I restored cars for years but did my last car back in 1989. Back then urethanes were just getting started at a time when lacquers and acrylic enamels were still heavily in use. My Question is: I still have my DeVilbiss and Binks No.7 spray guns. Can the new products (primer/sealers, base coats and clears) be sprayed (laid out) with the old guns??? Do I need know or do anything special??? B.T.W.: The last car I did was a '56 Studebaker Hawk that I took 4 inches out of the roof and shorten the rear end by 10 inches. It really brought the proportions of the car more in sync. No more tall roof... No more long back end.
I loved the Binks No. 7, but its outdated. Upgraded to a hvlp gun, even a cheap gun is better than a binks. Years ago sprayable material was greater, today its about half that. Mixing ratio of paint and reducer, gives you much less paint to spray. Because todays hvlp guns are more efficient, more paint on the car and not in the air. Also, make sure you use compatible products from start to finish. NO Lacquers, mixed with urethanes. Good luck -Saint
The old guns will spray modern urethanes just fine. I have an old Devilbis that I've sprayed lacquer, enamel & base coat cler coat urethane.
invest in a hvlp..less material waste. You'll thank yourself later. Even the cheaper hvlp guns work just fine. But it's your decision on cost..Sata and iwata=top of the line$$$$,but worth it if you sprary on a day to day basis. The newer binks hvlp guns are great and very resonable on their price.
Anything special I need to know or do differently if I do use my Binks or DeVilbiss gun??? I don't really need a high end gun anymore because I don't paint for a living any longer. What's an average price for a desent HVLP gun??? Keep in mind I don't/won't use Harbor Fright ****. (and that's not a typo)
Just turn in the volume knob some and you'll be ok. As far as decent guns, you'll have to go name brand for anything ok. Cheap guns are all made in tiawan or china, so just find the cheapest one you can. They are good for a couple of paint jobs before they go to ****.
I still have the DeVilbiss MBC I used 35 years ago. I made a good living with that gun, and a few more just like it, but it doesn't work that well with new materials. Actually it works just fine....it's just that an HVLP gun works so much better. The old syrphon feed guns require much higher air pressure and throw a lot of paint into the air. That alone is reason enough to spend as little as $100.00 for a new gun... You waste that much or more in overspray with a No. 7 or MBC. Even a cheap Harbor Frieght gun will get you through a paint job with no problems and an HVLP is simple to use...easy to figure out the differences....
For a decent hvlp gun you'll spend anywhere from $100 to 250. (thats my opinion). ...but as you said you won't use a harbor frieght gun..i would if I were just spraying a couple of times a year. They work good for their price...and remember it's all on how you take care of your tool. Clean your gun good and the harbor frieght will last a while
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