I have been looking at several different HVLP sprayers recently and am planning on purchasing one in the near future. I am considering at this time either an Apollo. Turbinaire, or Fuji. I will mostly use it to spray sanding sealer and clear lacquer in my home shop, not necessarily production minded.
Each manufacturer has a 3 stage available in the range of $750 to $800 dollars. This usually includes a non-bleeder gun and 25 ft. of hose. After researching the FWW Archives, the most current article I found available was from 1999.
Any information from other knotheads through personal experience would be appreciated. Are there other sprayers I should consider? Will the 3 stage be adequate for the type of work I am doing? If I wanted to spray a colored lacquer, would a 3 stage be sufficient? What size nozzle is best suited for lacquer?
Thank you in advance, Screename56
Replies
I have a Fuji 4-stage turbine outfit that has worked well for me. I shoot mostly shellac and acrylic latex paint, and lacquer occasionally. If you're going to spray sanding sealer and lacquer exclusively, a 3-stage system should be fine. If you might be spraying latex paint, you'll probably need a 4-stage.
Try the Earlx 5000 I use it all the time. About $300.00.
Check out Jeff Jewitt's website at http://www.homesteadfinishing.com.
He answers the phone and will talk with you about your needs and what equipment will meet those needs. I have bought an HVLP system from him (Accuspray) and a gravity feed gun for a small compressor. Each time I have spoken with him he was thoughtful and patient, and I just do this for a hobby.
He also autographed his book for me...
Good luck.
Doug
It all depends on what kind of air compressor you already have. If you have an air compressor that will put out the cfm's (7-18) you would be better to put that much money in into a HVLP or LVLP gun. The results with a gun and compressor and a turbine system are not that comparable. If you have a decent compressor you could consider the the Iwata LVLP LPH 400LV 1.6 tip (7-9 cfm). This gun is very well rated by professionals and is only $428 at http://www.spraygunworld.com/products/Iwata/LP400.html. If you think you have to have a turbine system I would look at the Apollo and the Fuji 4-stages. That new Apollo gun is the best for a turbine system right now. Very good atomization scores, but still a turbine gun. There is a reason 99% 0f all professional finishers (auto and furniture) use guns and compressors and not turbine systems. For $800 you are on the edge of buying a bigger compressor and a Iwata gun. Like many of our decisions, money is the driving force many times. Remember all that turbine will do is push that gun, a compressor will push everything.
Screenname:
I would echo Terrylee's comments. The Iwata gun he cited was recommended to me by our local auto paint supplier. I use it with a Kobalt 30 gal compressor; it is a little light in the cfm department but my work volume is not so much that I cannot wait for the compressor to recycle.
The Iwata gun is a joy to use and puts down an excellent coat.
Hastings
If you have your own compressor, you can't beat the lex-aire 2002 HVLP. http://www.lexaire.com/2002/index.html. I have never used a better full size gun... conventional or HVLP.
They also make very good turbine models if you don't have a compressor. http://www.lexaire.com/
Edited 12/16/2008 9:11 pm ET by rdasilva
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