How to choose a spray gun for home use. Which spray gun to choose: electric or pneumatic? Airless Electric Spray Guns

29.10.2019

The principle of operation of an airbrush of any model is to create an aerosol from liquid paint and apply it to the surface. In coloring devices there is a nozzle (spray head with a nozzle, nozzle), a trigger, control valves for supplying paint and air. Some models are equipped with a pressure gauge to adjust the pressure.

Allows you to quickly and evenly apply the dye on complex surfaces - embossed, openwork, large areas. Thanks to a thin layer of paint, material consumption and drying time are reduced.

How to choose a spray gun

Manufacturers produce pistols that differ:

by power;
control method;
liquid tank volume.

Power

For home use, low-power ones are suitable. They are cheap, have a low paint supply force in the range of 0.2-0.5 kW. The consumption is about 0.5 kg/h. This is enough for amateur use. For professional use, powerful models up to 1200 kW are chosen. Such tools work faster, have more weight, and are made of metal.

The speed of paint intake from the tank fits into the passport of the sprayer. At the output, this figure is lower by about 35%.

Control method

Manufacturers produce sprayers of two main types: electric and. The first type works due to a piston driven by current, the second one - due to low pressure.

Each type has different:

power;
the material from which the body is made;
the volume of the paint container.

Container for coloring composition

The volume of the liquid tank is selected depending on the work performed. A capacious tank is needed to whitewash the ceiling, but it will become a hindrance to work with small details. Plastic containers are light and transparent. The operator can see the amount of paint in the tank. But plastic is easily damaged by mechanical and chemical stress. After work, the tank is washed with solvents or acetone. Frequent exposure to the reagent has a bad effect on the surface of the plastic, and over time it becomes unusable.

Metal tanks are more resistant to damage of various kinds, they are washed with chemicals without fear. Such containers are more durable. But they are heavy and opaque.

On sale there are models with an upper and lower location of the dye tank. In the overhead position, the paint flows into the gun by gravity. When located at the bottom, it enters the spray gun under the influence of pressure created during the operation of the tool.

Floor and hand sprayers

Both types of spray guns are floor and manual. Floor models equipped with a large paint tank. For convenient movement, manufacturers install wheels and carrying handles on the body.

Subtleties of choice

When choosing a spray gun, pay attention to the material of the body and working elements. The body is made of special impact-resistant plastic or metal. The working parts in the spray gun must be metal. For the main nodes use:

brass;
stainless steel;
aluminum.

For electric models, the power source is important. Spray guns work from a normal network with a voltage of 220 V or from a battery. In the second option, the battery should work for at least 1 hour without recharging.

The nozzle diameter depends on the work being done. The spray gun comes with several nozzles. They spray paint in particles of different sizes and have different diameters. Some models are equipped with a filter that retains solid fragments. This protects the nozzle from clogging, which prolongs the life of the tool.

Technical data of spray guns

performance and pressure generated. These indicators affect the speed of work and its quality.
Nozzle diameter and number of replaceable nozzles included. The more additional nozzles, the more options for using the gun.
Weight and vibration level. The lower these figures are hand model, the longer and more productive the operator works. For a floor sprayer, these indicators are secondary.
Additional options. Adjustment of pressure and method of spraying allows you to use the sprayer with maximum effect.
Brand. The more famous the manufacturer, the more you will have to pay for the tool.

The best electric spray gun

Electric spray guns consist of:

engine (power plant);
corps;
pump;
liquid tank;
several nozzles of various configurations.

The difference between electric guns and pneumatic models is the supply of coloring material without air. The ejection of the composition occurs due to the translational movement of the piston. The electromagnetic cushion moves the piston forward, and the front spring returns it to its original position. In this case, a slight vacuum is created in the body, and the paint is drawn from the tank into the working container. On the reverse movement, the piston compresses the paint, and it is ejected under pressure from the body in a sprayed form.

Pistols work with compositions of various densities. The passport indicates the type of paint for this model. In order not to disable the tool, you can not use it for other types of coloring matter.

Electric panels are air and airless. The first distributes the composition in an even layer, but creates a cloud of paint around the operator. When using such models, large losses of material occur, and enhanced protection of the eyes and respiratory tract of the worker is necessary. The second type of electric gun works at a distance from the object. It has low ink loss, no cloud of suspended dye.

The quality of the tool is affected right choice nozzle and working pressure. At high pressure, the dye layer will be uneven and material consumption will increase.

Manufacturers have created an intermediate model - an electric spray gun with a compressor. It creates the necessary low pressure, and the quality of staining is improved.

When choosing an electric spray gun, pay attention to the automatic shutdown in case of overload.

Characteristics

voltage - 220 V;
tank volume - 0.5-2.2 l;
nozzle diameter 1.2-1.7 mm;
working pressure - 150-200 atm;
power up to 625 W;
weight without coloring composition - 1.4-2.5 kg.

pros

small size;
cheap;
mobile;
easy to store and maintain;
lungs;
do not require special training for work;
constant pressure does not require adjustment;
large tank capacity;
high speed of application of the composition;
high quality coloring;
save material.

The ease of use and the availability of an electric spray gun make it suitable for use without special training. The tool is universal and is used for painting cars, spraying liquid formulations on plants, applying disinfectants and detergents. It is used for applying primers, enamels, varnishes, varnishes, paints.

Minuses

low power;
vibrate during operation;
create a lot of noise
the place of work is limited by the length of the cord;
it is impossible to grind the coloring composition to a very fine state, since there is no pressure;
when the liquid container is in the upper position, there is a possibility of the composition leaking onto the body, which leads to tool breakage.

Rating of the best electric spray guns

Domestic models performed well bison(reliability), Caliber(color quality). Positive feedback deserved a German pistol Bosch(functional), for rare use, purchase a model ТМ BORT.

The best pneumatic spray gun

Pneumatic type sprayer works on compressed air. Painting requires a compressor and auxiliary equipment. The gun is connected to the compressor with a hose through which compressed air is supplied to the tool. It atomizes the liquid to the state of an aerosol, it is fed into the nozzle, through the nozzle it comes out and is sprayed on the surface. Some models are equipped with a pressure regulator, which allows you to select the density and particle size.

There are 3 types of pneumatic spray guns on the market.

