Airless Vs HVLP Spray Machines
October 16th, 2024
1. Airless Spraying
In an airless system, fluid is pumped under high pressure through a spray tip of a size suited to the paint material thickness. It is the tip size and airless pump pressure which determines the paint material flow rate. The material is then fed through the tip of the gun, atomising the material and forming the spray fan.
Airless Spraying Features:
- Airless spraying can be up to 10 times faster than brush.
- It can also be up to 4 times faster than roller application.
- Requires extra preparation in terms of masking - find out more here.
- You can spray a room approximately 50m2 in under 20 minutes using a cross hatch method, which applies the equivalent of 3 roller coats.
- The gun tip and pump size dictates what you can spray, so one unit is capable of spraying a multitude of products. All you need is the appropriate tip for the job, find out more about spray tips here.
Airless Spraying Benefits:
- Airless spraying can be up to 10 times faster than brush.
- It can also be up to 4 times faster than roller application.
- Ability to spray thicker material.
- Material sprayed direct from can, no need to transfer and less thinning required.
- Faster transfer of material.
- Less overspray than conventional spray systems.
- Superior finish and better coverage, even on textured surface.
2. HVLP Spraying
HVLP stands for High Volume Low Pressure. HVLP and differs from airless spray as it uses air to disperse the material instead of a motor and piston, and uses a turbine to produce a constant flow of air rather than a compressor to fill a tank of reserved air.
HVLP Spraying Features:
- The constant flow of air allows for a more even/constant atomisation of the product and the amount of overspray/mist is dramatically reduced with transfer rates of between 90-95 % achievable.
- Depending on make of HVLP spray unit the pressure can be as low as 7psi. Most HVLP's with a slightly higher pressure are around 9.5psi with only 1 HVLP from Wagner at 10psi. Wagner XVLP spray units are single stage turbine units with air pressure of 2.4psi and 3.4psi.
- Turbines are rated in stages, from 1 to a maximum of 5. The minimum we would recommend for decorators to achieve a professional finish is a 3 stage turbine. The higher the stage the higher the air flow rate, aiding the atomisation of the paint, less product preparation with the ability to apply thicker materials and makes the unit run quieter.
- The gun has the ability to be adjusted to alter the fan width and the amount of product being delivered so you can go from around an 8 inch fan for larger areas down to a strip about the width of a 5 pence piece for edges and details.
HVLP Spraying Benefits:
- Faster application than conventional brush and roller techniques.
- Superior finish.
- Reduced overspray/mist.
- Ability to adapt your spray pattern using the controls on the gun.
- The gun can be emptied and cleaned in approx. 5 minutes.
- Ability to spray a multitude of products.
- Up to 60% time saving over traditional brush and roller, offering the ultimate level of control and helps produce a superior flawless finish.
- Reduced prep time due to the control available from the gun and reduced overspray.
- Can apply a wide range of materials from stains to primers, lacquers to eggshell, even latex and epoxies.
- A cost effective way for a decorator to discover the world of spraying!
3. XVLP Spraying
XVLP (Extra Volume, Low Pressure) spray units deliver paint from a nozzle only, not from a needle in the nozzle. The position of the spray gun air cap or nozzle can be easily turned for vertical, horizontal or spot spray pattern angles, the spray spot pattern is particularly useful for fine detail work.
XVLP spray units have a single stage turbine delivering paint at low pressure (2.9psi – 3.9psi) from the spray guns whereas HVLP spray units have a 3 or 5 stage turbine meaning paint is delivered in varying air volumes at various air pressures of 7.0psi – 10.4psi.
Pop into your local Brewers to find out more about the complete range of spray machines.
