My experience with a paint gun ...not so good.

[blueriver]

I have some equipment that needs paint ... so I run to the hardware store and buy an inexpensive paint gun for my air compressor ... $47 ... I read the instructions or perhaps I should say I scan over them.

I thinned the paint, set the regulator at 15lbs ... practice on some card board and get the flow about right ... start painting and all is well.

Then the bottom of the canister almost explodes ... the bottom is not flat anymore ... rounded out where it won't sit on its own.

Back to the store for the second one ... turn the pressure down to 10 lbs and painting again ... and dad gum it the same thing!!!

I find no explanation in the manual ... so what am I doing wrong?

 

[jinman]

Just from your description, it sounds like your regulator isn't holding the pressure steady. Maybe it holds at the low psi while you spray and then has pressure spikes when you release the handle of the sprayer.

 

[Bird]

I've done quite a bit of painting with one quart paint spray guns, but never with my air pressure that low, and obviously your air pressure has to be a lot higher than your regulator indicates.

 

[bikerdib]

I'm definitely no expert but I use/used HVLP, gravity feed and siphon. NONE of the guns I've used pressurize the canister.

 

[blueriver]

Just from your description, it sounds like your regulator isn't holding the pressure steady. Maybe it holds at the low psi while you spray and then has pressure spikes when you release the handle of the sprayer.

I'll have to have the wife watch the gauge.

I've done quite a bit of painting with one quart paint spray guns, but never with my air pressure that low, and obviously your air pressure has to be a lot higher than your regulator indicates.

If its not a spike as Jim indicated ... I'll turn it way down and see ... maybe I just better get a new regulator.

Not a bad paint job though ...

 

[radioman]

I used cheap paint guns myself and never had a problem with either a tiny hotdog compressor or the big one I have now. I think there is something wrong with your setup. Can you add make an adapter to have another gauge before it goes into the spray gun? this way you can monitor it completely on your end.

 

[blueriver]

I used cheap paint guns myself and never had a problem with either a tiny hotdog compressor or the big one I have now. I think there is something wrong with your setup. Can you add make an adapter to have another gauge before it goes into the spray gun? this way you can monitor it completely on your end.

So your saying a gauge at the sprayer and then hook the air hose to it.

 

[wedge40]

I use one of these at the HVLP gun.
125 PSI Air Flow Regulator with Gauge

Wedge

 

[dodge man]

I know the gauges can go bad. The gauge on my air tank isn't even close to being correct, but the gauge on my regulator is. The one guage if off something like 50 pounds.

 

[strum456]

I'm definitely no expert but I use/used HVLP, gravity feed and siphon. NONE of the guns I've used pressurize the canister.

Exactly. There should not be any pressure in your canister. If there is, I can't think of how it would be your fault. Go somewhere else and get your paint gun.

You could get one from Harbor Freight for about 20$, and it would proabably get the job done. The 50$ ones from hardware stores are no better, just more expensive. If you want to save yourself some trouble, get a Devilbiss Finishline or an Asturo/Walcom 9011. These are in the 120$ range, and are a great value.