posted
Hi everyone, I have painted signs with a roller for many years so this may seem like an odd request. I have been trying to use more latex acrylic paints since the 1-shot enamels are not holding up like they used to. I have been able to get a fairly smooth coat with acrylic by using Floetrol additive and working the foam roller back and forth again and again. It takes a lot longer than oil-based paint but it's passable.
I hear that many of you have gone to spraying your boards with a HVLP gun to get a smooth coat with acrylic paints. I never bought one for some silly reason since the foam roller acheived the finish I wanted.
Are their any type of spray guns that I should stay away from? Which ones work best and how much will I be spending? How much PSI do you use and is overspray a problem? Will I need to build a booth or need other equipment?
I would like to get a smooth finish coat with the latex acrylic paints so any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Sign-cerely, Steve
-------------------- Steve Luck Sign Magic Inc. 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 (618)466-9120 signmagic@sbcglobal.net Posts: 870 | From: 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 | Registered: Dec 2004
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-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I've seen quite a few posts from people using HVLP to spray latex...but you have to do your homework, to get a tip size large enough to do the job. Joe's probably right, airless may do a better job. It's just more mess and hassle.
Bottom line, I don't know of a real simple,clean solution to spraying latex....and yes, you will have overspray.
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
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posted
We are switching to waterbased paint from gloss enamels. We have been using the benjamin moore aura. I have sprayed latex in the past and didn't really like it but this stuff is great I can spray it basically unthinned and it lays down flat. We are just using one of the harbor freight gravity feed hvlp guns I think you can pick them up around $10-15 on sale. Yes there is over spray, if you have not sprayed before you will need to set up some kind of booth with ventilation.
-------------------- Eric PA Posts: 149 | From: Intercourse, PA | Registered: Jun 2004
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posted
This is the gun. It comes with a 1.4 mm tip which works great for spraying thinned latex but I also ordered the optional 2.2mm tip which I use for spraying Coastal Enterprises FSC88 water based primer.
posted
Thanks for the info, Wayne. I couldn't remember the tip size for latex, but knew it was over 2.0.
Incidentally, if you're looking for "a little better" than Harbor Freight, try www.spraygunworld.com
They have a big selection of guns, sets, tips,etc. and are pretty reasonable in pricing on a lot of stuff. Some of those cheap guns don't allow you to change tips, or don't offer big enough tips for latex; so watch out for that.
posted
Wayne, what pressure do you set the regulator to? Do you set it when the trigger is drawn or idle? Do you thin the paint to a consistency like you would with enamel? Does it go on in a thick coat or a series of mists?
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6712 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I have a Fuji turbine type HVLP, with a gravity feed canister that holds about a coffee-cup full of paint. It cost me about $500 & I love it. I'm not so concerned about the perfectly smooth finish ..... I don't mind it having a little texture since I mostly use it on dimensional signs anyway.
I have better finishes with Wagner Paint Easy than with Floetrol, & it works better as a flow enhancer if you're using a WB quill.
-------------------- Rodger MacMunn T.R. MacMunn & Sons C.P.207, Sharbot Lake, ON 613-279-1230 trmac@frontenac.net Posts: 472 | From: Sharbot Lake, Ontario | Registered: Nov 2003
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