Compare these spray guns:

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  • BENdashdash
    Tom is not my friend
    • Aug 2004
    • 2506

    #1

    Compare these spray guns:

    I will be painting my bumpers soon. The other day I picked up an $80 spray gun. The next day I found a similar one at harbor freight for $20. They look very similar to me. Which one looks should I take back - the one to the right or left? I'm asking because I just don't know a lot about them. And no, I'm not going to pay someone to spray for me.


    [pic is 915k]

    Also, is there anything really important I should be looking for in a spray gun?
  • Jordan
    R3V OG
    • Oct 2003
    • 12907

    #2
    A HVLP gravity fed gun is always better.
    Tenured Automotive Service Professional - Avid BMW Enthusiast

    Vapor Honing & E30 ABS Pump Refurbishment Service
    https://mtechniqueabs.com/

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    • BENdashdash
      Tom is not my friend
      • Aug 2004
      • 2506

      #3
      Ok. Could you explain why?

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      • BahnE30
        E30 Enthusiast
        • Oct 2003
        • 1050

        #4
        more consistant paint flow, it's gravity every notice how much better things turn out when you work with your surrounding vs. against them.

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        • nando
          Moderator
          • Nov 2003
          • 34827

          #5
          Originally posted by Jordan
          A HVLP gravity fed gun is always better.
          any paint gun is still far better than a rattle can..
          Build thread

          Bimmerlabs

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          • trent

            #6
            Use the Gravity Fed HVLP gun. Very easy to work with. You can really use the thing at extreme angles (which you will need) and it will still flow perfect. I bought a cheap gun and it works very well. I actually just painted my rear bumper yesterday (First semi large piece) and I am more than happy with how it turned out (I am stickler for bad paint work).

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            • trent

              #7
              Re: Compare these spray guns:

              Originally posted by btm4k
              Also, is there anything really important I should be looking for in a spray gun?
              I am thinking that the $20 gun is on the right (Central) which is from HF.

              http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90977

              That is the gun I bought which looks very similar to the gun on the left in your pic. It is one of the more $$ guns at HF (I actually got mine on sale for like $40). Pay attention to needle sizes depending on what you are going to do. I think a 1.4-1.5mm needle size is a good overall size, but when i had the spray pattern where I liked it really shot paint everywhere. I am thinking about buying a "detail" gun for smaller things like that as the tip is 1.0mm. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90978 Paint isn't cheap so you want to get most of it on your work.

              The one other thing I will tell you, BUY A REGULATOR TO FIT ONTO THE END of the gun. It makes it very nice being able to know the true reading (not at compressor) and adjust air really quick.

              Also, make sure your compressor can flow good. I have a 3.5scfm@90psi 15gal and it can hardly keep up when I run the gun at around 40psi. I would really like to have at least 8-10scfm @ 90psi.

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              • EtaSport
                R3VLimited
                • Oct 2003
                • 2853

                #8
                Yes to gravity feed, siphon guns are okay for spraying primer, but I was amazed at the difference I got with base and clear on my hvlp gravity feed.

                Like stated, more constant paint flow since gravity sucks it down. Siphons have to pull it up.
                Old and improved:

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                • BENdashdash
                  Tom is not my friend
                  • Aug 2004
                  • 2506

                  #9
                  Great, thanks for all the info. I'll take the gun on the right back to HF.

                  Comment

                  • BENdashdash
                    Tom is not my friend
                    • Aug 2004
                    • 2506

                    #10
                    I just took the gun back and bought an air pressure regulator. Again, thanks for the advice.

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