Affordable Paint Gun
 

Can anyone give me a recommendation for a decent paint gun (Under $200). I have some experience spraying & have decided to paint my 72 stepside myself. I have a cheap No name HVLP gun that I use for primer that has served me well, but I want to step up to something better for my basecoat clearcoat paintjob. This will be a driver quality truck, so I can't see spending big bucks on a Iwata or Sata gun. Any info. on gun that would serve my purpose would be a big help. I have a 6HP 60gal compressor 11.5scfm @40psi 9.1 scfm @ 90psi......Thanks in advance guys !

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

I'm using the Eastwood gun and really like it..
https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-co...inum-case.html
For a little more you can get this and the touch up gun which I really like as well
https://www.eastwood.com/concours-pr...ssory-kit.html

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

Thanks Mongo...I saw that Eastwood gun on line...have you used it on clear yet ? I am also looking at the Devilbiss Finishline FLG-4 for around $200...any feedback on that gun ?

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

I've only sprayed single stage so I cant say about bc/cc...and I've not used a devilbiss gun., although I do have the dekups system on the Eastwood gun..

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

I really like my Sharpe Finex FX3000 with the 1.4 tip. It comes with the aluminum cup which I prefer over a plastic cup. I too have only sprayed single stage with it, but have used it to spray epoxy primer and it works well.

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

Thanks for your input KMC...will check this gun out also.
Has anyone out there used this for BC/CC ?

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

I am an automotive painter. Dont laugh but I picked up a harbor freight black widow HTE. I read alot of hype on it so I wanted to try it. It is a very good gun. Sprays alot like my SATA 5000 RP. I figured it wouldn't last but I have at least 50 jobs through it and it has been consistent the entire time. I paid 175 with coupon. They have the same gun HVLP but its like a 1.7 tip. Way too big. The HTE is a 1.3

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

Thanks Skymortar,
What is the difference between HVLP & HTE ? Does this gun do a good job laying down clear. I am leary of Harbor Freight, but would not rule it out if you say it is a good gun being you paint vehicles for a living.

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

I to am leary of most anything with HF brand...but I also have heard good things about their paint guns..just cant bring myself to try one... I know theres some youtubes on the HF gun

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

Bowling balls and BBs.

HTE is high transfer. Comparable to RP IN SATA. Reduced pressure. Outstanding for clear.I use one for base also but I spray waterborne not solvent

HVLP is high volume low pressure. This would be good for basecoat but that 1.7 tip is more suited for primer. 1.4 is usually a good all around base gun.

Back to the BBs. A good spray gun atomises paint. It breaks your clear into tiny droplets. Basically squeezing it and dispersing it equally.

When you are spraying clear you want it broken down into the smallest drops possible. Like BBs compared to bowling balls.

What is smoother? A layer of BBs or a layer of bowling balls?
Trust me. This harbor freight gun lays BBs

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

Video

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

I have never heard of HTE. I just looked into a bit. Definitely going to pick one of those up!

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

Great explanation & pics SkyMortar ! That clear looks so good it does not need cut & buffing. I want to spray BB's also ! Do the HTE guns use a different set-up as far as pressure or spray procedure than HVLP ? This hobby is all about helping each other, and you can give great info. to us guys that have a lot to learn about painting a vehicle.

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

HTE is just like an RP. I wont get into the weeds on this but I think think they make some of these names up. It's the same setup as any gun. All clears are a little different but the HF gun likes about 28-31 psi at the gun. It's a little confusing because they always say like 15 psi at the cap.which is where the low pressure and reduced pressure come in. That all about VOC compliance. I like to back my fluid knob out wide open with a full fan. It should be a nice V without it getting squirrelly on the edges

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

I don’t have any info on the flg4 but I have a divilbiss flg5 and would highly recommend it. You can purchase them at sprayguns direct for around $150. Check out the gunman review on YouTube. From the research I’ve done I don’t think there is a better gun Out there in its price range.

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

Good Info. Skymortar....I have been using Nason Select Clear with good results on some smaller parts on my build, like inner fenders & Rad support. Want to get going on the overall paint on my truck....will def. look into that HF HTF gun.

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

Thanks Goose...will check it out. Have you used that gun on clear ?

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

No I haven’t. I am using single stage as well.

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

Great explanation and great timing. I'm getting close to painting the roof of my Suburban base/clear.

Paul

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

FYI...The HF "Black Widow" is on sale for $180" with coupon" if you can find one in stock here in N.J. Make sure you get the one with 1.3 tip for clear.

Awesome!!! I’m off to harbor freight!

Paul
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

[QUOTE=Skymortar;8742744]HTE is just like an RP. I wont get into the weeds on this but I think think they make some of these names up. It's the same setup as any gun. All clears are a little different but the HF gun likes about 28-31 psi at the gun. It's a little confusing because they always say like 15 psi at the cap.which is where the low pressure and reduced pressure come in. That all about VOC compliance. I like to back my fluid knob out wide open with a full fan. It should be a nice V without it getting squirrelly on the edges[/QUOTE

Skymortar....I picked up a Black widow yesterday @ HF and have been practicing on a old fender & hood. tried different pressures at the gun, from 25-34. I am getting a LOT of overspray with the clear & a rough finish. I have the fluid knob full open & the fan pattern to the largest setting. I am using Nason select clear with high temp activator. What am I doing wrong ? I am holding the gun about 6" away from the parts as per the instructions & painting to the wet edge with overlap.

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

Wich gun did you get..HTE or HVLP?
MightTry turning down the fluid and adj the spray pattern
I dont spray clear but I'd try that...
How is your ventilation around the panel..do you have good air movement?
Did you do test sprays on paper to see how the pattern fan looked?

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

Been doing a little reading on the Nason clear..it doesnt get very good reviews...but one thing I did read was a guy had issues with overspray because the clear was drying to fast so it wouldnt blend in well..
And the tip that was to big
They also say check the date for shelf life
And some add a little extra reducer to help it lay down..

Re: Affordable Paint Gun
 

Try closing your fan a little bit until you get a uniform pattern. You can cut your pressure slightly. You might have to play with it a little. I've noticed it can give you an hourglass pattern if slightly out of adjustment. Spray on a piece of masking paper to check your pattern. Let us know if that helps you