WTB: HVLP system

[Yelverton]

I'm looking to get into the spray finish game to raise the finish quality on some of my more complex projects. I'll primarily spray poly but the option to spray latex paint once in a while might be useful. If anyone has upgraded their setup and is looking to offload their older model, I'd love to take it off your hands.

With so many options out there for turbines, cup styles, and the rest, starting out with a proven setup seems like the best way to hit the ground running.

 

[pop-pop]

I have a HF turbine HVLP that you can have. It should get you started nicely. I am in midtown Raleigh.

 

[Yelverton]

I have a HF turbine HVLP that you can have. It should get you started nicely. I am in midtown Raleigh.

That's a very generous offer, thank you. Which one of their models is it? The 2-stage portable?

 

[charlessenf]

With so many options out there for turbines, cup styles, and the rest, starting out with a proven setup seems like the best way to hit the ground running.

I joined this thread hoping to hear suggestions, recommendations and experiences with 'starter' HLVP systems (I've used Binks Automotive equipment back when you could paint a car with enamels, reducer and hardeners.

I've also used a sprayer to paint (latex) the interior of a small (750sf) office building. Sheesh did that go quick! And have a HFT thing to do such heavy work (wife painted the house with it 18 years ago (may need cleaning).

Interesting to learn that a member (poppop) here has experience using the HFT HLVP - would love to hear his user review/experience as I have a HFT coupon

 

[creasman]

I have an Apollo HVLP sprayer system (turbine and gun) from Advanced Machinery that I purchased over 20 years ago. I bought it to spray the finish on our cabinets and have used it numerous times since then. It's a commercial sprayer and probably overkill for most folks. I see the prices have increased quite a bit since then. It's a great system and I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again. That said, there are a lot more options available now for the hobbyist woodworker that weren't around when I bought mine. I'd give these a serious look as the price is more affordable for occasional usage.

 

[cyclopentadiene]

I learned with an Earlex. The upgrade was a Fuji and it was an excellent choice. I always spray water based lacquer so my choice of finishes are limited. It is consistent and the gun is easy to clean.

 

[Willemjm]

I joined this thread hoping to hear suggestions, recommendations and experiences with 'starter' HLVP systems (I've used Binks Automotive equipment back when you could paint a car with enamels, reducer and hardeners.

If this is not mass production, those guns with a 60 gal compressor in HVLP still works the best, are the fastest, and the easiest to clean.

 

[ptt49er]

I picked up one of these guns with a coupon (think I paid $70 or so).

Premium HVLP Gravity-Feed Air Spray Gun with Side Fan Control, 1.7 mm Nozzle

Amazing deals on this Premium Hvlp Spray Gun, Side Control at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

And a set of the 3M knock off paint cups.

20 oz. Universal Paint System Starter Kit, 5-Pack

Amazing deals on this 20 Oz. Starter Kit Universal Paint System at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I have found this to be a very effective, easy to clean painting system when spraying kem aqua finishes.

I also have a discontinued HVLP turbine sprayer from HF that is ok. The clean up takes a while and getting the gun dialed in was not the easiest.

I have not tried spraying anything else through the spectrum gun, I should try it on the dresser and night stand I'm working on now.

 

[Martin Roper]

I have a nice Fuji system I bought for a project I never ended up making. It is completely unused in its original plastic wrapping but no box. If you're interested I can dig it out of the attic and get you a model number.

 

[pop-pop]

That's a very generous offer, thank you. Which one of their models is it? The 2-stage portable?

Can’t tell from the parts list if it is two-stage, assume they would brag if it was

 

[cyclopentadiene]

Once you use paint in any gun, I am not convinced you will ever get it clean. I would recommend a used Earlex for the oil based paint and a nice unit for water based. I never got rid of my original Earlex and use it for latex paint. I purchased a second Earlex on FB Market place for $50 that I use for oil based finishes like poly because it does not really matter how good it sprays as it is self leveling. This leaves the Fuji for water based lacquer only. This is probably not the best approach but it works for me.

 

[Echd]

If you want to spray latex, i'd get ready to buy a more expensive HVLP. I have a five stage fuji and I still have to thin some paints to get a good finish... and you'll definitely want to match nozzles to their purpose. It's not a cheap game for anything other than poly and the like.

The 3m PPS system is a small investment that is highly worthwhile fwiw, even the knockoff 1.0 versions you can get at HF.

 

[Yelverton]

I have a nice Fuji system I bought for a project I never ended up making. It is completely unused in its original plastic wrapping but no box. If you're interested I can dig it out of the attic and get you a model number.

Thanks for the offer, I'll take you up on that.

 

[charlessenf]

Can’t tell from the parts list if it is two-stage, assume they would brag if it was

RIGHT. But, if you can find/provide the Model Number, we can look it up even get a .pdf copy of the manual and so forth

 

[charlessenf]

BINKS guns with a 60 gal compressor in HVLP still work the best

Yeah, I last used (2018??) my 1980's (?) Craftsman 175 PSI 2-Stage vert pump that stands about 4' tall but does not mention gallons at all. Nothing HLVP about it (as far as I know). Cut the enamel with Lacquer Thinner and added a bit of hardener to paint my Horz Bandsaw stand with left over Orange.

Presently I'm faced with repainting kitchen cabinet doors because some dumass (no b) left a fry pay on high while he went to pee. The matching paint from the Lowes Kitchen Cabinet mfg is seventy-five a quart. I don't think I'll worry about matching if I can get enough to do doors and cabinets in (I wish they still sold the multi-color 'trunk paint' I used for my darkroom fifty odd years ago). The body shop had it to coat the trunk interiors and such - no need to sand a thing!

I figure to get some cost-effective generic that folks (here and there) swear by. Having built kitchens using Home Depot RTA cabinets with finished parts of MDF and Vacuum Formed/plastic-coated seamless doors and these 'fancy' (read over-priced) "all wood/plywood" assembled cabinets from Lowes, I'd go with the former for a kitchen to live with or for a flip.

 

[pop-pop]

RIGHT. But, if you can find/provide the Model Number, we can look it up even get a .pdf copy of the manual and so forth

 

[Martin Roper]

Thanks for the offer, I'll take you up on that.

Here it is. I misremembered about the plastic wrapping, but it's been stored in an enclosed bin since new. Not a drop of paint has gone through it. It's hard to believe that was 14 years ago. Dang.

I checked Amazon and this is still a current model in their lineup. It's listed at $565 plus tax and shipping.

 

[Yelverton]

Here it is. I misremembered about the plastic wrapping, but it's been stored in an enclosed bin since new. Not a drop of paint has gone through it. It's hard to believe that was 14 years ago. Dang.

View attachment 247316
View attachment 247317

I checked Amazon and this is still a current model in their lineup. It's listed at $565 plus tax and shipping.

Thanks, I'll send you a PM to discuss.