HP. Work complete with the unit creating pressure of 3-7 atm. In this case, the ink layer can be applied unevenly, there is a large loss of the coloring composition during the process (50%). It is used in areas where it is important to quickly apply paint to the surface: ceilings, walls, production facilities, building facades, fences.
HVLP. High air/low pressure instrument. The spray gun of this category is not sensitive to the power of the compressor, it operates at a pressure in the range of 2-4.5 atm. The tool creates a "soft" torch. Qualitatively applies the composition to the working surface, economically consumes raw materials. It is used for high-quality application of paint on relief and small parts.
LVLP. The literal translation of the name of the gun is "compressed air / low pressure." Works with the compressor creating pressure to 1,5 atm. This is a professional tool that provides high-quality and fast application of the composition. Material losses are up to 5%. Used to work with expensive paints.

For an air pistol are important:

air consumption;
the volume and material of the container for the dye;
nozzle diameter.

Characteristics

pressure - 1.5-7 atm;
losses 5-50%;
hose length - 5 m;
nozzle diameter - 1.5-3 mm.

pros

high quality coating;
high speed;
high power;
pressure adjustment;
works on large areas and volumes;
due to the large torch, the width of the coating and the speed of work increase;
flame shape adjustment.

Minuses

big weight;
complex management;
requires connection of several devices;
depends on the operation of the compressor - if it fails, the spray gun will not be able to work;
when working indoors, enhanced ventilation is required;
high price.

Rating of the best pneumatic spray guns

Among the best pneumatics:

HUBERTH R500 RP20500-14(reliability);
KSOM SO-71 V 018-2001(quality);
Metabo FB 2200 HVLP(functional).

best spray gun for car painting

Most often, LVLP pistols are used to work in the garage. They are maximally adapted to the requirements of working with compounds intended for application to the surface of cars. This is a professional tool.

Characteristics

nozzle diameter - 1.2-1.7 mm;
outlet pressure - 0.7-1.2 atm;
distance from the nozzle to the working surface - 5-10 cm;
loss of paint no more than 35%;
consumption compressed air- 130-150 liters.

pros

low air consumption;
high quality coloring;
not sensitive to pressure drops.

Minuses

High price.

Rating of the best models

MIOL 79-560(reliability);
HUBERTH R500 RP20500-14(quality);
INTERTOOL PT-0132(functional).

The best hand spray gun

Hand sprayers are the most affordable and popular. These are small models simple control and low power. Hand guns are used in car repair shops, in production for painting small surfaces, parts.

At the household level, they are used for whitewashing and painting. They spray paint, primer, finishing putty. Manual spray guns are indispensable for working with openwork products, painting fences, easy to give. These are electric/pneumatic models and they consist of:

pump motor;
reservoir;
nozzles;
pens.

Pneumatics are equipped with a compressor and a supply hose. Hand pneumatic tools have less power compared to floor samples.

Characteristics

voltage - 220 V;
nozzle diameter - 1.3-1.7 mm;
weight - up to 1 kg;
material loss - 30%;
the distance from the nozzle to the working surface is 7-12 cm.

pros

mobility;
light weight;
Ease of controls;
fast application.

Minuses

low quality;
pneumatics depend on the compressor;
streaks appear;
low power.

Rating of the best hand spray guns

KSOM KRDP-4 018-1031(reliability);
MASTER EKRP-350/2.6M(quality);
HUBERTH R500(functional).

The best airless spray gun

Pistols with an airless principle of operation are gradually replacing air models. The tool is a kind of electrical appliance. He works with water emulsion, alkyd paints, epoxy compounds, latex. By spraying the mixture under the action of high pressure the coating layer becomes even, material loss is reduced. This is a professional tool for painting complex surfaces and applying the composition in the corners.

Characteristics

pressure - 530 bar;
work with high viscosity compositions;
nozzle diameter - 1.7 mm;
when applying the mixture, it ricochets off the surface, creating a cloud of coloring matter.

pros

no compressor;
light and mobile;
paint is applied through a special nozzle without air injection;
Built-in dust filter
equipped with a safety bracket (it protects against accidental pressing);
used in hard-to-reach places;
high performance;
thin layer of coating.

Minuses

low quality of application of the working composition;
streaks are formed;
expensive models.

Rating of the best models

Bosch(functional);
bison(reliability);
Sturm(quality).

The best spray gun for home

Home use implies low power and infrequent use. These are small models, easy to use and do not require special care and storage conditions. Painting large areas in the private sector is rare. In the work used manual electric spray guns. They run on mains or batteries. The second option is more mobile, its movements are not limited by the length of the cord.

Characteristics

power - not higher than 500 W;
nozzle diameter - 1.2-1.5 mm;
weight without liquid - up to 1 kg;
the volume of the dye tank is up to 1 l;
battery life without recharging - 1 hour;
mains voltage for wired models - 220V;
the volume of the paint tank is not adjustable, it is provided by the manufacturer.

pros

mobility;
simple control;
low price;
do not require special care and storage;
do not depend on pressure.

Minuses

poor quality of staining;
large loss of dye;
limited application.

Rating of the best models

KSOM KRDP-4 018-1031(reliability);
ULIG 050-00 018-1045(quality);
HUBERTH R500(functional).

Professional and household spray guns have taken surface painting to a new level. After applying the composition with an airbrush, there are no streaks, the layer is even, and material consumption is reduced. Expensive tools (airless) are more productive, but it is better to rent them.

If you are already puzzled by the choice of an airbrush, you need to give you credit. After all, despite its increasing popularity, many painting professionals still use a roller, which entails an increase in duration and a decrease in quality compared to the work done by a spray gun. However, not every professional is able to navigate the diversity provided. Without studying in detail the characteristics and capabilities of the tool, you can throw money away and not get the desired result. Before comparing spray guns, let's figure out how the device works and what are its main functions.

What is a spray gun

The spray gun is, speaking in simple words, paint sprayer. All spray guns consist of a gun, a container for the solution and a device with which the paint is pumped from the container and pushed out of the nozzle of the gun. Thus, the sprayed paint falls in small droplets in a uniform layer on the surface. Spray guns are not only easy to use, but also, with proper operation, are able to provide a smooth, evenly painted surface of large volumes in a short time. And the high cost will pay off due to the service life of the tool.

