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