I am interested in purchasing some sort of spray gun to apply paint and other finishes but don’t have the budget to spend on a Cadillac. What are the advantages and disadvantages of airless and HVLP units and any thing I should avoid. I would mainly be applying paint/finishes to cabinetry, shelving and moldings. I would prefer a compact and easy-to-use system.
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THe HVLP is more versatile, than an airless. Expect to pay 100-700$ and inbetween.
Everything from Harbor Frieght to Fugi..the conversion guns ( if you have a large compressor) can be had for about 150 ( Kobalt or Cambell Hausfeld) and up.
I suggest you steer clear of Wagner..no fun using a bad product.
Turbine units get increasingly priceier with quality, and quietness.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
"I suggest you steer clear of Wagner..no fun using a bad product."
LOL. Years ago, when I got mine, the Wagner was rated "Best" by Fine Woodworking (or was if Fine Homebuilding?) so that's the one I got.
Mine's treated me well for spraying cabs, etc., but dunno about the newer models.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
Edit: I assume you were talking about the HVLP. That's what mine is.
Edited 11/21/2008 2:48 pm ET by MikeHennessy
I have the Wagner conversion HVLP gun and I love it. I use my little Makita hotdog compressor and it seems to work fine to shoot BM trim paint when thinned just a bit with water.
Edited 11/21/2008 5:46 pm by rasher
All of the Wagners I've bought (two) have leaked and never sprayed that well. I bought two, because the first one was ####, and I thought I'd give them another chance. Sorry I did so. Couldn't move it at a garage sale, so I guess the word has gotten around. So, how do I now get rid of a can of Thompson's water sealer?
I've bought guns from the finest to cheap almost disposable ones from chineese importers..
some are great and some are terrible depends on how you use them and how you clean them..
Plus your source of air..
great big giant compressors with plenty of volume. no problem.. small little compressors you will spend a great deal of time and frustration trying to figure out how to spray with variable air pressure..
Cheap little HVLP's are your best shot at starting out.. they minimise over spray and waste a minimum of paint.. but keep them clean and get a big aircompressor!
Airless sprayers like Wagners etc. are more of a toy than a tool.. you need to go really big to get decent patterns with airless sprayers.. Fine for a slow wall job but not worth much for anything fine or detailed.. I can do it faster with a roller.
In my opinion and others the best bang for your buck is the EARLEX unit. Check out the wood whisperer for a full demo.
It has been a while since I was a painter (7 years) and loved the Graco's (I think that was the name of them). They worked very well but my only advice for air less is make sure you are going to use it. Otherwise you will be replacing seals all the time. That holds true for all airless in my opinion (they dry out). If you do go that route and rarely use it make sure you keep the lines wet.