When you are on the lookout for a paint sprayer, you have to ask yourself whether an airless paint sprayer is right for you or an HVLP paint sprayer?
This article will highlight a few reasons that will help you make the correct decision on which paint sprayer to go for. Before that, it is worth understanding what both of them really are.
- With minimal overspray, HVLPs are tools that are designed to do the precise as well as a detailed job with ease without making any noise.
- Airless sprayers, on the other hand, are better suited for outdoor use because they have more overspray. They also tend to be noisy compared to HVLP which many people do not like but they certainly get the job done.
1. Price
If you browse the market especially online, you will notice that HVLPs are very expensive compared to airless sprayers especially the ones that come with a compressor. You can save a bit of money if you already have a compressor and other accessories, however, HVLPs are priced higher than airless models.
For those on a budget and not looking to break the bank, airless are a good option because they are cheaper.
Winner: Airless
2. Tool suitability
Airless paint sprayers are not a bad option either and are perfect for painting flat surfaces like walls, however, when it comes to suitability, HVLPs are preferable.
Winner: HVLP
3. Health and safety
When working with tools like paint sprayers, you have to make sure you are safe from harm at all time. Take a moment to read any instructions provided carefully before using any tool because that could be the difference between being safe or suffering a severe or life-threatening injury.
Due to their high temperature and high pressure, airless sprayers are a lot more dangerous to use than HVLP sprayers. Since they also have more overspray, extra caution is needed when painting because one wrong move and you can amputate yourself. HVLP paint sprayer on the other have less overspray and are considered more user-friendly which is why they are the best option for someone who is a novice and doesn’t have plenty of experience using power tools.
Winner: HVLP
4. Paint handling
HVLP paint sprayers are known to be fussy tools especially when it comes to the paint you put in them. If you want to use thick paint like enamel latex, the tool doesn’t allow you to use it most of the time but, you will not face such problems with airless paint sprayers.
These paint sprayers do not require you to thin the paint before you use it. Thanks to its high pressure, you can spray the paint straight without any worries at all.
Winner: Airless
5. Tool production
Airless paint sprayers are more powerful than their counter part because the high pressure they have inside is around 2000 PSI while HVLP paint sprayers give you 10 PSI.
Despite this low pressure, paintings that one has used HVLP sprayers look much more polished. They are perfect for detailed jobs and some touching up however; they do not handle outside jobs well. Airless sprayers on the other hand take in more paint per rate minute. Two gallons to be exact, making them perfect for outside jobs.
Winner: Tie
6. Overall performance
When you use HVLP with a compressor, you will have a fine spray each time plus you will get a wide of pressures with the compressor which is very helpful. The major drawback you will get from using HVLP sprayers is one can’t paint using unthinned paints. This is not a deal breaker but it does put people off buying HVLP sprayers.
Airless sprayers can handle thick paint and are very portable. You can move them around very easily and cover large surface areas very quickly because you can easily spread a lot of gallons of your favorite paint colours in a few minutes. Although not suited for small jobs, many people prefer them because you can use them both water and oil based products.
Winner: Airless
Final thoughts
One must pick a paint sprayer they want based on what the job at hand. If you have plenty of outdoor tasks you need to perform, airless paint sprayers are what you should purchase. If most of your work is indoors and you have plenty of furniture that needs some fresh paint, getting an HVLP paint sprayer is the best option.
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