There are two main groups of spray guns according to the method of injection and ejection of paintwork materials:

Air or pneumatic;
Airless - electric and battery.

The design and operation of both types is significantly different.

Body painting with pneumatic sprayer

Painting with an electrospray

Pneumatic

Such an airbrush works due to compressed air pumped by a compressor. The gun is connected to a compressor with a hose, which, in turn, is connected to electricity. Pressurized air converts the paint into tiny particles and pushes it out of the gun nozzle. Such tools cope with both large surfaces and small parts. The quality of painting is much higher than the quality of other methods, so they are widely used in painting cars.

The design of the air-operated spray gun

The main disadvantages of these spray guns are fogging and a significant loss of paintwork materials at the exit (up to 55%).

Considering that you buy a gun and a compressor at once, the cost of the tool is undoubtedly higher. You also need to keep in mind that the compressor must necessarily fit the characteristics of the gun, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the equipment. This fact further complicates the choice of the buyer. But in return, the buyer receives a powerful professional device.

All commercially available pneumatic pistols are divided into main types:

HP - high pressure technology;
LVLP - technology low pressure, small volume;
HVLP - low pressure, high volume technology.

They differ in the pressure in the air chamber of the gun and the air consumed from the compressor.

HP is a simplified technology. It is used in inexpensive pistols. The bottom line is that a high level of pressure allows you to consume relatively little air. This provides fast painting, but not the best quality. The disadvantages of the technology are strong particle turbulence and fogging. Accordingly, we have uneconomical consumption of paint. The percentage of its transfer to the surface is 45–50%.

A distinctive feature of LVLP technology is the highest quality atomization, low air consumption, and a significant reduction in fogging. The percentage of paint transfer from some manufacturers reaches 90%. However, the speed of operation is low due to low pressure. Such sprayers belong to the highest price category.

HVLP - upgraded HP spray gun. Air enters the gun at high pressure and the paint is atomized at low overpressure compressed air. Insignificant fogging and small losses of paintwork are typical. The paint transfer rate is 65%. The quality of the application is better. They have less air requirement than HP pistols, but higher than LVLPs. Such pistols have earned the title of "super economical". They are most often used in auto painting.

Electrical

These guns are powered by a built-in motor with a piston pump that pushes the paint into the nozzle. Of course, the quality of painting with an electric sprayer is inferior to pneumatic ones, since the paint particles are much larger due to the lack of compressed air. But you will get an inexpensive device that does not require special maintenance and additional purchases, with the exception of the material. These spray guns work from a network of 220V. Suitable for surfaces of a small area and are considered household.

The design of the airless spray gun

Electric spray guns are: floor for professionals or manual for domestic purposes. Floor-mounted have a large installation with a tank and a motor separate from the gun.

It is most convenient to work at home with a sprayer with a transparent tank. This allows you to monitor the consumption of paint.

Comparison table of electric and pneumatic spray guns

Evaluation criterion	Pneumatic	Electric
Spray method	air pressure	electric motor
Performance	300–400 m2/h	200–260 m2/h
The weight	0.4–0.7 kg	1.1–3.5 kg
Engine power	1.1–1.8 kW	0.18–0.7 kW
The volume of the barrel under paintwork	0.4–1 l	0.4–1 L (>5 L floor standing)
	Advantages of one over the other
Economy of material consumption	-	+
Ability to apply thick formulations	+	-
Staining quality	+	-
Painting small parts	-	+
Need for additional equipment	+	-
Price	+	-
Environmental friendliness	-	+

How to easily decide on the choice of a successful model? Compare your goals and requirements for spray guns with the characteristics that the manufacturer offers us. To do this, let's take a closer look at the parameters of the tool, which are important to pay attention to when buying it.

The purpose of the work and purpose

In order to choose a successful tool model, first of all, determine the purpose for which you decided to buy.

For repairs in an apartment or house every 5 years, the cost of purchasing pneumatic equipment with a compressor is not comparable to the result. Even if in the future you plan to periodically tint something, it is better to purchase a standard electric spray gun.

For garage car painting, whether you are an amateur or a professional, contact the manufacturers of pneumatic sprayers. In detail painting, quality is the main indicator of a clean job. Inexpensive pneumatic devices, but always of a proven brand, cope with all stages of preparatory and finishing better than the rest. The speed of coloring will depend on many factors: the size of the torch, the outlet pressure, your skills.

Viscosity of formulations

Electric spray guns in relation to paints and varnishes are more capricious. The DIN viscosity index indicated in the passport of any spray gun must not be lower than the viscosity of your composition. Therefore, builders often resort to diluting paint with water. But it is most likely that it will not work to apply thick compositions and putty with such devices.

Pneumatic spray guns are capable of working with more viscous formulations. However, here it all depends on the type of gun, needle size and pressure. With high-pressure jet spray guns, primer, paint, varnish or other viscous materials lie on the surface in an ideal layer, without streaks, streaks and layering. As for low-pressure tools, if it is easy to pick up LVLP under thick paint, then it will not be enough pressure for putty.

Presence of adjustments

When choosing a spray gun, electric or pneumatic, be sure to check for adjustments. With their help, you can adjust your device to the surface to be painted and the specific composition by changing the pressure, limiting the stroke of the needle, which is responsible for the supply of paint, the shape and size of the torch.

Also pay attention to the equipment of the tool. It is best if the kit includes interchangeable nozzles with different diameters, a pressure gauge, hoses of different lengths.

Tank location

When choosing a sprayer, the location of the reservoir for the composition is important. It all depends on the distance and location of the surface for finishing. For example, when working with a device with a lower tank, it is recommended to hold it strictly vertically to inject paint. However, the vertical location of the tank is inconvenient for painting ceilings.

Tool mobility

Will you ever spray paint away from electricity? You decide. For this case, we suggest getting acquainted with an airless battery spray gun.

What is its advantage? Definitely mobility. But there are also a number of disadvantages:

The weight of the tool due to the presence of the battery;
Low power;
Limited working hours;
Pressure drop with a discharged battery and, as a result, poor-quality painting.

Therefore, even if you are going to perform exceptionally small household tasks, and the mobility of the tool is not in the first place, we advise you to purchase an airbrush from the household category, powered by an outlet.

