What style gun is best for a first timer to use,, HPLV or the other style,, I have a 30 gal tank with a 5 hp motor on it and it seems to hold up with pressure for everything I ever used. I seen all kinds of guns on the net from $19.00 to well into a couple hundred dollars,, only plan on painting once in a while

The HVLP system would be best for you.They won't use alot of air.

Shop around on the net.........there's alot of deals out there.

www.howardsbackyardautobody.com :beers:

Buy a good one!

For a first timer I would get one from Harbor Frieght, they are on sale for $15 dollars occassionally for a HVLP and you can get a warranty. It is good for primer, but I would look for a better for finishes.

My first gun was a conventional style Binks knockoff. I've got a Sanborn gun and one of some other brand. They're sold under a hundred different names and are largely the same. It worked ok with my first compressor which was actually a touch smaller than yours. I primed my car and painted a single stage PPG paint with it. To be honest the compressor is a bit small but many will tell you they've painted with similar machines. You gotta take your time for the compressor to catch up. It worked out well enough for me although many will tell you that you don't have enough compressor.
With such a small compressor you might want to take the gun's CFM requirement into consideration (maybe one of your main criteria). Many very cheap guns will paint well enough but can be air hogs.
My current gun is an Astro HVLP gravity feed gun. I really like it. The gravity feed guns seem to be markedly easier to clean. It paints well and cost only about $120 when I bought it. NO doubt that a Iwata gun is a lot better but I'll assume that someone who has an undersized compressor doesn't have $500 plus to spend on a gun. You can lay down a high quality paint job with a cheap gun. It's a little harder, but practice makes perfect.
Get some cheap paint and and old fender and practice once you get your gun. Good technique is far more important than the price of your gun.

What style gun is best for a first timer to use,, HPLV or the other style,, I have a 30 gal tank with a 5 hp motor on it and it seems to hold up with pressure for everything I ever used. I seen all kinds of guns on the net from $19.00 to well into a couple hundred dollars,, only plan on painting once in a while

What's once in a while? State a dollar range and a ceilng. $50, 75, 200? My guns are up there in coin because I spray often. While all guns must be kept clean, it's imperative for a lower line model. The abuse I have seen people give to their guns....and they wonder why things are giving them grief.

My first gun was an Astro 4014. Was pretty cheap (maybe 80-90 bux), LVLP, so it worked great with a small compressor, and didn't do too bad. The downside is it doesn't have a real big fan (maybe 6"), so it takes a bit longer to paint things. It didn't like the high-solids clear either. Sprayed it really slow, so took a while to lay the clear. Was a good beginner gun for me though. I have since upgraded to an Iwata LPH400, which is world better, but the price reflects this.

The problem with cheap beginner guns is their inablity to spray well; which hurts the less experienced. A better gun will yield superior results enabling one to learn more and improve their skills.

The problem with cheap beginner guns is their inablity to spray well; which hurts the less experienced. A better gun will yield superior results enabling one to learn more and improve their skills.

Couldn't have said it better. If I had to do it over, I'd have sprung for a better gun from the start. I pretty much had to undo the way I sprayed with my cheapo when I got the Iwata since it was so different.