Great Bargain Sprayer

[Phil Coopy]

I bought one of these mini detail guns at the Harbor Freight store last month just on a lark because it was only $15.  Boy was I surprised when I used it.  I got  lot of expensive spray stuff accumilated over the years and this thing out performed anything I have with dope. I just got a flyer today in the mail and they are reduced to $7.49.  Snap them up you won't be dissappointed.

Phil

[Bill Little]

I bought one of these mini detail guns at the Harbor Freight store last month just on a lark because it was only $15.  Boy was I surprised when I used it.  I got  lot of expensive spray stuff accumilated over the years and this thing out performed anything I have with dope. I just got a flyer today in the mail and they are reduced to $7.49.  Snap them up you won't be dissappointed.

Phil

Hi Phil,

Thanks for the heads up!  I hope it is on the web site, I love the metal tank and lid!  I have been through 4 lids for mine (plastic) and cannot get another around here.  And I know "how" to tighten them, so it is a design/material usage flaw.

I would love to get 2!!

Bill <><

[Andrew Borgogna]

Could you please go through the steps for cleaning one of these guns.  I have a compressor and a gun very much like this, but am affraid to use it because I really don't know how to clean it.
Andy

[Bill Little]

Could you please go through the steps for cleaning one of these guns.  I have a compressor and a gun very much like this, but am affraid to use it because I really don't know how to clean it.
Andy

I use a good lacquer thinner and fill the cup when I am through with spraying for the day.  I turn up the pressure, open the nozzle and spray the thinner until it is clear.  Then I wipe out the can and add some clear thinner to the cup to store.  This will (should) keep it plenty clean for normal use.  About once or twice a year, I take it apart and soak all the parts in lacquer thinner or acetone.  Then take the brushes that come with it and run through all the passages. 

A *daily* cleaning (spraying thinner through it) usually suffices.  Just do not let paint dry in the gun!

Bill <><

[Bill Little]

Checked Harbor Frights web site, and it must be a "local special"!  The gun is $14.95 on the web site.  Still a great price!

Bill <><

[Mark Scarborough]

For cleaning a gravity feed gun, there are two areas to really pay attention to. the first is the area under the cup, the machined transfer port for the fluid behind the needle. Ond danger is that if you are using catalyzed product, the thinner will cut it, but it will settle in this area, it can build up on the front of the needle seal, and on the area behind the needle/nozzle area. I reccomend pulling the fluid tip and using a soft brush to clean this area after use. The other area that is prone to clogging is the air ports in the air cap, My normal solution is to remove the air cap and put it in the cup with the thinner you put in to store it, if there is any clogging there it will be soft and before you use the gun just blow some air through all the machined ports on the aircap to clear them. By and large, gravity feed guns are much easier to clean than cup siphon guns.

[Bill Little]

Thanks, Mark.  That is someting I haven't encountered (the "pooling"), but I will look out for it in the future!

Bill <><

[Andrew Borgogna]

Thanks all for the tips.  I went to Harbor Freight and order the mini detail gun and yes it is listed at $14.95 but it still not a bad deal.  This gun along with the other gravity feed gun and the knowledge of how to keep it clean and working I will use it on my next plane.
Andy

[Randy Powell]

I always pull the needle and wipe if off after use then shoot some thinner through before replacing the needle. Seems to help.

[Mark Scarborough]

Good call Randy, I neglected to mention earlier that any time you remove the fluid tip, you really should remove the needle first ,,,mostly to prevent damage to the needle and tip when you put it back together,but its a good way to keep it clean as well, Ask me how I know, do you realize how much money a needle and tip cost for  a Kremlin HVLP,, sheesh, I coulda bought a really nice ST 46,, tuned,, with a prop,, and a ,,,,,,,,,, even us guys who use em everyday screw up too,