Why separate Primer gun?

MAKZ06

Newbie
Ok, so stupid question here from a newbie.
I plan to invest in a new gun later this year for when I finally get around to finishing my projects. From what I’ve ready here in the past I’m leaning toward the Iwata LPH400. I do need to do some more reading and research on it since it seems like most of the recommendations seem to be based on using for base coat /clear coat, and I’ll likely be attempting a single stage spray...
Anyway, why does everyone use a separate cheaper gun for primer? Why would I not want to use the Iwata for the SPi Epoxy if I would be using a 1.4 tip regardless of the gun?
Thanks
 
Cheaper primer guns are good because primer doesn't have to have a perfectly smooth finish. Most of it is going to end up on the floor from sanding anyway. And, primer is hard on the needle and fluid tip.
Saving money on a primer gun will free up funds for the topcoat gun. The Iwata will be perfect for the epoxy.
 
I use my lph400 for epoxy, base, and clear. I use a cheap TCP Global 2.0 gun for all other primers, 2k type and poly primer. A cheap gun is good for those build type primers because of the way they kick off and clean up. You could probably use the cheap one for epoxy too but it's not really needed for epoxy specifically. Epoxy is good either way, it cleans up nice, doesn't kick off, and is thinner and easier to spray than the primers listed above.

If you are looking at cheap guns check out the Vaper 2.2 at Northern like elwood mentioned or the Tcp Global. I personally like the Tcp one better as it comes with a nicer cup.
 
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I’ve got a few cheap guns already. Actually sprayed a couple layers of Epoxy last week on the old F100 after finally getting it all stripped. It still has a few spots here and there where I need to do some light filler work to bring up the low spots so there will definitely be more epoxy to be sprayed. I guess I’ll have to scuff and respray all of it again next year anyway when I get closer to being ready for the top coat.
I just wondered why I couldn’t or shouldn’t use a better gun for my later sprays of epoxy. The gun I used has a frustratingly narrow spray fan...
thanks for confirming I can use the new better gun for future sprays of epoxy.
 
Cheaper primer guns are good because primer doesn't have to have a perfectly smooth finish. Most of it is going to end up on the floor from sanding anyway. And, primer is hard on the needle and fluid tip.
Ah, so regular primer is hard on the needle and tip. Well, that makes more sense now as to why folks would use a cheaper gun even though they have access to a good one. Thanks
 
Ah, so regular primer is hard on the needle and tip. Well, that makes more sense now as to why folks would use a cheaper gun even though they have access to a good one. Thanks

The main reason is urethane primers are not going to spray out of your Iwata 1.4 tips.
Epoxy, base, ss, and clear will.
Like said, get a 2.0 to 2.5 for the primer.
 
Larger nozzle (2.0-2.5) is very handy for 2K primer so you can spray it without reducer. Even a 1.7 nozzle will struggle to spray SPI regular build primer. I use a 2.5 and it can also shoot other thick materials like polyester if need be.
 
Yeah, I understand the thicker primers and stuff like slicksand, etc require that 2-2.5 opening. I just wasn’t clear on why the guys weren’t using their good 1.4 guns with the epoxy that could be sprayed with that tip. Thanks everyone for the insight.
 
I think its a pretty simple answer, you take care of your expensive guns so they just spray the top line products and extend their lives. Unless you are completely disassembling your gun after every use and cleaning the inner working of the needle behind the nozzle, there is always going to be some buildup with using it for everything.

Eventually you get to the point of why doesn't my 40.00 gun work for everything when it lays down the epoxy so nice.
 
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