Paint guns

Thanks,
Chris

Internal-mix guns mix the paint with air before it leaves the gun. External-mix guns mix the paint with the air after it leaves the nozzle. External-mix guns generally give more even atomization and better patterns.

Bleeder or non-bleeder refers to how the desired air pressure is maintained. Bleeder guns maintain a constant flow of air through the gun and can be used with tankless compressors without having problems maintaining a constant pressure when starting or stopping the spray. Non-bleeder guns totally stop the air flow through the gun when the trigger is released.

HVLP (as mentioned in another post) is an acronym for High Volume, Low Pressure. This type of gun uses large quantities of air at a low pressure and is probably the most paint-efficient way of spray-painting. With a conventional gun (the kind you're asking about), most of the paint ends up as overspray instead of on the tractor. HVLP guns will put most of the paint on the tractor and have very good atomization and spray patterns. As the other post advised, if you're going to do much painting you'll quickly pay for the HVLP gun by using less paint on each job. If this is the only thing you ever use it on, I'd just buy a conventional, external-mix, siphon-fed, non-bleeded type gun.

Now that we've got that out of the way, on to Sears' guns. I've used their middle-price gun and it worked OK. There are less expensive guns that are of at least the same quality though (Sears' tends to be a little high on prices). Look around and see what you can find.

I talked to a guy at an automotive paint supply company today who told me most people he talked to didn't find HVLP guns any better and he recommended agains them.

Even if they are better, I don't think my compressor will run a HVLP gun. as it only puts out 8 cfm at 40psi and 6 at 90.

Any comments from anyone would be appreciated.

: Siphon or pressure refers to the method by which the paint is moved to the nozzle. Siphon-fed guns use the pressure differential caused by air moving through the nozzle to pull paint from the cup. Pressure-fed guns use air pressure in the cup to push paint to the nozzle. Siphon-fed guns are usually used for thinner materials such as automotive paints (like you're probably using). Pressure-fed guns are usually used for thicker materials such as house paint. There is some overlap in usage between the two types.

: : Internal-mix guns mix the paint with air before it leaves the gun. External-mix guns mix the paint with the air after it leaves the nozzle. External-mix guns generally give more even atomization and better patterns.

: : Bleeder or non-bleeder refers to how the desired air pressure is maintained. Bleeder guns maintain a constant flow of air through the gun and can be used with tankless compressors without having problems maintaining a constant pressure when starting or stopping the spray. Non-bleeder guns totally stop the air flow through the gun when the trigger is released.

: : HVLP (as mentioned in another post) is an acronym for High Volume, Low Pressure. This type of gun uses large quantities of air at a low pressure and is probably the most paint-efficient way of spray-painting. With a conventional gun (the kind you're asking about), most of the paint ends up as overspray instead of on the tractor. HVLP guns will put most of the paint on the tractor and have very good atomization and spray patterns. As the other post advised, if you're going to do much painting you'll quickly pay for the HVLP gun by using less paint on each job. If this is the only thing you ever use it on, I'd just buy a conventional, external-mix, siphon-fed, non-bleeded type gun.

: : Now that we've got that out of the way, on to Sears' guns. I've used their middle-price gun and it worked OK. There are less expensive guns that are of at least the same quality though (Sears' tends to be a little high on prices). Look around and see what you can find.

I've heard from people who really like HVLP. I've also heard from others who don't. As of yet, I don't have an opinion because I've not used one myself (I only paint occassionally).

I'm not sure your compressor is big enough to run an HVLP conversion gun. If not, you'd probably need to by a turbine and gun combination.

: I've heard from people who really like HVLP. I've also heard from others who don't. As of yet, I don't have an opinion because I've not used one myself (I only paint occassionally).

: I'm not sure your compressor is big enough to run an HVLP conversion gun. If not, you'd probably need to by a turbine and gun combination.

I have a HVLP spray gun made by Apollo, they say a 3 hp compressor will operate it. I am very satisfied with mine, but it is not cheap.

: : I've heard from people who really like HVLP. I've also heard from others who don't. As of yet, I don't have an opinion because I've not used one myself (I only paint occassionally).

As I mentioned in an earlier posting, check out the paint doctor at the SHARP web sight. Lots of info on painting.

: : I'm not sure your compressor is big enough to run an HVLP conversion gun. If not, you'd probably need to by a turbine and gun combination.

: I have a HVLP spray gun made by Apollo, they say a 3 hp compressor will operate it. I am very satisfied with mine, but it is not cheap.

: I'm going to be ready to paint my tractor soon. I have a air compressor 8cfm at 40psi and 6 at 90. I will be needing a paint gun and would like to know what you all think about the diffrent kinds etc. Siphon or pressure, internal or external mix? What does bleeder and non-bleeder type refer to? Anyone had experience with Sears' guns?

: Thanks,
: Chris