Painting with an electric gun (compressorless)

[wez]

Yo!
Sorry if this has been covered before, but here goes:

For about a year i've had one of those Earlex HVLP electric compressorless spray setups sitting in my garage, new and unused that I got on egay for £30 or summink.
www.earlex.co.uk/html/hvlp_html/hv3000.htm

A quick google says people have succesfully painted cars with these 'hoovers on blow' lol

I've never painted a car with anything other than rattle cans. I know how to filler and prep ok, just never sprayed with a gun thing, or even had to buy any automotive type paint to put through a gun.

Anybody got any pointers on what paint is best/safest to use for complete novice/diy (get my new lock-up tomorrow and eager to play!)

this is that same as what I have:


I've googled and a few people have posted on various forums that they work well for cars... but without a few pointers, I know it would prob turn into a shambles in my hands lol

a thousand thanks in advance

[xbo11ox]

I have had some 'success' using a bosch PFS electric gun. Its pretty good actually, 1000 times better than a rattle can if you've got anything bigger than a petrol flap to paint. The 'problem' with them is that when you pull the trigger, cos the motor has to wind up to speed rather than having the air pressure built up already, during that 'winding up' they splatter a bit of paint out. So you have to start by pointing the gun away from the car than keep your finger on the trigger till you're pointing away from it again! But you can easily work round that, its just a case of getting the hang of it. I would say if you've got it already, get an old panel to practice on and just have a play with it.

[wez]

this one is a constant pressure at the gun, you turn it on and it sounds (and looks) like a hoover, i think the trigger only lets the paint flow... but i've never tried it properly.

What paint did you run through yours? I havent a clue to be honest

[Lopez]

Did my engine bay with an Apollo Spraymate in 2k. Seemed to do a decent enough job







EDIT

Mr plums is right, there's a knack as they are constantly blasting out air so be careful

[Anglia68]

I've got an Apollo and sprayed my van with it a couple of times using cellulose and it came out ok.
The paint does dry a little quicker due to the warm air created by it though.

[wez]

well i'm up for giving it a go then

that engine bay looks like an amazing finish!

love the angle van, especially in orange... very GT40

whats the deal with paint these days, i've been told celly is not available any more, 2 pack (is that 2k?) is harmfull without using a propper extracted spray booth and some hefty breathing apparatus... and what the hell is 1K/basecoat paint?

[Raoul Duke]

^^^ IIRC, most of those points were covered in Akku's 'spraying' thread - under the Useful Threads header. Well worth a trawl through.

EDIT: Clicketyclick

[Harold Ramp Bumface Fandango]

One thing that concerns me slightly is the use of an electrical tool when paint/thinners have low flash points.
I know that's all a bit H&S nazi but is there a danger involved?
I do appreciate I could be wrong by the way.

[richy246]

I use one of those exact models.Thin the paint slightly more than 50/50 and it will be fine.Set the spraygun up on a spare panel first and go for it!! Theres no danger of the paint igniting.Much less overspray than with compressor.As with all types of painting its the preparation that decides the overall finish.Rubbish preparation = curse word finish,don't let anyone tell you different.

[fpk]

years ago I used a fencing pannle spray gun from home base or some where the ones with out any external compressor to spray some wings I had, had to experiment with paint thickness and how much thinners I used but got quite a good finnish in the end, it would take a bout a pint or so of paint at a time, and I had to start spraying 3 feet to the side of the pannel to avoid spattery paint as the tiny pump got the paint moving. cost all in about 30 squid but did the job at the time.
at the level of a bad rattle can

[mdh]

Feb 13, 2010 20:28:40 GMT Anglia68 said:

I've got an Apollo and sprayed my van with it a couple of times using cellulose and it came out ok.
The paint does dry a little quicker due to the warm air created by it though.

Those are some tasty Anglias. Would love to get a K Series engined saloon on Revvy four spokes. ;D ;D

Dammit, I'm trying to sell some cars and youre putting ideas in my head!

[wez]

many thanks for the replies.

I'm busy tidying up my unit this week after work.
I'll give it a clean out then have a go at painting at the weekend if all goes to plan.

Feb 15, 2010 13:18:21 GMT richy246 said:

I use one of those exact models.Thin the paint slightly more than 50/50 and it will be fine.Set the spraygun up on a spare panel first and go for it!! Theres no danger of the paint igniting.Much less overspray than with compressor.As with all types of painting its the preparation that decides the overall finish.Rubbish preparation = curse word finish,don't let anyone tell you different.

cheers richy... hope i can get acceptable results
what type of paint did you use? Celly? 2k???
just not sure what type of paint the gun will handle.

many thanks

[steveo3002]

what sort of job are you looking to get and on what?

ive used rustoleum combi paint with ace results , its plenty good enough for cheaper cars shines well and doesnt fade etc

£13 a litre...thin it with white spirit

[wez]

as for the finish... the best i can really... not going for the rat look or a quick blow over.
obviously as i've never used it before, it wont be ideal - but practice (and prep work) makes perfect.

My friend has asked for a complete colour change on her mk2 golf which is a good, straight clean car.
I'm gonna paint a few shitters then if I'm happy with the results - i'll give hers a bash.

I've seen/heard rustoleum used on old splitty vws etc put on with a roller - looked like a nice finish - but i was thinking of using propper automotive paint... unless rustoleum is just as good? And readily available?

[Lopez]

The good ones like the better Earlex and Apollo ones will spray anything - 2k, 1k, knacker lacquer, celly etc.

[wez]

ooooooo it gets better

[richy246]

I agree with Lopez, I,ve sprayed just about everything from creosote to 2k and it handles it all in its stride, just watch how you thin your paint and it will cope with it. good luck.

[mdh]

I've seen/heard rustoleum used on old splitty vws etc put on with a roller - looked like a nice finish - but I was thinking of using propper automotive paint... unless rustoleum is just as good? And readily available?

Its easily available in the UK, and Ive read lots of good things about it. Seems cheap too!
I'm going to try it on my Landrover when I get a job!

www.instructables.com/id/Paint-Your-Car-With-Rustoleum/

www.rustoleumdirect.co.uk/

Colours -

www.rustoleumdirect.co.uk/colours.php

[wez]

Cool, they do every colour under the sun, including white and black... so can make your own if needs be. if i get an utter shitter that needs a quick and chape lash over - rustoleum seems to be the beggars choice!!
I'll keep this in mind - thanks.

[steveo3002]

id certainly try a few vans /bangers with the rustoleum , its possible to get it looking very nice and the price is right

ive done 2 wings on our polo , matches up to the factory paint in shine , depth etc and you can flat and buff it if req

don't be fooled into thinking £££££ paint will look better than cheap stuff , its all in the prep and your abilitys to spray

you can also tint it with the airfix paints ...so thats a cheapie option lol