This may be a stupid question

[Ivan]

I am in the process of fixing up my venture, and am contemplating painting options. I have done some with rattle cans and it turned out surprisingly well. Alas, it is slow and tedious.

So, since air compressors are expensive, and I haven't got a 220 outlet in the garage, I was wondering if one of those airless guns like they use to paint a house would work for this type of deal? I think Wagner makes them, amongst others...

[Wildkat]

I'd think that it wouldn't give you the smooth finish that you would get from a set up made specifically for automotive applications... doesn't really atomize the paint for a proper job... but maybe would get you through just to get it covered?
But if you were going to do that... you might be better off with rattle cans with less overspray...

[bikerphil]

I've used a Wagner HVLP to paint a few car roofs before and I was very happy with the results. This type has a fan that blows air thru a filter, as compared to the standard type airless sprayer. Home Depot has them for about $60 IIRC.

[Ivan]

Yeah I saw those at Lowes. Are they hard to clean and maintain? It sounds like they may be a turbine type gun of sorts.

[bikerphil]

Not bad at all to clean. Less parts than the old type airless. They are quiet too.

[Larrym]

Marine application

I've seen lots of guys at the shipyards here using those types of sprayers to paint their hulls. Really makes the job easier and faster than doing it by brush.

In each case the guy was not using alkyd or oil paints but rather the latex exterior paints you'd find on someones house. Water wash-up after using the sprayer and all that.

So these sprayers will do oil base/alkyd enamels/polyurethanes??

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Ivan,

I used a 5 gal pancake compressor/tank with an extra 10 gal tank, got a cheap $29.95 Campbell/Hausfeld HVLP type sprayer, and used it to do my 2 part paint job on my bike/tank/sidecover/fenders, and it seemed to work well.

The pancake compressor was modestly priced at HF, adding the 10 gal extra tank gives it more duration before the compressor has to kick in again, but it's still a bit weak for trying to run an impact wrench for the car's lugnuts! But it runs on 110VAC. Also put a water/oil filter setup on it before the paint gun. But it's nice having a compressor for being able to air up the tires and such.
T.C.

[xs11jack]

A water filter is a must.

[Ivan]

I've seen lots of guys at the shipyards here using those types of sprayers to paint their hulls. Really makes the job easier and faster than doing it by brush.

In each case the guy was not using alkyd or oil paints but rather the latex exterior paints you'd find on someones house. Water wash-up after using the sprayer and all that.

So these sprayers will do oil base/alkyd enamels/polyurethanes??

Says they will do lacquer clear coats and stains on furniture. Some of those are as volatile as paints.

I have a one gallon compressor, and there are some guns that will work with that, mini guns by iwata, but they are about 300$.

[TDodge7]

there's some guys on my vw forum that painted their cars with these , i don't know how it looks up close but the pictures looked pretty nice , if i recall they were using single stage auto paint in it .

http://www.gleempaint.com/ch-hv1001-hvlp-system.html

[Paintman]

Paint

a Buddy of moine who is very how we say frugal asked if i could rig up a cheap way for him to paint little projects , well i looked around and got 2 Scuba tanks alum ones at ayard sale for 60$ i got them tested at freinds place both fine. i set up a Y connection for both tanks to go into a single line with a regulator drier setup. lol only problem is he stops by my place to fill em up but will power air tools on the trail for his truck to.so i found an old York AC compressor and set it up on his truck now he just runs it to fill his tanks total investment under 200$.
John

[fredintoon]

I am in the process of fixing up my venture, and am contemplating painting options. I have done some with rattle cans and it turned out surprisingly well. Alas, it is slow and tedious.
So, since air compressors are expensive, and I haven't got a 220 outlet in the garage, I was wondering if one of those airless guns like they use to paint a house would work for this type of deal? I think Wagner makes them, amongst others...

Hi Ivan,
so buy a used one. The most air you can get out of a 110V compressor is ~6cfm. That's enough to run the average paint gun if it's regulated down to 45psi like the experts say they should be.
AND you can use a 2-part paint.
If you can find a total bargain in a 220V compressor, snap it up anyway and run a 220V line into the garage with the change.
Compressors drive more than just spray guns.
There's die grinders, drills, sanders, shears, etc.
Then there's Christmases and birthdays and anniversaries and fathers days and all those alternatives to socks and ties.

[crazy steve]

Here's what you need!

So, since air compressors are expensive, and I haven't got a 220 outlet in the garage, I was wondering if one of those airless guns like they use to paint a house would work for this type of deal? I think Wagner makes them, amongst others...

For what it's worth, an airless generally doesn't atomize the paint as well as a HVLP or even a conventional gun, so 'orange peel' will likely be the result. Supposedly, you CAN get a 'finish tip' that will spray automotive-type paints, but it's only available with the 'commercial' types (big $$$). And everybody I know that's bought one of those cheapy airless setups has had trouble with it.

I just got done painting some bike parts with a HF HVLP gun, and I have to tell you I'm very, very happy with the results. This is a detail gun and is part of a set. Best part? Only $60 (for both!) and it'll run on a small compressor as you only need 30-35 PSI and about 5 CFM. So one of those 110v pancake jobs should do it. Painting isn't particularly one of my skills, and if I can get good results, almost anybody should. This thing was easier to use than doing a rattle-can job. I've tried using a 'full-size' gun in the past, and they put out too much paint for small items, at least for me. This gun wouldn't work too well for a car or other large items, but is perfect for bike parts (and if you decide to 'upgrade' later, you already have the big gun).

The paint cost more than the gun....

'78E original owner

[Ivan]

Fred, I have been looking for a used one, and the guy I used to work for deals in used shop equipment, so I should be able to find something on the cheap given time. I have done some 220V conversions, down to 110. Most people just don't like spending $500 on a used compressor then another $700 on a big 110 motor. Some are "loco" enough to, but most worry more about building codes than the INS.

I thought about getting a trim gun as well, but wasn't sure if my little wally world compressor would handle it. I have seen guys lay down aircraft dope with a HVLP gun that came out looking like glass. I know it can be done, but it will take some technique. As far as the paint, I found some Dupli-Color premixed stuff at O'really?s for about $20 a quart. Not sure how well it will work, but the kid behind the counter said it did "ok" on his car. Damn site better than the $300 a quart dupont stuff he was trying to sell me.

Anything has got to be better than using 87 rattle cans of primer, 148 cans of color and God knows how many cans of clear. I like my index finger too much.

[XJOK2PLAY]

Ivan,

87 cans of primer...??? That's a lot of priming!

For small projects that you need to either use a custom mixed, pro auto quality paint on, you can also go to the automotive paint store where they sell a small aerosol sprayer that screws onto a glass jar. Mix it up, pour it in the jar, spray it like a rattle can... but get a much better finish, and custom, automotive paint... which is a lot better quality.

Buy a quart, get some reducer... works quite well...

That is, unless your project's the size of the Titanic...

Just thought I'd throw that out there FWIW...