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On Mar 3, 3:06 pm, Pat Barber wrote:

I'm 'fair" with a can, but I'm getting better.

Personally, I still use rattle cans if the job calls for it. The only
two things I don't like about them is less than 30% material transfer
on target (which makes them cost much more than you might think!) and
the low quality nozzles they put on most cans.

There is very little info out there on spray
finishing, so it appears to be a D.I.Y. for
most folks.

Not at all. There is a lot of info online, and there is a lot of
information in print by different finishers. (Google "hvlp
technique", "hvlp application", "hvlp method", etc.) There are some
good softback books out there that appear from time to time in Barnes
and Noble, and at some of the used book stores.

You can also search this group through Google and find a lot of
information on technique, thinning protocols, material usage, etc.

I see a lot of info on the Fuji systems.

Excellent system. Like Barry, I have one of the Fuji "X"4 systems. I
have the Q4. I have used it a lot, and it is pretty bullet proof.
When I bought mine, the Mini Mites weren't being widely sold or I
might have bought that one as it is more affordable. I shoot stains,
dyes, enamels, polyurethanes, and lacquers with it. This unit will
put out a lot of cfms making sure you can apply just about any
coating, even more than other 4 stage units. I don't know how,
because something like 90% of all actual turbine assemblies for
serious hvlp systems are made by the same company.

The kicker is the support for the product. The link Barry posted is
where I got mine a couple of years ago, and Roger knows that product
frontwards and backwards, and you can call him anytime. He won't
teach you how to spray or apply, but he can tell you immediately if
your problems are in product or machine.

Turbinaire also seems to get a lot of press.

I almost bought the Turbinaire because of the gun. Well made,
balanced in the hand, and great fit and finish. It has is the only
true turbine hvlp gun that has a fully adjustable pattern (not just a
fixed detent position aircap) that works just like a high pressure
paint spray gun.

That is because it IS a converted paint spray gun. I went to a
Benjamin Moore sponsored event a couple of years ago to try this gun
out (OK... and eat some barbecue) along with some other guns. I
really liked the overall system, but Fuji won hands down on product
support and consumables affordability. You can buy everything from
Roger. And when I needed to speak to Roger, I found he always
answered his phone, one time while walking his dog.

I have this thing about support after the sale since I have been
drilled pretty hard a couple of times. After I got the info from
Turbinaire at the demo, I went around the corner and called customer
service on the phone. No one could answer my questions about
cfms, using a whip (extension) on the hose, or where to get the unit
fixed when it broke.

After I bought a Fuji system from Roger, I needed another aircap to
spray some really thin material. When I received a rusty aircap/needle
assembly from Roger, I was REALLY ****ed as I needed it to finish some
cabinets immediately after receipt. Roger used to be a finisher
himself, so he knew what was riding on the deal. He sent me a new
aircap via 2 day FedEx at his cost. All I had to do was to email him
a picture of the rust on the aircap. When I called make sure he got
the picture, he had already had the package picked up and it was on
its way.

I assume they are all "very" similar in
operation and costs.

Probably true. Some of the guns are really different though, and that
makes all the difference in the world on your final finish. You need
one that is comfortable in your hand, has a variety of AFFORDABLE
aircaps, filters, one way valves, etc. readily available for it. It
should be easy to break down and clean. Fit and finish is important
as well as the rougher finished guns tend to be harder to clean.

Depending on what kind of spraying you do and where you do it, you may
want a non bleeder or bleeder gun. I have both and prefer the non
bleeder, although the bleeder is just fine for 99% of my needs.

Good luck on your purchase.

Robert

Robert,

I picked up the Apollo 4 stage for a relative bargain, but haven't had the
time to fiddle with it yet. Do you have any experience with it? How does
it stack up against your fuji?

I'm going to follow up on a couple of your info suggestions. I really need
to get on the learning curve on this thing with the end goal of an
off-the-gun finish.

jc