Gun for smaller compressor

8

88Cutlass

I am a hobbiest that paints only once or twice a year. I have a garage booth and 60 gallon compressor. For what I do it seems to work fine. I am wanting to upgrade to a better gun. On my last job I barrowed a SATA3000 HVLP 1.3 tip. It sprayed the base great but I really struggled to get the Universal clear to lay down. I guess it wasn't that big of a deal though because I can always sand and buff the clear. Any way it came out excellent in the end. Because I have a smaller compressor air consumption is a big deal to me. I was looking at the LPH400 silver cap 1.4 tip. It only uses 9.8 cfm so my compressor would be able to keep up. Will the LPH400 with the 1.4 tip spray metallic base good as well as the UV clear or should I go with the 1.3 tip? Is there another gun someone is using that might hit all my needs that I might want to look at? I'm wanting to stay in that $350 or less range. Thanks
 
If you have a smaller compressor, look at getting a conventional gun like
one of the Binks 7 copies out there. Astro makes one for under $100.00.
I used one for years with a really small compressor.
 
With so many guns to choose from I'm trying to stick with a popular model. One, for parts availability and two, the amount of knowledge people will have for setting it up or if I have an issue.
 
I use a LPH400 for all my clear coats, but honestly, my DeVilbess FLH4 sprays base better
so I use that for base. I do like the LPH 400 with the purple cap for small non metallic base sprays,
it can spray a small pattern like a touch up gun. Great for mirrors and such.
I'm still using a 25 yr old Astro HVLP for all my primers, that gun will spray
anything pretty good though. If I didn't have the Iwata for clear and the DeVilbiss for base,
that old Astro could get me by. It cost me 75.00 and almost sprays as well as that Iwata, almost.
But any of these guns need volume (CFM) as well as pressure to spray adequately.
Without that, none will ever spray as well as they can. HVLP needs a lot of air.
 
I thought about looking at a less expensive gun and getting multiple tips so I can do both BC and CC. It sounds like I should be able to do both with the LPH400 1.4 tip. Have you shot much metallic base with your LPH400?
 
LPH 400 is excellent for almost everything BUT a light metallic or pearl. It can be done, but not ideal, IMO. Still think the Tekna ProLite is probably the most versatile gun, but it"s more than you want to spend. It comes with multiple tips and can be setup to spray epoxy, base and clear with excellent results.
 
Thank you for the suggestions! I have heard a lot about the Pro Lite. I wish I could afford it. I could possibly look at buying a used one. Would a 1.3 tip withe lph400 be a better choice if I went that way?
 
Thank you for the suggestions! I have heard a lot about the Pro Lite. I wish I could afford it. I could possibly look at buying a used one. Would a 1.3 tip withe lph400 be a better choice if I went that way?
I use a LPH 400 with a 1.4, silver cap, for solid colors only, but I have lots of guns to choose from. What color exactly are you going to spray? I wouldn't even attempt to spray silver or other very light metallics with it because I have 2 guns that spray those much better. Unfortunately, there is not 1 gun that does everything the best, there will be compromises with any gun trying to spray multiple materials. The ProLite with a 1.3 and TE20 cap would be my choice if forced to use 1 gun, but it uses a little more air than the LPH 400 with that cap, about the same with the TE10. Another option would be the LPH 400 with an orange cap for base and silver for clear, but I don't personally have experience with the orange cap.
 
The color is 2018 Ford Blue Lightning. It's a medium metallic blue. I'm trying to find a decent condition used Prolite. I really like the versatility it offers and people seem to rave about it.
 
What type of compressor do you have? What is it's rating for HP and CFM? Have you set up your lines properly? Without knowing this everything else is speculation. A 5hp 60 gallon compressor should be able to keep up with most guns provided you have set up your lines properly. The amount of air (volume) that your compressor can provide at the PSI that the gun sprays at is key. Also remember that volume and PSI are inverse, meaning that as pressure increases volume decreases and vice versa.

I wrote this a few years ago but it may help you understand what I'm talking about. You may find that with a properly setup system your compressor will work for most guns.

http://www.spiuserforum.com/index.php?threads/determining-proper-air-piping-size.5473/#post-58116
 
It's just a big box store 60 gallon compressor. When this one goes out I'll buy a good one for sure. I use all high flow fittings on a 40' Goodyear hose. I have 30' 3/4 copper pipe before a 2 quart desiccant dryer. The only thing I question is my big blue harbor freight regulator. The system did ok with that air hog SATA3000 I barrowed so I think I'll be fine. One thing that helped me was I was painting multiple colored so it had time to rest, during base anyway. It never stopped once I started the clear though
Screenshot_20191119-044644_Gallery.jpg
 
Chris I just read your link you shared. What a great article, that's why I love this site. You guys have been doing this for years and have acquired a lot of experience and knowledge. Thank you for sharing it and making us less experienced painters not feel stupid when we ask questions or dont know something.
 
Well I found a great condition used Tekna Prolite with all three tips and the two air caps for $300. I think this is going to work great for what I need. Thank you everyone for your expertise!
 
The prolite needs a fair bit of air to work well, depending on which aircap setup you use. Great gun, but you had better have at least 12cfm to play with and that'll be with the conventional cap.
 
a true 5hp will keep up . a fake 3hp with dual starters will not. if the tag reads SPL on hp it is a 3 hp .
 
Yes I plan on the TE20 cap with 1.3 tip. 28ish on the air pressure. 2 to 2.5 out on the fluid for base. Should I use about the same set up for the UV clear? Maybe go to the 1.4 tip
 
At work I got plenty of air , at home I still don't right now. What I have done in the past at home is link 2 or even 3 compressors putting out 4 point something to 5 point something cfm @90 together with additional tanks, all plugged in to separate circuits.
I still have a Dewalt emglo cast iron cylinder compressor purchased from pawn shop for 90 bucks that would make a great booster to a large weenie compressor.
Smaller old compressors can be worth looking into for a booster. The old CH industrial twin compressor I had on 3 different work trucks since the 90's just gave up this year. Twin capacitors & rated @13 amp draw, which was easier on customers average outlets to plug into, it put out I think 5.4 cfm @ 90.
Running smaller compressors does put out more water though from heat.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top