HVLP Turbine Paint Systems

[Big John]

So whats the word on HVLP Turbine Paint Systems? Advantages/disadvantages?

If you had the choice to purchase a better compressor (CFMs/size) or a HVLP Turbine System, which would you choose? Why?:rolleyes:

[Len]

This is my 40th anniversary of painting cars and I'll bet that during this time I've had 20 salesmen come into my shop trying to sell me turbine systems. The routine was always the same, they would leave it for a week then we would use it and give it back. The reason was always the same, the paint looked like stucco when we were done spraying.

Time passed and we started selling tools on the web and we were approached by several manufacturers of turbines to sell their products. We refused at first but then agreed to test some systems. We basically found the same thing at first, the paint was too rough so we resisted selling turbines for spraying. Then things started to change because more powerful 3 stage turbines hit the market and the guns atomized a little better and we started selling Fugi and Axis turbines but the result was less than perfect still. Whenever I approached to sell one of these 3 stage systems I always told the customers of the downside so we never sold many.

Now comes along the 4 stage turbine AND (a big "and") the Accu Spray Series 10 spray guns. Axis started selling the Accu Spray guns with their systems and sent me one to try. I use it on some test panels and was blow away at how well it sprayed so I use it to apply a pearl green bc/cc and the job came out perfect; I couldn't believe it. The low pressure generated very little overspray and it was almost like laying a piece of super shear cloth on the car that turns into a beautiful paint job.

Pros...
One of the things that is great is that it takes up much less room than a compressor.
You can throw it in the trunk of your car to paint anywhere that has 110 volt power.
Generates very little overspray and thereby uses less paint materials.
Con...
The turbine will not generate enough air pressure to operate other tools.

We got so excited about this system that we had Axis put together a package with their Citation that includes the Accu Spray gun and Breathing system with hood. Check it out below. If you already have a supplied air breathing system you can get the 3 and 4 stage Axis turbines without the breathing pump.

There are two links below, the picture will take you to the Citation Special and the link below the picture will show you other turbine configurations.


http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/tncitspec.jpg (http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=5SPL)


Link To Other Turbine Systems (http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=5TSS)

[PachecoJ]

I've been looking at these becasue I was told that my compressor is not big enough to paint my entire car (I only have a 30gal 5HP). I've been debating back and forth whether to buy a turbine system or a larger compressor (I'm tight on space in the garage as it is). However, I didn't know if the turbine systems were any good so I've kind of shyed away from them.

One question I have, though, is... If the turbine doesn't generate enough air to run air tools, how does it generate enough air to use a gun when I can run plenty of tools off of my compressor but have been told it doesn't have enough CFM to paint a whole car? What is the CFM on these units?

Aside from the space savings, they are attractive to me because they use less electricity and they act as a breathing system too.

[Mooch]

The gun for the turbine is made to operate only for the turbine system. I have an older unit and believe me when I say no comparision to the new units. The one that Len sells with the built in Fresh air system is the way to go. The Accu spray guns are well worth the added cost.

My unit does a good job with primers but forget any finish coats . The 4 stage should be really good for finish coats . Mooch

[PachecoJ]

So what is so special about the gun? Is it made in such a way as to minimize CFM? If so, what would stop me from running that gun on a regular air compressor like my size?

Also, this creates an obvious downside. Since the guns are special I am assuming you can only run special turbine guns so your gun choice would be severely limited. Is this a drawback or is there a good selection of guns to choose from?

[Mooch]

I would suggest you do some homework and read on turbines.

Turbine systems use low psi pressure and lots of air volume .Some units are rated at over a 100 cfm at 8 psi. Some are at 60cfm and use 5 psi. I know of no regular HVLP gun that is made to use those specs. Mooch

[Len]

So what is so special about the gun? Is it made in such a way as to minimize CFM? If so, what would stop me from running that gun on a regular air compressor like my size?

Also, this creates an obvious downside. Since the guns are special I am assuming you can only run special turbine guns so your gun choice would be severely limited. Is this a drawback or is there a good selection of guns to choose from?

The guns that are used with a compressor run at a much higher air pressure but less air volume while a gun mad for a turbine needs a lot of volume and not much pressure. Guns made for compressor spraying cannot be used with a turbine but some turbine guns can be used with a compressor.

[Dennis N. Schmidt]

In turbine it's Accuspray 10 gun or forget about it. The Sicmo guns made in Monte Carlo that most turbine systems used have been around for 40 years and don't atomize any better today than they did then. The unique feature of the Accuspray is the very large air passages internal to the gun. This is why it's made from plastic as I don't think metal could be cast in this complicated configuration.

An Accuspray 10 with a a big turbine will spray as good as any HVLP conversion gun.

[Rickk]

I was introduced to accuspray at a shop where the owner only allowed accuspray guns in the shop. He supplied the paint guns, we used them for everything from primer to clearcoat. I managed a large body shop a few years later, used only accuspray model 10's and cut the material costs in half saving about $5000 per month. These guns are the most efficient on the market and put out one hell of a beautiful paint job. I have a gravity feed accuspray (metal body) it is not even close to the model 10 pressure feed gun. I also used an accuspray regulator and standard compressed air. Turbine is not necessary for this gun. I also have a Sata 3000 and a Iwata LPH400. Sata is pretty much a generic gun, they don't impress me at all. The Iwata gives excellent results, super fine atomization and is much more efficient than the Sata but is not as efficient as the Accuspray. One great advantage about Accuspray is that it is American made! I think it is time for Americans to have jobs again and send the illegal aliens back where they belong.

If you own your own shop, you need to use Accuspray to increase profits!

If you work for a guy who is an asshole.. don't use em.. make them pay:) ....

[dfox1234]

I agree with Len,
I have the citation 3 stage with breather system. It has the accuspray gravity feed gun. I've had it for 4 years now and it works great. I cannot tell you the last time I have painted with a compressor.
HTH, Dean