Anyone have advice on Paint Guns?

Up to this point I've sent all my projects out for paint. I just painted the ch***is, axles, and suspension parts of my current project and intend to continue with future projects... most likely start doing to body as well (although maybe not right away).

I've been using an old set of SATA guns that I got from a friend... but I'm interested in getting a new set of HVLP guns. Just trying to figure out which ones would be most appropriate for me.

I'm not interested in getting an entry level set, just to upgrade in a year or so... nor can I justify spending $750 each on a set of top of the line SATA guns. I'm looking at the DeVilbiss Finish Line and the Sharpe Razor guns. Any opinions on either (or something else entirely)?

Is there any reason to spend the extra money on the Sharpe Razor over the DeVilbiss Finish Line? ...any measurable difference in quality or performance?

Any ***istance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

Sata!

 

Iwata

 

the devilbiss gun will work great for you----------i have a gti-----ive been using it for years and for the money you cant beat it-- imho---------for base coat use the 1.5 tip---for clear i use the 1.3 tip---------i use my gti gun for clear coat only[1.3 tip]------i have a finishline gun for basecoat and it works well [1.5 tip]

 

We are by far not professional painters and we were just like you we just got done painting our first two cars. We bought the Devilbiss finish line 654. It was very simple to adjust and sprayed real nice . Bought this thru TCP Global. cost was 170.00. We feel good gun for the price and it fits our home hobby use.

 

What Sata guns do you have? What type of paint are you planning on using?

I very much like the Sata and Iwata guns. I have a few newer Sharpe and DeVillbiss guns but I am not as happy with them (wight, balance, feel, ease of cleanup).

 

I like the Devilbiss but I'm not a pro, the nicest of the type of gun I would only use once or twice a year for a week at a time. If your'e a pro get the good stuff.

 

I've got a Sharp I use for single stage small stuff, a SATA for shooting sealer and color. Currently my main top coat gun is a 3m PPS with a compliant tip. Its a combo of hvlp and rp. I really really like the PPS system for those long reach and under the rocker jobs. Since the paint is in a baby bottle like container I don't have to worry about spilling.Also one of the big pluses is when your done, you can let the paint dry in the cup and throw the liner away. You only have to clean the gun,saving a ton of time and money on thinner.

 

Yeah i really like Iwata too, after trying a few different makes i've settled with them, nice quality, weight, light action and good balance i find.

 

I got my used Sata HVLP off Ebay for a pretty good price...it's not the top of the line, an NR2000, but it sprays ok.
For my money I'd buy another Binks Mach 1 (which I have on a 2 gallon pot)....it sprays circles around the Sata.

 

I am a professional painter, and I have no use for an HVLP. I use Sata guns. I have an almost new Iwata, but just haven't used it enough to get comfortable witth it. Used to use Devilbis, but once I used a Sata, I only use my Devilbis for primer and shooting chasis and the like. If you really like wet sanding, buy a Devilbis. If you want a really slik job, buy a Sata(not an HVLP)

 

I've got the Devilbiss Finishline gun set from Eastwood, they work great for the money. I would suggest getting a dedicated primer gun and a dedicated topcoat gun, because setting the gun properly everytime you change needle and jet sizes is pretty time consuming.

If you have to shoot waterbased paint like we do out here in good old California, look at Matco's line of Sata copies. They are fully compatible with the waterbased paint, and not badly priced.

 

I bought a pair of Devilbiss guns a couple of years ago & love them. Just painted the wife's truck & couldn't buy a run

 

If you own Sata guns, you already own the best...if they are giving you any issues, get a rebuild kit, or have them professionally rebuilt.

I used to be in the refinishing industry, with a major paintbooth manufacturer, and had the chance to paint with all types of guns...Devillbiss (the company I was with bought out some of Devillbiss' operation years ago, and we had nearly every model ), Sata, and Iwata. Personally, I own some of all 3, and the Devillbiss guns don't get used anymore. That decision is based more on the feel and balance, rather than anything else.I have 2 Iwatas, one set up for base, the other for clear, and 2 Satas. Both the Satas are primer guns (they were given to me, and had been used for primer for years). I love my Iwatas, but the next guns I buy will be Sata.

