Spraying SW Pro-Classic.....

[Chris Harry]

This isnt a "fine finishing" project by any means, but I have 5 6-panel doors to paint and my wrists are telling me "no way you doin this by hand!"

So I have my HF 43430 HVLP gun, and am ready to order a Porter Cable nozzle for it. The question is, what size?

The gun comes stock with 1.4 (waaaaay too small), PC sells 2.0 or 2.2mm.

So should it be 2.0 or 2.2 for the Pro Classic (waterborne version)?

Thanks in advance.

-Chris

[Rob Cunningham]

I would go with the 2.2. You may have to thin the paint a little to get it to spray properly.

[Phil Phelps]

I would go with the 2.2. You may have to thin the paint a little to get it to spray properly.

Please post how much you had to reduce the paint.
Thanks, Phil

[Chris Harry]

Please post how much you had to reduce the paint.
Thanks, Phil

Please do.

All of the Amazon reviews I read (I know, taken with a grain of salt) said the 2.2mm tip allowed them to spray unthinned latex. Since Pro Classic isnt necessarily latex, I figured it would be a little thinner than latex, hence asking if 2.0mm nozzle is a better option.

I suppose worst case is getting the 2.0mm nozzle and thinning if the 2.2mm nozzle would be too large.

[Rob Cunningham]

I would thin with 2oz of water and 2 oz Flotrol per quart. Check the viscosity and match it to the set up you have. The reason I suggested the 2.2 nozzle is to reduce the amount of thinning required.

[Steve Schoene]

Why not use a waterborne finish formulated for spraying. I did 30 odd doors for my new house with Target USL, custom tinted by Jeff Jewitt and they look great. I was using a 1.4 mm nozzle on my CAT gun.

[Chris Harry]

Why not use a waterborne finish formulated for spraying. I did 30 odd doors for my new house with Target USL, custom tinted by Jeff Jewitt and they look great. I was using a 1.4 mm nozzle on my CAT gun.

The HF gun was (like myself) CHEAP Thought about renting an airless, but at 80 bux/day, I felt it a little wasteful.

[Rob Cunningham]

Steve has a good point. USL is very user friendly and no thinning required.

[Chris Harry]

Steve has a good point. USL is very user friendly and no thinning required.

What tip size are we looking at for USL?

Im open to any coating, honestly. I havent bought any paint yet, so anything that can be turned "white" is fine by me.

[Matthew Voss]

Your 1.4 should be fine for USL.

Incidentally, I've sprayed Benjamin Moore 100% acrylic paint thinned about 10% and a 1.4 with no problems.

I've never used pro classic so I can't comment...

[Chris Harry]

Your 1.4 should be fine for USL.

Incidentally, I've sprayed Benjamin Moore 100% acrylic paint thinned about 10% and a 1.4 with no problems.

I've never used pro classic so I can't comment...

Sounds good, Ill try to get some USL then.

Is Homestead the only place to get it? I havent noticed any other convenient places to order from. Looks like Ill have to delay painting for a week, but not so bad if I get a better finished product.

[Tony Bilello]

Just about every finishing product has an associated Product Data Sheet.
These sheets will give thinning info, type of gun and tip, etc.
Why guess when the manufacturer tells you what to do.

[Chris Harry]

Just about every finishing product has an associated Product Data Sheet.
These sheets will give thinning info, type of gun and tip, etc.
Why guess when the manufacturer tells you what to do.

That was the first place I looked, and USL points me to the manufacturer of the spray gun. I dont really think Central Pneumatic/Harbor Fright is going to be much help so I defer to those that have used the coatings (like people here on SMC).

[Jim Becker]

You can order USL from Homestead Finishing or directly from Target Coatings. If you want it pre-tinted, Jeff Jewitt at Homestead is probably the right choice. I had him do this for me when I did my kitchen renovation a few years ago.

[Chris Harry]

You can order USL from Homestead Finishing or directly from Target Coatings. If you want it pre-tinted, Jeff Jewitt at Homestead is probably the right choice. I had him do this for me when I did my kitchen renovation a few years ago.

Thanks, Ill contact Jeff (unfortunately they are closed today so it will have to wait until Monday).

I just need some basic semi gloss white.

-Chris