Performance and Power

Finally, when choosing an atomizer, often the first thing a buyer looks at is its performance and power. And here you need a cold calculation.

When buying a pneumatic device, it is recommended to first purchase a gun, and then choose a compressor according to its characteristics. Based on the performance of the gun, that is, the air consumed, select a compressor with a "margin". If the compressor is not properly selected, the pressure drops too quickly or the motor runs at its limit, as a result of which it may overheat, turn off and early wear of the piston group.

When comparing tools, it is also worth paying attention to the fact that the company indicates the input performance in the passport. Depending on the model, losses occur due to air compression. Therefore, the actual output capacity is 65-70% of the indicated one.

The average compressor power is 1.2–1.8 kW, which is enough to operate the entire unit. The volume of the receiver for most types of work is sufficient in the range of 24-50 liters.

With airless spray guns, things are easier. The manufacturer has foreseen and balanced the characteristics of the pistol and the motor with the pump. Focusing on the price and performance, you can choose the best device for yourself. But keep in mind: the greater the power and performance, the better the device will cope with thick compositions.

Experts advise adjusting the gun for each composition and material and checking it on a separate surface. The optimal choice of needle is 1.3–1.4 mm.

Summing up the choice of an airbrush, we present you the most popular proven brands of manufacturers that are in demand among professionals and amateurs.

Bosch. Bosch produces inexpensive and compact spray guns with an electric motor for home use. Most famous models: PFS55, PFS65. The pump and motor of lower power models are designed built-in. Bosch spray guns are used for surface treatment of walls and ceilings, for painting small parts. The average productivity is 0.11 l/min. The tools are easy to use and maintain. The main disadvantage of these spray guns is the restriction on the use of certain types of coatings, such as: alkaline, latex, dispersion paints and other hard-to-spray compositions. Therefore, prices for spray guns start at 4000 rubles.
Wagner. German Wagner air-type spray guns are a good competitor to Bosh. Models costing from 5000 r. (Wagner W550) are only suitable for liquid coatings, the productivity is 0.13 l / min. More expensive atomizers costing from 12,000 rubles. (Wagner W665) thick compositions can also be applied, including water-dispersion paints, which cannot but please the painter. Products are supplied with accessories.
paintzoom. In Russia, the airbrush is also known under the name "SPEKTR". The cheapest and easiest to use electric sprayer. However, do not rely on its reliability. It can be used for small volume jobs that do not require high quality. Airbrush productivity is about 0.3 l / min. The cost of the spray gun is from 1000 rubles.
Black&Decker. Air spray guns HVLP of the American company have proven themselves well in the production of painting work on medium and large surfaces, primarily at the household level, in houses, apartments, summer cottages. But with good experience, they are also suitable for automotive painting. popular models are HVLP200 with integrated compressor and HVLP400. Black & Decker spray guns are equipped with a special system for regulating the configuration and size of the nozzle, which saves material. The tool can be easily disassembled and washed. Models belong to the middle price category of spray guns, and the cost starts from 4000 rubles.
Elmos. Airless spray guns Elmos are used in domestic conditions. Good performance allows you to paint medium surfaces. The sprayer works best with water-based paints, varnishes and polishes. Thanks to the elongated bendable nozzle, it is possible to paint hard-to-reach places, horizontal and vertical surfaces, without turning the gun over. The Elmos PG-80 model has proven itself well, with a capacity of 0.3 l / min, which is equipped with a special turbine that creates the necessary amount of air to increase the staining speed. The cost of such a spray gun is from 4000 r.
sata. The Chinese brand produces high and low pressure pneumatic spray guns. Sata tools are suitable for professional painting jobs, for large and small surfaces. The maximum working pressure of 0.7 bar, a good uniform spray pattern and sufficient speed contribute to a uniform application of the composition. Material transfer is more than 60%. It should be borne in mind that it is for spray guns high blood pressure Requires a fairly powerful compressor. Some models are specially designed for the application of viscous compounds, thick paints or fillers. The price of Sata spray guns is in the range of 13,000–50,000 rubles.
walcom. Italian spray guns Walcom are designed to perform large volumes of painting work and are considered professional. Several lines of sprayers are on sale, depending on their purpose. There are both basic models for primers and thin paints costing from 7000 rubles, and sprayers for body work and aerodesign from 22000 rubles. Spray guns are considered the most economical and environmentally friendly, paint transfer is more than 80%.

Professionals working in the field of car painting have the opportunity to choose a set of tools, focusing on the most common tasks, their own habits and work experience. A beginner does not have such an opportunity. He needs to immediately buy an airbrush for painting a car, capable of solving a certain range of tasks due to its features. Whether it will be a budget or professional device, pneumatic or electric, knowledge about the models, types and varieties of devices offered today will allow you to decide.

It is almost impossible to choose an airbrush that will immediately perfectly meet your needs and give pleasure when working with it. The problem is that a beginner often does not fully know all the intricacies of the painting process and cannot clearly articulate a list of tool requirements. However, there are several basic criteria by which this or that automobile spray gun is evaluated for the overall level of reliability and convenience.

Reliable materials for durability

When choosing an airbrush for painting a car or for other purposes, do not neglect a thorough analysis of the materials from which it is made. Before buying, it is worth considering all the details.

A good atomizer body is a must made of aluminum. For models with increased reliability, structural elements are nickel-plated to protect against corrosion. You should not consider models whose body is made of silumin or other alloys that are not distinguished by high mechanical strength and resistance to acidic, alkaline media.
The part of the structure that experiences the most wear is the paint ejection nozzle. The minimum requirement that a model acceptable for long service life must meet is the manufacture of this element from aluminum. If you need a really reliable tool, you should opt for an airbrush with brass or stainless steel nozzle.

In general, the whole structure should be as light as possible, made of aluminum and steel, with good trigger travel, which should also be made of metal. Saving every gram is a smart move.

Important! It is worth remembering that the total weight of the tool will increase significantly when the working mixture is poured into the colorful glass.

Another area of careful evaluation is degree of sealing. Automotive spray gun, regardless of its class, works with high pressure. Liquids must not leak. Therefore, special attention is paid to the quality of gaskets and seals. A good airbrush will offer reliable elements made of fluoroplast, technopolymers. High quality models are equipped with Teflon gaskets.

