paint supplies

[musclecar23]

I'm just getting into painting cars and i was wondering about spray guns and whats the best resonably priced kind and model and all that kind of stuff, I could also use any good advice anyone has to share. Thanks

[mike@af]

Welcome! I'll move this to the AutoPaint forum in a minute.

For paint, you can start of practicing with some mismixed colors at your local auto paint supply, they usually sell them for cheap. However, I wouldnt use these to paint something where the paint has to last, unless there was enough to paint it and you knew what primers and clears were applicable for it.

Paint guns are expensive, and you get what you pay for. Sata's are top of the line, and also some of the most expensive. Devilbiss are great guns, and they range from $190-$500+. Binks are great guns as well, they are all over the price chart as well. Use the more expensive guns for your bases and clears.
You can use a 1.2-1.4 Tip on these.

Then get a less expensive gun for spraying your primers because they will gum up afterwhile, and ruin your bases/clears. I'd suggest using a 1.6+tip especially with highbuild/filler primers.

Conventional vs. HVLP. That can be a personal choice. Conventional you get a little less orange peel, but they are also illegal in many states. HVLP are legal in all 50states I believe, also they use a lower pressure than the conventional guns.

Hope that helps. I cant really suggest a good gun for you unless you tell me your price range. Honestly, I'd say spend $80 on a IngersollRand gun at Lowes to start with so you dont screw up an expensive gun, or to see if you even like it.