Recommended Spray Gun Type For 2.5HP 150PSI Compressor

[JonnyAlpha]

Hi;

I have a second hand Snapon PH12 2.5HP 150PSI Compressor. Before I rush off and buy a spray gun because it looks or sounds nice what type of spray gun will work with this rated compressor.

I had to fit a new gasket between the reed valve plates and it runs up fine now, I have no idea what CFM it can achieve hence my request.

I have been looking at Gravity Fed HVLP and LVLP guns, needs to be low cost but fit for purpose.

I'll be spraying bits n pieces on my Classic Mini Restoration (Subframe / FLoor Panels / Inside etc and then hopefully doing the outside.

I have an old 1Ltr Suction Cup Gun that I have borrowed at the moment but want my own gun, I'll be testing with Poster Paint to see if it actually works?

I nearly bought the new MachineMart Air Tools Kit that comes with a Gravity Fed Gun (I have no Air Tools at all e.g. Blow Gun etc) but was informed that the gun required minimum 3HP?

 

[anjum]

Depends on what you mean by cheap.
Reasonable mini guns like the Bergen on ebay work well. Get one with a 0.8 or 1.0mm (for the price you could buy two one for primer and one for top coat).
If you want to pay amore than the Sata or Devilbliss are well rated.
The ones in the kit are not much use for anything.

 

[JonnyAlpha]

Depends on what you mean by cheap.
Reasonable mini guns like the Bergen on ebay work well. Get one with a 0.8 or 1.0mm (for the price you could buy two one for primer and one for top coat).
If you want to pay amore than the Sata or Devilbliss are well rated.
The ones in the kit are not much use for anything.

I just had a go with an old Suction Cup gun I borrowed, you need to put at least 300ml of paint in for it to work and you get a lot of wastage left in the container at the end. So my need for a gun has just been prioritised!!

I researched the Bergen guns a while ago, would I need a mini gun or would a larger one be OK?
What size needle for Primer and what size for Top Coat? I'll be spraying Epoxy Primer and Cellulose Top Coat.

 

[richie00boy]

What size is your air tank. If it's smaller than 50 litres you will struggle with a full size gun.

Avoid HVLP guns as they gobble air. I got a red LVLP with 1.5mm tip off ebay which is perfect for epoxy primer with a splash of thinners. Cheap about 35 quid. My topcoat gun is an Airgunsa AZ3 HTE2 with 1.3mm tip and it works very well with my 3HP 50L compressor. That was about 80 quid.

 

[JonnyAlpha]

I have short listed a few Bergen Guns but still need clarification on what type of gun will work with my compressor and what Needle Setups I need for Primer and Top Coat. There don't seem to be a lot of guns with two Needles so it looks like two guns?

I am still not sure what Gun will work with my compressor, I have been reading up about the differences between HVLP and LVLP. I have gleened that an LVLP may be better not just for a smaller compressor but because they deliver paint at a slower rate which may be better for a beginner? They also work at a lower CFM which means with my 50Ltr Tank I may not run out?

I would prefer not to get a mini gun so I have opted for ones with a 500ml cup, here are my choices:

HVLP
This one (500ml Cap, 1.4mm Nozzle and says it works of 8CFM)
This one (600ml Cap, 1.7mm Nozzle and says it works of 8CFM)

Also found this kit (no brand name), but comes with two guns 1.0mm / 1.7mm and a regulator.

LVLP
This one (500ml Cap, 1.4mm Nozzle and says it works of 6.2CFM)
This one (600ml Cap, 1.4mm Nozzle and says it works of 6.2CFM)

I also need a gun mounted reg and poss a water trap?

 

[JonnyAlpha]

What size is your air tank. If it's smaller than 50 litres you will struggle with a full size gun.

Avoid HVLP guns as they gobble air. I got a red LVLP with 1.5mm tip off ebay which is perfect for epoxy primer with a splash of thinners. Cheap about 35 quid. My topcoat gun is an Airgunsa AZ3 HTE2 with 1.3mm tip and it works very well with my 3HP 50L compressor.

richie00boy;
I have a second hand Snapon PH12 2.5HP with a 50Ltr Tank here like I said in the post above (writing it while you replied) I too am now considering an LVLP.

 

[JonnyAlpha]

richie00boy;
I have a second hand Snapon PH12 2.5HP with a 50Ltr Tank here like I said in the post above (writing it while you replied) I too am now considering an LVLP.

Just found this 1.8mm LVLP Gun for Primer, but it needs 9CFM?

 

[richie00boy]

Actually I considered that one against the red 1.5mm one. Either is probably fine, if you intend to spray 2k high build in the future the 1.8mm tip would be a better choice. At the time I was only spraying 1k or epoxy so went for the 1.5mm.

 

[JonnyAlpha]

Actually I considered that one against the red 1.5mm one. Either is probably fine, if you intend to spray 2k high build in the future the 1.8mm tip would be a better choice. At the time I was only spraying 1k or epoxy so went for the 1.5mm.

