spray painting

[Fortyfiver]

Hi All
Has anyone used the Apollo 1500 hvlp 3 stage sprayer to spray their car, I am in a very tight garage so a decent sized compressor would be in the way
Thanks Alan

[marshman]

I have an Apollo Spray 800 (I think it is an 800). Had it for years, bought it back in the 1980's. Still works a treat. Has a "turbine" type compressor. I have sprayed over a dozen vehicles with it since I have had it and a few smaller patch jobs as well. Most of the resprays have been on restorations so the whole body shell inside and out. Sprayed all sorts of paint from cellulose to 2k basecoat and clear. Only one I haven't tried is water based paint.

Pro's:
Doesn't take up much room when not in use.

Turbine/compressor needs no maintenance apart from cleaning the wire gauze filter out when you think about it (in my case I clean it before starting a new job.)

Good capacity in the gun

Simple to set up - just one volume screw to adjust, no worries about pressure

Good finish from the gun

Sprays anything! (I have sprayed cellulose, enamels, 2k single stage, 2k base coat and clear, Solid colours and metallics. )

As it is HVLP - High Volume Low Pressure there is less "bounce back" of the paint - well compared to the conventional guns I have used.

Turbine noise is more like a loud vacuum cleaner, certainly less intrusive that a compressor.

Cons.

Hose is large diameter, not really an issue except if you are not careful when doing a whole car body it has a tendency to "flop" over in a big arc straight onto the side of the car you have just painted!!! so care is needed to keep an eye on it.

My gun is quite heavy, partly because of the large pot size.

Gun handle can get uncomfortably hot after the second pot full of paint. (the turbine does heat the air quite a bit)

Other than that it has been reliable, the gun strips down nicely and is easy to clean.

I also like it because it leaves my compressor free for the air fed mask.

Apollo has been around a long time, my dad has one he bought in the 1970s which still sprays OK.


Don't forget you really do need an airfed mask. Not only for Health and Safety but for comfort. It is so nice to have cool fresh air around your face when spraying in overalls, gloves, hood, mask, all in a warm garage!

Roger

[Fortyfiver]

Thanks for that, I’ve read that it has trouble with primer filler but sounds great
Thanks Alan

[marshman]

All I can say is I have never had any trouble spraying any paint with mine. Years ago I used to use cellulose high build primer filler from Max Meyer. In recent years I have used Lechler 2k TI hi build primer. Never had a problem spraying either. It is true that thicker paints with more solids, i.e. primer/fillers can take a bit of practice to spray and get a smooth finish with no orange peel, but even if you do get a bit of orange peel it is so soft it is quick to flat down and you will be flatting it down anyway. Definitely no issue with the top colour coats. Like most things in life I have found it is worth spending a bit more on quality paints rather than some of the cheaper "unbranded" paints you see advertised on places like eBay. Usually covers better, gives a better finish with less effort in flatting and polishing at the end.

The only issue can be the fact that the air is warmed by the turbine which in turn heats the gun. The heat can reduce the pot time of the paint - only applicable to 2k paints where you add hardener, the heat accelerates the chemical hardening process. Never been a problem to me but if you are doing lots of fiddly bits and don't use it fast then it could be an issue, the solution is just to mix up less to ensure you use it before your time runs out. It is one of the disadvantages of 2k paint, especial with the primers, they go off quick, so be sure to clean to gun immediately you have finished.

Bear in mind my Apollo gun is now 30 odd years old! I would have expected them to have improved since those days.

Roger

[Goldstar]

I won one in a Practical Classics competition in 1994. Dug it out to spray primer last summer - first use some I won it. It worked ok but not as well as Roger describes. Some of that, I suspect, was the archer rather than the arrow.

[Jeff]

I bought an Apollo in the 70's after borrowing one from a friend's father in law, I was so impressed, especially as I couldn't afford a decent compressor or anywhere to store it. Totally agree with Roger on all his points but I found the warm air a plus for drying after wet flatting. Also no fear of blooming with celly in cold damp conditions. The BIG bonus was the high volume, low pressure so very low 'overspray' so most of the paint goes on the car as opposed to in the air thus causing another problem-vision.

Last used in December, still working as it should.

[Fortyfiver]

The newer 3 stage turbo ones should be even better then
Alan

[marshman]

I bought an Apollo in the 70's after borrowing one from a friend's father in law, I was so impressed, especially as I couldn't afford a decent compressor or anywhere to store it. Totally agree with Roger on all his points but I found the warm air a plus for drying after wet flatting. Also no fear of blooming with celly in cold damp conditions. The BIG bonus was the high volume, low pressure so very low 'overspray' so most of the paint goes on the car as opposed to in the air thus causing another problem-vision.

Last used in December, still working as it should.

Yes spot on, forgot to mention the flow of warm air to dry off after wet flatting - you see the water/moisture disappear before your eyes, with "normal" airline you just chase it about on the surface!

[Fortyfiver]

Thanks for the advice, I will go for one
Alan

[Fortyfiver]

The spray gun comes with a 1.3 needle which I assume would be ok for top coat etc but would I need a 2.0 needle for primer
Alan

[Goldstar]

Yes a larger needle is normal for primer, I used a 2.0 for filler primer

[Jeff]

I used the standard set up supplied and no problems whatsoever in 50 years for primer, celly top coat, metallic base coat, 2 pack clear coat and single pack clear coat.

[Goldstar]

I used the standard set up supplied and no problems whatsoever in 50 years for primer, celly top coat, metallic base coat, 2 pack clear coat and single pack clear coat.

Ah but you have a rare skill Jeff, us mere mortals need all the help we. An get.

[marshman]

Have to agree with Jeff. My Apollo spray came with another needle but it is still in the bag, never used it. I stuck with the standard needle and have never found anything it won't spray. Sometimes takes a few minutes playing with the volume screw and finding the ideal speed and distance to pass the gun over the panel but I always get a good finish whether spraying primer, primer filler, base coats, metallic or lacquer or anything else. From my discussions with professional sprayers it is clear that there is a world of difference in setup etc. of a conventional high pressure gun and the HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) system that the Apollo uses.

Roger

[jbuckl]

Good info for diy / home painting