12 Spray Gun Tips You Can Use

Suction Vs. HVLP
Choose the correct type of equipment for the job. In this case, we’re talking about the traditional suction-feed high-pressure, or the more modern high-volume low-pressure (HVLP) type of gun. OK, so what’s the difference and what would be the advantage of one over another you may ask? HVLP spray guns were designed to reduce overspray and get more material to the surface and less into the air as overspray. There is an internal restrictor inside of an HVLP gun, which restricts the incoming air pressure in order to provide a reduced air pressure at the air cap. This differs from a conventional gun. A conventional gun does not have an internal restrictor and, therefore, whatever the inlet pressure is set at, the air cap pressure will be the same. With an HVLP gun you don’t have clouds of noxious paint fumes filling the air (or garage), but they use a large volume of air compared to a standard suction-type gun—making compressor capacity a deciding factor.

Become Familiar With The Controls
Get to know your spray gun. Regardless of gun type, it’s important to read the owner’s manual provided with the equipment so you’ll be familiar with its controls and adjustments.

Keep It Clean
Always strain your material, be it primer, sealer, or finish color. Contaminants will not only possibly exit the gun marring your paintjob, but may restrict an air or fluid passage, which disrupts the spray pattern and causes a less than satisfactory finish.

Reduce As Required
No matter what brand or type of finish you're planning on spraying, a;ways thin or reduce the material in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Materials are much more complex these days and eyeballing the paint rolling off a paint paddle just won't cut it these days-pick up and learn to use a viscosity cup, it's worth the extra minute or two.

Match The Equipment To The Material
Always match your needle and nozzle sizes according to the material being sprayed. All manufacturers have guidelines and requirements for their respective products—following them will greatly improve your finish result.

Handle With Care
Never use a metal object (like a torch tip cleaner or penknife) to clean your spray gun’s air nozzle. A bristle brush or, if need be, a wooden toothpick should be used so the machining of the openings are not marred or damaged these openings control correct paint atomization and spray pattern.

Trigger Control
Release the trigger at the end of every pass and overlap passes 50-percent to ensure even coverage.

Proper Storage Storing your spray guns with a bit of clean solvent in the cup will keep the gun’s needle packings from drying out and cracking, causing possible air and/or fluid leaks.

Correct Pressure
Always spray using the paint manufacturers recommended pressure. An air regulator on the gun will ensure proper pressure at the gun—air pressure at the source is different as it is restricted depending on air hose diameter and length.

Techinque
Always move your spray gun parallel to the surface being sprayed. Spraying in an arc will produce an un-even coating.