Can't find the 'Red' gun you are refering to?
I am spraying Epoxy Primer and Cellulose Top Coat?
1.4mm seems to be a popular needle setup for the Bergens. I have searched but you can't seem to buy a Bergen Gun with two needles :-(

 

[richie00boy]

I had a look and couldn't find the red gun either, the seller was Oval Paints in Sheffield, maybe they have stopped trading on ebay. They also did a mini gun in red with 1.2mm tip.

1.4mm is a bit small for epoxy primer and a bit big for topcoat, but if you must make do with one gun then its probably the best compromise.

I think the Bergen and Fast Mover LVLP guns are the same.

 

[JonnyAlpha]

I definitely don't want to waste money buying a Gun that's not gonna help me but may have to compromise?

I just found this Fast Mover gun, doesn't say what CFM it is so I have emailed the seller, they are selling these for two prices both cheap as chips.

 

[JonnyAlpha]

I had a look and couldn't find the red gun either, the seller was Oval Paints in Sheffield, maybe they have stopped trading on ebay. They also did a mini gun in red with 1.2mm tip.

1.4mm is a bit small for epoxy primer and a bit big for topcoat, but if you must make do with one gun then its probably the best compromise.

I think the Bergen and Fast Mover LVLP guns are the same.

Just found this Fast Mover kit with 1.8 and 1.3mm setup for £64?? just need to check the CFM?

 

[richie00boy]

That is an old Fast Mover gun from a few years ago, it's HVLP.

The kit I think you are looking at I think is FMT3006 gun which is LVLP. Should be ideal.

Don't forget your water trap/filter/regulator and gauge at the gun. Absolutely essential!

 

[JonnyAlpha]

That is an old Fast Mover gun from a few years ago, it's HVLP.

The kit I think you are looking at I think is FMT3006 gun which is LVLP. Should be ideal.

Don't forget your water trap/filter/regulator and gauge at the gun. Absolutely essential!

I just phoned the company and confirmed the CFM (its about 6-8), so I bit the bullet and ordered it, may arrive tomorrow :-) It comes with two needle setups 1.3 and 1.8 which is exactly what I need and it also comes with a Mini Regulator, Water Trap and 10 cup filters.

I have 2 long hoses and 1 short (2m) and already have a larger Water Trap/Regulator so with the gun i'll be complete. I also have a bag of bits to wall mount my main regulator and if I get some copper pipe I can make another pipe water trap.

Thanks for all the advice Job Done

 

[JonnyAlpha]

Well it has just arrived, how quick was that and I didn't have to pay any postage!!

Here are some pics:

The gun seems well made, the regulator and water trap are the low cost ones that cost around £6 each on Amazon / Ebay. However all in all for £76.80 for a Gun with two needle setups, regulator, water trap, filters, stand brush and tool its a pretty good deal i think?

Oh and what a sexy case :-)

I'd have preferred a bit of colour on the gun AKA the Bergen Spray Guns but all in all it looks a comprehensive value for money package, i'll let you know what its like to spray with :-)

 

[JonnyAlpha]

Damm I just found it on Amazon here for £68.09 and with free delivery and this one has green bits!!! - gutted or what, more speed less hast!!!

 

[JonnyAlpha]

Well;

After moving my temp spray bay from between the refuse bins to under my garage door because of a sudden downpour I managed to use the spray gun and did my first ever spraying :-)

Took a bit of fiddling and Youtube to get the pressure setup but all I can say is WOW I love it.
Probably had issues with the pressure because I have a regulator on the compressor, a Water Trap Regulator at the end of my main line another mini water trap on the gun and then a mini regulator also on the gun.
Controlling the gun was OK even though with the regulator and water trap it does make it a bit long but it also helps to keep the hose out of the way, albeit it was a bit hard to get a good angle into some of the recesses.

As its an LVLP it was so easy to control the paint flow and it sprays nice and slow, just an all round nice piece of kit to use.

I can't compare it to anything of course as I have never really sprayed with anything else properly but I am impressed with the gun and the spray job that I did and thats all that counts I suppose.

Here' the gun (Is it connected in the right order?):

And here's my primed Subframe:

Happy days :-)

 

[richie00boy]

Glad you got a good result. Think you might have the filter the wrong way round though. The input to the filter should be to the outside part of the filter first, to allow the water to condense on the body and be ejected by the push in valve.

 

[JonnyAlpha]

Glad you got a good result. Think you might have the filter the wrong way round though. The input to the filter should be to the outside part of the filter first, to allow the water to condense on the body and be ejected by the push in valve.

Mmm - on the filter there is a female thread at the Blue Lid end (Plastic Thread Not Good) and a Male Thread at the Bottom End in the Pic. If I were to turn the filter around so that the Blue Lid is at the bottom I would need an adaptor to connect it to the Mini Gauge?

 

[richie00boy]

OK it's probably fine then. Maybe I've got mine the wrong way round! I have one at the compressor as a pre-filter.