Location and capacity of the tank with paint

Today, the choice of a spray gun for painting a car is proposed to be made among models with an upper or lower location of the paint tank. Both types of devices have their own usage patterns.

Models with an upper and lower tank differ in weight distribution, ease of operation, and an overview of the surface to be painted. Beginners value simplicity first. They prefer to buy a spray gun with a lower glass for painting a car. This model allows you to quickly change colors, it offers a maximum overview of the painting area and the accessibility of all adjustments.

Available adjustments

Responsible for overall performance flame spot configuration and ink mixture consumption. Therefore, a good spray gun must have at least two adjustments:

setting the torch, in the normal position, the paint spot has a round shape, by adjusting, an ellipse elongated vertically is achieved;
changing the position of the needle.

A professional tool often differs from the average spray gun for beginners. In particular, it has a longer stroke of the needle, the possibility of limiting its movement and fixing the position. It is also often offered the opportunity to fine-tune and conveniently adjust the size of the flame spot.

Specifications

The list of works that can be performed with high efficiency directly depends on the characteristics of the spray gun. Also, the marking of the device can say a lot about the mechanics of using the tool, the efficiency of the mixture consumption, the convenience of performing operations in areas of limited space.

Nozzle diameter

The nozzle diameter allows you to choose a device, focusing both on the types of dyes used and future work.

Base coats, such as metallics or solids, are best applied by a spray gun with a nozzle from 1.2 to 1.3 mm.
For varnish and acrylic paints, including when finishing work - it is recommended to choose a tool with a nozzle from 1.4 to 1.5 mm.
Soils with a sufficiently large grain size of the working mixture (including acrylic type 2K) are best applied through a nozzle from 1.5 to 1.7 mm.
Putties are recommended to work with a nozzle from 1.7 to 2.0 mm.

As experience grows and tasks with specific requirements appear, the master begins to study the technical data of paints and choose the diameter of the spray gun nozzle. However, there is an easier way for beginners. Sufficiently versatile, suitable for solving a wide range of problems, is considered a nozzle diameter of 1.4 mm. With such a tool, you can work with almost all paints, with some restrictions, carry out priming operations. When using thick mixtures, they are diluted with a solvent, empirically selecting the consistency.

Advice! The best strategy is to purchase a spray gun that comes with interchangeable nozzles with different nozzle diameters.

Differences in spray guns in terms of working pressure and efficiency of use

The mechanics of the pneumatic type spray gun is quite simple. Pressurized air mixes with the dye and is ejected in the form of a torch through a nozzle. There are two key parameters to consider here. The actual inlet pressure, the parameters of the ejected mixture, the consumption of paint and the efficiency of its use. There are several standard device classes on the market today. Types of spray guns are marked:

HP - high pressure;
HVLP- high flow, low pressure;
LVLP - low flow, low pressure;
RP - with pressure reduction in the mixing chamber.

Other markings and types of spray guns are, in a sense, derivatives - they combine the properties and features of the listed classes. Such devices will be of interest to professionals for performing work with specific requirements. In particular, models of the LVMP (low flow medium pressure), MP (medium pressure), HTE (high paint utilization) class are on the market.

HP system considered a classic. Buying just such an airbrush for painting a car is decided by people who are guided by the opinion, so to speak, of older painting masters. Such specialists are accustomed to a tool of this class and do not pay attention to its shortcomings.

Pneumatic spray gun Wester FPG10-PL HP 55184

The HP system has the nice feature of a wide spray pattern. With this tool it is easy to apply uniform, thin layers of paint over a large area. Provides high productivity. But the average hobbyist should pay attention to the main drawback: the high-pressure spray paint in the HP system creates a large cloud, the so-called spray. The working mixture simply flies into space, coloring everything around. As a result, using the HP system on a small area is not economically efficient - a huge percentage of paint is wasted.

More interesting for beginners HVLP system. Such spray guns eject the mixture under a pressure of about 0.7 atm, requiring about 2.5-3 atm at the inlet. The operation of the system is characterized by extremely small paint particles, a focused torch, and a small percentage of spray. Not only high labor productivity is ensured, but also good indicators of economic efficiency. HVLP spray guns apply a minimum of 65% paint to the target surface.

Airbrush pneumatic KRAFTOOL AirKraft, HVLP

But the most attractive for beginners is LVLP system. Such devices are ideal in everything:

provide a neat torch;
characterized by minimal spray;
apply a minimum of 65% paint to the target surface;
require relatively modest compressor performance;
react little to pulsation and changes in inlet pressure.

Important! Another attractive feature of the low pressure LVLP system is the ability to work in hard to reach places. The low flow rate combined with a neat jet allows you to increase the distance from the nozzle tip to the target surface by 50-100 mm.

Airbrush LVLP Huberth R500 (nozzle 1.3-1.4-1.7 mm)

RP system can be considered universal for an undemanding consumer. Spray guns of this type work with most varnishes, paints, primers, provide a wide torch, good performance and quality of paint application. The tool of this class has average requirements for the compressor, they can achieve excellent results when processing a large area.

Compressor Requirements

Beginners often make one standard mistake. Having in a garage or workshop pneumatic compressor, they believe that its characteristics will be enough for any spray gun. In practice, this is not the case. Each device of a certain class puts forward its own requirements for the supercharger.

HP system will require up to 5 atm of inlet pressure and a capacity of up to 300 liters of air per minute.
For HVLP the compressor should give 3 atm at an air flow rate of 360 liters per minute or more. At the same time, it is recommended to equip the devices with moisture and oil filters, since the supercharger has to work almost at the limit of its capabilities and continuously.
LVLP system will require up to 2 atm at the inlet and pumping at the level of 150-350 liters per minute.

In order not to make a mistake in choosing and not to run into trouble, it is recommended that you find out the exact characteristics of the compressor that is already available before going to the store. Or buy a complete set of equipment. There is another option: electric spray guns are quite popular among beginners.

Electric spray guns for car painting

An electric spray gun is a fairly new device on the market. It is completely balanced, often automatic complex. It only needs access to a power outlet to operate. All the necessary equipment (compressor, spray handle, colorful glass) is arranged in fairly compact blocks.

