New gun time!

Troy

Promoted Users
Hey guys. Long time lurker, looking at two different "packages". I've mostly painted frames and undercarriage with a little paint and body, which has become a lot of full restorations. On previous projects the HF & 3m guns were up to the task, but now I need an adult gun.

I have a W400 that I really like, and seems to fit my style and speed, unfortunately it developed an issue and being my only decent gun, stopped the project. I'm rebuilding that gun, but also buying a back up or step up while I'm at it.

With that in mind, I'm a slow and deliberate shooter, that needs top quality results. I called Iwata and they helped me with the following options.

option 1. LPH400-LV 1.3, LVB air cap, LVX air cap, 1.4 nozzle. Gives me a bunch of options, plus the purple for metallics is attractive as I plan to do flaked roofs in the future. This package is $780

option 2. WS400-1301, plus OBS Nozzle. This gives me a top of the line base and clear gun, but missing the dedicated metallics cap like option 1. This does not give me the option of 1.3 and 3 caps, plus 1.4 and three caps. Simply 1.3 for base and 1.3 or 1.4 for clear depending on what I order. This option is $868.

I'm down to these two options. For those of you that have shot these, which way would you go?

The price is close enough not to matter to me. I don't desire a fire hose, so leaning towards 1.3 vs 1.4.
 
With the way you spray the LPH 1.4, and option purple cap is the choice
I have 4 Iwatas lph 1.4 and have had the purple cap since it came out over 15 years ago.
If all over clear, I use one of my satas as im a hoser.
 
Is it common practice to use a 1.4 for flakes?
Depends on the size of the flake. Some custom type flake is very large and requires a much bigger needle/nozzle than a 1.4. I remember seeing an old hippie shoot some flake when I was young and if memory serves it's nozzle was so large you could have sprayed house paint with it. Size equivalent it would have had to have been a 2.5 or larger. In my limited experience with it, gravity guns are not ideal for spraying flake. Flake wants to settle and it will actually clog the gun. Siphon gun with a ball bearing or special type of agitator work much better.
Jim C. would be the go to guy on here for advice on spraying it and what gun to use.
 
Is it common practice to use a 1.4 for flakes?
I'm the wrong guy to ask lol. I'll let you know in a year after I figure it out.

The LPH400-LVB is designed for hard to shoot metallics. Odds are, I'm not shooting a problematic metallic that the cap is made to help. I just want the capability at hand if I do need it in the future. As I'm learning, a lot of these caps are also used "off label". Like Barry above saying to shoot UV clear with the purple cap vs the "silver" cap that is supposedly for clear.

I've read other places where some guys like the orange cap for metallics over the purple cap.

I now see why God makes blondes, brunettes and red heads lol. Everyone likes something different!
 
i have always shot flake with a 1.4. i am not a big flake guy but have gone up to the normal size .008" flake without issue. i wouldnt try anything bigger than that.
 
I primarily only shoot flake or pearl work and use 1.4/1.5 tips (depending on what is offered with the gun of choice). I have shot .015" with a 1.5 tip without issue, occasionally with a real heavy flake load per pass. I have used a 1.8 tip with larger flake also without issue. I use gravity guns, but Chris is right that one must watch settling. I stir and agitate often, particularly for an all-over, to keep it mixed. I still have my old siphon guns, but haven't touched them in decades, same with the "flake buster". I've had great luck mixing with an intercoat vs regular clear as it does seem to stay in suspension much better and lay better. I am quite the fan of the LPH400. I've never used the WS400, but either one would outshoot the average painter. I am also a slow shooter as well as I like to watch the coats lay on and flow out as I am spraying to ensure I've got the right combo of distance, angle, and speed and the flake is laying right. Painting is not "intuitive" to me. As a slow, deliberate painter, I rather shoot a few extra coats than hose it on with a big tip or something like a flake buster, but all are reasonable methods. The 1.4/1.5 works for me. Even if the flake would flow properly through a 1.3, I feel that would be too slow. There is so much variance in application style and the intended affect that I'd have to say experimentation is your best teacher.
 
Back
Top