Gun recommendation?

M

mitch_04

Learnin'
I'm a newer painter looking to upgrade my gun. I currently have a Finish Line 2. What I would like to do is buy a gun now that can "do it all" and later on get a separate one for base/clear. I'd like to spend about $400ish on each gun. Is there a gun that is in that price range that can spray epoxy/base/clear and maybe even polyester/high build? Maybe a gun and an extra set of cap/needle? Next, what gun would you recommend for base/clear? Do most people have 2 guns, one for primers and one for base/clear or is it separated differently? Some help would be great, it's hard finding honest and detailed reviews on paint guns, especially when you step up past the less expensive ones.

Let me know if you need anymore information and I'll try to fill in the blanks!
 
the iwata will do both. the 1.3 will shoot epoxy , base or clear . my primer gun is a 44 dollar vaper 2.3
 
Which Iwata? I'm looking at 7 on their website!

I have a few questions for you as well, don't take them as me doubting your opinion, I'm just trying to learn and make sure I make the right purchase. Have you used other guns to compare the Iwata to? What did you like/dislike about the Iwata and/or other guns? Is that your Corvette on the cover of the tech manual?

Your post also made me curious, does a primer gun not have to be higher quality? Is there reasoning behind people having multiple guns for base vs primer? I see a few of the Devilbiss guns are recommended only for base/clear.
 
the lph400 1.3 with the silver cap. the iwata can be changed by simply changing a nozzle from 1.3 to 1.4 . i like sata but you cant buy just a nozzle. you have to change needle / nozzle / cap . any high end gun will perform . primer is not a finish coat . it will be sanded . the vaper does the job well . as did my develbiss jga .
the corvette i built for my banker .
 
Corvette looks great, I should have been a banker!

So, would it be smart to purchase a cheaper primer gun and spend the extra money on a nicer base gun? I'd use my FL2 but I belive my years of learning with it may have taken it's toll. I didn't clean my tools as well prior to joining the military...

What is your opinion on Tekkna, Devilbiss, etc? I had been looking at those guns as well. Just trying to get an opinion on everything! If anyone else has experience with multiple guns, please chime in. I'm all ears (or maybe eyes...)!
 
Almost every tool comes in various price points. Sometimes the higher price tool isn't that much better. I find $5 hammers bend nails about as well as $200 hammers. Sometimes the extra money really does make a big difference but better results come mainly from practice. You can probably become a better painter, regardless of the price of the gun, just by getting more practice. That said, a really good gun can make the practice pay off sooner, with more consistent results.

I have several cheap spray guns along with a couple of Devilbiss FinishLine guns. None of them come close to my Iwata LPH400 (1.4 Silver cap). The Iwata shoots a whole different cloud of paint from the others. Just as much paint comes out but the mist is finer and more even. The Iwata uses some pretty fancy fluid dynamics in the design of the gun's tip. It's like the petals of a flower instead of just a hole with a pin in it. Here's a picture, with the Iwata on the left and the DeVilbiss on the right:
Nozzlessmall_zpsfa48f537.jpg


I try to use the LPH400 for everything. I don't paint that much so I try to improve my technique with one gun, rather than trying to learn to use the features of multiple guns. Of course, when necessary I use the FinishLine detail gun or Iwata airbrush for the close work but the Iwata LPH400 has a DeKups adapter so I can use the small or large batch cups. Shine talked me into one of those Vaper guns from Northern Tool but that's going to be reserved for hosing epoxy primer on my Corvette
 
Good to hear another great review for the Iwata, especially with comparisons! I am starting a restoration business afterhours and, as weird as it sounds, I'm not doing it for profit. It's a way for me to buy all of the tools I wish I could have. All of my money from the business goes directly into purchasing tools and equipment I've always wanted, like floor scales, nice paint guns, rotissaries, etc etc... things I couldn't justify if I was just fixing up one vehicle every year or two. Plus it allows me to not lose any of my normal income on "hobbies", which the wife appreciates.

That is why I'm trying to purchase the higher quality paint guns.

So, is there any negative effects from using your nice base/clear gun for primer? Still kind of curious why people have a seperate gun.
 
Another thing, LPH400 LV, LVB, or LVX? What's the difference? How about the Supernova?

Right now I'm leaning towards purchasing the Iwata with a 1.3 and 1.8 tip, and possibly a cheap 2.5 gun for polyester. Any recommendations for accessories for the guns?
 
A little bump hoping to answer a couple of my remaining questions.

