| HVLP stands for high-volume, low pressure. They are | | | | large amounts of air to operate for continuous |
| more efficient and cause less over spray than | | | | spraying. The paint gun manufacturer should tell you |
| standard spray paint guns. If you do a lot of spray | | | | in the specs how much air is required to operate their |
| finishing, an HVLP spray paint gun can save you | | | | gun. |
| money over the long run because you will use less | | | | One important thing to be aware of is that HVLP |
| paint. You can use your shop air compressor's | | | | sprayers cause lots of over spray and will make a |
| powerful air output to run a spray paint gun. A | | | | mess. It is very important to wear paint coveralls, |
| trigger operated spray paint gun takes paint or finish | | | | breathing protection and eye protection. Also, |
| and mixes it with high pressure air. The paint is | | | | masking and wheel covers are important to protect |
| atomized and sprayed out in a cone shape to | | | | the car you are painting. HVLP spray paint guns are |
| produce a neat and controllable pattern. An | | | | not precision instruments. It is more like a shot gun |
| experienced painter can produce very nice finishes | | | | approach to painting. They are very good at applying |
| smoothly and with a professional look. HVLP spray | | | | a professional finish but they also blow paint |
| guns are widely used in automotive shops to produce | | | | everywhere. Body protection is very important when |
| factory quality finishes. Most HVLP spray paint guns | | | | using HVLP sprayers. You can get away with minimal |
| allow you to change out nozzles for different types | | | | protection when painting a room in your house, but |
| of finishes. Examples are lacquer, stains, paint and | | | | with these tools you need to make sure your whole |
| varnishes. However, thick latex paints are not | | | | body is well covered before you begin spraying. |
| advisable. (You can't use your HVLP spray paint gun | | | | Because they out so much and in such fine mist, |
| to paint the house.) Most spray guns have a 1 quart | | | | breathing protection is absolutely mandatory. Tiny |
| cup that attaches below the nozzle and others have | | | | droplets of paint will be suspended in the air and you |
| a top mounted cup. These are referred to as gravity | | | | will inhale them without a respirator mask on. |
| feed spray paint guns. HVLP spray paint guns require | | | | |