Paint Gun?

[MoseRS]

So, I'm thinking of learning to paint, something I've always wanted to do. I am going to be getting a paint gun, any suggested brands I should get? Whats good and durable? How much should i spend for a gun i'm going to be "learning on." And can anybody point me to a good site that gives you a bit of a tutorial on painting?

Thanks!

[SilvrEclipse]

I have used several different types of spray guns, from what I have seen the cheap ones spray just as good as the expensive ones. As long as you keep it clean and set it right it will spray fine.

[gthompson97]

If you're planning on learning on your own, you better have LOTS of time on your hands and a shitload of patience, it takes alot to get good at it. Most people can't tell the difference between a garage painjob or a paintbooth paintjob, but to the trained eye you'll look like a fool. I disagree with Silver, no paintgun is the same. Cheap ebay,craftsman,etc ones will look fine to you as a starter, but if you want a good paintgun that lays out nicely and makes it easier for you as a painter, expect to pay a nice price for it. Also make sure it's an HVLP, you don't want a gravity feed. And get suction cups, it makes it a hell of a lot easier to spray in odd places and odd angles, otherwise you'll get dry spots and they look like hell. My paintgun is a Devilbiss and ran roughly $600-700 new I think, but this was probably 4 years ago, and mine is by no means the top of the line.

As for tutorials, I know there are some good books out there, and if you Google "Automotive Refinishing" "Automotive Painting" "Autobody How-To" etc (something along those lines), there are some great articles that I've found. Painting isn't just something you can read about and do, it takes lots of hands-on experience and the best way to learn is by watching and helping someone. Try getting a job at an Autobody place as just kind-of the "bitch" and ask all the questions you can and help when you can, eventually you'll learn how to get good at it.

When people think of painting, most think "holy shit, I could never do that," but painting is actually only 25% of the job, the most important thing in painting a car is precise and correct prep. You could be the best painter in the world, but if the car wasn't prepped right, you'll get fish-eyes, blotches, runs, pits, paint where it shouldn't be, etc and it'll look like a 5 year old did the painting. Prepping is the most important step in refinishing a car.

[Talon69]

your best bet is to go with a HVLP gun, they work really good with not alot of waisted paint sprayed (overspray)

[gthompson97]

Originally Posted by Talon69

your best bet is to go with a HVLP gun, they work really good with not alot of waisted paint sprayed (overspray)

Gravity feed HVLP, not a suction one, suction ones suck.

[Talon69]

Originally Posted by gthompson97

Gravity feed HVLP, not a suction one, suction ones suck.

I agree

[MoseRS]

I may sound like a retard, but what is the differance between an HPLV gravity feed gun and just a normal gravity feed gun?

[gthompson97]

http://www.dodgepowerwagon.com/glovebox/hvlp.html

Some of it may be a little confusing, but it was the best "basic" explanation that I could find.