Harbor Freight HVLP guns info

Well I was at harbor freight checking out there spray guns, got a coupon for their purple guns for $9.99, I was told to get the 1.4 nozzle and 1.8, I was looking for nozzles but didn't find any. Also what else would I need to buy? I know they have the 2.5 horsepower 21 gal. 125 psi air compressor that the dude there told me would work fine with that gun. So aside from a compressor and the 2 guns what else would I need to buy?

Thanks! Btw where can I buy paint from? Eastwood?

What paint can you buy in California now? Have they gone to waterborne only yet? If you can still buy the regular paint just look up a supplier in your area.

That compressor won't keep up with a paint gun if you are constantly spraying with a large tip.

I liked the early HF guns but as the price cheapened so did the quality.

Make real sure you check for the paste that may have been used when the gun was assembled. It is a must to get all of it out of the gun if you can or you will end up with problems.

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/finaly-bad-review-harbor-freight-purple-gun-219579.html

http://www.diyfactory.org/UsQlLHoWG...-Gun-Modification-THE-CHEAPEST-HVLP-EVER.html

Oklacarcollecto said:

What paint can you buy in California now? Have they gone to waterborne only yet? If you can still buy the regular paint just look up a supplier in your area.

That compressor will never keep up with a paint gun.

Click to expand...

You'd be surprised how well a small compressor will keep up with an HVLP. You only need a max of 20psi to the gun. I have a small 1hp 30 gallon that keeps up with my gun.

You need to look at the CFM rating of the gun, what it needs, and compare it to the CFM from the compressor, what it can put out. Nothing else will be true.

Here is a good article to read.

Paint Atomization

http://www.autobody101.com/content/articles/paint-atomization/

You have to call the hotline to get the 1.8 tip, they look at you like some short bus riders if you ask in the store, 1.4 tips come on all guns.

A nice gun,for the money. Do yourself a favor. Buy the aluminum cup,toss the plastic one. A good lacquer thinner,melts the base,and cracks.(while painting).

You can buy all sorts of paint and paint related products from www.tcpglobal.com they are in friggin califormia so surely they sell hysteria compliant products. southernpolyurethanes.com is an excellent source for clear, epoxy and filler primer.

As for buying a compressor, just do a bit of research, look at craigslist in various nearby areas, do some more research and then buy a used one twice as big for the same price as a new one.

CFM at 90 + psi is the key. That rating is what will tell you what the compressor will do under load which is where it will always operate anyway. Just CFM alone is like telling you gas mileage with the car's wheels off the ground = marketing bullshi%.

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/rating-air-compressors-d_848.html

I use the HF purple gun for basic primer where I will be sanding it or epoxy prepping backside of panels. When i first get them, they seem to spray decently but I always ruin them with lack of cleaning.

Also, I bet you can find a nice paint gun or maybe a set on craigslist after a little research and being patient.

I have bought so many good condition tools and parts on craigslist just by exercising a little research, prudence and patience.

I got a midgrade easwood hvlp for painting and 2 HF purple ones for priming. I have not painted any outside panels, but when I do, I will buy a mid grade primer gun too as the primer has to be flat unless you are sanding it flat afterwords.