Whether it is planting shrubs in the garden, auto wrapping your car, or adding color to your vanity, little things like these add spice to life. An automotive HVLP spray gun is solemnly helpful in clearing out this desire to color or overcoat any surface with different paint. The gun is in extensive use, from professional painters to DIY home excited dads who want to turn that dull wall into a radiant and live one. The more significant reason behind this gun’s vast audience is the efficiency and economical use of paint material.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Use HVLP Spray Gun
Before getting your hands dipped in the paint, knowing the best way to use your HVLP spray gun will be helpful. Anyone with basic knowledge can paint but attaining that fine pitch requires sound information about the process. This guide elaborates all the steps needed:
Choose the Right HVLP Spray Gun First
Need to paint large areas? HVLP spray guns will be efficient. On the other hand, the crooks and corners will be best served with LVLP spray guns. Knowing the purpose of the paint—the surface will clear out a ton of ambiguities.
Prep for Painting
Before shooting spray with your HVLP gun, let’s get prepared for the process. Certain things are needed to be cared of; they will add softness to work:
Cleaning the Surface: The dirt and debris on the surface will disrupt the smoothness of the paint coating; thus, it is better to clean the surface with a dry cloth.
Let the Surface Dry (if wet): If the surface has moisture or damp, then let it dry or do the job manually with a dry fabric.
Wear Gloves, Glasses & Apron: No matter how eco-friendly they label the paint, it is still toxic for the health; it is strongly recommended to wear gloves, glasses, and an apron.
Open the Lid
It is turned for the real work to get started; the lid for the spray gun’s paint reservoir will be tactical to open because it works a seal likewise. Carefully open it.
Fill the Gun with Paint
Choose your paint and fill it in the reservoir. Precisely measure the amount to make a certain suitable solution. Add no more than 19 mm (3/4″) from the top of the cup. Do not overfill.
Attach Cup Lid
After filling the reservoir, close the lid in the same contrary way you opened it.
Turn Fluid Adjusting knob (18) Clockwise
Turning the fluid adjusting knob (18) clockwise will prevent the fluid needle movement. It will give you a more precise handling of the paint.
Turn Spreader Valve Adjusting Knob
Turn spreader valve adjusting knob (23) counterclockwise to open fully. This will put the volume of the paint on a much accurate number.
Adjust Inlet Air Pressure
The air pressure plays a keen role in defining the spray of the paint through the gun. Greater pressure might make the paint bounce back; thus, sustaining a normal and lower will be efficient.
Trigger the HVLP Paint Sprayer On
Now that you have adjusted your spray gun according to your requirement, it is time for action. Trigger the button of the HVLP paint sprayer to blast the spray particles on the surface.
Test Spray: Before getting on to your target purpose, test the spray. Things you need to check:
- Paint volume
- The thickness of the coating material
- The pressure of the spray
Technique to Apply the Spray
Half of the magic lies in adjusting the intensity of the paint, but the other half is hidden in the technique to apply. Take care of the following:
Spray Perpendicular to the Surface Being Sprayed
Spray perpendicular to the surface will give a fine texture and smoothness in the paint coating. If the HVLP paint gun is tilted to any disperse angle, then it will lower the efficiency.
On the Vertical Surface, Start from Upside
If you are painting a wall or any other surface-oriented vertically, then start from the upside. The paint flows downward; thus, it will give a decorum of sophisticated work.
Reduce Fluid Flow (if needed)
The fluid flow might be more than required. Sometimes, you cannot realize at first—for this, decrease the flow and check whether it is suitable or not; this will give an optimum range with maximum efficiency.
What Exactly is an HVLP Spray Gun?
Before diving into the “how to’s” of a spray gun, let’s discuss the most frequently asked question about the spray gun—what is this HVLP spray gun?
Half of the answer is obtained from the explication of the acronym “HVLP”—High volume low-pressure spray gun. The gun expands the paint in large volume and sprays with lower air pressure; the result is a proportion of paint reaching the target surface. The sole purpose of science is to reduce over-spray, materials, consumption, and air pollution.
Tips to Remember While Painting with HVLP Spray Gun:
Certain things are necessary to remember throughout the process. They will elevate the neatness and give a refining touch. These are:
Ideal Distance
The distance between the surface and the spray gun is keenly responsible for a fine or an uneven job—thus, it is necessary to maintain an ideal distance from the surface that is 8-10 inches.
Spraying the Edges First
Whenever you start the process, spray the edges the first, this will give you the advantages; the process will be quicker, the layering will be smoother, and it will give you an idea of your upcoming part.
Put the Gun on Stand-By
Keep in mind to turn off the air supply and relieve pressure when the gun is not used. In the first, it will save energy, plus it’ll help to maintain the gun.
Avoid Cleaning Solvents
Never use an HVLP spray gun with halogenated hydrocarbon solvents nor with cleaning agents.
Avoid Abrasive Materials
It is not suggested to use an HVLP spray gun with highly abrasive material.
Overlapping
Over the lap, each pass by 50 percent; this will give out an equal and smooth layer of the paint.
How to pick the Air Spray Gun?
Conclusion
An HVLP spray gun is highly commended for efficient painting and coating purposes. The low pressure with the high volume of paint uses a very minimal amount of paint—lowering the bounce rate. The gun is electric, thus enabling the handyman to adjust the paint’s pressure and volume according to the requirement. For the most relevant and smooth results, it is recommended to look at the guide—it will clear out most of the ambiguities faced by a novice during the process.
Data Source
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spray_painting#Air_gun_spraying
- https://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/november-2011/the-contentious-historical-origins-spray-paint/
- https://compressorsonline.com/spraying-basics.htm
- https://www.paintspraytools.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Using-a-Compressed-Air-Paint-Spray-Gun.pdf