1. Can anyone explain the difference between the LPH400 LV, LVB, or LVX?
2. Does anyone have experience with the Supernova and if so, do you prefer it over the LPH400?
3. Is there a specific reason for having a separate gun for primer and base?
 
I have a good collections of Iwata's.. I have the 440. lph400, w400, and super nova
I use the 440 for primer which was worth every penny imo.. I have a 1.8 tip for it and a 2.5 which i just purchased for poly primer.. I just switch the needle and fluid tip.
I went through about a dozen cheap primer guns before I decided to buy a good one and this thing has held up great since I had it. which has probably been 4 years now.
So you can easily get a cheap gun, and it will do the job for primer. I just find they don't hold up as well, but you can toss it and buy a new one. The Iwata does seem to be a little more efficient. so that is worth something.
 
As far as the other guns are concerned...
I primarily use the Iwata's for clear. I still like my geo for base.

My gun of choice is the W400, which is the cheaper of the three. It throws out a bit more over spray but I sure like the way this thing sprays.. It will really lay down some clear..
The lph is a close second.. A very good gun and I primarily used that gun for many years until trying the W400.. but haven't picked up the LPH since.
 
The LPH may be the best base/Clear gun in the lineup, it sprays clear great and I hear a lot of people like it for base. I just never got the hang of it for base as I really liked my GEO for base coat. I never put much effort into it..

Now on to the supernova.. Used it once when they first came out for clear, I put it on my top shelf where I keep the guns I rarely use or don't like. Well just recently I decided to give it another chance.. Well, I ended up putting it back on the top shelf to collect some well deserved dust.
With that being said I have a feeling it would make a good base coat gun but since I like the Geo so much I haven't been in a big hurry to try it.

My suggestion is that if you are looking for a good all around gun.. get the LPH.
 
I will probably be painting 2-3 cars a year. I have been considering a Vaper gun, a FLG4 Primer Kit that comes with 1.8 and 2.2 tips, and an Iwata 400. If I went with the Vaper I'd probably buy a 1.8 and a 2.5 gun since they are so inexpensive. If I go with the FLG4 I think I would also buy a 1.5 tip since that is what SPI recommends for their epoxy. If I went with the Iwata, I would probably have to spray the way it came since I would be investing so much.

Any recommendations?

Could you clear up the different versions of the LPH400 for me? Can't seem to figure it out which one would be best for me. I probably won't be purchasing a base/clear gun for a few months but I like to research.

Also, is the Super Nova worth the extra money? Even though I'm only painting a few cars, I still want the best quality.

If I'm a decent sprayer with a great gun, it should still be better than a decent sprayer with an average or cheap gun....at least that's how I'll justify it! Practice will make perfect, but until then I'd like to at least have the upper hand with equipment.

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Oops, posted before I saw your others! Disregard.
 
I would buy the 440 for primer and the LPH for base/clear if it were me.. The LVB/LVX is the air cap, get the silver one.. Which is standard.
If you struggle spraying base with it you may want to try another cap.


FWIW i use my 440 with a 1.8 tip, and I spray epoxy and 2k with it.. You don't really need the 2.5 unless spraying poly primer..
 
When you speak of the 440, is that the LPH440? It's the only one I see on their site. It really seems that Iwata is a favorite of many people on here, which makes me definitely lean towards it. I must admit I am still considering the FLG4 as well, since it is primer that gets sanded anyways, but I also am trying to purchase the best tools first. Buy once cry once...
 
yes.. lph440.. I am not familiar with the FLG4..

I've used the finish line guns before but not that one. they are decent guns actually, I probably owned 3 of them or so. I personally just don't like devilbiss. I don't like the way they spray or feel, but if I were looking for a cheaper throw away primer gun I would probably consider it as well..
 
Thanks for you help, I think I will go with the LPH440 although I may have to put in a few more hours before I can justify the purchase. The FLG4 is on sale through Eastwood right now, so I'm glad you were quick in responding otherwise I may have purchased it.
 
Very true. Thanks again for all of your help. I hope to make a purchase very soon for my primer gun.

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Also, out of curiosity, what is the Geo gun you have mentioned?
 
Chad, if I hear you right, the W400 is your first choice for clear. Have you tried it for base? Then you recommend the lph400 for base/clear. I was looking at the w400 to do base and clear. Are you suggesting that I will get better results from the lph in my situation? What is the difference in the "w" and "lph"? I'll be spraying silver metallic if that makes a difference. What is the difference in base or clear that you'd want to use a different gun for each if not using a lph400 for example?
 
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