Help Recommend an HVLP sprayer for a first timer
Hello,
I’m looking to upgrade from finishing my furniture products with aerosol cans to an HVLP/airless sprayer. I typically use oil based poly and have been struggling to find good information on a sprayer to buy. From what I’ve read, it seems like an HVLP is better than an airless for a fine finish on my furniture projects, though I’m unsure how true that is. I’ve also had some confusion on the tip size(s) I’d want for poly spraying. For the HVLP, I’d prefer the turbine based types as I’m tight on space and would like to avoid the compressor. I would really appreciate it if anyone has any recommendations for an affordable system to get that fine finish.
Two options I’ve looked at are the Graco TrueCoat 360 airless, which comes with 1.5mm tips, and the HomeRight Super Finish Max HVLP, which is a lot cheaper and has more tip options. On another note, it would be nice to have a sprayer that doesn’t require thinning for the poly!
Thanks in advance!
Replies
You are not necessarily using your terms properly. HVLP spray guns can be supplied by both compressed air and turbines. I think what you are interested in are turbine spray systems versus "airless sprayers".
My first inclination is airless sprayers do not apply fine finishes they are primarily used by house painters to spray latex paint and similar materials hence the larger sized tips. While they can spray clear finishes I have yet to see one that can get a consistently fine atomization to spray what I consider a furniture quality finish. What is good enough for house trim is not necessarily going to cut it for furniture.
Turbine Spray systems on the otherhand are very capable of matching the quality of compressed air spray systems especially with 4 and 5 stage turbines. I have owned 2 turbines over the past 30 years my first a large 2 stage Lex Aire my son is still using it was an early turbine model with a bleeder style gun and performed admirably for years but it can't hold a candle to my 5 stage Apollo Precision 5 Pro with it's non-bleeder 7700 Atomizer spray gun. With this system I can spray everything from latex housepaint to the finest lacquer.
As you might tell 40+ plus years as a pro has taught the value of buying good tools so I may not be the best to advise you on lower cost entry level models, although I will tell you you can't go wrong with the Apollo brand IMO.
I will also say that to spray on unthinned materials you need higher air pressure and in turbines that means more stages. I imagine any 2-stage turbine will require some thinning of most finishes to get proper atomization and a smooth finish but it will never be the equal of a 4 or 5 stage system.
I will close with, I think the gun is more important than the turbine. So if you are going to skimp don't do it on the gun. The guns supplied with bargain systems are junk in my opinion. They are all low quality bleeder style guns, if you are not familiar with that term it means air is always flowing through the tip of the gun. This is required by turbines to keep them from over heating but can be quite problematic if you aren't careful where you point you gun at all times. Having cut my teeth spraying with compressed air Binks guns I never got comfortable with bleeders. The Apollo 7700 is an excellent choice in a non-bleeder and can be adapted to non Apollo brand or lower end Apollo turbines with an optional external pressure release valve which simply goes between the hose and the turbine and will release the air pressure when the trigger of the gun is released.
I might add that Apollo usually runs end of the year sales so you might want to hold off on a purchase a month or two.
I thought he was perfectly clear, if he went with HVLP he would prefer a turbine system, because, as he said, he doesn’t have much room for a compressor. Sorry, I can’t help with a turbine system, I use an LVLP system, with a compressor.
I appreciate the thorough reply! I clearly have some more research to do. Yes, I should’ve mentioned my budget is around 500 max so I know I won’t be getting the latest and greatest, but I will absolutely look into the Apollo brand and their sales! Thank you again!
I also have an LVLP gun:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/SPRAYIT-Gravity-Feed-Spray-Gun-with-Aluminum-Swivel-Cup-SPRAYIT-SP-352/202977423
It requires a compressor, but most LVLP guns can use small low capacity compressors that don't cost much and take up less room. This gun, if I remember correctly, requires about 4 cfm.
I have found the gun to be of excellent quality for a low priced gun and, in my non-expert opinion, it does an excellent job. It can spray water based poly straight from the can using a 1.3-1.5 mm spray tip.
Airless is OK if you have a fence to paint, but not furniture finishing. For the entry level HVLP, the Earlex works pretty good. I used it for several years.
If you are serious about spraying, I'd recommend continuing to save and get a good turbine, and skip the money spent on the beginner system. I ended up with the Fuji 4 stage and love it.
Thank you, that confirms what I had read about airless vs HVLP. I actually had recently looked at the Earlex 5500, and now that you recommend the brand am leaning towards that one. Thank you!
I agree with Johnc2. I also use a Fuji 4 stage with a Fuji non-bleeder gun and have been very happy with it. I've sprayed everything from pre/post cat lacquer, tinted lacquer, conversion varnish, CAB acrylic. Like someone else mentioned, if you can swing it it's better to get the best tool for the job. Most finishes benefit from some thinning before spraying which helps with leveling.
Although I don’t use a turbine system, my LVLP system is from Homestead Finishing which is also a Fuji distributor. They’re very helpful and knowledgable, highly recommend them. They have their own brand, Qualspray, and sell 3M/Accuspray too, along with dyes, stains, colorants, etc.
Homestead has a bunch of great finishes you won't find elsewhere. They're wonderful to deal with.
I use a Fuji 4 stage turbine and gun. Love it, and they also have excellent customer service. I would strongly recommend the 6' whip hose and the cleaning kit for the gun as well.
My only experience with airless is a Graco which I use to paint fences or large areas like a wall.
No matter which type you use, IMO it's really all about the orifice size. You need 1.3mm to atomize finishes well enough to get a good coat. The Homeright doesn't list the tip size. Both the Rockler and the Earlex Super Finish list smallest as 1.5 which might be ok.
Depending on budget and how much you plan to use it, I'd go with a middle of the road unit. I have an Earlex Sprayport 3 stage. Does a good job for the money. Around 500 bucks.
Hey thank you, I appreciate the advice! I actually stumbled upon the Earlex Sprayport 3 stage before I saw this and am trying to decide between the Fuji Semi Pro 2 and that one. In your experience, is it worth the extra money to go for the 3 stage Earlex over the 2 stage Fuji if I only ever plan on spraying clear topcoats (poly most likely)? I’m not sure if it’ll even make a difference with poly, it seems that the higher stages mostly benefit for spraying latex/paints.
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