HVLP / Air assisted airless:

Site Admin Joined: Mar 22, 2005 Posts: 33

sorry doug, my server blew an HD a few days back so I lost your post. I'll try and remember what I wrote for you.

Quote:

dougd writes:

What's the difference between an HVLP and an Air Assisted Airless sprayer?

Personally, I haven't had the opportunity to use and air assisted airless. From what I've read it should do more production than the standard 1 qt cup HVLP but not as fine a finish. If you were more interested in production, however, I would choose and airless over the air assisted. Maybe someone will chime in and set me different. Most quality house paints are thick and you would most likely have greater difficulty getting the air assisted sprayer to push those high viscosity quality paints.

Air assisted sprayers run at about 1000 psi, HVLP run around 30 psi and and airless can go up to approx. 3300 psi. Keep in mind that the more pressure the more safety precautions you need to take.

HVLP is slow but very high quality. HVLP with a compressor and external pot is a new story.

Hope this part helps...

My first sprayer was a Titan ProFinish HVLP TS 40P with the 2.5 gallon pot.

I wanted high quality and production. This particular sprayer is awesome for wood finishing, steel finishing like exterior doors and all types of railings to ... disconnect the pot for simple touch-ups around jobs. I also use my HVLP for log home finishing and exterior staining where close proximity to other homes is an issue. The turbine makes an excellent air blaster as I move around the log home while staining. I see sawdust, I disconnect the air feed, blast some air between the laterals, reconnect the feed and continue spraying away. Never had to get off the ladder. Very handy sprayer.

Titan has developed the synergy tip for their airless sprayers. If I want serious quality and serious production... go for that. In my opinion.. choose an HVLP or and airless. This topic is a big one and as usual... there are 50 ways to paint a house. I welcome other opinions as usual.

Hope that helps.

Cheers!

Site Admin Joined: Mar 22, 2005 Posts: 33

Hey Doug, I've read more on this and learn of the Speeflo Air-Assisted Airless Portable Finishing Sprayer called the FineCoat distributed by http://TitanTool.com has one that looks really cool. I couldn't find it online yet but have the literature in front of me. If I had extra cash I would most likely buy it ( $3000.00 CDN ).

It sounds like it will push high viscosty paints. It has an airless part and an air compressor. It uses the airless to start and then somehow takes the pressure down so you can do higher quality with less overspray. It may be the best combination for high quality production.

Fluid pressures from 2800 psi and air pressure at 35 psi.

Site Admin Joined: Mar 22, 2005 Posts: 33

capspray aircoat review:

Here is the short version on the Capspray AirCoat Spray System.

After being excited to own an Air Assisted Airless, and choosing the Capspray AirCoat Spray System over the Graco's new AAA, I am very disappointed for making the wrong choice and here's why.

Struggling to actually get this hog to push unreduced high quality acrylic paints through it, for more than 15 minutes at a time without plugging was impossible.

The Capspray AirCoat Spray System is not only too fussy a system, it's low rider hog style design and heavy weight makes it very awkward to move around to job site. Despite what one would expect from an expensive AAA, the main problem with this unit is the tips are really designed for thin finishes, not heavier body acrylics like one would expect from the literature. Paint stores need to know this before they sell this unit to interior/exterior painters expecting it to push quality acrylic paints. After 15 minutes of using this system, you're burdened with a constant battle of shutting down, unscrewing the cap to "try" and clean it, then stressing to rush back and fix the last pass you just splatted. It only gets worse as you use this unit during the day. Cleaning the aircoat all the time, is so difficult and a must to get anything out of it. Forget about trying to do any quality production and, if you have any back concerns... moving this long shaped pig around the job site is sure to pull your back out in time.

I purchased both the Static Kit and the Air Assisted Airless for just under $9000.00. After using the air assisted part, I never even unpacked the static kit. The headaches experienced was enough for me. The Capspray AirCoat Spray System is most likely good for oil, stains etc but really lacks the ability to push thicker bodied paints.

Is the Capspray AirCoat worth that hefty price tag?

I don't believe I bought a lemon here, this unit is nothing short of terrible. I needed this system for trim work and doors. After a few days of regret, ya know that sick feeling you made a big mistake but keep trying to like it.... I was happy to take out my little Titan 440 airless and move on. All in all... all the hours spent trying to talk myself into believing I made a good choice , I managed to lay down about 15 minutes of spatter free passes. During that time I tried to reduce, strain and reduce more paint to see if it I could actually lay some paint on regardless of how poor I effected the paint from reducing. At this point I just wanted to see if it would actually do something worth keeping it for.

Bottom line... if you are wanting a sprayer for interior exterior latex painting, I wouldn't waste money on this over rated, and over priced Air Assisted Airless. The system plugs endlessly and will only cost you lost time and money. Even using strained paint, paint that rarely clogs other units I own (systems I use from start to finish on large homes), I had unacceptable trouble with this unit right from the get go. I even used the recommended hopper because it was supposed to help feed thicker paints. Fortunately, the hopper did help get the paint into the pump better, however, it didn't help how it comes out the other side. The hopper only added to the more goofy clean-up and frustration.

The Capspray AirCoat Spray System is a total waste of time and money for painters using thicker viscosity acrylic paints.

After two months of struggling with the paint store I bought it from, I brought it back and don't care if I ever see it again. I want a refund and have nothing good to say about this system. The capspray aircoat has been, hands down... the worst painting tool investment I've ever made. Don't waste your money.