Replies

1. 
   riverr1 | Oct 30, 2002 04:26pm | #1

   I don't want to step on any one else's toes, but with hvlp, the tip is almost unimportant unless your using high end interferance, hok, or similar products. My experience, and I stand by it. There is really no way to compare spraying a car and poly on wood. I don't know of any poly that would atomize the same as a paint that wouldn't result in spraying dryfall.

   I went to look up the pc guns and no cfm or required air pressure is listed in the specs. That doesn't make a lot of sense. What compressor are you using and what's it output?

1. 
   jimswoodworks | Oct 30, 2002 05:39pm | #2

   I'M USING A 5 HP 30 GALLON. IT SEEMS TO BE ENOUGH AIR PRESSURE FOR NOT TOO LARGE OF A PROJECT. I HAVE TO LET IT CATCH UP FOR LARGE PROJECTS. PUTS OUT ABOUT 6-7SCFM. THANX FOR YOUR INPUT.

1. 
   riverr1 | Oct 30, 2002 09:17pm | #4

   Jim,

   Take a look through the web at hvlp's. I think you'll find that you don't have anywhere near the air to use most of them. Most come in at 10+ cfm and many closer to 15. I would suggest you purchase an el cheapo  $20 to $30 dollar pressure gun and see how it sprays. If that solves your problem you will need to get yourself a low cfm gun. With binks, devilbiss and sharpe, I don't know of any under a couple of hundred bucks, but I haven't looked into guns for quite a while now and that may have changed.

   Don

   PS...Took a while to find suggested cfm for these guns, but the only one you have enough cfm for is the #2 and that is at 50 psi, so if what you posted is at 90, forget it. The 1 and 3 require more then you have.

   http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/a/cata/automotive.htm?E+coastest

   Edited 10/30/2002 2:28:32 PM ET by Don C.

   Edited 10/30/2002 2:29:55 PM ET by Don C.

2. 
   CRAIGCONEY_M | Oct 30, 2002 07:10pm | #3

   I have the HVLP-1 and use it for spraying water based poly.  I find the spray pattern that I get the best results with is about 2 1/2 - 4".  Another tip I picked up on WB poly from others is to thin it by 20% with luke warm water before spraying.   This tends to help it lay down alot smoother with less air pressure.  Also, on my first coat I 'dust' the project with a light coat , then when it is tacky, apply a full coat.   This helps the finish adhere a little better & I get alot less runs.   Also, I found that if I spray in the same direction on all passes( say from the top down), I end up with a much nicer finish on the poly. 

   I use a PC 3hp 4 gal pancake compressor, it seems to work fairly well, but I do have to stop occassionaly and let it catch up.  I set my compressor regulator to 90PSI & usually 30-35PSI @ the gun.  Hope this helps.

   Craig

1. 
   jimswoodworks | Oct 31, 2002 03:52am | #5

   CRAIG-THANX FOR THE INFO. IS YOUR GUN A PORTER CABLE FINISH LINE GUN? THESE FINISH LINE GUNS ARE DIFFERENT FROM REGULAR GUNS, THEY USE PLASTIC TIPS & THE TIPS GET CHANGED BUT NOT THE NEEDLES. IF SO WHAT TIPS DO YOU USE & IS THE 35 PSI AT THE GUN WHILE SPRAYING? I GET ABOUT 4" MAX FAN, IT WOULD BE NICE TO BE WIDER, ESPECIALLY ON LARGER PROJECTS, BOOKCASES, ETC. ALSO HOW LONG BETWEEN COATS? HOW MANY COATS?  I HAVE BEEN DOING 2 HRS BETWEEN & THEN SCUFFING WITH ABRASIVE PAD & THEN VACCUUM & WIPE WITH DAMP CLOTH TO REMOVE DUST, THEN ABOUT 2-3 COATS. ANY OTHER ADVICE? THE WATERBASED SEEMS TO DRY SO FAST THAT I SOMETIMES THINK I COULD RECOAT SOONER.  THANX

   Edited 10/30/2002 9:48:33 PM ET by JIMSWOODWRKS

   Edited 10/30/2002 9:54:47 PM ET by JIMSWOODWRKS

1. 
   CRAIGCONEY_M | Nov 01, 2002 08:04am | #10

   Jim,

   Mine is a PSH-1, not sure if it is a finish line model, my tip is chromed brass.  Usually I go an hour & a half between coats, less if it is hot & dry (So Cal weather).  I try to put on even coats, at least 3 coats on all exposed surfaces ( 2 coats on surfaces that don't have exposure or wear), do cleanup on the finish, then a fourth coat if needed.  I agree with you on the fact that it would be nice to have a wider fan on large pieces, but I just accept that this is what I have & use it accordingly, & take my time finishing.  The finish, in my opinion, is one of the first things the customer will see, so I try to get it flawless.  Eventually I will upgrade my HVLP to a more professional system after I make enough money with this one. 

1. 
   Sancho | Nov 01, 2002 05:41pm | #11

   The finish, in my opinion, is one of the first things the customer will see, so I try to get it flawless.

   You are so right. The visual for the most part is what the client really cares about. I did the same thing . I use a Home Dildo CH HVLP and just recently upgraded.

   At Darkworks cut to size made to burn......Putty isnt a option

3. 
   kinger1994 | Oct 31, 2002 04:57am | #6

   Have you tried adjusting the fan control.  It should have one.

1. 
   jimswoodworks | Nov 01, 2002 12:57am | #7

   YES IT DOES & YES I DID. THANX

1. 
   DonaldCBrown | Nov 01, 2002 01:02am | #8

   Jim-

   Can you get out of CAPS LOCK? It's difficult to read your messages.

2. 
   riverr1 | Nov 01, 2002 01:16am | #9

   Jim,

   What gun do you have? To get a gun working properly the manufacturers are serious about the stated cfm requirements. If you don't have the compressor to meet the requirements, nothing you do is going to work. It's going to spit and sputter.

   Don

   PS...If your compressor can't keep up with the draw on the tank. . . . .

   Edited 10/31/2002 6:18:43 PM ET by Don C.