The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop HVLP vs. conventional

I'm looking for a new gun, never used a HVLP before, and I'm thinking of trying one. All enviromental and overspray issues aside, are there any noticeable differences is low pressure and conv. guns? Any different technique to the low pressure units?

Yahoo! Get the HVLP and get used to it(won't take long). Just started using mine this year and it works really well for everthing. My garage is attached to the house so this kind of gun is a real advantage.
Couple of things.
Get a regulator and attach it as close to the gun as you can. Remember the pressure you are trying to regulate is at the tip, not the pressure going into the gun. Most guns will have the inlet pressure labeled on the handle or somewhere. Use that to start and experiment. I'm no expert by a long shot and it took me a little time to get used to it, but I think it was well worth it. I don't beleive you have to buy the most expensive gun either.
Jim

Will a conventional air compressor run a HVLP spray gun?
Scott

There are two kinds of HVLP guns, the turbine type that are sold as a system with a turbine, and the conventional type that use standard air line pressure. The standard guns work just fine with an air compressor but require a bit more air flow than a conventional gun. A 1.5-2.0 mm tip is a good size for general use. I can run mine with my 30 gallon 120 volt compressor just fine.

I don't think I want the turbine, just one more thing to find a place for. For the amount of painting I do I just want a nice general purpose gun that I can run base/clear and enamel through. I don't use enamel much any more, I like the results I get with base coat a lot better! Compressor size isn't a concern, the end result and the amount of material that actually gets to the metal are. Is the overspray reduced a lot w/HVLP?

you betcha
jim

You will probably waste 25%-75% less material with HVLP, with at least as good spray pattern and finish. Try it, it's great.

Most new mat'ls are suited to HVLP application. Especially the clears. You will notice a major difference in the texture on the surface, usually when you first try it it appears "heavy' compared to what you see with conventional guns. 2 coats of clear, 3 max, equals 4 or 5 of conv. guns. For smoother surface finish on the clears try a 1.2 or 1.3. Good luck with it.

With the price of bc/cc paint you will pay for the gun in no time. It is very efficient. Zeke

Cool! Thanks guys, I wondered about the "heavy" coat thing, sounds like anything else, it just takes some getting used to. I like the idea that the material actually gets to the surface instead of going out the exhaust fan!

(I meant thumbs up not down)