Traditional Spray Gun

Conventional or air-atomized spray uses clean, dry compressed air to both transfer the coating from a pressurized pot into the material hose (known as pot pressure) and to atomize the stream of paint as it exits the nozzle of the spray gun (known as atomization pressure). There are two hoses that traverse from the spray pot to the gun; one contains atomization air (typically 50-75 psi) and the other contains paint (under pressure, about 25-30 psi). The spray gun itself has two controls; one controls the amount of paint that exits the spray tip and the other controls the shape of the spray pattern. Many conventional spray pots come equipped with agitators in case the product must be agitated throughout the application process.

The proper gun distance (from the surface) is generally considered 6-8”. The operator can choose from a variety of spray tip/needle assemblies and air cap configurations, depending on the coating to be sprayed and the desired finish. The combination of these features provides the operator with greater control. This can be advantageous when applying coatings to small parts or complex structures. the transfer efficiency (the amount of paint exiting the spray gun that reaches the intended surface) is relatively low for conventional spray, and dry spray is common since the coating is atomized with compressed air.

High volume low pressure (HVLP) spray is very similar to conventional (air) spray, except the coating is atomized at much lower pressures (typically 10 psi or less) at a greater air volume (the number of holes and the size of the holes surrounding the spray tip and in the air cap are significantly larger, so a higher volume of air is delivered).