 

Learned on Devillbiss in vocational school and used SATA as a paintshop apprentice and the difference is night and day. SATA hands down.

 

I have a Sata 3000 digital and I can't imagine painting with anything else.
In the stable I have an old Sharpe SGF which was good at the time along with some older Binks and Iwatas, but the SATA has made my life easy when it comes to finish coat.

 

I wish I could tell you exactly which models I'm using, but I got both of them from a friend's dad (who used to paint cars years ago) and the models are not written on them.

I'm using a a syphon fed Sharpe gun to shoot (Epoxy) Primer. It works fine, but I don't like the feel of it... to big and clumsy, can't shoot at angles without spilling through the breather hole, wastes paint (in bottom of resevoir that syphon can't pick up). Just not happy with it.
The other gun I'm currently using to shoot urethane SS is a Sata non-HVLP gravity fed gun. I have no idea what model. I like it... it's easy to use, sprays nicely, cleans easily, no complaints really. ​

I'm thinking of trying HVLP because I'm under the impression that it will cut down on overspray and is more efficient (less wasted paint). Am I off base in this belief?

For the moment, I'm just spraying Epoxy Primer and SS Urethane (for ch***is, axle housings, suspension parts, inner fender walls, firewall). If I feel confident enough in my abilities when it comes time to paint the body, I may do that (which would be BC/CC). In either case, if I don't do it on this project, I will do it on future projects, once I'm a little more comfortable with my abilities.

 

I spray with a sata 3000 hvlp have never had a problem!!!

 

OK, I am really interested in this topic. I only paint laquer or single stage enamel/urethane. I own two siphon style spray guns. A Devillbis I use only for primer and a Binks I use for color. I have owned and have used these guns for probably 30 years or more. I get very good results. I am told that if I go to an HVLP set up I will minimize my after spray and use less paint reducer/thinner. Minimizing my after spray is a huge thing to me. Less sanding means less less sanding and money spent on consumables.

Since I only paint with Lacqer or single stage enamel/urethane should I consider upgrading to HVLP???

Advice and comments will be appreciated.

By the way I still spray black nitro lacqer as well as acrylic lacqer.

 

For you guys who are suggesting other brands Iwata, Sata, etc. any particular models I should be looking at?

 

Sharpe razor ,But Im no professional at 12 cars

 

I painted professionally for 30 years, most the time with a Binks #7 for primer and a Devillbliss JGAs for color and clears. Man did I love them old Devilbiss guns. A couple years before I quit painting I switched to HVLP (paint store convinced me I needed to get out of the dark ages!) so I got a couple of Satas . Took me a long time to get use to HVLP. Tried an Iwata, sold the Satas and used Iwatas till the end, really nice guns as long as your really good about keeping them spotless, particularly around the aircap. Today I paint once in a great while, most the time I use my old JGA.
To be honest, I never really seemed to see a bunch of savings as far as material or overspray by using a HVLP and I feel I get a better gloss (less orange peel) with the conventional gun.

 

When spraying primer what size tip do u guys recomend

 

Thanks alot. I think you just saved me some money.

 

Been doing this since 1974. Been using SATA since 1993. Currently using SATA RP for color and clear. Gets the job done for me and puts down the best finish I've gotten since I started painting. A whole lot of it is in the setting up of the gun. If you don't get the gun set up right you will not get the desired results.

 

Hey,

For your intended use, I wouldn't spend the money. You know how to handle a spray gun, and for the amount of material you'll save, you won't see a return for some time. Unless you're going to spend money on a preminum HVLP unit, money spent on a cheap gun will only lead to regret.

I shoot alot of ''traditional'' paint material, and still bank to this day on my Binks #7 & #62. Over the last fourty years I've used alot of different guns, but for lacquer & SS finishes I won't be buying an HVLP anytime soon!

" Humpty Dumpty was pushed "

 

Both my Iwatas are LPH 400s. I'm pretty sure Summit sells them, though I got mine direct years ago.

 

i've used a binks no. 7 for 32 years and i don't see any point changing now. i only use acrylic enamel, good gloss and lays down good. never needed to sand and clear coat.

 

Great, thanks for all the help guys.

 

As far as the queestion what model goes... Yeah i think mine is a LPH 400 too but i'll have to check, must have had it 10 years at least now...