HVLP Paint spraying

[MartinClan]

Does anyone have any experience of using a HVLP paint spryer such as this provided by Earlex?

http://www.earlex.co.uk/Concepts/Professional%20HV7000.html

I am considering painting my Marlin Sportster myself and it seems like a good way to do it. I will be using cellulose.

Any comments or information gratefully received!

Robin

[Chris Cussen]

No experience using this. I did spray a couple of cars many years ago. First one was my rally Escort, then an MG midget. The Escort never did turn out very well, but the finish on the MG was OK.

The problems you may have (forgive me if I'm teaching Grandma to suck eggs) is that you should spray the ally with etch primer, and probably the GRP too. And etch primer is nasty stuff, you'll need breathing apparatus.

Will you be able to source cellulose? At least with that you will only get high on the fumes.

[MartinClan]

Hi Chris

I did some research and so I know about the etch primer. I was going to ask my local spray shop to do this bit. The plan is to polish the bonnet tops and sides - and so it would just be the doors and A posts that would need etch primer (If I don't do the fibreglass)

I checked a few months ago and cellulose still seemed to be available then. The law prohibiting its use seems pretty vague as apparently you can still use it on classic cars and anything that isn't a car - strange.

Robin

[GreatOldOne]

You're a braver man than me Robin! :D

It's the one job I don't think I can manage on my own...

The pain I had just spraying my wheel bosses with shaky cans puts me off trying to do bigger pieces! Especially with an expensive bit of equipment like that... It's getting on for £500 from machine mart. Isn't that half way to a pro job like Patricks?

[MartinClan]

I think that a professional paint job is 2K or therabouts. My reasoning behind DIY was:

1. It's cheaper (HVLP kit circa £400 plus paint - say another £200)
2. As most people take the body off to paint it saves on transport (Most the bits will fit in the average hatchback - but not the rear tub) And I don't suppose the average paint shop will want you to do the dissasemble and assemble on their premises.
3. With cellulose if you cock it up then it's relatively easy to cut it back and do it again.
4. It's another skill. I like to learn new things
5. It delays me having to re-fit our shower room lol...

I still haven't made up my mind fully yet and I am open to persuasion either way....

Robin

[peterux]

I've not decided either....

I'll add one positive to Robin's list..
6. I built and painted it myself!! How cool.

My worry is that with the amount of work dissmantling and then painting each panel and then putting it all back together it'll be another 5 years before I got the car back on the road!

No.5 is attractive becuse my DIY project is seriously getting in the way of any car tinkering time :sad:

[Chris Cussen]

I'm friendly with a fellow dog-walker who owns a local body shop. Not that I'm likely to get any discount, but my plan is to do as much preparation as possible with the panels on the car, then take it round to his workshop and remove the panels and do the final prep.

I was going to let him do the etch-coat spraying but have a go with any primer and if that goes OK then try some top coat. The I would re-assemble it.

Current plan it to try to do it after xmas when my works shuts down until the New Year.

He has given me a rough estimate of £1.5k

[peterux]

Chris,
sounds like a good plan. So maybe I should get a dog?

Actually, one of my lock-up garage neighbours is a profesionally trained car painter but is now working as a plumber because he earns more money. He is reluctant to take on my car as he spends all his time working on his mini that has a metro turbo engine in it.

cheers

Peter

[MartinClan]

There seem to be several players in the HVLP market - Earlex, Appolo and Wagner seem to be the main ones. The Earlex website is pretty good with plenty of info - but I can't find one for Appolo and the Wagner one is a bit strange - there seem to be several (websites) but none of them with info on their proffesional range of HVLP sprayers. I am getting close to buying an Earlex one. The 6900 is the same as the 7000 except that it doesn't have a carrying frame and is about £70 cheaper.

Robin

Edit - found the Apollo web site. It's http://www.bambi-air.co.uk and another UK company (As is Earlex)

[MartinClan]

There seem to be several players in the HVLP market - Earlex, Appolo and Wagner seem to be the main ones. The Earlex website is pretty good with plenty of info - but I can't find one for Appolo and the Wagner one is a bit strange - there seem to be several (websites) but none of them with info on their proffesional range of HVLP sprayers. I am getting close to buying an Earlex one. The 6900 is the same as the 7000 except that it doesn't have a carrying frame and is about £70 cheaper.

Robin

Edit - found the Apollo web site. It's http://www.bambi-air.co.uk and another UK company (As is Earlex)

Well - I have bought a second hand (used once only) Fuji HVLP set-up. Whatch this space....

[artyis200]

you must use etch or your paint will simply peal of the ally

[thecarbuilder246]

There seem to be several players in the HVLP market - Earlex, Appolo and Wagner seem to be the main ones. The Earlex website is pretty good with plenty of info - but I can't find one for Appolo and the Wagner one is a bit strange - there seem to be several (websites) but none of them with info on their proffesional range of HVLP sprayers. I am getting close to buying an Earlex one. The 6900 is the same as the 7000 except that it doesn't have a carrying frame and is about £70 cheaper.

Robin

Edit - found the Apollo web site. It's http://www.bambi-air.co.uk and another UK company (As is Earlex)

hi,you can get hvlp spray guns that work off standard air compressor.I have a couple and they are very easy to use.I know it's a bit late as you say you've bought the gear!!