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I am going to buy a spray setup to shoot a waterbased lacquer (I will probably try Stewmac's Colortone sanding sealer and top coat waterbased lacquer unless someone convinces me otherwise). I like the reviews and price of the Walcom ES/RV, and it would work with my smaller compressor. However, Colortone instructions recommend a 1.3 mm tip, but the Walcom comes with a 1.0 mm tip as the largest. Is this a problem? Anybody have any experience in this area?

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Aaron Craig

For anyone who's interested, Jeff Jewitt from Homestead sent me the following response to my previously submitted question:

You may have to thin the product 10% to use the ES/RV. For a little more money you can get the QS-125WB @ 149.00 which will have a larger Nozzle. Typically gravity gun users get a stand/holder (18.00) and an in-line filter (20.00) to extract water when spraying in humid weather.

[Product Description] QS-125WB - We asked our factory to design us a radically different detail gun that could act like a larger one when it came to spraying waterborne and solvent-borne clears. Now you can get a gun that's just as good as spraying thinner viscosity finishes for touch up and detail work, and spray clears without thinning. This new addition has an all stainless steel finish travel path (see description below for QS-600WB), in addition to the stainless used on the nozzle and needle. Plus it only needs 4 cfm to run. The 1.2mm will spray clear finishes without thinning unless they are pretty thick. The 600cc cup will hold larger amounts of finish when you need it. We beta-tested this gun with several customers. Read what one said:

Jeff,

I used the spray gun today, to apply USL to unfilled walnut; all I can say is the gun exceeded my expectations. My pancake compressor was able to keep up and the volume of finish from the gun was impressive. In the past, I’ve been a little heavy handed when spraying finishes, which is why I’ve stuck to brushing, but this gun laid down a nice even finish despite operator inexperience. After just three quick coats, and I’m left with a finish that looks like it had the grain filled, and will only require a minor rubout. In short, I’m one satisfied customer.

Rob Millard

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Aaron Craig

Aaron,
I've owned the Walcom STM for quite a while. In fact I think it was the predecessor to the ES/RV gun you are looking at. My gun has a 1.2 tip on it and I've sprayed water based colors, alcohol based colors, solvent lacquers, and water based acrylic lacquers with it...no problems. For guitar work it's my go to gun. Spend the money on the other gun mentioned by Jeff (with the 1.2 tip). You'll be very satisfied with it. My Walcom has been perfect since day one.

Chris

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There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

Thanks for the info Chris. I plan to follow Jeff's advice. Seems like a safe bet, and the kit deal they offer looks like a nice deal. My first guitar was finished with Truoil, and while I might use it on a neck again for the feel, I doubt I'll use it again on a body unless specifically requested. Looking forward to spraying. I think I will like it much better.

Aaron

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Aaron Craig