I was putting some primer on my truck project today using a Craftsman HVLP suction gun I borrowed from a buddy. I mixed the primer exactly as the directions said, but the gun would not shoot unless it was pointed down, and then I could only get a 1.5 to 2 inch pattern. It didn't matter how full it was. I had the regulator on the compressor set at 50 PSI with an additional mini regulator. The gun has an internal regulator that cuts it back to 45 PSI. I could not get any primer out unless the top screw (fluid mix) was all the way in, the internal regulator was wide open, and I was pointing down. I tried mixing the primer thicker and thinner, and thicker was better. It actually shot worse correctly mixed than thick. The primer came out like lint, but if I went thin, it got worse. I tried more and less pressure at the compressor, but 50 seemed to work best. The gun was only used once before, and we got the same results then. What are we doing wrong? I know the primer was cheap (Sherwin Williams) but it should have still worked better right? What am I doing wrong? I would like to be able to use this gun for my topcoat of enamel on the truck and urethane on the Vette, so I need advice.

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57 Plymouth Savoy in my family since new, just cosmetically restored, 93 S-10 waiting on the 50 Dodge truck to be built then one s_10 for sale, Angie's mechanic and designated Vette cusser.

Sounds like you have a "dirty" gun. Try completely disassembling the gun parts and cleaning them in laquer thinner or other hot solvent (be careful of any rubber parts with solvents!).

Spray guns can clog very quickly if there is any debris or old paint left in them. The small spray pattern and tilting the gun seems to indicate a clog!


Hope this helps! (If not try switching from the HVLP - some paints do not work well with that system!)


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See my '68 RS/ZZ4 at http://www.100megsfree.com/choptop/camaro.html

Check to see if the air hole is pluged in the cap.

What product are you spraying? (number and brand) and what tip size on the gun? You can usually see this if you take off the air cap. If it is covered with crud and you can't read it, refer back to ChopTops post! http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif

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Fan of anything that is interesting and moves human beings.
1965 Buick Gran Sport Convertible
1965 Buick Skylark H/T
1948 Chevy PU with 401 Buick

I have cleaned the gun several times. Is there some magic trick to it I am missing?

Martinsr,
I am using Sherwin Williams refinishers select #rs4202. It was cheap, and hey it's just primer on a truck that will be cheapo flat black enamel when I get done. I didn't want to spend the big bucks on DuPont or PPG like I did on the Plymouth since this will be a daily driver work truck. It's gonna ge beat up, why use something that will be expensive to fix when I shoot another layer on later.

I am using this HVLP gun because my cheapo Campbell Hausefield mechanic's gun gives me blisters and seems to waste too much material. I can't find a number or any kind of marking stamped anywhere on the gun other than the model.

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57 Plymouth Savoy in my family since new, just cosmetically restored, 93 S-10 waiting on the 50 Dodge truck to be built then one s_10 for sale, Angie's mechanic and designated Vette cusser.

It still sounds like a dirty gun. Try spraying some thinner through it, not so much to clean it but to see if it will spray with a fluid of thinner viscosity.

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Fan of anything that is interesting and moves human beings.
1965 Buick Gran Sport Convertible
1965 Buick Skylark H/T
1948 Chevy PU with 401 Buick

I tried shooting thinner through it. It works fine then. I shoot thinner through it every time I clean the gun untill it comes out clear, then I take the gun apart and clean the inside. I will try cleaning it better before I shoot the frame, but I am still interested in suggestions on what I may be missing when I clean it or in my settings on the gun or compressor. I may not have mentioned I drain the water out of the tank and filters before I hook the gun up.

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57 Plymouth Savoy in my family since new, just cosmetically restored, 93 S-10 waiting on the 50 Dodge truck to be built then one s_10 for sale, Angie's mechanic and designated Vette cusser.