There are four main types of paint sprayers:
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Electric Airless Paint Sprayers: Airless paint sprayers use high pressure to force paint or other finishes through a small tip, creating a fine mist of paint that is evenly applied to a surface. These are great for larger projects that require a high production rate.
- Spray Paints Direct from the Can
- High Productivity
- Application and Performance Varied by Tip Used
- Support long hoses for maximum reach
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Electric Blower Powered HVLP Paint Sprayers: HVLP (High-Volume, Low-Pressure) paint sprayers use a high volume of air and low pressure to produce a fine, controlled spray pattern. These are great for finishing furniture and wood projects because they provide high quality, even finish with great control.
- No Compressor is required so this technology is very portable
- Finish Quality Increases with Turbine Power
- Great for on-Site Fine Finishing Applications
- High Transfer Efficiency and Low Overspray
- Thicker Fluids Require Thinning
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Pneumatic (Air) Siphon and Gravity Feed Paint Sprayers: Pneumatic paint sprayers utilize compressed air from an air compressor to atomize and spray paint onto the desired surface. These are great for painting vehicles.
- They Generally Create the Highest Surface Finish Quality
- Generally, Require Larger Compressors
- Generally used for very thin paints
- Best for applying Fine Finishing Color and Protective Coatings such as automotive quality
- New Technologies Maximize Transfer Efficiency and Minimize Overspray
- Thicker Fluids Require Thinning
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Pneumatic (Air) Pressure Feed Paint Sprayers:
- Best Pneumatic Sprayer for Thicker Coatings and Materials
- Highest Paint Flow Pneumatic
- Required Air Compressor, Hoses, Pressure Pot, and a Pressure Feed Spray Gun
- Most Flexible Controls
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Airbrushes:
- Used when lower flows and high detail is desired
- Come in Pencil shaped configurations and as trigger style configuration
- Pencil style air brushes are generally used to achieve the highest level of detail
- Trigger style airbrushes are generally used to cover larger areas such as backgrounds are needed
This is the amount of paint that stays on the surface in relation to the amount of that comes out of the sprayer. This is usually expressed as a percentage. As an example, HVLP is generally over 85%, HTE is over 65%, and other technologies vary based on Flow and pressure.
This is the paint particles that do not remain on the surface but find their way into the surrounding space.
Airless paint sprayers break the paint into small particles as it leaves a small orifice at high pressure. This change in pressure breaks the stream into small particles. Airless sprayers are known for their high flow and high productivity. Airless is best used with thick fluids unless spray pressure is reduced. Paint flow and atomization are controlled by the
tip size.
Pressurized air is directed at a stream of paint leaving the nozzle. This collision of air into the paint stream breaks the paint apart and creates the spray pattern. Changing how the air hits the paint steam changes the spray pattern and particle sizes. Air spray is at a much lower flow than airless but is best applied to thinner paints for fine finish results.
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Conventional (Low Air Volume @ High Air Pressure): Older Technology. Lowest Transfer Efficiency
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HVLP (High Air Volume @ Low Air Pressure): Known for High Transfer Efficiency
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HTE (Medium Air Volume @ Medium Air Pressure): Newer technology known for great atomization and transfer efficiency between conventional technology and HVLP. Great surface finish results when used to spray topcoats.
This is a technology that atomizes using air as above, but the paint is delivered to the spray gun under pressure. This increases flow and productivity and allows the spray gun to spray thicker paints.
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Air Cure: These paints can be either water or solvent-based and once applied, rely on the evaporation of the water or solvent to allow the paint to harden.
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Chemical Cure: These paints can be either water or solvent-based and a chemical is added to aid in the curing process. The resulting coating is harder and more durable than the air cure paints.
High-tech auto-quality paints are generally sprayed with pneumatic air spray equipment.
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One-Step: These are generally solvent-based paints which are chemical cure paints with a series of possible additives for hardening and adjusting to the environment (temperature and humidity). In this technology, both the color and the gloss topcoat are applied in one step.
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Base + Clear Coat: These can be either solvent or water-based paints and are applied over the base coat to provide a deep clear layer.
- Airbrushing Paints can be either water or solvent-based and are normally thinned for proper atomization and to achieve the desired effects.
There are a variety of factors to consider when looking for a paint sprayer for your next project.
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Electric Airless Paint Sprayers: Airless paint sprayers use high pressure to force paint or other finishes through a small tip, creating a fine mist of paint that is evenly applied to a surface. These are great for bigger projects with large surface areas, quickly.
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Electric Blower Powered HVLP Paint Sprayers: HVLP (High-Volume, Low-Pressure) paint sprayers use a high volume of air to produce a fine, controlled spray pattern. These are great for finishing furniture, cabinets, and utility metal products because they provide an even finish. Many of the paints require thinning for proper spray performance.
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Pneumatic Paint Sprayers: Pneumatic paint sprayers utilize compressed air from an air compressor to atomize and spray paint onto the desired surface. These are great for painting many fine finish projects from furniture to automobiles. Many of the paints require thinning for proper spray performance.
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Electric Airless paint sprayers typically do not require thinned paint. This is because they use high pressure to atomize the paint when spraying the paint onto the surface.
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Pneumatic and Electric Blower Powered HVLP paint sprayers typically require thinned paint. It’s best to reference the user’s manual for your paint sprayer for paint thinning guidelines. Water-based paint can be thinned with water and oil-based paint can be thinned with mineral spirits or paint thinner.
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Electric airless sprayers:
- Pumping water or solvent through a suction hose
- Note: water-based paints clean up quickly using the quick clean garden hose adapter
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Electric blower powered hvlp:
- Add water or solvent through the solvent into a cup, shake, and spray through the nozzle.
- Wipe clean
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Pneumatic – standard cup:
- Add water or solvent through solvent into a cup, shake, and spray through the nozzle.
- Wipe clean
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Pneumatic – collapsible cup system:
- Add water or solvent into a cup, shake, and spray through the nozzle.
- Dispose of the liner and cover or wipe clean for reuse.
General Rule of Thumb: Wetted Parts require cleaning.
It is very important that you clean your paint sprayer immediately after use to prevent permanent damage. Only use water or mineral spirits when cleaning your paint sprayer.
Make sure to clean the pump, hose, and spray gun. When cleaning the spray gun, the filter, nozzle guard, spray tip, and seal need to be cleaned.
Reference your product manual for specific cleaning instructions.
Paint sprayers are perfect for painting and refinishing furniture and cabinets. They provide a smooth, even finish across the whole piece. You’re also able to control how much paint is being applied. Electric Blower Powered HVLP sprayers or pneumatic paint sprayers are recommended for painting furniture.
Before painting a wood or metal project, be sure to sand and prime the project, to assure adhesion and a smooth finish.
Yes, you can use a paint sprayer to apply all types of fine finish coatings to a variety of surfaces. Wood and metal surfaces. People often prefer a paint sprayer for finishing projects because they provide a smooth even finish.
Paint sprayers require regular maintenance to ensure that they continue to work like the day you brought them home.
Common maintenance includes:
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Cleaning: Paint sprayers should be cleaned after every use.
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Filter replacement: Some paint sprayers have filters to prevent clogs. It’s important to check this before use to ensure optimal performance.
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Inspection: Before use, inspect the paint sprayer for damage or wear. Also, before painting your project, make sure to spray the paint or finish to ensure the sprayer is working as expected.