An HVLP spray gun is well-known for its ability that you can achieve the perfect result. If you don’t know how to adjust your spray gun, you may not see any of these benefits. In this article, we will show you the accurate way to adjust an HVLP spray gun.
To adjust an HVLP spray gun, there are three steps that you have to do. It includes choosing the air supply, selecting the correct tip, and then setting it up.
What Is A HVLP Spray Gun Used For?
If you want a spray gun that’s available, an HVLP spray gun might be right for you. HVLP means High-volume low pressure.
These spray guns look like typical spray guns, in which they use a compressor to move air through the gun. But, unlike regular spray guns, HVLP spray guns distribute a higher volume of air at a lower pressure.
HVLP spray guns paint finishes at high volume and low pressure. Cabinetmakers and furniture builders like to use HVLP spray guns for their projects.
Using HVLP spray guns can be ideal for trim, finish work, furniture staining, cabinet painting, and any detailed applications where you need high accuracy, speed, and a smooth finish.
The dedicated system and a conversion system are types of HVLP spray gun systems.
A dedicated system employs a turbine to atomize the finish. These systems are small and portable; however, they are not cheap.
Pros: Portable and affordable
Cons: Limited versatility
A conversion system converts the high-pressure air from a compressor to a lower pressure to create a lower volume, more controlled spray.
Pros: Functional with different types of spray guns
Cons: Higher upfront costs, and not portable
How To Set Up A HVLP Spray Gun?
Each time you want to use your spray gun, you need to know how to adjust an HVLP spray gun?.
To adjust an HVLP spray gun correctly, there are three steps that you have to do. It includes choosing the air supply, selecting the correct tip, and then setting it up.
- Tape some masking paper to the wall. Find your gun’s inlet and set the pressure using the regulator. While the air volume is still pulled, you ought to close the control knob air volume.
- Open the fan control knob. As a rule of thumb, when the spray gun is about 6 inches (ca. 15 cm) away from a surface, the fan should be about six inches tall.
- Turn the material knob and aim the gun at the masking paper you’ve taped to the wall. The gun should be about 6 (ca. 15 cm) inches away from the paper. Pull the trigger, but do not hold it down for a long time – less than a second is plenty.
- You should see a cigar-shaped pattern appear on the masking paper. You must make sure that the pattern is about 9-10 inches long. In the center, the coverage should look full, and it should fade away as you go to the edges.
- Unless the pattern is what you expected, there’s usually an easy fix. When you see too much density on the sides, your airflow may be too high. You can just screw down the material knob a bit more and try reducing airflow if you sprayed too much material,
- If you’re unsure about the proper pressure levels, check your gun’s directions. Make sure you’re using a powerful enough air compressor. Adjust air pressure using the regulator on the base of your gun. You should make sure that you’re using an air dryer to keep your lines dry.
- Setting air pressure and volume can take some trial and error. As a rule of thumb, make sure your spray fan is about 6 inches (ca. 15 cm) tall. If it isn’t, adjust it with the fan control knob, typically located at the top of your gun. Your material knob should be on top of your gun as well. Setting your material knob can also take some practice. Although most should be unscrewed about 2.5 turns for optimal performance.
- To get a clear read on your spray gun, make sure that your test conditions are proper as well.
- You should hold your gun about six inches from the surface that you’re painting. Hold down the trigger for no longer than a second. This technique will give you a proper read on your gun’s setup.
- You should remember to set and adjust both your fan control and your air pressure. It’s not difficult to try to make one compensate for the other. But, they should work together, not against each other.
- You’ll know your gun passes the test when the cigar-shaped pattern on your masking paper is about six inches tall.
This can achieve the perfect atomization of your paint to give you the best possible results. We hope, this allows you to understand the settings of your new spray gun.
How To Adjust A LVLP Spray Gun
LVLP spray guns aren’t as difficult as you think. Although they look complicated, the principle of how to set up an LVLP is pretty simple. But, it is difficult to paint a particular surface without making some adjustments. If you are eager to learn how to adjust an LVLP, you may read the steps below.
- You should set the pressure on the compressor or cylinder on the pressure gauge. Because the inlet pressure is very different from the conventional pistols, a force of 1.2 to a maximum of 2.5 bar is sufficient.
- Here you set the input pressure directly for the gun again. You can reduce the pressure due to the hose path. That is why it is only here that you may properly speak of the input pressure. This works with the adjusting screw, that you will find on the handle at the bottom of the gun. To adjust the pressure, you should use a pressure gauge, that you insert between the hose and the gun.
- You ought to adjust either the spot or wide jet according to your wishes. You do it by using the screw, which is located at the back of the gun body. If there are two screws, it is the upper one of both. To make a spray-out on a piece of cardboard, find out the effect of turning and spraying. You should remember that the larger the areas, the more you need the wide spray.
- Some actors like to work with the material quantity limit. If you really want to achieve an even application of paint and always have the same amount of material. To achieve this, use the material quantity feed screw located on the same axis as the needle. A spray-out on a piece of cardboard is good to get the correct setting.
- This step is only essential if the correct air pressure does not produce the desired spray pattern. Then it would be good if you thought about changing the nozzle. You do not need special tools beyond the wrench (usually included in the set). Then perform the above steps (1-4) again in the same order.
