Gunsmithing purchasing an Airbrush or HVLP

[SSC]

I have a couple rifles I would like to paint (cerakote) and some other things around the house so I figure it is time to buy an airbrush or HVLP. The main purpose with be to spray parts so which ever is best suited to do that is what I will do. I don't want to break the bank but also want something better than Harbor Freight (unless theirs is actually good, which little from there is). I think I want a gravity fed system so that I don't have to have as much mixed up.

I am sorry if this has been beaten to death. I did a search but no I saw referenced specific guns.

I live in a small town so mail order is the way to go.

 

[STR]

Re: purchasing an Airbrush or HVLP

After going through several airbrushes my self, and at the end of the day being dissatisfied, I bought an HVLP gun from Home Depot, their Husky brand. I was skeptical at first because it was $100.00 with small and large cup, plus extra needles, and cleaning tools. I can't begin to express how happy I am with the performance for my intended uses. Cerakote requires small amounts for most jobs. Being that it is gravity fed, if using the small cup, you can mix small amounts and waste nothing. It can be regulated to shoot very light like an airbrush, or heavy if needed. I use Cerakote, and Sherwin Williams automotive paints through it with no issues

The Passhe airbrush had trouble after about 10 uses, and the Badger about the same. If your wondering what kind of maintenance I give my tools, I can honestly say, you can eat off the floor in my shop. I know there are a lot of happy airbrush owners out there, but I am not one of them. I do however understand that certain jobs require an airbrush with skilled hands behind it.

 

[Mark Housel]

Re: purchasing an Airbrush or HVLP

Some information here:

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...rue#Post2695426

 

[blksno]

Re: purchasing an Airbrush or HVLP

I think an air brush will suit you better if you're only going to do parts, but if you want to do an entire gun in a base coat, a HVLP will save you a BOAT LOAD of time and it will cover more effectively. (more even coats with less passes than an air brush)

I started out with a brush, and ordered a 6pack of cerakote and got their HVLP gun in the kit. It took a bit of getting used to because the High Volume part is no joke. Even on the very lowest setting I was going through way more paint than I expected since I was used to using an air brush.

 

[LRI]

Re: purchasing an Airbrush or HVLP

buy the cheapest one (HVLP) you can find.

Harbor Freight is a good choice.

Seriously.

I am always first to advocate top shelf tools/equipment however after talking with a half dozen friends of mine who are all top shelf painters, they all said the same thing.

C.

I bought mine at "Maynerds" for 29.95.

shot my first ceracoat job last night and its flawless.

 

[eddief]

Re: purchasing an Airbrush or HVLP

Buy a cheap gun if you are only going to do a few odds and ends for yourself.

If you are going to coat a lot or do it for others, buy the best quality gun you can afford. The cheap guns will fail guaranteed and cause headache. Cerakote is not like car paint and has different qualities and characteristics. Make sure you clean the gun GOOD directly after every time you use it.

The atomization on a quality gun is much better and controllable too.

Make sure you get your air and paint volume set correctly or you will get an unsatisfactory finish.

 

[Field]

Re: purchasing an Airbrush or HVLP

I used a 100 dollar airbrush at first and was at Harbor Freight one day and picked up a 15 dollar HVLP touch up gun and all I can say is screw the airbrush.

 

[rlr]

Re: purchasing an Airbrush or HVLP

Harbor Freight can be your friend!

I use their air brushes and small HVLP guns. Multiples are great for doing multiple colors. You clean them all at once, and you can spend the rest of the money on paint and ammo!

They do a good job for Cerakote.

 

[Jrb572]

Re: purchasing an Airbrush or HVLP

Only bad thing about the cheap harbor freight is not being able to buy a rebuild kit once they go south. But you can buy quite a few at the price of an iwata or a sata mini. I bought a mini Sata. But I use it everyday for a living.

 

[Xdguy]

Re: purchasing an Airbrush or HVLP

If you are just painting small parts, then a $15 airbrush from harbor freight will work. If you plan on doing detail work, then a better airbrush will be necessary. If you are planning on painting larger items then an HVLP will work. Probably the best solution is a cheap airbrush and a cheap HVLP. You will be covered with all your needs. I just duracoated a stock with an airbrush without problems.

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: purchasing an Airbrush or HVLP

After doing a couple barreled actions and a pistol I will be getting an HVLP gun if I plan on painting more. Cheap airbrush takes a lot of time to coat.

Best advantage I've found to an airbrush is the conservation of material and that it can be used in a small space without overspraying everything however. If I do more coating I will have to make more work space. Airbrush can be shot in a cardboard box.

 

[Mark Housel]

Re: purchasing an Airbrush or HVLP

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Airbrush can be shot in a cardboard box.</div></div>
And here I was thinking I was the only one who does stuff like that.

Heck, I was even stating to think about gettin' a new, bigger 'n better box for my shop.