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When you guys set the pressure for your spray guns, do you use the manufacturer's recommended setting? At 19 psi, my Iwata LP300's recommended setting is roughly half of what I've typically seen recommended across the forums.

Yes, your gun is designed to operate at a specific pressure, adding any more to it offers no benefit.

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setting air pressure for spray guns is something I think there is more than a bit of confusion about..

I know with my Binks Mach 1SL the manual says to set it at 9-12psi..here's the rub, that's 9-12 psi as read on a regulator at the gun WHEN THE TRIGGER IS PULLED...to get that I typically have the pressure at my pressure pot set @ 33 or so...and the longer the hose I am using, the more pressure I need at the pot's air regulator...if I was using a smaller diameter hose, I would have to push the pressure even more...its all about the 'pass through' pressure, though of course once a system is set up and known one can refer to the pressure they have set via the regulator on the compressor or after the water/oil traps (which I refer to as the static pressure)

I use a regulator on my gun and I follow the recommended pressure. Too much air can cause premature drying and all kinds of layout issues.

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John Hall
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Make sure you set your pressure at the wall or compressor then use the regulator at your gun for very small adjustments.

Ken

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I've found that it's usually best to set the (flowing) pressure at or slightly below the maximum recommend for the gun, the adjust the air setting on the gun(usually near the end of the handle), as well as the fluid and fan controls (rear of the gun) to get a smooth finish. If you can't get a smooth finish like this you've probably got the wrong tip size or gun.

I believe most of the automotive finishes that recommend very specific tip and pressure combinations to the extreme of needing a digital regulator are waterbased......stuff, masquerading as automotive finishes.

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Something no one has mentioned is the viscosity of the finish itself .... varying this can affect how the pressure is set.

I think its Todd that mentions what you are after is the lowest setting that good atomization occurs .. I would agree with that. It gives the best application of the finish.

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Tony Karol
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Oh, good, lol, it sounds like I've been doing it right. I shoot air and set the regulator at the gun. Should I be shooting air or finish?

We're moving into a house soon. It'll be good not to be rushed when I'm trying to dial everything in because of noise complaints.