Sprayguns

[milkman]

What paints can you put in them? I know next to nothing about them but may be hiring one to finish some mdf work i'm doing

 

[ike]

It depends. The type of gun (Reduced Pressure 'RP', conventional high pressure, or High Volume Low Pressure 'HVLP'), the nozzle tip size and the paint viscosity all determine if and how well the paint will atomize.

An HVLP sprayer doesn't require a separate air compressor. RP and HP guns need a compressor with an air supply rate of between 9 and 12 cubic ft per minute free air delivered (CFM FAD) and also a moisture separator. Paints must be thinned more for HVLP spraying than with RP/HP guns.

Viscosity can be determine using a viscocity cup. I use a screwdriver to see how the paint drips. If the drips are stringy, it's probably too thick to spray.

What paint do you want to use and what finish are you after?

cheers,

Ike

 

[milkman]

I want to seal it with a suitable undercoat and will possible spray the top coats as well. I've just noticed a post 'Finishing MDF' so I'd better have a look there.

 

[ike]

I have used sanding sealer before on MDF to stop the u/coat / primer soaking back in and being very runny it lends itself to spraying without thinning.

If you use HVLP kit you would have to thin the paint a fair bit, but several thin coats should give the coverage.

Best of luck

Ike