What's The Difference Between The HVLP And Conventional Spray Guns, Used For Finishing?

Whether you're doing a refinishing job on a simplebut with a much lower pressure, so that more finish
woodworking project such as a wall-mounted coatends up on the wood instead of in the air.
rack, or tackling something more complex, such asThere are two different types of high-volume
refinishing your grandfather's antique rolltop desk,low-pressure spray gun systems on the market. The
you'll need a little knowledge and some basic finishingfirst utilizes pre-existing equipment, because it
equipment to get the job done right. There are twoconverts the traditional spray gun system into a
basic types of finishing spray guns available on thehigh-volume low-pressure system. This is known as a
market. The newer ones are high-volume,"conversion high-volume low-pressure spray gun."
low-pressure guns, also known as HVLP, and thenWith this system, the spray gun still runs off an air
there's "Old Faithful," the conventional spray gun. Bothcompressor just as a conventional spray gun does,
of these guns do a good job of putting on finishes,but it uses much lower pressure, about 25 pounds
but each has its own design differences that you willper square inch. It's not as efficient as the newer
have to consider before you decide which you wantturbine air system, but it is still much better than a
to buy.conventional spray gun and is a cost-effective
Conventional spray guns operate at a basic, highalternative for someone who already owns an air
pressure. They connect to an air compressor and thecompressor.
finish is "blasted" onto your project using this highThe second type of high-volume low-pressure spray
pressure. Because this high-pressure finely atomizesgun is the most efficient, and this is suitable for
the spray, in that it produces very fine particles, thissomeone who doesn't already own an air
gives a very nice smooth application, whether it be acompressor. This spray gun operates off of an air
clear shellac, varnish or paint. Despite this excellentturbine instead of air compressor. This delivers an
end result, conventional spray guns are only aboutextremely high volume of air at very low pressure,
30% effective. 30% of the finish actually ends upabout four to six pounds per square inch. This is
where it's supposed to go, on the wood. The othermore costly than an air compressor, but because it is
70% is released to the atmosphere. This bothso much more efficient, it may be worth the
wastes material and is detrimental to theinvestment if you don't already own an air
environment as well.compressor.
The high-volume low-pressure spray guns are new toRegardless of whether you are using a high-volume
those who like to tackle "do-it-yourself" projects.low-pressure spray gun or a conventional spray gun,
These guns increase transfer efficiency, which meansyou still must protect yourself by spraying in a
that much more of the finish medium is actuallywell-ventilated area and use proper safety
transferred to the wood instead of wasted.equipment, including a respirator. In addition, many
Unfortunately, many of the solvents used today inmanufacturers now produce several water-based
wood finishing products are detrimental to air quality.finishes that are not flammable. In addition, because
Therefore, not only is it industry standard to use thethey use water as a base instead of something like
high-volume low-pressure guns, but it is actuallylacquer, they are much easier to use and also cause
mandatory to use a high-pressure low-volume gun, asless harm to the environment than do traditional
ordered many local governments and state. With thefinishes.
HVLP system, air is delivered at much higher volume,