school me on HVLP sprayers

[vinman]

I'm looking into an HVLP sprayer to top coat some veneer top sheets. But I have no clue about sprayers.

Fill me in on the stuff I should be looking for in a sprayer.

I don't plan on spending more than $100 for a sprayer so forget the self contained systems. I just need a decent gun that will put a nice even finish on wood veneer top sheets.

Stuff like nozzle size in mm, pattern control, CFMs and whatever oterh specs would be beneficial.

Specs on my compressor: 3.8 SCFM @ 40 and 2.9 SCFM @ 90 135 Max PSI 5.5 gallon

[MontuckyMadman]

Totally worthless but, we pressed some skis that we precoated with poly before layup, on the top side and it worked beautifully and we didn't need to release the top skin.
The poly didn't soak in to the veneer like we though it would. Got the tip from a bigger builder, couple hundred pair a year.

[EricW]

well, your compressor will have a hard time keeping up. I'd recommend just going down to your local auto parts store and getting a gravity feed gun as it takes a lot less air than the vacuum feed. They can hook you up with something for less than $100. Make sure the nozzle is the right size for what you'll be pumping through it.

[vinman]

see that's what I wanted to know. So what size nozzle should I use for clear coat stuff like System3 WR-LPU top coat?

[EricW]

I'd contact the manufacturer and ask. They'll know better than anyone.

[twizzstyle]

I am in no way a paint expert, but I think a 5 gallon compressor is going to have a really hard time giving you enough air for an HVLP. I used a Harbor Freight HVLP when I sprayed my ski grinder I restored and it turned out great, but my compressor is 60 gallons.

[vinman]

after some research it is the low CMF that is really the limiting factor with my compressor. Most good HVLP guns are in the 6-10 CFM range. i did find a couple with lower CFM ratings but I may just have to opt for some other option or give one of the lower CFM guns a try.

[EricW]

If you can swing an airless sprayer, the Earlex is really good and not terribly expensive. I think you'll be frustrated without a larger compressor.

[vinman]

yeah those self contained spray systems might be my best bet. I'll see what the local auto parts place has.

Really spraying a ski would not take all that long. So if I could get a minute or two of adequate pressure I might be ok and then let the compressor recharge to do the second ski. Not sure. I might just wait on this. It was really just in the idea phase of how I would finish my ski