Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

[Woodonglass]

While Perusing the WWW I found this that I thought would be helpful for any of you guys that are thinking about using the Harbor Freight HVLP Guns to paint your boat and or Trailers. (please excuse the presenter...He MIGHT be a bit Cocksure of himself, but the tweaks ARE sound!!!) I own this particular gun (bought mine on sale for $9.99) and did these tweaks yesterday. Easy to do but I have not shot any paint with it since so can't say if it made any major changes but I'm sure it didn't hurt it any!!! Overall, I'd recommend these to anyone owning or planning on owning this gun.

Also I've posted this link before and it is very helpful in setting up this gun properly.

HVLP Spray Gun Setup

 

[GWPSR]

Re: Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

I couldn't watch it all the way through. Damn, this guy loves to hear himself talk, and talk, and talk.

Condensed version: Break down any spray gun before first use and clean off any manufacturing crud, and in the case of HF, the cheap sealants they use. Then use Teflon tape or O-rings as appropriate to reassemble.

He could have said that in 4 minutes. And he kept calling silicone "solvent" instead. I'd watch his "How To Tune Your Car" video, but I'll bet it features a pair of pliers and a ballpeen hammer.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

Like I said, a bit "CockSure"!!!!:facepalm:

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

I have that exact gun, had it for 6 years and it's still in the box, at $9.99 it costs more for gas to get to HF. I skipped through it and have to agree, he kept repeating things, I would skip ahead 5 or 10 minutes and he would be talking about the same thing.

I do think what he had to say was helpful, the condensed version above covered all the same territory though.

I have used many HF spray guns, only a couple didn't work well, one had a bad regulator and another had some bad packing on a needle. Many times I wouldn't even clean them, just through them away, they were so cheap that it cost more for solvent and the employees time than to chuck out a $10.00 spray gun.

 

[gm280]

Re: Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

WOG, I honestly respect your info and varied opinions on these forums, but I too have to admit that I only made it to the 7 minute mark and aborted. I just didn't have the near hour time to spare to watch the entire video. And what I did see was of little value to me. Others may find it more interesting though and follow your train of thought.

Personally I just bought a TPI Devilbiss two gun set and it cost me $100 dollars delivered and ready to go. And I received a large gun/cup setup and a smaller touchup gun/cup combo. It also has a 1.0mm tip. a 1.3mm tip and a 1.8mm tip as well as an at the gun regulator and tools and extra parts and instructions plus a case. Those sizes are of great importance if you are spraying primer (1.8mm tip) or base coat, clear coat finishes (1.3mm tip). The 1.0 tip works amazingly good for touchup and graphics also. And TPI sells rebuilt kits for those Devilbiss guns to keep them working properly. So if your time is worth anything, that is the way I went. There was zero need to FIX their guns to sprayer correctly. It is all in what the customer is willing to do to make a cheaper gun acceptable. I will try again when I have more time to watch the entire video and see what you did to make them usable. After all I do value everybody's opinions. Some times paying just a little more is money and more importantly time saved. But that is just my 1 1/2 cent opinion...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

WOG, I honestly respect your info and varied opinions on these forums, but I too have to admit that I only made it to the 7 minute mark and aborted. I just didn't have the near hour time to spare to watch the entire video. And what I did see was of little value to me. Others may find it more interesting though and follow your train of thought.

I did not recommend buying this Gun! I only said that the "Tweaks" illustrated in the "CockSure" BAD video were good tweaks and would prolly make the gun work better. It's a $10 buck gun and I Totally agree, "You get what you Pay for" but... I have shot several trailers and a few other items with the "Purple" gun and had decent results with it. I have since upgrade to a TCP Global gun and better regulator and have noticed better performance as well. Paid $38 bucks for it. Still not a Bank Account Buster by any means. I've noticed several guys talking about the Purple Gun so I thought I post what I found. Use it for what it's worth to you. That's what this forum is all about, IMHO!!!

 

[gm280]

Re: Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

I did not recommend buying this Gun! I only said that the "Tweaks" illustrated in the "CockSure" BAD video were good tweaks and would prolly make the gun work better. It's a $10 buck gun and I Totally agree, "You get what you Pay for" but... I have shot several trailers and a few other items with the "Purple" gun and had decent results with it. I have since upgrade to a TCP Global gun and better regulator and have noticed better performance as well. Paid $38 bucks for it. Still not a Bank Account Buster by any means. I've noticed several guys talking about the Purple Gun so I thought I post what I found. Use it for what it's worth to you. That's what this forum is all about, IMHO!!!

