Iwata Madea compressor + off brand 1/4 NPT spray gun Q

[the_matrix_guy]

Hey, can you guys help me figure out how to hook up an industrial/automotive spray gun to an Iwata compressor?

i believe the compressor is 1/8 BSPT and the gun is 1/4 NPT?

The Amazon listing doesn’t say but they all seem to be 1/4 NPT:

[SignOfZeta]

Are you going to have enough air for that gun from a dinky little airbrush compressor?

[Drcemento]

Before you go to far with figuring that out, I'm fairly certain you won't get anywhere near enough CFM to run that gun with an Iwata compressor unless they make some big ones. I have a beefy Rol-Air 1 1/2 HP compressor with a 3 gallon tank that won't keep up with my 3M accuspray system. most Iwata compressors are meant to run their airbrushes.

[the_matrix_guy]

Are you going to have enough air for that gun from a dinky little airbrush compressor?

Before you go to far with figuring that out, I'm fairly certain you won't get anywhere near enough CFM to run that gun with an Iwata compressor unless they make some big ones. I have a beefy Rol-Air 1 1/2 HP compressor with a 3 gallon tank that won't keep up with my 3M accuspray system. most Iwata compressors are meant to run their airbrushes.

Could you guys recommend me a compressor? Something with decent value.

Something like this?

https://a.co/d/019NvZ69

Best regards

[SignOfZeta]

I’m not a professional painter but I’d just use a normal Harbor Freight compressor with the biggest tank on it I could afford/made space for. Such a thing would also work for an an airbrush as well but it will be louder than hell. For my airbrush I have an Iwatta Silver Jet but for anything bigger I’d use something very similar to this.

[flyweightnate]

Treat your air well if you're painting - a big desiccant style filter/dryer to pull all the water out is crucial.

I used to do a bit of that, and bought a second tank that I ran in parallel with the compressor to help stabilize it. Eventually I switched to a Fuji HVLP and was very glad I did. It's hard to get a 1hp electric compressor to feed a spray gun for long.

[the_matrix_guy]

Thanks for all the help SignOfZeta

Which Fuji model did you get? flyweightnate I read up on them a little. They’re highly recommended, it seems. I wasnt expecting to spend that much on one — but it might be worthwhile to just bite the bullet for future projects.

I need it to paint a car right now, but I have other projects I could use it on. We re-did the sheetrock in the garage ceiling and i haven’t painted it yet.

i saw the entry level ones are around $450 (refurbished)

[flyweightnate]

I have an older 3-stage (Q3) and it's pretty good for laquers, etc. and quality oils; alkyd hybrids work with some care. Latex needs 4 or 5 stage, but a cheap $100 Wagner is good enough for walls.

The Fuji guns are excellent. Far less overspray than most compressor guns. I did cabinetry with mine and it was far better than I - all issues were user error.

[the_matrix_guy]

Awesome, man thanks for all the help flyweightnate

i got a good deal on a Mini Mite 3 (new/ open box) but it has the gravity spray gun with the side feed?

I noticed this particular one has three different spray gun options. Is there one you think is superior?

[flyweightnate]

Gravity is great for most situations. It just needs to be refilled more often, but cleanup is far less complex. No siphon tubes, strainers, check valves, etc.

Compared against spending at least that on a compressor that can run a typical gun, I think you'll be pretty happy.

That part number is for a 5 stage. Might be worth checking which air cap it comes with; matching the air cap and needle to the product is key to get the best possible finish. The more stages, the wider the range of caps it can run.

Phelps Refinishing was THE place for Fuji gear and advice but he fell ill and may have died; I'm not sure exactly where they wound up.

Edit: 1.4 (standard) appears to be the recommendation for most good paints and lacquers. Smaller (1.0) is for dyes and waterborne clearcoats, varnishes, etc. Bigger (1.8) for latex and primers.

Get a Ford #4 viscosity cup and thin to empty at 25 seconds or less, and it'll be right for the standard nozzle. If it empties in less than 8 seconds, you need to drop a nozzle size. 8-12 seconds, start considering it.

Or so the internet says. I was always a pretty mediocre painter due to time and space constraints. Crazy how a kitchen-worth of cabinets can quickly overwhelm all but the emptiest of garages.