Replies

1. 
   riverr1 | Sep 17, 2002 08:36am | #1

   Bill,

   I'm not surprised about the problems with the airless. Is your HVLP a 4 stage?, or are you using a cup gun or pot? It sounds like either the paint needs more air to get out of the gun or your compressor is not giving the gun enough air for the latex. Subtle differences, but they do make a difference.

   Although most of my woodwork is not "fine," my paint finishes are. Usually involved faux finishes and I just finally bit the bullet and bought automotive grade hvlp's and a compressor that will handle them. I did it for assurance and flexibility to not be dealing with exactly what you are describing. There's really no reason to be chaning tips for latex with the proper set up.

   Don

   
   

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   Edited 9/17/2002 1:48:17 AM ET by Don C.

1. 
   bill79065 | Sep 18, 2002 07:09am | #2

   Don, I am using a craftsman cup type hvlp. I thought it was wonderful when I first got it (about 1 year ago) I use it for stain and poly most of the time, I have had some trouble with the poly. I have a 6hp. compressor with a large stand up tank, can't remember the size of tank, and a 5hp oiless comp. I have used both and have changed pressure up 100psi. I get more paint out when I set the pattern at a small round one but this is not good when you are painting 26' of tops and bottoms inside and out. I have gotten to the point where I would like to throw them away and forget about finishing but I can't sell very much unfinished and this is my living. I thought about  going the extra bucks for one with the turbine 3 or 4 stage but I dont know that much about them to be spending that much money on one. What is the difference in the automotive type? I also thought about topping with a poly but I can't have the white yellowing. Thanks for your help.   Bill

1. 
   riverr1 | Sep 18, 2002 05:51pm | #3

   Bill,

   The high quality guns give you alot of control. A lot like using an airbrush. Your problem may just be a bad fluidair mix, but I think it's probably more. I don't like the turbines. The only air control is on the gun and there is no storage. You can do alot with blasts from the tank.

   I have a craftsman gun also. As much as I like a lot of their products, the guns aren't among them. My is pretty much dedicated to conditioners. Try this with you gun. If it has a vent on the cup, close it. Try spraying some poly. Give it about a 10 second spray. Loosen the cap and spray. Loosen to the point that when you try to spray, nothing comes out. You can't spray and unscrew at the same time. Air pressure won't let you. When you reach the point where nothing comes out, blow air for about ten seconds. Screw the cap back on and spray again. Is the amount of fluid coming out different? If it is rebuild the gun and replace the needle. Set the air and fluid to max when doing this.

   Don

2. 
   RW | Sep 19, 2002 05:19am | #4

   I'd think you'd be able to swap out the tip on the airless and get better results. But if it's that much hassle, why not floetrol & a brush?

3. 
   Krico | Sep 20, 2002 05:06pm | #5

   Why don't you try a colored laquer instead of latex paint.  I think that you will get better results.  They can be tinted to any color that you want.  I know of two products.  One made by Fuhr available at http://www.homesteadfinishing.com and the other http://www.hvlp.com.  By the way, the homestead site has an excellent forum for questions on spraying.