Chris in SK

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PJH

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KenL

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Stephen Newell

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Goose

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