HVLP Gun Nozzle size

[Craig Murphy]

I came across a Porter Cable Model PSH3 gun.  Its a top feed.  Seems its default nozzle is 1.4 according to websites with the gun for sale.    What size nozzle do you think is optimum for Glamour II?   Seems there is also a 1.2 and 2. available.   Any particular pressure setting to use?  It has a 0-160psi gauge on it also.   Thanks!

[bill t.]

I came across a Porter Cable Model PSH3 gun.  Its a top feed.  Seems its default nozzle is 1.4 according to websites with the gun for sale.    What size nozzle do you think is optimum for Glamour II?   Seems there is also a 1.2 and 2. available.   Any particular pressure setting to use?  It has a 0-160psi gauge on it also.   Thanks!

I believe I have seen recommendations from both ClearStar and Breathing Color for the 1.4mm size for all types of spray guns.  But I think there's a lot of leeway for spraying diluted GII, you could probably get any of those caps dialed in for good results.

I have been using a very strong HVLP gun with a 1.4mm cap at max pressure with the needle out only about 25% of what it could be, throws a heckuva lotta GII really fast and very even.  The cap that comes with the cheap Wagner HVLP's at Lowe's is a little wider but also works very well.  If you haven't already bought you should check out the low end Wagner HVLP's, while they're totally plastic they do a very nice job when you learn how to use them.

I used a standard gun just a few times before I got the HVLP.  Was immediately struck by how much less wasted paint there was with the HVLP, and how much less critical HVLP was in regards to setup, spraying distance, just about everything.

[Craig Murphy]

Thanks Bill,
     I talked to BC.  They really had no suggestions.  Your experience is better than there's.  I got this used gun from someone but am having a time getting previous paint out of it.  Took it apart and been soaking in lacquer thinner.  Ever have to clean one of these out?  I'm thinking I may have to spray the thinner through it under compression to really get it clean.  Might not be worth the effort.  Its only a $60 unit new anyway.   Thanks.

[Mulis Pictus]

I believe I have seen recommendations from both ClearStar and Breathing Color for the 1.4mm size for all types of spray guns.  But I think there's a lot of leeway for spraying diluted GII, you could probably get any of those caps dialed in for good results.

I have been using a very strong HVLP gun with a 1.4mm cap at max pressure with the needle out only about 25% of what it could be, throws a heckuva lotta GII really fast and very even.  The cap that comes with the cheap Wagner HVLP's at Lowe's is a little wider but also works very well.  If you haven't already bought you should check out the low end Wagner HVLP's, while they're totally plastic they do a very nice job when you learn how to use them.

I used a standard gun just a few times before I got the HVLP.  Was immediately struck by how much less wasted paint there was with the HVLP, and how much less critical HVLP was in regards to setup, spraying distance, just about everything.

I use the same HVLP system as Bill with 1mm nozzle and it works very well too. So you would be probably OK with both 1.4mm or 1.2mm.

[Craig Murphy]

Thank you.