Until recently, the main disadvantage of an electric spray gun was called a large mass and low ease of operation. But today, models are produced that do not cause almost any inconvenience. Perfect option for a beginner - an electric spray gun, the compressor unit of which is hung on backpack straps-unloading behind the operator's back (or on his shoulder).

Some models suggest floor blower installation.

Even more uncomfortable offer hold the compressor unit in your hands.

A modern electric spray gun offers a number of convenient features:

long continuous operation due to the use of a membrane compressor;
high performance models with a piston compressor;
high overall reliability and durability;
variety of used paints, varnishes, primers;
high work productivity.

In addition, an electric spray gun allows you to not fully use the working mixture and quickly change containers. You need to choose such a device according to the diameter of the nozzle, the available adjustments and the nature of the paint consumption. In general, a tool of this class does not offer high flexibility and versatility, but allows using one device without complex settings to carry out the necessary operations with high quality.

Tutorial for beginners: how to paint a car with your own hands

It is better to paint a car in a well-lit place, if this happens in a garage - dust, cobwebs, and dirt should not fall on the car. The stages of preparation for painting look like this.

Important! At the final stage of grinding, in case of excessive zeal of the performer, it may be necessary to apply an additional layer of putty to level the surface.

Before painting, protect all unnecessary areas with masking tape, newspapers or film. The entire surface of the body evenly sanded with 1200 grit until matte. After that, they are cleaned from dust, wiping with White Spirit, followed by drying. The car is ready for painting.

At the end of the drying process, remove protective films, newspapers, masking tape. Painted points of screw connections are carefully cut with taps and dies. After that, they install all the previously removed equipment in their regular places and enjoy the updated look of the car.

Conclusion

A beginner should not think that the only purchased airbrush will allow you to work with all paints, primers, and special compositions without exception. It will also not work to perform absolutely any operation. The tool is selected according to a number of parameters, focusing only on the main necessary work. If you do everything carefully and do not try to save money - on the modern market you can buy a very convenient, durable and reliable airbrush, pneumatic or electric type.

The airbrush has been successfully used in many industries for a long time. In addition, this useful tool can be found on construction sites around the world. The spray gun plays an important role in the arsenal of the home master. Let's figure out what spray guns are, which sprayer to choose for repair.

The first spray guns appeared at the end of the nineteenth century. Interestingly, they were used in medicine - for the treatment of various preparations of open wounds, as well as for inhalation of the throat and upper respiratory tract. The invention turned out to be incredibly successful and quite versatile, so its author, American Alain DeVilbiss, left medicine and organized the production of spray guns. Hand spray gun for industrial and domestic use Alain and his son patented in 1907.

As you can see, this tool has a long history. For many years, it has been appreciated not only by furniture makers, industrial painters and car repair workers, but also by builders involved in finishing work. Previously, there were no household spray guns in our country, almost none. You probably saw how at one time women from the ZhEK whitewashed the entrances with spray guns with hand pump and a long metal rod. Do you remember the Soviet blown vacuum cleaners, they also had a plastic nozzle in the form of a lid attached to them? We connect a half-liter can of paint and ...

Now everything is a little different, the tool has evolved noticeably, it has become more functional, more productive and more technologically advanced. Modern sprayers allow you to quickly perform a huge amount of painting work, in addition, they provide the highest quality of the finished coating. If you need a smooth, uniformly painted surface, then there is no alternative to the spray gun at all. Neither a roller (even with the smallest velor coat), nor even a brush, will give such a result. The spray gun will be indispensable when processing large areas or when painting profile, curved, volumetric parts.

At the moment, there are many options for the paint sprayer, which differ not only in price, but also in a special design, different principles of operation. Accordingly, their purpose is different. All spray guns are divided into two main categories:

Pneumatic.
With electric motor, airless.

What is the difference between an electric spray gun and a pneumatic one?

To be honest, they don't have much in common. It's all about design and how it works. A spray gun that runs on compressed air is called pneumatic. Naturally, for its operation you need a compressor with a receiver. By means of a hose, a spray nozzle in the form of a pistol with a tank is attached to the compressor - in fact, this is the spray gun. The compressor, using electricity, pumps air and supplies it to the spray gun. Pressurized air breaks the paint into tiny particles and pushes it out of the nozzle, forming a so-called torch.

Properly selected, high-quality "compressor-spray gun" kit costs a lot of money, so pneumatic spray guns are mainly used by professionals.

An electric spray gun (more precisely, it will be called “with an electric motor”) does not form compressed air, the paint is sprayed simply under pressure - using a built-in pump. Naturally, paints and varnishes cannot be properly ground due to lack of airflow. The quality of the coating performed by such a device is significantly inferior to the result available when using even the cheapest pneumatic analogues. True, in return we get a compact, inexpensive, easy-to-maintain tool that does not require any additional equipment, air purification tools. He is able to seriously make life easier for the home master, who periodically encounters painting work. The vast majority of experts consider electric paint sprayers to be household.

In fairness, we note that there are electric spray guns with a minicompressor. It's kind of an intermediate option. Here, a compressed air stream is also used for the spraying process. The compressor is clearly designed for the performance of your gun, it is made in a separate casing, they are connected by a special high-pressure factory hose. The spaced gun that we hold in our hands is much lighter than the usual monoblock electric model (there is no electric motor). Such specimens are close to traditional pneumatics in terms of painting quality, however, they are not cheap either - the price tag starts from 500 conventional units. Be careful, through television (all sorts of “purchases from the couch”) are now actively distributing low-grade stylization for this class of professional instrument.

Our combat kit: FIAC COSMOS 2.4 plus MIOL 80-864

At one time, our team also faced a question of choice. We decided not to play roulette, and followed the example of our more experienced comrades - we purchased a worthy, one might say, typical Italian mid-range compressor FIAC COSMOS 2.4. They paired him with a simple high-pressure pistol from a well-known Kharkov company - MIOL 80-864. The set turned out to be well balanced, there was never a case when the compressor turned off for “resuming”, or the thermal relay worked due to overheating. Its productivity of 240 l / min easily covers the "gluttony" of the gun, which is estimated at 75-210 liters per minute.

