HF paint texture spray gun

[dlminehart]

Anyone have suggestions on using the Harbor Freight paint texture spray gun ( see http://tinyurl.com/nak7u )? I'm looking to do some wall and ceiling texturing, orange peel or knockdown, and wonder how best to make use of this tool. I see, for instance, that one can buy "texturizing paint" for the Wagner device that looks similar but has a built-in air turbine. How about using very thinned joint compound? Or some other material?

[Rand]

I have one. I added a ball valve to the bottom of mine because without it the air just blows right through and empties the compressor. I used premixed texture and thinned it out a little with water.
I experimented on cardboard until I got the look I want.

With the hopper full of mud it's pretty heavy. My arms were pretty tired after texturing the ceiling.

[dlminehart]

Rand, would you be more specific about the ball valve and where you obtained it? Something from HF? What size compressor do you have? I have one of the red Porter-Cable pancakes.

[bbak]

air flow

I picked a texture sprayer from harbor freight is it normal for the air to blow through if a regulator is not installed? Do all texture sprayers do this?

Thanks for any replies,Bruce

[Black wallnut]

I picked a texture sprayer from harbor freight is it normal for the air to blow through if a regulator is not installed? Do all texture sprayers do this?

Thanks for any replies,Bruce

Welcome to the forum Bruce! Please keep in mind that your first few posts will require moderator approval before becomming part of the discussion. This may take several hours depending on if any of the staff are online. Sorry that I can't help you with this question.

[maxparot]

I have the texture gun from HF and used a regulator to bring the pressure down to about 80psi. The cap of the spray head can be loosened to to adjust the spray and texture as well as using media with different consistancy or modified with particles.

[bbak]

Thanks

Thanks for the welcome and the replies. What I meant to ask was, is it normal for texture guns to have air blow through the nozzle without squeezing the trigger. I installed a regulator opened it to 20 psi and I have air blowing out of nozzle even before squeezing trigger.
Thanks again.

[gbtower]

For the HF gun, it is normal. I actually exchanged it twice before accepting that it was just the way it was made. Think of it as a little feature to blow off the remaining dust from the wall before applying the texture. It also helps flatten the texture a bit rather than having it sag or manually having to knock it down much. I'm going to have to try that ball valve on the next project, though.

[chopnhack]

I believe the technical term for this type of gun is a "bleeder" type. I know at least that is what paint sprayers that continue to allow air to flow with no paint are called.