Economy air spray painting guns would be classified as a cheap gun, designed to spray paint and give a reasonably good finish for the money. In most cases these guns would be considered "throw away" as the cost of servicing and spare parts would exceed the cost of a new gun. These guns offer exceptional value for DIY, Industrial & Professional spray painters where the finish is not critical.

Semi-Professional air spray painting guns would be classified as mid range all purpose guns. These guns deliver a good finish, lasting performance and may be serviced. Semi-Professional guns are commonly sold into markets such as DIY Car Restoration Finishes and Industrial Spray Painting Finishes such as fork lifts, truck bodies, rubbish bins and general metal re-finishing.

Professional Air Spray painting guns are considered the industry best, used by professional spray painters and applicators that demand very high quality paint finishes that have been designed with the latest technology with lasting performance. Professional Air Spray painting guns are sold into the Automotive Refinishing, Kitchen Refinishing, Marine Refinishing and Aviation Refinishing markets that demand high quality.

What is the difference between Compliant, HVLP and Conventional Spray Guns?

Compliant air spray guns are very similar to HVLP spray guns. Compliant spray guns use a different air cap resulting in a higher head pressure than an HVLP spray gun. Compliant spray guns increase the rate of transfer efficiency by over 65%. Compliant air spray guns also help increase the speed of production, much like a conventional spray gun, but not with the wasted paint/finish particulate. Compliant spray guns also give off a better feel than HVLP spray guns because of the air cap difference. 

LVLP (Low Volume Low Pressure) air spray guns work on the same principle as HVLP air spray guns but are designed to be use with lower output air compressors. In basic terms, you can spray effectively using a much smaller air compressor than you would required for a HVLP air spray gun. LVLP air spray guns will increase the transfer efficiency over HVLP air spray guns by about 10% but the application speed is greatly reduced. These guns are suited to DIY or home users where the reduced size of the air compressor could effect the performance of a conventional, HVLP or compliant gun.

Conventional air spray guns have been around for a long time and would be considered "low-tech" against the modern HVLP and Compliant air spray guns. Although they will spray a very good finish, the transfer efficiency can be quite low anywhere between 30%-40% while requiring a higher air pressure to atomise the paint. In most applications air spray guns are suitable but if you are looking for a superior finish with less waste, look towards a HVLP or Compliant type of air spray gun.

Spray gun transfer efficiency explained.

65%*

Transfer efficiency (TE) of a spray operation or finishing process is the amount of material that adheres to the substrate compared to the amount of material that was sprayed through the spray gun toward the substrate.  Transfer efficiency is expressed as a percentage. *Transfer efficiency will vary with different paint materials, thinning and air pressure settings.

Suitable paint product applications.

When choosing an air spray gun you should always refer to the paint manufacturer's data sheet, this will often recommend needle/nozzle and air cap set-up. All recommendations on this website are only a general guide from the air spray gun manufacturer.

These recommendations are based on AA Spray's opinion and experience with air spray painting equipment. The use of this guide is to help our customers make a better informed decision when purchasing an air spray gun, no warranty or guarantee is implied with this information.

Contact our office (02) 9644 1040 for technical information

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