Automotive Spray Guns
To get a smooth and even finish for your auto paint jobs, it is important to find a paint application method that works. Automotive spray guns come in a variety of styles and sizes to accommodate media of different viscosities and compositions. When you have several different auto spray guns or a kit on hand you can complete just about any project that you have in mind.
What is a siphon-feed and a gravity-feed spray gun?
A siphon feed model has the can that holds the medium attached to the bottom. A lot of pressure is needed to create a vacuum to draw the medium up from the cup and into the gun where it is mixed with air and forcefully ejected as a spray mist. A gravity feed model has the can of medium attached to the top of the sprayer. Because gravity allows the medium to naturally flow down into the gun, less force is required to do the job. Additionally, there is less waste because all of the media can flow into the sprayer.
What does HVLP mean when it comes to paint sprayers?
HVLP stands for high-volume low-pressure delivery. These models use a high volume of air that is ejected at a lower force when mixed with the medium. This allows for more efficient transfer and application of primer, top coats, and varnish with reduced overspray.
How do you use conventional and HVLP spray guns?
Conventional spray guns use a delivery method that requires a lot of volume and force. This blasts an atomized paint and air combination out of the nozzle of the gun and propels it toward your surface. Only about 30% of the medium winds up on your surface. The remainder is released into the environment and wasted. The HVLP spray gun still utilizes a lot of volume but requires less pressure. The reduced rate of speed of the material coming out of the nozzle allows for up to 70% of the medium to find its way onto the surface. The use of HVLP for spray painting is required in certain areas, so it's important to check your local regulations.
How do you clean an auto spray gun?
There are a few steps that should be taken to ensure proper cleaning of your paint gun.
- Disconnect the compressed gas source and remove the regulator from the gun.
- Pour out any unused medium from the cup and remove as much material as possible with paper towels. You can also run some used thinner through the mechanism to remove excess medium.
- Remove the paint cup and lid, and disassemble your gun according to the manufacturer's directions.
- Place all components into a metal container and allow them to soak in a wash specifically made for your product .
- Dry each piece thoroughly. Use compressed air if necessary.
- As you reassemble the unit, lubricate the appropriate parts to keep them moving freely.