what's your favorite gun for metallic basecoat?

ksungela

Member
I've sprayed Wanda Metallics using an LPH400. It seamed to work fine. When researching a color for my current project I spoke to HOK regarding what gun to use to spray their metallics and they suggested a Sata 3000 HVLP. They said the LPH400 atomizing too fine and wasn't best for their metallics. Although I ended using a Lesonal base, I bought a 3000 HVLP anyway to "upgrade" to a better gun for metallics. Well, the large volume of air flowing through the 3000 caused me problems trying to get the basecoat into confined areas like rain gutters. So, what's your favorite gun for spraying fine to medium flake metallics? Iwata says their LPH400 LVX is their best gun for this, so I may get one of those. I just don't know how much "better" it will spray metallics compared to the LPH400 I already have.
 
I've sprayed Wanda Metallics using an LPH400. It seamed to work fine. When researching a color for my current project I spoke to HOK regarding what gun to use to spray their metallics and they suggested a Sata 3000 HVLP. They said the LPH400 atomizing too fine and wasn't best for their metallics. Although I ended using a Lesonal base, I bought a 3000 HVLP anyway to "upgrade" to a better gun for metallics. Well, the large volume of air flowing through the 3000 caused me problems trying to get the basecoat into confined areas like rain gutters. So, what's your favorite gun for spraying fine to medium flake metallics? Iwata says their LPH400 LVX is their best gun for this, so I may get one of those. I just don't know how much "better" it will spray metallics compared to the LPH400 I already have.

I’m surprised Iwata wouldn’t recommend their newer Entech Supernova, the one with green knobs and air cap ring.

The LVX Orange cap you could buy on its own and try it out, at least you wouldn’t have to buy the whole gun outright.

Spray guns seem such a personal preference kinda thing to me, most of them do work and it’s a matter of adjusting settings and technique. Some do seem to make the job easier than others.

Worth trying out? Tekna basecoat gun, the one with the medium blue body color.

The new Devilbiss DV1 most painters seem to like it and it’s a dedicated basecoat gun as well.
The Walcom carbonio HTE basecoat gun (orange accents) some claim it has really good atomization and saves you around 25% material, although some find it a “slow” gun to work with.

The new SATA 5500 RP “i” nozzle in 1.3 lays down basecoat really good as well, a bit of an air hog though, better have a big compressor to keep up with it.

Too many toys too little money though, spray guns have been stupid expensive for a number of years now.
 
My metallic and flake favorite is a gun nobody would use here, thats the 3M Accuspray gun. Nice fan without a whole lot of pressure just seem to let the metallic lay down where they like.
 
"Atomizing too fine" seems like the opposite of what I want a basecoat gun to do. Better atomization equals more metallic control, at least that's what I've always seen and found to be true. What they told you seems like a load of horse manure. I also don't understand your issue with the rain gutters. :confused: If you are having trouble getting into a confined area adjust your gun (fan, fluid, pressure)
I also have no idea why HOK would recommend a 3 generation old SATA (10+ years) versus one of the newer ones? Although Sata HVLP's are what I always have used for base. Over the last 17 years or so a 2000HVLP, 4000HVLP, and a 5500I HVLP currently. A 2000 HVLP is still a great gun if you find one in good condition. It will still spray any base (solvent) out there. Pearlcoats as well. Any SATA HVLP is an excellent choice for base (not so good for clear though). But if you are more comfortable with the Iwata style of spraying try Jorge's tip to get the Orange air cap. That way you don't have to buy another complete gun.
Final thought, there is no magic gun out there that will compensate for lack of experience or improper technique. What you have right now is more than adequate to do the job. :)
 
I don't use my Iwata for base, except for small touch-ups with the purple cap
on a non-metallic color, It's almost like a touch-up gun with that cap.
I use a DeVilbiss FLG-4 with a 1.3 nozzle for all my base coats.
It just does a better job for me on base coats, I then use my Iwata for the clear.

I've always said, the gun that will work best for you is the one you use the most
and learn how to use it.
I have a Astro HVLP that I've had for over 25 yrs and still use it for all my primers because of the
different tip sizes it has, but I can still spray base or clear with it just about as good as any of
my other guns, that Astro cost me $75.00 new. I've never replaced anything on it.
 
"Atomizing too fine" seems like the opposite of what I want a basecoat gun to do. Better atomization equals more metallic control, at least that's what I've always seen and found to be true. What they told you seems like a load of horse manure. I also don't understand your issue with the rain gutters. :confused: If you are having trouble getting into a confined area adjust your gun (fan, fluid, pressure)
I also have no idea why HOK would recommend a 3 generation old SATA (10+ years) versus one of the newer ones? Although Sata HVLP's are what I always have used for base. Over the last 17 years or so a 2000HVLP, 4000HVLP, and a 5500I HVLP currently. A 2000 HVLP is still a great gun if you find one in good condition. It will still spray any base (solvent) out there. Pearlcoats as well. Any SATA HVLP is an excellent choice for base (not so good for clear though). But if you are more comfortable with the Iwata style of spraying try Jorge's tip to get the Orange air cap. That way you don't have to buy another complete gun.
Final thought, there is no magic gun out there that will compensate for lack of experience or improper technique. What you have right now is more than adequate to do the job. :)

Forgot to mention the also newish SATA 1500 Solv, supposedly developed for solvent only. I have one in 1.3 RP and does a good job. Also not as expensive as their 5000/5500 series guns.
 
Thanks guys. A forum member just put a orange cap LPH400 for sale, so I grabbed it. Still learning everyday.
 
I was going to add that Sata has a newer gun 1500 Solv.................have used it on demo and sprays nice but so does my DeVilbiss GFHV 501 gold gun thats 23 years old.
 
I like my Tekna Basecoat gun personally. It sprays at a lower pressure(15-18) and I feel like I go through less material. And it seems to lay out the silvers nice.

Another good gun I used for a long time that worked great for metallics was my Devilbiss Plus 670. I had an Iwata LPH400 for a long time, but i just like the feel of the Devilbiss guns more personally.
 
LPH 400 LVB( purple cap) is killing every difficult color. the only rule to spray it under 14 psi inlet
 
Last edited:
Laugh if you want but I have blended several silver, and maroon metallic jobs with the Sharpe Razor 1.4 with excellent results. I also have used the Devilbiss Tekna with excellent results.
 
I used the Iwata for base and clear on a number of projects. Slight adjustments were necessary but nothing severe.
Now I have a Tekna Copper that I have been learning to spray with. It handles most anything but I am always trying to perfect my clear coat application.
It seems if I get in trouble, the Iwata is there to bail me out.
 
Back
Top