Compressor/spraygun advice please

Kalimna

Greetings folks,
Whilst I feel i've had superb results with the excellent nitro cans from @SteveRobinson from Manchester guitar tech, id like to branch out into a 'proper' spray setup.

So. HVLP or 'standard' spraygun? 

I plan on the full range of finishes - clear coat over bare/stained wood, bursts, solid colour, metallic, flake, flip-flop. Im also keen on finishing a guitar with the Al-Clad Chrome to attempt a Satriani Chromeboy finish.

If HVLP, then it becomes easier as an all-in-one package, but limited if i want to add other guns.

If normal spraygun, then which brand/model of gun, which compressor? 

Many thanks, as always, for advice given.

Adam

greggreg66

HVLP are good, so noisy though! 

I think a respected “normal” cup gun is a Devilbiss gti pro lite. I have a “Morrells Signature 1” which is okay, but plan to upgrade. However, I’ve noticed that some guitar sprayers use the smaller Iwata ones which may be more specialised for guitar finishing? If you want to get into metal spraying then you might need a bigger tip size to accommodate the gloopier material coming though. 

greggreg66

*by HVLP set up in assuminh you mean with turbine... some cup guns still say HVLP with compressors etc. 

Kalimna

Thanks for the advice. Yes, i meant HVLP complete with turbine. Id seen the Apollo 1500 kit, which looked decent.

As far as the metal spraying, its not thick at all - its a low viscosity lacquer produced primarily for achieving a metal look on model kits.

https://www.alclad2-online.co.uk/product/alclad-ii-chrome-for-plastic-alc107/

Any thoughts on suitable compressors?

Cheers 
Adam

greggreg66

Ah I see, well if the metal paint is thin then that's okay. There's ways to spray a thick polyester lacquer with metal powder, which would need a thicker tip.

I had an A.S.I. turbine & gun (can't remember the model) and got some great finishes with it... the noise doesn't half grate on you though! You can get great finishes from them.... but maybe for a little bit more investment having the compressor and cup gun then gives you the option for other air tools like a pin gun etc which might be useful for other DIY things? Just a thought. 

I have a Nu-Air belt driven compressor which has been good, but to some degree they all seem the same to me lol! I think belt driven ones are considered more robust (other than blowing 3 grand + on a screw compressor!)

I don't really know enough to give good advice though .... I'd recommend giving somewhere like SprayGunsDirect a call as they can sell you the whole kit, compressor too and would be able to give more tailored advice. 

Kalimna

Thanks - thats good advice. I shall head over to the link and see what they have.

Thanks again,
Ada

greggreg66

No probs. Check out the 3m PPS system too, which you can convert your gun to (other brands do similar versions).

It's really good because it's super easy to clean down after use and you can use the gun upside down and every which way round.... the only downside is that it's annoying to refill (not an issue with guitar spraying) and you can't spray out every drop of lacquer so it's a tiny bit wasteful with 2pk paints... but the pros might still outweigh the cons. Worth a quick look anyway.