HVLP spray guns

After using a regular spray gun for many years, I am considering buying an HVLP unit. Getting a straight answer at the local home store is like trying to kiss your elbow... not much luck. Has anyone out there used an HVLP rig and if so do you like it? Does it really have a higher transfer rate? Can I use my regular 6.5 hp/60 gal compressor or do I need the little turbine they want to sell me? Thanks for any and all input!

I guess the most efficient HVLP gun is a gravity fed type but it takes some getting use to if you grew up with a siphon cup gun...They are also less expensive to buy than ones with the cup on the bottom...The cup type was expensive AND a pain in the tailend to clean up after the job...It took about 90 PSI at the gun handle to make 10 PSI at the nozzle using a 1/4 inch hose, but it did take a lot less paint to do the job...BUT!!!...for what we are doing {spraying antique engines and such} is it worth it to buy an HVLP to spray acrylic enamel???...the HVLP guns are most efficient at spraying high dollar paints like three stage candy apples and such where you can spend a small fortune on materiels!...I am sure they help the environment some, but we are not spraying great quantities of solids into the air just painting for a hobby. ...I'm gonna stick with my good ole' BINKS #7 knock off, or in tight places, just brush it on.

Just my ten cents worth

David M.

Rusty, I had been thinking about one of these HVLP guns for some time. Didn't want to spend the money and be disappointed. Against my better judgement, I bought a cheap asian copy from one of those tool tents you see at many shows. It is pressure cup type with a regulator. I have to tell you, with a little experimenting (the manual is useless)it has worked much better than expected. In fact, it works great. I use about 1/3 the paint volume that I used in the old high pressure gun and the finish is better. I started using the expensive urethanes on the last two engines. Expensive, but finish is superior to anything I have tried before. Especially around spokes and hard to paint areas. The HVLP makes it easy. I have found my asian made HVLP gun to be quite well made, but I doubt I could ever find parts for it. I could have gotten one of the gravity types, but the way I spill and knock things around, the pressure cup was better for me.

[Harry]

I'll ask a dumb question maybe, but how does HVLP compare to the "Airless" sprayers?

I bought an airless for doing some house painting last summer. For me, the most disconcerting thing about it was its tendency to puke out a big glob of paint from time to time, particularly if drawing a suction through the hose. It might be better using the cup that came with it, but can't say for sure.

I surely wouldn't want to risk using expensive automotive-type paint in one of them.

I use a HVLP with a turbine blower and a pressure tank gun. Even a 3 Gallon pressure pot for large jobs. It is great, very little overspray, and a third line off the turbine provides fresh breathing air to the mask.

This may be a stupid question, but...

It seems that there are two types of spray guns...High volume, low pressure (HVLP), and high pressure? What is the difference between the two? How can I tell the two kinds apart from each other? I'm totally new to painting with a spray gun, so I apologize if the answer is obvious.

I picked up a Binks gun at a tag sale for $2, and I'd like to learn how to use it. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks...

Chris

Chris... HVLP guns use 10+ SCFM and 4-6 PSI of air to atomize and blow the paint out. Regular guns use 4-6 SCFM and 50+ PSI to do the same job. A friend saw my original post and arranged for me to borrow a turbine HVLP unit to try out and see if I like it. THANKS ALEX! Check back in a week or two and I'll have another post with more info. Thanks also to everyone who responded and a big THANKS to Harry for this great site. Where else could I learn from so many others' experience.