Bought the HF HVLP Sprayer

[docrowan]

I've just bought the HF HVLP Spray Gun Kit (the one with the built in compressor turbine). I have a rocking chair to paint this weekend and I plan to use a water base enamel. I've read in previous threads that I need to be sure to thin the paint to approximately 25 to 30 seconds. I've never used a spray gun before so any other tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[dlminehart]

I thinned partly with Flotrol, partly with water, to increase the flattening. Didn't do a side-by-side comparison with plain water, so I don't know if it helped. I do know that it took many thin coats, and that sanding every few coats with fine sandpaper resulted in real good results. Next time, I'll thin with Resisthane (a water-borne polyurethane) to increase the durability.

[pcombs]

I just sprayed Maple with some non-poly varnish and it came out very well. I did slightly thin with mineral spirits. I also sprayed 1lb cut dewaxed shellac followed by the non-poly varnish (Zinsser Quick 15) and that also came out beautifully.

The trick is, use the smaller needle - avoid orange peel, spray one thin coat at a time (Do not be tempted to go over an area or you may have a run).

[jking]

I thinned partly with Flotrol, partly with water, to increase the flattening. Didn't do a side-by-side comparison with plain water, so I don't know if it helped. I do know that it took many thin coats, and that sanding every few coats with fine sandpaper resulted in real good results. Next time, I'll thin with Resisthane (a water-borne polyurethane) to increase the durability.

I also thinned with Floetrol & water when using this sprayer for water based paints. I didn't sand between coats, but, still had good results. It may take a little time to get it set up, but, it should work well.

[AlanWS]

Make sure you try it first, before spraying your chair. The challenge is to get the finish to come out slowly enough for a thin coat. Try the various needles that come with the HF unit, though I think they may be optional for the otherwise identical Rockler one.

[docrowan]

Oh my goodness! I finished the rocking chair, plus put several coats on an unpainted door before I ran out of paint. I had no idea what I was missing. This HVLP sprayer is fantastic.

I used a relatively cheap latex enamel from Wal-Mart and it laid on glass smooth. Took about 4 coats, but I didn't prime before I started and I was covering strong primary colors with plain white. I'm sold now.

One question, is there anything I can do to reduce the amount of overspray? I still got a good bit of overspray even though I understood HVLP's create less of it.

[dlminehart]

I don't think you can reduce the overspray. Be glad you're using HVLP . . . imagine getting about 5 times as much overspray!