- Compressor-mounted spray gun kit; requires 3 cfm at 90 psi
- Attaches to Mason jars filled with paints, stains, lacquers, and more
- Comes with glass Mason jar, metal spray gun, and stainless steel tube
- Includes siphon gun, tube, 16-ounce Mason jar, jar gasket, and instructions; compressor not included (3/4-horsepower minimum)
- Fits standard 16-ounce Mason jar--easily adaptable to fit other jars
As a woodworker, I have been using the Critter Spray Gun for a few months now. It does a great job on small to medium sized projectssmooth finish, very easy cleanup.
As with most every spray gun, even professional guns, the media being sprayed will usually need to be thinned to some degree; this gun is not any different. I have not used it for spraying latex paint, but I would expect it to do a fine job after diluting the paint with water.
Two things are very important to me as a craftsman: after working for weeks on a project, I need to apply a smooth even finish. With a little practice, the Criiter will provide this. The second desired feature, is to have an easy cleanup, so that I don't hesitate because of fear (laziness)to use the tool. Again, this sprayer is the easiest cleanup of any sprayer that I have used. The ability to store, and have ready, my finishes is a big bonus.
This is not the type of spray gun that someone would use to paint a room, but for a door, railings, and furniture, it will do what you expect it should do.
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The Critter gun is a superb choice for most small to medium jobs that would ordinarily require a spray can or brush. This gun works great for spraying finishes on woodwork, patio furniture, etc. Easy to use and clean up. I highly recommend it.
That said, now for my gripes. There is one design flaw that is particularly annoying. In their infinite wisdom, the folks at Critter decided to paint the frame of the gun. Rule number 1: paint does not adhere to base metal alloys. The awful bluish paint on the zinc-alloy gun flakes off and gets everywhere. Its adhesion is so poor you can literally scratch it off with your fingernail. It contaminates your paint no matter how careful you are. My white enamel became a nice off-blue pastel color thanks to this. When you wipe down the gun with any petroleum-based solvent, the paint will smear. My advice: before using, soak the gun in a water-based paint stripper to remove the paint. Paint guns should not be painted. I shouldn't have to tell them that, but here I am anyway.
Another nit to pick is that with a jar attached, the gun tends to tip over, especially when the jar is nearly empty. The gun could have been balanced better. Fortunately the gun has a hook to hang it from when you are not using it.
One other thing (though not the fault of Critter) if you plan to shoot any solvent-based finish, be sure to get the Mason jars with the cork or fiber gaskets. The ones with the rubber seals will dissolve, leaving you with a sticky mess and contaminated finish.
Nevertheless, the gun works so well, I still gave it 4 stars. You just have to be aware of its flaws.
Happy spraying.
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I have used this for all finishes from oil based interior and exterior primers, and interior and exterior latex. Thinning is required but the finish is superb. The cost, quick color changes, and ease of cleanup are great. It is a hassle working with the small jars but I mix enough for 2-3 jars. Then I'm good for 30 min of spraying. The other review about clogging was all wrong. The problem was in the paint not the Critter. When it clogs it means the paint needs thinning or straining. Old unstrained paint clogs any sprayer!
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A friend had one of these we used it to paint some trim and molding pieces for a room in the house and I was blown away with its simplicity and quality. So, I bought one! It works great using my cheap little pancake compressor.
Some tips:
when using latex paint be sure to use some Floetrol (available at Home Depot) to condition the paint. This makes for a glass-smooth surface.
fiddle with the air pressure before painting. Lower pressures work best for me on most materials.
strain the latex paint first to avoid clogs and "boogers" that mar your surface.
strongly consider buying the maintenance kit, including the short tube. We spent hours trying to find a substitute spring after it went down the drain while cleaning. The short tube works well in the smaller Mason jars.
buy some spare CORK gaskets at a hardware store or canning supply store. They will not tear easily like the paper gasket included, and will not melt like the rubber gaskets do.
I bought this spray gun a while back hoping it would be a good alternative to hvlp conversion guns that usually require an expensive and large air compressor. Fortunately it has fulfilled my expectations and has been a very worthwhile purchase.
At first I thought it would give me a very bad orange peel finish, but after using it mostly with latex house paint properly thinned out, I have yet to see an awful finish from this sprayer. Although I personally haven't used it spray solvent based liquid with it, I'm sure that it would be able to achieve an even greater finish than with the thick latex house paint used.
Another great thing about this sprayer is that it doesn't take alot of air to run it. Even a pancake compressor could run it if needed.
Although it is a nice sprayer, it does have a couple negatives. First, the paper gasket will eventually fall apart with use, but I tighten the lid real tight and it hasn't leaked yet with the paint I use (You can probably find a nitrile gasket that wont degrade like rubber at your local hardware store). Secondly, the balance of the sprayer causes it to fall to its side when not full of the material ( a minor nuisance but should be fixed). I recommend this product for spraying finishes on items such as furniture, doors, and windows; but definately not to paint a house because of its small spray pattern and paint cup capacity.
For those of you who wish to use this item for spraying latex remember to:
1. Use a latex thinning product such as floetrol as to not adversely affect the durability of the paint. If paint is neededed to be further thinned out, follow the paint manufaturers directions on using water to further thin.
2. Use a paint strainer to strain all paint and paint additives in order not to clog the sprayer and have an artifact free finish (Good practice with any sprayer).
3. Play with the air pressure on compressor (not to exceed 75 psi)and air nozzle on sprayer until you get a smooth finish.
Highly recommended product!