WOG, I hope I didn't come off as offensive to you, that was surely not my intentions. And I DO plan on watching the entire video, time permitting. I honestly respect your input and opinions and read tons of them. And for the record I will be asking YOU for much advice shortly about fiber glassing (polyester I'm sure) my tri-hull as I'm now at that part of my total project rebuild. I was merely explaining that for my time and money, buying a better gun setup was actually a cheaper option in my situation. That's all. But I can understand what you were trying to do with that type gun. Obviously Devilbiss isn't top-of-the-line either. There are way better guns out there, at much much great cost. But that is what I purchased and its severed my quite well without any repairs or fixes...

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

I have 8 or so Binks spray guns, some are $300.00 for just the gun, then add the 2 qrt. and 2 gallon pressure pots. it adds up quick.

Yes they are good guns, but unless I'm doing something that requires a great finish and the paint will achieve it, I don't use them much any more. Spraying gel coat repairs or simple primers doesn't require a great gun.

Many of the short comings of HF guns can be remedied by some simple steps like on the video, which if you know about up front can make things go much better. They aren't guns you would base a professional career on, but for a DIY job where you may never use the gun again, they work OK.

 

[zool]

Re: Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

I still have a few purple guns in their boxes collecting dust in the cabinet. I pick then up here and there when they are under 10 bux. They work ok for many applications, and I usually toss them after one or a few uses, partially because I get lazy about cleaning them, and because I use them for industrial goop and mcu coatings....coatings like por15 never seem to completely clean...the other reason is since ive switched to the 3m pps, I havnt dialed in on an adaptor with the right thread/pitch for them, plus, an adaptor will cost more than the gun itself. They are also paint hogs so not a good option for high dollar finishes. They also need more cfm than the box would lead you to believe, to at least get decent atomization. I find myself reaching for the old school Binks, Devilbliss, and Sharpe gun with a trusty red cap, when shooting SS, plus I have the adaptors....

In the end, they are a great budget choice for someone starting out with budget coatings, and learning to tear down and reassemble, they just lack the fan width and adjustability to be a main gun for quality, full sprays.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

they just lack the fan width and adjustability to be a main gun for quality, full sprays.

Yup, When I did the Top Cap of the BF, I reached for my old trustworthy 30 year old CupGun Binks! Worked like a NEW one!!! Fits my hand like an Old Friend!!! Purple has it's place as you say. I used it, with a 1,000 cc cup to spray the siding on my Daughters "Flip" house. It worked GREAT!! Turned the pressure way down, overspray was minimal and coverage was great with the 1.8 tip using good old Rustoleum!!!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

WOG, I hope I didn't come off as offensive to you, that was surely not my intentions. And I DO plan on watching the entire video, time permitting. I honestly respect your input and opinions and read tons of them. And for the record I will be asking YOU for much advice shortly about fiber glassing (polyester I'm sure) my tri-hull as I'm now at that part of my total project rebuild. I was merely explaining that for my time and money, buying a better gun setup was actually a cheaper option in my situation. That's all. But I can understand what you were trying to do with that type gun. Obviously Devilbiss isn't top-of-the-line either. There are way better guns out there, at much much great cost. But that is what I purchased and its severed my quite well without any repairs or fixes...

Hey, I'm just an Old Dumb Okie!!! It would take a LOT more than this to offend me!!!! This forum is all about differing opinions. I freely admit I'm a "Know it All" sometimes and I NEED you guys to tell me sometimes. I appreciate it when you do!!! The Admiral has done it for 43 years (she's real stubborn!). I learn a lot from eating Crow though!!!! I'll keep throwing this stuff out there and you guys just keep throwing it back. In the process we'll all prolly learn a lot!!!

Purple Power!!!!

 

[gm280]

Re: Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

Hey, I'm just an Old Dumb Okie!!! It would take a LOT more than this to offend me!!!! This forum is all about differing opinions. I freely admit I'm a "Know it All" sometimes and I NEED you guys to tell me sometimes. I appreciate it when you do!!! The Admiral has done it for 43 years (she's real stubborn!). I learn a lot from eating Crow though!!!! I'll keep throwing this stuff out there and you guys just keep throwing it back. In the process we'll all prolly learn a lot!!!

Purple Power!!!!

Okay WOG, glad we are okay on this.

I surely didn't want to make an enemy on here...

Your video actually reminded me about a "Reloading Video" I tried to make some years ago for the average newbe. What a complete POS that was. If anybody could wad through the useless talking sections they would be able to accomplish the end results, but watching it was like being put to death via a million paper cuts. That video lasted...well...forever. Probable more like 30 minutes but it seriously could have conveyed the same info in a few minutes and accomplish the exact same end results. So I made the decision that IF I ever make any more instructional videos (probable not though) I would be prepared with a script first and stick to that script and leave out all the unneeded mundane junk out.

