Preval2 Pack

I came across these a few years ago at Home Depot and I tried them on a few small things that I wanted to paint on my racecar and didn't want to drag out my paint guns and compressor. They're perfect for small jobs, but DO NOT expect professional results. you WILL get orange peel, so make sure that you plan ahead by adding extra material so that you can cut (wet sand) and buff later. My only negative is that they seem to be a little pricey for refills, it would be nice of they were a little cheaper.

Perfect for spraying thinned nitro lacquer. I used this for clear coat top finish on guitars and it worked very well, better than rattle cans and almost as good as spray guns. The power unit lasted for 6 topcoat of 1 guitar. I was able to drain leftover lacquer from 8 rattle cans to use with the Preval. I may stop using rattle cans since they lose pressure and waste product. I can also add thinner and retarder as desired which is impossible with rattle cans. Sure pro spray equipment is better but it's a hassle to maintain and clean not to mention the over spray.

Absolutely does not work with latex housepaint. I diluted it according to instructions (3:2 paint:water) and it would not spray at all. Just air coming out.Eventually I diluted it enough to get semi-reliable operation (works about 75% of the time) but I had to dilute paint with equal parts water. At that point, the paint was so thin that it ran and pooled.For brief periods, I was able to get it to work reasonably well, and then it did a good job. But it wouldn't spray for more that a few seconds at a time without clogging, unless I diluted the paint far too much.Works great with water. Might work well with stain or other thin liquids. Absolutely does not work with paint. A waste of money.

It works about just as expected, which needless to say is pretty well for the money you will spend on it. A few things I learned quickly: the spray canister itself contains an aerosol, as it sprays the decrease in pressure inside the canister will cause it to cool very quickly, if it gets too cool than the output pressure drops almost completely. Just like an aerosol.All the folks who have reviewed the product much lower than this were obviously expecting pro-quality work when this is more of a hobbyist's tool. You should read the instructions, spray a test area to learn how it works, and if you still don't like it spend the hundreds more it takes to get a professional system or pay someone else to paint it for you.

I am not a professional refinisher, and until I purchased these, I'd tried only rattle can nitro (stewmac, old masters, and reranch). Those rattle cans did well, but put out larger droplettes, and were prone to throw out larger drops toward the end of the can. If you're looking at this, it's totally worth it. I'm spraying Old Masters Brushing Lacquer, cut 50/50 with lacquer thinner. (I also dabbled with full strength, and 3:1 (lacquer:thinner). I just like it thin for control, as I'm no master! The mist is so fine! It's pressure is low, and smooth. You can mist-on coasts, or lay it a little heavier by going over an area a number of times (I'd get everything wet, wait 3 minutes, and wet it all again, ad nauseum.) This does NOT do the heavy flowing coats of an airgun. It IS much more like any of the small air-brushes you've seen...slow, very fine mist, and low volume put out. But, it's steady, and consistent, and seems to have a larger area of nozzle spray, in comparison to buying the cheapest $40 airbrush. I didn't test the full strength mix on anything, but both of the mixes that were cut with the thinner had a fairly minor orange peel (again, this sprayer doesn't seem to be strong enough to "flow on" a coat, nor am I THAT good with this equipment) But, it's certainly easy to sand out, and orangepeel is even and small grained. With regard to how long a power cartridge lasts, it seems to be somewhat on par with a standard sized rattle-can, and I get about 4 of it's glass jars-full of liquid sprayed, per power canister. It's super easy to control, and even changes pitch a little when it starts getting low on aerosol. Easy peasy. Very much an upgrade over rattle cans, very much cheaper, yet not as unwieldy or up-front cost in comparison to a proper full spray rig.Ya know what, I take it back. You can get dang near a flow coat. It's just slow to get flowing (it requires a number of passes with only 15-30 seconds between passes, and in the shade). In the sun, and with slower passes, you get more orangepeel. All of it is super easy to remedy, either way.

The product works but leaves behind approx 2.5oz of paint, which makes it pointless for spot repair.You'll need to cut a length of tube to touch the floor pf the glass container, cut small notches for the paint to enter and use it this way for it to work.I shouldn't have to create my own workarounds. Now you know.

I've used these for years for many applications. It's a great tool for when you don't want to break out the full pressure pot spray gun. Depending on the material you're using you may need to thin a bit more than usual, but once you're dialed in, it sprays evenly and smoothly.I've used it for laquers, enamels and even car paints.Most recently on my Jeep TJ quarter panel; came out awesome.Some folks mention trouble with these units, but most issues are just lack of knowledge with the system. If it's not spraying enough or unevenly, try thinning a bit more or clean the pick up tube screen or replace it (extra one provided in kit). Or sometimes the spray tip is clogged. Try cleaning it or just replace it (extra one provided in the kit).I always keep a couple of these a round the shop, they're great!

Excellent product. If you need an alternative before you decide on a spray gun or an air brush pen. Just make sure you dilute the paint correctly as the tubing is a little slim. But other than that it was low cost alternative and got the desired result.