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I tried latex paint (thinned) with the 1.5 and it was a big problem. Super easy to use as well, but definitely get the 2.0mm insert. Have fun. This thing is amazing for the price. Made me a pro.
This is my first spray gun and I found it very easy to use, it just took some practice to adjust the spray. I'm very happy with this spray gun.
Here's what worked for me, after MUCH experimentation, when spraying Zar Ultra Max Urethane.'X' marks the spot: AV (Air Volume) at bottom of gun:Open / Down / Increase 0 - - - 1 - - X 2 - - - Closed / Up / DecreasePA (Pattern Adjust) on left of gun:Open/CCW 0 - - - 1 X - - 2 + Closed/ClockWFC (Fluid Control) at upper back:Open / Out /Increase 0 - - - 1 - - - 2 - - - 3 - - - 4 - - - 5 - - - 6 - - - X - - - 8 - - - 9 - - - Close/DecreaseRegulator on gun: 45 to 50 psi, and on the compressor itself, 95-100 psi (see mfgr's recommended limits for the gun). This is a good gun. Need to get the settings right; they are not adjusted from the factory at all.
I also use the 3M spray kit(disposable cups with filters built in) from Rockler for quick clean-up. I get excellent results as long as the coats are dry between. Thicker material requires higher pressure unless thinned properly, but best results come from proper thinning and patience. Use this sprayer for custom kids furniture with the 2.2 mm tip and thin the paint. Mostly oil based enamels or metallic latex based coats.
I did roller my cabinet bases, as I didn't feel like masking off my whole kitchen to spray the bases. It takes a long time doing it this way, b/c the compressor is only 6 gallons, and has to run constantly. I did not have to thin any of my latex paint. When you are cleaning the cup, clean the threads too by using some q-tips or a rolled up paper towel.3) Fill up a disposable plastic container half way with a cleaner (I used paint thinner).
Cleanup takes about 20 minutes once you get used to it. Dispose of any paint left in the cup. Hope this summary helps those of you on the fence about this HVLP gun. Make sure to wear a chemical mask for painting purposes. I used my pancake compressor for the coat of primer on 20 cabinet doors and a few drawers.
Disconnect the gun from the compressor hose. After primer, put on 3 coats of Behr latex paint (also using the 2.2mm nozzle). If you live in New England (like I do), keep your paint indoors until ready to use, so it doesn't get cold and thicken up. Went on very smooth, and the gun has very little overspray. We painted everything in our garage, and used drop cloths where we were painting.
We are redoing our kitchen on the cheap, and decided to repaint our cabinets. Be sure to clean the cup's top, and remove the air valve at the top and clean paint from it too. Set the gun to around 50psi of pressure at the control valve, and spray the excess paint into paper towels. It went on so well, I couldn't believe I hadn't found this earlier in life. Otherwise, if the air valve gets clogged, it will not let out much, if any paint (happened to me). I found the hardest part to be cleaning the paint in the very back of the brass chamber.
After applying TSP and liquid sandpaper to the doors, we put on the water based primer using the 2.2mm Nozzle. Simply take out the needle, and clean it along with the inside of the gun, in paint thinner. Remove the needle by unscrewing the back, being careful not to loose the spring. Clean as much paint off of these with paper towels and q-tips, then place them in the paint thinner and scrub with an old toothbrush, or the pipe cleaner that came with the gun. Disassemble the front sprayer, and then the nozzle behind it. What I did was this.
The gun is great, and the finish it put out looks like it came from a factory.
5) Now that its all clean, reassemble so that it is ready for the next use.
But I would recommend using a larger compressor for big jobs.2) This was my 1st time using a HVLP gun, so I didn't know how to properly clean it (wear glasses/gloves, as paint thinner burns).
Use a combination of the pipe cleaner, toothbrush and some q-tips to get it clean.
I didn't even need to thin the paint.
Now that those are clean, remove them from the paint thinner, and move onto the gun.4) Now, you should just have the needle exposed on the gun.
After you finish spraying, and remove the plastic cup's screw top, then unscrew the whole cup from the gun.
To address some main points:1) I went straight to using the 2.2mm nozzle as other reviewers suggested.
If you just have a few pieces to spray, you will be fine.
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