I almost ready to do some spraying. I haven't done any in years and I have a hvlp suction feed that I loved using. I also have an Eminent brand hvlp that was a gift a long time ago, suction feed as well and never out of the box. I know they are a little out of date compared to gravity feed guns but are they that much different in terms of results, air pressure required, etc.? Thoughts?
If they are both HVLP then there wont be much difference. Just use whatever is the most comfortable to use. Just check the numbers on the aircap and fluid tips. The one with the bigger number, ie 1.8 compared to 1.4, will put out the most paint.
My understanding is that gravity feed guns require more air volume that suction feed guns. Either will produce a good paint job. I grew up with suction feed guns like most of the older fellas on here and like them real well. I don't own one now but if I did I would be using one. I really like the old DeVilbus guns that is what I learned on 45 or so years ago.
I also grew up using suction feed guns, but after using A gravity feed gun, my suction guns stAy in the cupboArd . I reckon the gravity feed is easier to clean and you can use all the paint and not have that last couple of ounces left in the bottom of the pot. Just hAve to make A stAnd to hang it off between coats.
I have a Binks 18 suction gun that I bought about 1970 and for the longest time it was the ultimate in finish guns. I bought an Iwata 400 a few years ago and the difference is night and day, even for an amateur like me. I cleaned up the Binks and packed it away, I bought a Finish Line gravity gun for primer.
Are you sure the suction feed guns are HVLP (high volume low pressure) ? I've never seen or heard of such a gun. Regardless, the age or type of gun doesn't guarantee good results. Barrow both types and spray test panels then decide which is best for the finishes you spray.
They do make siphon fed help guns. They were the first ones made before gravity feed. Makers like Croix have been making them for years. Graco makes a great siphon feed hvlp.
My bottom cup DeVilbiss HVLP puts a light amount of pressure in the cup. I think I bought it in the mid 90s. I also use the Iwata 400. Essentially the job is dependent upon the operator more than the gun. If of a mind to do so, an old siphon feed gun will lay out a finish as well as they did in the 60s, even with new materials. Reduction, pressure, spray pattern...
Anymore opinions guys? I was wondering about pressure at the gun differences as well. I have a Finishline 1.5(?) gravity gun as well which I will shoot colour with. A 1.8 tip would be good for primers with a 2.1 for high build primers I've been told. I know cleaning would be easier and I presume overspray would be the same more or less.
Not wanting to see bad info given out, but: The Advantage of Gravity Feed Spray Guns: Less Air Pressure It is obvious that gravity feed overcomes this limitation and less air pressure is required to atomize the paint. Spraying with less air pressure has the advantages of less overspray, less waste and greater control for the painter. These are the reasons why painters have been switching from conventional feed to gravity feed guns. Although HVLP is a requirement in most areas, whether or not you use an HVLP gun, gravity feed offers the advantage over conventional feed because of the lower air pressure requirement. For those users who prefer conventional feed, it is possible to achieve atomization at lower air pressures by pressurizing the cup. This ***ists the siphon process by forcing the fluid up the feed tube. You can identify a pressurized cup by the presence of an air tube that extends from the air supply to the cup.
I've used both siphon and gravity feed and prefer the siphon type. One reason I like them better is when spraying metallics, you can place a marble or two in the cup to use as an agitator to keep the metallic particles suspended in the paint. Try that with a gravity feed and you cut off the flow of paint....
Yeah, I read that after googling the question. Makes sense but doesn't say how much the difference in air pressure would be.
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