Choosing an Air Spray Gun

Spray guns are painting tools that use compressed air to atomize and direct paint particles onto a surface. They are a larger version of the hand-held airbrush, and there are several different kinds available.

Choosing the right model depends on the size and type of job. It should be compatible with the paint you will be using, and provide easy access to controls.

Choosing a Spray Gun

The right air spray gun for the job will save time, money and materials. This is because the spray gun will atomize the paint, stain or other coating to create a fine mist that covers your target surface evenly and precisely. However, when choosing the right gun, it’s important to consider the type of project and the available compressor capacity.

There are a variety of air spray guns for different uses, including HVLP, LVLP and conventional spray guns. If you’re not sure which type to choose, it is recommended that you consult technical information on the paint you will be using as it may recommend a particular spray gun.

It is also important to know your compressor’s maximum CFM rating at 40 psi (Cubic Feet per Minute) as this will help you to select the correct gun. You don’t want to purchase a gun that requires more air than your compressor can provide, as this will result in overspray and waste of material.

When looking for an air spray gun, it is also worth spending more on a high-quality, top brand spray gun as these will generally offer more choice of fluid nozzles and air caps and can air spray gun be completely rebuilt. Lower cost guns will often only allow for one nozzle and can’t be easily rebuilt. Also, make sure that you are using a large diameter hose and air fittings to maximize air flow and efficiency.

Air Compressors

When using an air spray gun, a large enough compressor is important to supply sufficient volume and pressure at the nozzle. The best choice is a two-stage model that can keep up with the air demands of atomization and high solids applications. It should have a high horsepower rating and a larger storage tank to help it maintain adequate air pressure during extended use. Moisture filters and an air dryer are also necessary to avoid contamination from water and paint.

An air compressor generates pressurized air by spinning a rotor inside of a container with an open valve. As the rotor spins, atmospheric air is pulled into the compressed air chamber and forced up against a piston. As the piston moves up, more and more atmospheric air is drawn in to create even more pressure. This cylinder of compressed air is then pushed through an opening in the gun’s nozzle, and the resulting finely atomized spray penetrates into small crevices to coat surfaces.

Premium gravity feed spray guns are designed to be a high quality, durable tool that can perform in demanding environments and repeatably deliver exceptional atomization and pattern control. Precision machined stainless steel components and hardcoat anodized aluminum bodies are used to resist corrosive materials. This allows them to retain tight tolerances in their dimensions and air/fluid flow geometries over time.

Nozzles

The nozzles in an air spray gun are important, because they determine the consistency and pattern of the paint that comes out of the gun. The nozzle is also responsible for how much paint gets sprayed at one time, and it is important to choose the best cordless paint sprayer right nozzle for your application. Nozzles can be made from different materials, including stainless steel, brass, ceramic, or plastics, and are available in a variety of sizes. The size of the nozzle should be based on the pressure of the paint being sprayed and how much fluid the gun needs to deliver at that pressure.

The type of nozzle also affects the spray angle, drop size, and coverage. The nozzles are available in several configurations, including solid cone, hollow cone, and full fan. The solid cone nozzle has an internal vane structure that produces a swirling motion, while the hollow and full-cone nozzles have different shapes to provide control over the spray angle and drop size.

The nozzle should also be durable and can withstand the chemicals used in the spraying process. The nozzle should also be easy to clean and maintain, as it is likely to get clogged with dried paint particles that are left over from previous applications. The nozzle should also be able to withstand the operating conditions of the gun, such as temperature and humidity.

Spray Pattern

The spray pattern is determined by the nozzle size, fluid delivery and fan control settings on the gun. The fluid and fan controls should be set to the manufacturer’s recommended values for each application. The air supply should be sized to the correct volume for that application (see the spray gun operating instructions for details).

The pattern is influenced by the workpiece size and its geometry, as well as by the paint type and surface finish desired. The spray pattern can also be affected by the movement of the gun and its position on the workpiece. A proper spray pattern is essential to the quality of a coating.

To achieve an efficient spray pattern, the gun should be kept at a constant distance from the workpiece (for Conventional Air Atomising guns) – this is generally between 6 and 8 inches. The gun should be held at right angles to the workpiece and a straight uniform stroke should be made with about 50% overlap of each pass (the centre of each stroke should be aimed at the edge of the previous stroke).

This method is commonly used for spraying the metal hub caps on wheels where the hubs are mounted on a turntable and rotated as they are sprayed. Small diameter cylinders such as table leg turnings can be sprayed using a round spray pattern with lengthways strokes.