HVLP Spray Systems

[djenkins]

I'm looking to pick up a good, not great DIY spray system for spraying primer and paint and also to apply clear finishes on wood. I have looked at several systems but did not want to go overboard on price.

Has anyone had experience with the Campbell Haufeld H4974 Easy Spray paint sprayer featured on the Grizzley site at

[URL="http://www.grizzly.com/products/h4974"]

Also, can you spray primer such as Kilz through these HVLP sprayers?

Thanks,

[mschrank]

I can't speak to it's longevity and ability with primer and paint, but you might want to look at the unit offered by Harbor Freight, Rockler, and Woodcraft. Looks like they are all the same price right now, but they go on sale (especially at HF).

I bought mine for about $60.00 at HF. I've only used it to spray water-base laquer (Resisthane), but I've been very impressed. Easy set-up, easy spraying, easy cleanup. This week I'm using it to finish six 6-panel interior doors. Takes less than 5 minutes for both sides of a door!

[jlm]

I'll second the recommendation for the HF/Woodcraft/Rockler kit. I bought it to paint a very rough-textured brick wall, and it worked like a champ. Had to thin the latex paint a fair amount, but the sprayer worked well, laying down an even coat very quickly.

As for primer, I'm not sure how well that would work (I primed the wall by hand - that's what convinced me to buy the sprayer!), since you're generally advised to not thin primer. Maybe if you thinned the primer, but put on two coats of it instead of one, you'd have good results.

[footprintsinconc]

the HF and woodcraft ones look exactly alike? does that mean that HF actually carries the better quality brands aswell?

[mschrank]

the HF and woodcraft ones look exactly alike? does that mean that HF actually carries the better quality brands aswell?

The HF unit is just their "Central Electric" brand. I'm pretty sure HF sold the unit before Rockler and Woodcraft started selling it with (I'm assuming) their names on it.

[dwk]

According to the HF flyer I got yesterday, their version of the turbine is on sale for $70 at the moment. I didn't see it in my store when I was there fairly recently, though.

Does anyone have an educated guess as to how these mini-turbine units might compare to the Wagner conversion gun from Gleem? The wagner is about double by the time you get a 2nd set of nozzles, but presumably this would allow it to handle a wider range of material. One thing that intrigues me on the Wagner is that it appears to be able to operate with much lower air requirements than most other conversion guns - the review (search on sawmill creek) indicates it works fine off a pancake unit.

I'm new to spraying, and am particularly curious as to how either of these approaches might work for 'conventional' brush/roller applications. For example, I'm facing refinishing a deck and painting the exterior trim on the house this summer. Is it even reasonable to think that HVLP might work in that type of application?

[gychang]

anyone spray the MDF?, can it be used to get a "piano" finish?

no drips, no brush marks etc...

gychang