Official Luthiers Forum!

What is the concensus regarding integrated HVLP spray systems (no external air compressor)?

Mike

The way to go!!!!!!! with out a doubt. If you are doing a lot of nitro then I really suggest a four stage turbin. I love my Fuji Q4

So you prefer the more expensive (as apposed to Campbell Hausfeld HVLP) systems? I was also reading about the Fuji Q4.

Mind giving me a bit of a tutorial (why multistage is better, etc)

Mike

I have the Wagner 3 stage and works just fine. I bought 2 of them when a guy who was going into business to spray tans on people found it to big. Have one never have used.

Well my experience with a HC system was not good. The gun was cheap was the big issue. Packing lasted 3 guitars. The deal with multi stage turbine is the consistent air flow volume and consistent dry air.

I got my Q4 I set the gun up with the optional gravity feed cup. I wasted about a quart of nitro getting the setting just right on practice wood. I wasted more than I needed to but I wanted to play around a bit and try different flow rates at different distances from the wood. I found that about 6-8" from the wood with the air restricted about 1/2 the valve open (Fuji uses a ball valve on the hose just before the gun) and the media flow opened about 60-70% full gave the best coat with out sagging. This is with nitro thinned to a 20 second rate through the specific gravity cup provided with the unit. Waterborne set up was pretty much the same. 1.5# cut of shellac flowed at about 18 seconds so I back off the media a tad for shooting shellac.

Michael,

I have a friend who has taken an auto painting class. The instructor had them compare HVLP and air sprayers side by side. The instructor was trying to get them to see the difference. My frined said you could see the "orange peel" effect with HVLP.

Does this happen with instruments? Or does bushing remove it?

Mike

orange peel affect is due to improper atomization. Operator error not the type of equipment. Geees louiseeee. Now was a turbine or a conversion gun used in the test. like it matters. Sounds to me that the instructor has a precious

To answer your question once you get the specific gravity of the media right and the settings on the gun right and get your technique right no you don't get much orange peel at all. Can you make it orange peel? Yes you can. Can you make a conventional gun orange peel? Sure you can

We are not painting cars here. But I have pained a motorbike and had no issues.

I would never brush a sprayed finish. If you get some orange peel, it gets removed during leveling.

never had that problem hvlp with that problem. can on guitars get just as good as with hvhp. comparing on cars may be apples and oranges. don't know for sure, as don't know auto body shops use turbine units for that. The 3 and 4 stage units I have used are great and not a problem. If concerned go with compressor.

Well, have to agree with Chris. Went to their website. Mini-Mite 4 is identical to Q4, just does not have sound reducing technology.

Keep your eyes open for me!

May find a deal soon.

Mike

If the mini-Might 4 had been out at the time I bought That is what I would have bought but at that time the mini-Might2 and 3 were the only two small unit available at the time. That said There is about 30db-40db difference in the noise level of the Q4 and Mini-4. that is a gues-ta-ment having run both side by side.

I don't mean to be critical of the instructor because I have no doubt that this was his experience with HVLP. However HVLP has come a long way and even with a conversion gun I was able to spray smooth coats. It was actually simpler for me with my Q4. That said with any spray equipment is only as good as the technique and experience of the person using it.

Warning: Ignorance about to expose itself: what is a "conversion" gun?

Mike

A conversion gun is a gun that takes the air supply form a compressor and steps the air pressure down and provides a LPHV spray rather than using a turbine plant for the air supply. Big disadvantage to a conversion gun is the air is subject to what ever filtering and drying system you have on your compressor. and are a bit touchy to set up IMO