Have a great day WOG...that reminds me, how did you get the Wood on glass mantra? Seems it should be Glass on wood?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

Have a great day WOG...that reminds me, how did you get the Wood on glass mantra? Seems it should be Glass on wood?

My first boat back in the 60's was what we called a "Tweener" When Fiberglass boats first started coming on the market in the 50's they made Glass hulls but still kept Wood Tops. My uncle had an Old 57' "Crosby" that the top rotted off. Kinda like this one...

I restored the top in Woodshop and my buddy and I had a ton of fun on the lake for a couple of summers with her. I wish I could say it look as good as this one, but I'd be lyin. It was just a plywood Painted top that made her "Lake Ready" and I'm not to sure how Safe she was but she never sank and we didn't die!!! She had a 35hp Evinrude on her that started on the 1st pull so we thought it was the best boat ever!!! I've been hoping to find one for a long time but no luck soooo, my plan someday is to find a 14/15' old v-hull and rip the glass cap off and just build a wood top on it like this. I was gunna do that on the Blue Flamigo but she was in such good shape I couldn't bring myself to do it. When I retire, I will find a derelict boat and "Make" me another "WoodOnGlass" boat like the old Crosby.

 

[saginawbayboater]

Re: Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

Hey Thanks for the post WOG!!! I too have the purple gun in the box under the bench. I do believe i was robbed on mine though, i paid full retail 14.99. I would have never pulled the gun apart and cleaned it without seeing that video. I would have messed up the paint job for sure!!! Someday I will have to paint a boat and trailer. I may use the roll on roll or this gun we will see!!!

Thanks again :thumb:

 

[jvanhees]

Re: Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

Great idea for a thread WOG.

My last time using one turned out good, but I think it could have used some adjusting.

I also usually pitch these after a use or two. Not worth my time getting all the old paint out - which I cannot seem to do anyway.

 

[gm280]

Re: Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

Ha WOG, that is a really nice boat you've shown there. I like the amazing woodwork involved. That is another of my many hobbies as well. And now I know the WOG existence too.

As far as cleaning any spray gun, I usually take the gun apart (at least the nozzle and tip sections anyways) immediately after spraying and use both lacquer thinner AND carb spray cleaner in the aerosol cans. It takes about five to ten minutes but the gun is in perfect condition like new again. So every time I finish spraying, complete cleaning takes place next! The catalyzed paints I use would render a good quality spray gun useless if the paints hardened. Well maybe not that bad, but it would take hours to remove harden paints after they harden. So a little cleaning time after the spray and they're like new again... Just a thought out loud!

Oh and FYI... OSHA demands professional auto body paint/body shops to stop using any syphon feed guns now and they can only supply 10psi of air pressure to the tips of the HVLP guns...period! That IS the law. But before anybody gets too excited, 10psi at the tip means 30 to 40psi going into the spray guns. And believe me they constantly check the auto body shops too. If they walk in unannounced and measure any spray gun and the inlet pressure is set above 40psi, there is a huge fine submitted if not closed down the shop... I know this from the paint stores I buy my supplies from. And one other bit of info, seems OSHA will allow the hobbyist to spray a maximum of two cars a year without penalty. But if you are caught doing more then that and they find out...yep you guessed it, a huge fine as well... Not sure how they would catch anybody though... :facepalm:

Hope everybody has a wonderful day...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

Yeah, I know the Old siphon cup guns are dinosaurs now, but...I cut my Painting Teeth on em and I can shoot with my eyes closed using one!!!:lol: OSHA will have to catch me and peel it out of my screamin fingers to get it away from me!!!! Us Old guys are hard to convince!!! Especially Old Dumb Okies!!!!!

 

[zool]

Re: Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

Yea, I feel for the SoCal guys being pushed into waterborne, 1st they lost their guns, then their solvents.....Oh wait, as they say...as Cali goes, so goes the nation ....OSHA would have me on a poster if they came here, long before they found my guns

 

[sphelps]

Re: Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

OSHA can't just walk in unexpected and start checking your stuff . There are steps they must do before inspections . That gives you time to get your crew to do any tidying up that needs to be done . At least that's my understanding .

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Harbor Freight HVLP Spray Gun Info

Yeah, well, Like I said, My Paint gun is kinda like my Real Guns, the Gubbamint just ain't gunna take em away frum me!!!!:mad-new: