Paint Sprayers

[SirPeale]

I just did a search, and found no information regarding paint sprayers, or anyone that has used one.  Well, in truth, I did find one comment out of the whole board, but that was it.

I'm looking for information on paint sprayers.  What's a good brand/model, how easy they are to use, cleanup, etc.

[anthony691]

I just did a search, and found no information regarding paint sprayers, or anyone that has used one.  Well, in truth, I did find one comment out of the whole board, but that was it.

I'm looking for information on paint sprayers.  What's a good brand/model, how easy they are to use, cleanup, etc.

Not a fan They can cause a nasty mess in my expieience; (paint everywhere!)

[SirPeale]

I just did a search, and found no information regarding paint sprayers, or anyone that has used one.  Well, in truth, I did find one comment out of the whole board, but that was it.

I'm looking for information on paint sprayers.  What's a good brand/model, how easy they are to use, cleanup, etc.

Not a fan They can cause a nasty mess in my expieience; (paint everywhere!)

I've done a little bit of research, and think that an 'airless sprayer' might be the thing to get.  Well, rent anyway.  They're really expensive for one or two uses.

[anthony691]

I just did a search, and found no information regarding paint sprayers, or anyone that has used one.  Well, in truth, I did find one comment out of the whole board, but that was it.

I'm looking for information on paint sprayers.  What's a good brand/model, how easy they are to use, cleanup, etc.

Not a fan They can cause a nasty mess in my expieience; (paint everywhere!)

I've done a little bit of research, and think that an 'airless sprayer' might be the thing to get.  Well, rent anyway.  They're really expensive for one or two uses.

Maybe because I am bad at painting... but I really didn't like it... I still have specs on my shoes.

[SirPoonga]

Why don't you all use tux as an avatar  

[anthony691]

Why don't you all use tux as an avatar  

Yeah, we disscussed this before... I'll change it soon... He was here first, but didn't post much so I didn't notice.

[SlikStik-Christian]

I use airless sprayers alot. IMO using one to spray an arcade cab is more work on the clean up of the machine than its worth, your gonna spend about 4 minutes painting and about 20 minutes cleaning the machine. I think a roller will do a great job. I used a roller to stain and poly my cab. You can see it at http://www.instantlink.com/mame/

[SirPeale]

I use airless sprayers alot. IMO using one to spray an arcade cab is more work on the clean up of the machine than its worth, your gonna spend about 4 minutes painting and about 20 minutes cleaning the machine. I think a roller will do a great job. I used a roller to stain and poly my cab. You can see it at http://www.instantlink.com/mame/

Do you have some close ups of the paint itself?

I asked in RGVAC, and a lot of people recommend spraying the paint, as opposed to rolling it on.  You can get an acceptable finish with a roller, but I'm looking  for something smooooooooooth.  

For that matter, what does everyone recommend as a paint?  Gloss? Matte?  Flat?  Oil?  Water based?  Latex?

[Sprucemoose]

I got a very smooth clean finish from a roller.  Here is what I recommend.  Use primer first.  Get a HIGH quality semigloss (or gloss) latex paint and apply at least 2 coats.  Also, use a good smooth roller and let the paint fully dry before adding a second coat.  I have looked at hundreds of mame cabinets and I can always tell the people that use spray paint.  In my opinion, it always looks spotty.  Using latex paint is easy, quick and cheap.

Good luck

[said7]

I use a compressor and a spray gun and that is the best imo.

If you cant afford all that use spray paint or a roller.

Its more of a luxury than a necessity.

[SirPeale]

I got a very smooth clean finish from a roller.  Here is what I recommend.  Use primer first.  Get a HIGH quality semigloss (or gloss) latex paint and apply at least 2 coats.  Also, use a good smooth roller and let the paint fully dry before adding a second coat.  I have looked at hundreds of mame cabinets and I can always tell the people that use spray paint.  In my opinion, it always looks spotty.  Using latex paint is easy, quick and cheap.

Probably because the people who sprayed their cabinets didn't prime, and used cheap paint.

I'm looking to spray a decent latex paint (I think it'll be the easier cleanup, plus if anything happens to the cabinet I can touch up easily)

[SirPeale]

I use a compressor and a spray gun and that is the best imo.

If you cant afford all that use spray paint or a roller.

Its more of a luxury than a necessity.

Most certainly, but I plan on keeping this cabinet a long, long time.  I want to make it look good.  That, and if it looks like crap, the wife won't allow me to have it in the house, and it'll have to stay on the porch.  

[Frostillicus]

For my current project, I just finished painting the top - I used a roller - 3 light coats with a 'super-fine' roller I got from HD.  It's not as wide as my other one but gives an excellent seamless finish with only a hint of texture.  

Maybe if you were busting out 4 or 5 cabs at a time then I'd say go with the spray gun  - not really worth it for only 1 cab, IMHO.

[SirPeale]

For my current project, I just finished painting the top - I used a roller - 3 light coats with a 'super-fine' roller I got from HD.  It's not as wide as my other one but gives an excellent seamless finish with only a hint of texture.  

Maybe if you were busting out 4 or 5 cabs at a time then I'd say go with the spray gun  - not really worth it for only 1 cab, IMHO.

Well, I've got two current projects.  And I'll rent, not buy one.  That (in theory) shouldn't be too much.

[Ledbetter]

  I also use a compressor/spraygun for painting. If your going to use latex the cleanup is a 5 minute job. A good way to control overspray is to create a homemade spraybooth with plastic sheets. I just hang them from the garage ceiling and wheel the cab in and start spraying.

  I've gotten good results from the low cost sprayguns from DeVilbiss and Campbell Hausfeld.

[SirPeale]

How much are these sprayers?  What model did you use?

I'm pretty sure I'm going with an airless, but I like to keep my options open.

[RandyT]

How much are these sprayers?  What model did you use?

I'm pretty sure I'm going with an airless, but I like to keep my options open.

I painted a car with an airless sprayer once (ok, I was young and stupid, your point?  )

They're ok for painting fences, patio furniture, maybe even a small house, but unless there have been some major advances in airless technology in the last 19 years (and there probably has) don't expect an incredible finish.  They typically can only cover small areas at a time, are noisy and are pretty tempermental with paint viscosity (if the paint is too thick, it can actually damage them).

Likewise, if you aren't comfortable with a regular air sprayer, you could get poor results with that as well.  Don't even think about spraycans, unless you are after the grafitti look.

On the other hand, a high quality roller and some good paint will probably come out better than you think.  Just don't skimp on the roller if you go that route!  Nothing screws up a paint job worse than roller fuzz all over your project (except maybe cat footprints )

Ok, enough preaching.  Here's a place I just found (never did business with them)

http://www.gleempaint.com/powersprayer.html

They start at (reconditioned) $45.00


RandyT

[anthony691]

20-30 cans of spray paint should be enough

JK

[Apollo]

I recommend using auto paint in a spray can. If you spray properly you will have no problems with poor coverage. Prime first. Auto paint is awesome as you can get a huge variety of colours and effects these days ( glitter, metallic etc ).