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Which cheap paint gun?

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turbosax2

Moderator
4,450
527
Nov 19, 2006
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
I'm looking for a cheap paint gun to spray my suspension pieces with Rust Bullet and Eastwood chassis coating. Since it's just the suspension I don't need a superb finish, so a cheap gun will do for me. I've done a little research and it seems a gravity fed hvlp gun is the way to go?

Eastwood has this one (although it is currently out of stock):
Eastwood Co. - Economy HVLP Spray Paint Gun

And Harbor Freight has a whole slew of guns:
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Of which I think these may be the best bang for the buck for me:
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices


I have this regulator from my powdercoating gun so I could use that on whatever paint gun I get too.


Which gun do you think is the best bang for the buck for me? Other sources to look for cheap guns are also welcome.
 
Since it's just suspension I wouldn't go overboard with something expensive, but I'd stay away from $20 guns. Chances are you'll eventually want to paint something else where you'll want a decent finish. The tip you choose and your filter setup will probably make the biggest difference, more than which cheap gun you get. I've been looking at the Husky guns at Home Depot for <$100. Some don't look bad at all, but I don't have experience with them yet. I just set up my air compressor this week.

How much is the Eastwood gun?
 
I have a good filter setup so that's not an issue. I'll check out the Husky guns next weekend if I get a chance. The Eastwood gun says "We regret that this item is not available at this time." but I could've sworn I saw a price of $60 a few days ago.
 
I have a good filter setup so that's not an issue. I'll check out the Husky guns next weekend if I get a chance.

They looked ok. Like I said I have no experience with them. When I was reading up on different guns it seemed like most starter hvlp guns that were recommended still cost ~$300. That's probably more than you or I want to spend. Hopefully someone with more experience chimes in.


Btw, this is similar to what I'm working on this week. Copper piping and all with a cheap filter at the end.
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What is your setup? Compressor and filter etc, etc. I'm trying to set up something half decent that I can use to paint and also preserve my tools. If you don't want this cluttering your thread you can pm me.
 
I'm hoping to stay in the $50ish range, give or take.


Nice looking setup there. I'm using my friends compressor. He has a Craftsman 30 gallon compressor but it recently broke, so he got an 80 gallon Campbell Hausfeld that he's in the process of hooking up.

My filter setup:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/151673917-post100.html
 
I just dropped the hammer on this sucker:
DeVilbiss Automotive Refinishing

But I bought it from this place:
DEV-802170 DEVILBISS GFG-670 PLUS® Gravity Gun, WITH NO CUP FOR THOSE USING PPS OR DE-KUPS.

Which was the absolute cheapest I could find it. I plan on using the DeKups disposables, so it came without a cup, which I have one of already anyway. The guy on the phone was a nice old southern man, and he was sure of his price, even though it was crazy low.
It came with 1.2,1.3,& 1.4mm tips and a Devilbiss regulator. It even had a little coupon for a free DeKups adapter from any DeVilbiss vendor. I still have to buy a 1.8mm tip for primer spraying. I'm guessing chassis paint might be thicker than a normal basecoat, so you'd probably need one too.

I read around a lot and dismissed the cheaper (Startingline and Finishline model) guns. I couldn't afford a $400 Japanese gun, and I heard that this is one of the finest clearcoat guns around. No doubt it will perform when it comes time to do basecoats.

I know this is probably out of the price range for chassis painting alone, but if you had the opportunity (i.e. money) and plans to try body painting, this is probably a good way to go. I handled the gun after it arrived, and just the trigger pull was light years better than the cheapo gun I used to paint the hood on my Saturn years ago. I see why they say "you get what you pay for" with spray guns.
 
I'm hoping to stay in the $50ish range, give or take.


Nice looking setup there. I'm using my friends compressor. He has a Craftsman 30 gallon compressor but it recently broke, so he got an 80 gallon Campbell Hausfeld that he's in the process of hooking up.

My filter setup:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/151673917-post100.html

I've been using a TP filter for over 20 years, it was recommended by a pro auto painter,
never have any problems with moister. He also said to use the cheapest tp I could
find. Seems the high priced type cloggs quicker.

just a thought: try checking a pawn shop for your guns. Sometimes a good deal can be found there.
 
I painted my car with a $25 harbor freight paint gun. Make sure you have a good water filter.
 
The gun that you use for painting base coats isn't that important, Filter is, make sure you get a desiccant dryer, it will make the finish alot better, less fish eye and solvent pop, there kinda cheap to, I use a refrigerated dryer now. for clear coat's I use a Sata Jet HVLP digital, Base I use a Sata Jet RP, for chassis work any el cheapo gun will work, just make sure you have CLEAN, DRY AIR!!!
 
I didn't have any issues, though this was in Idaho. Drained my tank for the first time in 3 years and there was maybe 1/2 cup of water in there.
 
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