How To Adjust An Airless Spray Gun
If you want to use an airless spray gun for painting, but you don’t know how to adjust it, you are in the right place.
You can learn how to set up an airless spray gun by reading the following tips.
- Ensure that all the dials and switches are set to off. This includes the pressure dials and the control valve.
- Do a visual inspection of the machine.
- You need to take off the suction hose if you haven’t used the machine for a long time.
- Push down on the surface valve system to free up the valve.
- Select the correct tip and aperture for the paint you are using.
- Consider the substrate.
- Make sure all the hoses and attachments are secure.
- Extend the power lead fully, don’t leave it coiled up as it may overheat.
- Connect the power.
- Insert the inlet hose into the paint.
- Switch the regulating valve to circulate.
- Turn the machine on.
- Prime the machine until the paint starts to flow through the returned hose.
- Once you see paint flowing, place the returned hose back into the pot, so it recirculates.
- Pull the trigger.
- Switch the valve to spray mode and turn up the pressure.
- Pump until you see undiluted paint appearing in the spray tube.
- Lower the pressure and replace the spray tube.
- Then raise the pressure by turning up the dial until you reach operating. Max 2200 can be good for interior painting.
- Hold the gun 30 cm from the wall.
- It is ready to spray.
What Are The Differences Between HVLP, LVLP, And Airless Paint Sprayer?
There are many differences between them. However, we are going to differentiate some of them below:
| HVLP spray gun | LVLP spray gun | Airless paint sprayer | |
| Uses | Fine, smooth finishes, detail work. | Interior and exterior home use | Larger areas that don’t need as much detail work. |
| Volume | High-volume and low-pressure, minimal overspray. | Low-volume, low-pressure, faster overspray. | High-volume, high-pressure, and more overspray. |
| Atomization | Air and paint meet, and atomize outside the tip. | Atomizes difficult coatings, and higher viscosity. | Atomized at the spray tip, can handle thicker material. |
What PSI should a HVLP gun be set at?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it will vary depending on the specific HVLP gun being used, as well as the type of paint or other material being sprayed.
However, in general, most HVLP guns should be set at a PSI of between 10 and 20. Lower PSI settings will result in a softer, more gentle spray, while higher PSI settings will produce a more forceful spray.
Ultimately, it is up to the user to experiment with different PSI settings to find the one that best suits their needs.
How do I get a smooth finish with HVLP sprayer?
There are a few things you can do to ensure a smooth finish with your HVLP sprayer.
- First, make sure you thin your paint to the proper consistency. Too thick and it will not spray evenly, too thin and it will run.
- Second, always use a fresh, clean filter in your sprayer. A clogged filter will cause the paint to spray unevenly.
- Third, practice your spraying technique on a piece of scrap wood before you start your project. This will help you get a feel for how much paint to use and how to best direct the spray.
- Finally, be patient. Go slowly and evenly over the surface, overlapping each pass slightly. This will give you the best chance for a smooth, even finish.
Conclusion
Using a hvlp spray gun may be difficult at first. Adjusting an HVLP spray gun, spraying any clear finish or paint with it or a cup gun can be a little tricky, but with practice using this type of paint-spraying equipment will become easy. An HVLP spray gun is ideal for spraying different types of house paints, primers, and clear wood finishes.
FAQs
What are the 3 adjustments on a paint gun?
Most paint guns have three basic adjustments: air pressure, material flow, and pattern shape. By adjusting these three settings, you can control the amount of paint that is sprayed, the width of the spray pattern, and the overall quality of the paint job.
Air pressure is the most important adjustment on a paint gun, as it determines the amount of paint that is sprayed. If the air pressure is too low, the paint will not flow properly and will produce a poor-quality finish. If the air pressure is too high, the paint will be applied too thick and will run or drip.
Material flow is the second adjustment on a paint gun, and it controls the amount of paint that is released with each trigger pull. If the material flow is set too low, the paint job will be thin and patchy. If the material flow is set too high, the paint job will be heavy and thick.
The final adjustment on a paint gun is the pattern shape. This setting determines the shape of the spray pattern and can be adjusted to produce a round, oval, or flat spray pattern. The pattern shape setting is primarily used to control the amount of paint that is applied to the surface.
HVLP spray gun tips
An HVLP spray gun is a high-volume, low-pressure paint sprayer that is typically used for painting cars. HVLP spray guns use a high volume of air to atomize the paint, which results in less paint being used and less overspray. When using an HVLP spray gun, it is important to use the proper tip size. The most common tip sizes for HVLP spray guns are 1.4 mm, 1.7 mm, and 2.0 mm.
When painting with an HVLP spray gun, it is important to hold the gun at the correct angle. The gun should be held at a 90-degree angle to the surface being painted. The gun should also be held about 8 to 10 inches away from the surface. If the gun is held too close to the surface, the paint will be too thick and will run. If the gun is held too far away from the surface, the paint will be thin and will not cover evenly.
It is also important to keep the gun moving while painting. This will help to avoid paint buildup and will result in a smoother finish. When painting a large area, it is best to start i