There were doubts about the capacity of the receiver - which one to take, 24 or 50 liters. As usual, we made a choice in favor of compactness, low weight - and did not regret it. The COSMOS 2.4 is only 65 cm long, weighs 30 kg, has good ergonomics and is very easy to transport across the floors of our facilities. Despite the minimum volume of the receiver, the pressure of 4-6 bar (the working pressure of our gun) COSMOS 2.4 keeps stable, without failures during active parsing, since its automation is set to the range from 6 to 8 bar. The Fiats developers used the engine not the weakest (1.5 kW), but it works stably and not too loudly. Its aluminum body with pronounced ribs dissipates heat well, and the built-in fan also contributes to this. It is quite natural that the Italian device has a clear pressure adjustment, a high-quality pressure gauge, a really working safety valve, and sensitive thermal protection. Our compressor has one drawback: after a working shift, a few drops of oil are found on the floor - apparently, some kind of gasket is “sweating”. But we decided not to intrude on the motor, because it has not let us down for several years in a row, we just always put something on it.

A little about the MIOL 80-864 pistol. We don’t paint cars, we don’t varnish windows / doors, so we didn’t bother much and bought an inexpensive high-pressure sprayer. But the quality of the coating that it allows you to get will completely and completely suit any builder. At the same time, it works quite quickly, the hiding power is good, a small percentage of paint transfer does not scare us (the consumption is better than from a brush or roller). It is light, maneuverable, lies well in the hand, however, there is a little lack of rubber or something like that on the handle. Sometimes you want to have a larger tank (a 0.6 liter tank is included in the kit), but logic tells you that then you will need to hold more paint in your working hand. The manufacturers installed a nozzle on the pistol with a diameter of 1.5 mm, and it completely satisfies us, we see no point in buying other sizes. We spray with this gun not only water-soluble paints, varnishes, but also more viscous materials - primers, drying oil, sometimes enamels. In general, we thought that we were buying a disposable (“break down - throw away - buy another”) pistol in order to understand the principles of working with an airbrush, but it has been pleasing us for several years.

From the very beginning, the compressor and gun were connected with a MIOL 81-333 polyurethane coiled hose. However, he turned out to be not very convenient for working "in place", he constantly got confused and strove to catch on to something. As a result, it was replaced with a regular straight hose from old stocks. The problem has been fixed.

Our pneumatic kit turned out to be very budgetary. He copes with all the tasks easily, the best for construction is not needed. Basically, all maintenance comes down to removing moisture from the receiver and regular cleaning of the gun (no more time than washing or preserving the roller). Now it's hard for me to understand how some people who are seriously involved in repairs do without a spray gun.

How to choose a gun for a pneumatic spray gun by spray technology

If in spray guns with electric motors, the manufacturer has balanced the performance of the gun and the blowing motor in a single monoblock tool, then in the case of pneumatics, we can independently choose (we are forced to choose) both the parameters of the spray gun and the characteristics of the compressor. What is most interesting, the main part is the spray gun (gun), and based on its performance, a compressor is selected.

There are three types of spray guns depending on the working pressure and the volume of air consumed. They were simply named: HP, HVLP, LVLP.

HP technology (an abbreviation for "high pressure" in English) is used in low pressure tools. price level. At the moment, for a number of reasons, she has receded into the background, or to be more precise, into the background. What is its feature? The main thing is a high level of working pressure, reaching 5-6 bar, with a relatively small air flow. Such an airbrush allows you to paint quickly, but high pressure is an obstacle to perfect quality. The main disadvantage of HP-technology is the low percentage of material transfer. Interesting term, isn't it? It means in what percentage the paint gets on the object, and how much of it evaporates with the air flow. So, these devices transfer no more than 45-50% of paints and varnishes, we throw the rest under pressure, as they say, into the wind. It turns out that not only expensive paint is wasted, but the air in the working area is also polluted. As a result, in some countries, environmental organizations have banned the use of such spray guns. These tools are good for their simplicity and their budget cost. High pressure guns are perfect for most maintenance and construction jobs involving spraying a variety of formulations.

HVLP technology (“a lot of air - low pressure”) is rightfully considered the most effective. The air at the inlet to the gun is under high pressure, and at the outlet it is sufficiently discharged (0.7-1 bar). The ink transfer rate rises to over 65%, which naturally improves the quality of the work. All this is due to the excellent stability of the torch, the specific design of the spray gun, its high-tech nozzle and special air channels. HVLP pistols are very economical, but they are not cheap either.

LVLP (Low Air, Low Pressure) spray guns have the best transfer rate of up to 80%, respectively, mist losses are reduced to 20%. However, they do not require a large number air, so the requirements for compressor performance are not the most stringent. You need only about 180-200 liters per minute. Oddly enough, the speed of work will not suffer, the quality of spraying will also be on top.

There are a few more nuances. For example, the location of the container for paints and varnishes. The top location of the tank gives a good weight distribution, and the speed of work. Containers located on top have a small volume (up to one liter), they are usually made of nylon or plastic, often transparent (they allow you to control the level of the material). lower tanks larger (1 liter or more), they are often made of metal. During a break, the gun can be placed on such a container.

Airbrush manufacturers often offer interchangeable nozzles of different diameters - from 1 to 3 mm. For spraying construction mixtures, nozzles with a hole of up to 6-7 mm can be used. Depending on the type of sprayed material, its grain size and viscosity, in fact, the nozzle is selected. Nozzles with an opening of 1.4-1.7 mm are considered universal.

It is worth paying attention to the possibility of adjustments that affect the spraying process. These are limiting the stroke of the needle (the amount of paint supply), setting the parameters of the outgoing air, adjusting the shape of the torch. Some models are equipped with a manometer.

How to choose a compressor

The compressor is the most important part of a pneumatic spray gun, so in order to assemble a truly capable kit, you need to correctly select it. There are several indicators that compressors differ from each other, some of them are traditional for most models, while others make us think seriously.

Engine power most compressors on the market, fluctuates between 1.2-1.8 kW. This is quite enough to ensure good performance of the entire unit. The motors on average compressors are even outwardly very similar, one might say, identical. Unscrupulous manufacturers may claim too much power when their compressors actually produce neither more pressure nor more air. They are driven by the desire to make the product more purchasable, it is not worth spending extra money for non-existent or unnecessary watts.

