HVLP

HVLP is one of the most common and well supported technologies around. Many of the new literature and training techniques will use HVLP in their examples.

HVLP spray guns are designed to improve transfer efficiency. HVLP guns push paint particles at about half the velocity of conventional spray guns. While this means you have to spray closer to the surface, you gain by having your material actually get applied to the object instead of floating into the air.

The spray gun itself requires a lower pressure to atomize the paint i.e. (LP) by using a higher volume of air (HV) to atomize and propel the paint. The result is a higher volume of material hits the surface which reduces material consumption and air pollution. A general idea is that it takes two thirds of the coating on the substrate and one third into the air i.e. 65% or Greater transfer efficiency as mandated by the government for HVLP markings. Typically this means you need to use 8-20cfm to atomize the paint correctly with a min of a true 3 HP or 5HP peak motor. Luckily, we carry the low CFM gun models which consume from 3-8CFM that produce equal or even superior finishes to higher CFM gun models. Why? because it is more the design of the gun and the precise manufacturing techniques not the size of the air that matters. Please ask us at ask@spraygunworld.com

Does this mean there is no overspray? No, compressed air exiting the gun still pushes back and pushes solids away from the object being sprayed, just a lot less. It is estimated by the US EPA that typical material savings can well exceed 50% which is money in your pocket.

Traditionally, HVLP guns use more compressed air than conventional air spray guns, which means increased energy costs. Today however, HVLP guns use less cfm of compressed air than older HVLP guns and we currently carry the only "Green" Spray guns which consume 50% less power then their competitors, can operate on 110v compressors and yet deliver the same quality of finish.

HVLP guns due to their softer spray are great for applications where the operator needs a high degree of control at the gun.

Compliant Spray Guns

AKA (HTE, CPR, RP, PLUS, TRANSTECH, CG)
These Compliant guns carry different names depending on which company makes them.

Due to the slower speed of HVLP guns over Conventional Spray guns, many painters complained. To solve this problem spray gun makers improved the speed of HVLP by approximately 30%.

These Newer Guns also spray at a safer distance of traditional HVLP. 8" off the surface vs. 6" for a typical HVLP spray gun.

New to the block is Reduced Pressure or Compliant technologies. These guns are air-atomized spray guns which offer greater pressures than HVLP, a faster working speed, and slightly higher atomization levels.

Due to industry demands for higher production speed most reduced pressure guns are approved for use in about 90% of the USA. They are approved even in CA San Francisco bay area, so one figures the low over spray levels, while slightly higher than HVLP, are still very excellent.

Great for:

Metallics

EPA Facilities

Slower Painters

Close to surface painters

Great for:

Clear Coats

Old Time Painters

Fast Painters