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Airless Sprayers or HVLP Sprayers - What's the Difference?
The two types of sprayers used for architectural spraying are the airless and the HVLP ( stands for: "high volume, low pressure), there is another type of sprayer, the conventional compressed air sprayer, but this type is never used for house painting. The conventional compressed air sprayer generates way too much overspray and does not spray heavier materials such as latex paint very well at all.
The Airless
The airless sprayer is a high volume sprayer which does not use air at all to break up ( "atomize" ) the paint. The airless forces the paint through a small opening ( "orifice" ), and by doing so the paint breaks up into small spray particles. Because the airless uses "force" rather than air to break up the paint it has the capability to spray heavy materials ( the heavier materials require greater force or pressure ) than an air or HVLP sprayer. Airless sprayers typically spray paint at a pretty good pace - anywhere from .33 gallons per minute to 1 gallon a minute or more. There are some dangers that come with the high pressures of the airless sprayer, the one that any painter using an airless must be cautious of is the injection injury. Because the paint is being dispersed at such high force ( usually 2000 psi or so ), if the airless operator gets his hand too close to the spray tip he risks being accidentally injected with paint through the skin which causes a horrific injury requiring surgery too clean out the wound and the risk of amputation etc..... The airless is probably the most used sprayer for architectural paint BUT one must follow all safety precautions - read all the manufacturers instructions before using. You can learn more about airless spraying here: Airless Spraying Basics and here: Airless Spraying of Drywall.
The HVLP
The HVLP is an "air gun" and uses air to atomize the paint, so consequently it does not spray heavier materials such as latex paint as well as an airless. The HVLP is a fine finish sprayer and works very well with oil ( alkyds ) enamels, varnishes and thin viscosity paints such as shellac and lacquer. The production rate of the HVLP is much less than that of the airless too making it better for trim and doors rather than walls and ceilings. HVLP sprayers are known for the overspray reduction, i.e. the fact that they produce far less overspray than a conventional air compressor sprayer, and probably less overspray than the airless sprayer too. The key to keeping overspray down is to keep the air volume down to only as much as is needed to do the job. Keeping the fan size down is also helpful in limiting overspray too. You can learn more about HVLP spraying here: HVLP Spraying.
For more information on painting and application techniques visit our website at: http://www.paintinganddecoratingconcourse.com
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HVLP Sprayers
Electric Paint Sprayers
Portable cup gun paint sprayers. Great for DIYers around the house. Spray paint small projects like a garage door, front door, privacy fence, wicker furniture, etc...
see Wagner Power Sprayers
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