The volume of the receiver in 24-50 liters is already a tradition. For construction purposes, this is what you need - the accumulated air will be enough to perform most types of work, while the device remains moderately compact and light. But if the compressor will be used in any production, in intensive mode, then budget option you can not do it - you need to pay attention to the larger volume of the receiver (100-500 liters). In fact, big size receiver can compensate/increase overall compressor performance to some extent.

Operating pressure. Usually you don’t have to choose here - the vast majority of compressors compress the air in the receiver up to 8 bar, after which the automation turns it off. Manufacturers set the lower threshold (switch-on threshold) to 6 bar, upon reaching this indicator, the motor turns on and “pumps” the missing volume of air into the receiver. More advanced units pump 10 or more bar.

Performance. And here is a closer look. This concept displays how many liters of compressed air the compressor produces per minute. Why is it so important? We have already said that guns differ in spray technology, for normal operation they need different amounts of air, different pressures. Let's say HVLP spray guns "consume" a lot of air (from 180 to 550 l / min). If the compressor is not selected correctly, then the pressure drops too quickly, even with the engine constantly running, it “floats” at the outlet - the quality of the spray deteriorates noticeably. You will have to take frequent breaks for swapping. If the motor seems to cope, but works at the limit, then it may overheat and again turn off the automation (thermal relay), in addition, we have premature wear of the piston group.

Interestingly, manufacturers indicate the inlet capacity (how much air is sucked in). In practice, there are losses of air during its compression, and they amount to 35%. Experts believe that for a guaranteed correct calculation (the actual volume of air at the outlet), we must multiply the declared performance by a factor of 0.65-0.7. It turns out that common 206x0.65 = 133.9 l / min. Most manufacturers are a little more loyal in this matter, they offer to make calculations with increased productivity - at least 15% of the gluttony of the gun.

There is only one conclusion: compressor performance is the most important indicator that must be taken into account with a margin.

Important options for compressors include: automatic shutdown overload, pressure adjustment with pressure gauge and safety valve, built-in filters and cooling fans, ergonomic layout with comfortable handles and wheels (for compact mobile models).

Electric spray gun: manual or floor

Electric (airless) sprayers are available in both manual and floor versions. A manual spray gun is the most affordable and most common version of this class of power tools. Because of the characteristic sound and vibration, it is also called the "buzzing gun". In this case, the entire unit is arranged in one unit, consisting of a motor with a piston pump, a pistol grip, a reservoir and a spray nozzle (valve, nozzle ...). Many companies produce such a tool, some of them have succeeded more, some less, but the fact remains - these are household spray guns for do-it-yourself work. The Bosch company did not deceive the consumer and sells all its painting tools in green "household" cases. The vast majority of handheld electric spray guns have a relatively low paint consumption efficiency (transfer), the spray quality often leaves much to be desired. However, we cannot but be captivated by the high speed of painting work, ease of operation, compactness and low price of such a tool.

Floor spray guns are already produced by a limited number of companies: Campbell Hausfeld, Wagner, Earlex. These units are highly technical specifications inherent professional tool. They have a more powerful and heavier motor (you don’t need to hold it in your hands), a productive pump, an extended set of adjustments, a greater margin of safety, which allows you to use the tool for commercial purposes - for painting serious volumes (wooden and metal structures, ceilings, walls ...) . We control only the gun connected to the high pressure hose - the power plant and the tank are installed separately on the bed (for example, the Wagner Paint Crew model).

Characteristics of electric spray guns

As we have already said, the developers have already balanced the main indicators of the tool related to performance, they all turned out plus or minus similar. It makes no sense to choose specific instances based on minor differences in engine power or pump operating pressure. Believe me, extra watts will not play a role, but the rest is worth understanding in detail.

First of all, when choosing an electric spray gun, pay attention to what compositions it is intended for spraying. Some of them can only work with water-soluble paint materials, others are more versatile, they can easily cope with solvent-based paints and varnishes, oils, viscous compounds.

The presence of adjustments is a very important position. Most manual electric spray guns have a minimum of adjustment options. As a rule, this is a rough setting of the supply volume of the painting material and the shape of the torch (Black & Decker BDPS200 or Fiolent KR1-260). More advanced models may have electronic adjustment feed, the possibility of pre-setting the working pressure, changing the speed of the piston, several spray modes. Floor sprayers are usually always more functional (Earlex HV500 SprayPort).

Pay attention to the type of tank. The most convenient will be tanks from transparent plastic located below - they have a larger volume and allow you to control the amount of remaining liquid (BOSCH PFS 65). For extensive jobs, the built-in tanks will be too small, so it makes sense to look at models with the ability to draw paint from a free-standing tank. By the way, floor spray guns have large tanks of 7-10 liters or suck the composition directly from the bucket (Wagner ProjectPRO 117).

Some manufacturers make special extensions for their spray guns or long guns, sometimes with a swivel mechanism. This makes it possible to paint most surfaces without ladders and scaffolds. Imagine that you need to process the ceiling, but the tool needs to be kept at a small distance from the plane. Speaking of distance, there are spray guns with a laser pointer that shows the working distance - very convenient for beginners. Here again, the Wagner company (Wide Shot model) excelled.

Floor sprayers can have different hose lengths - from 1.5 meters (Miol HVLP 79-560 - shoulder version) to 60 meters, sometimes this difference greatly affects convenience and performance. The paint composition can be transported over a limited distance. For example, the DP Airless DP-6820 can feed material 30 meters horizontally and 15 meters upwards.

It is very important how high-quality plastic is used to make the spray gun, how many metal parts the manufacturers used (it is better if the needle is made of metal), how well all the elements of the tool fit, especially the moving ones. There are usually no repair kits for electric sprayers; a breakdown will immediately entail the replacement of the tool.

The vibration of a hand-held electric spray gun can be very strong. Before buying, turn on the tool, take the opportunity to compare several models, this will also allow you to decide on the ergonomics of the product that is right for you. Pay attention to the weight of the tool.

Give preference to products of a well-known, time-tested brand. Overpaying for a brand will most likely save you a lot of hassle and downtime.

We all love to paint, because it is at this stage that the objects of our work acquire their special features, a finished look. The sprayer is the tool that will bring true pleasure from work, you just need to choose the right one for your specific purposes.