Comparative Analysis of Spray Guns for Different Applications

1. Types of Spray Paint Guns
2. Pros and Cons of the Types of Paint Spray Guns
3. Maintenance and Safety of Different Types of Paint Guns
4. Cost Effectiveness of Professional Spray Guns
5. Paint Sprayer Comparison Chart
6. Get a Quote for Your Spray Equipment from Bolair Today
7. FAQs About Spray Paint Guns

Spray guns are the workhorse of the painting and protective coating industry. They’re handheld devices that are manually controlled by the spray technicians and are responsible for applying the final coating onto a surface or product. In manufacturing, the use of automatic spray guns are used are part of an automated coating system.

There are a range of different spray gun options available on the market, each with its own advantages and use cases. Understanding your project requirements is essential for determining which types of spray guns are right for you and most importantly are right for the coating material and application. Use this guide below to help you understand the key differences between each product type.

Types of Spray Paint Guns

Air Spray Guns

Air Spray

Conventional spray guns use a low-pressure fluid stream mixed with compressed air at the air cap to break up the fluid particles for atomization. This results in a high-quality finish with a fair amount of overspray.

HVLP

High-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) spray guns are one of the more modern options in the industry. They atomize paint and spray materials by moving a large amount of gently pressurized air through the material. This results in a fine, intricate mist that is very precise.

Additionally, there is significantly less overspray and waste with this type of spray gun. This is beneficial for applications that require accuracy and consistency, such as automotive painting, furniture finishings, and sensitive coatings like primers. Additionally, HVLP spray guns have significantly enhanced control.

Compliant

Compliant spray guns atomize at higher air pressures than HVLP but not more than 29psi to meet standards while still providing high finish quality and efficiency spray. This is becoming more the standard of choice for air spray application.

Airless

Airless spray guns use fluid pressure only to atomize. Instead of using compressed air to supplement the pressure that’s used for atomization (such as with HVLP guns), they rely on machines that utilize an air, hydraulic or electric powered pump to transport spray materials. They’re generally higher-powered and are best for materials with thicker viscosities and where high production rates are required. Finish quality is not high when using airless spray technology.

The most common airless spray gun applications include large-scale commercial painting, industrial coatings, structural coatings as protective coatings.

Electrostatic

Electrostatic guns are used for high-conductivity coatings like paint and powder coatings and are often chosen because of their high paint spray gun efficiency for transferring materials. They utilize an electric charge to atomize the fine, powder materials in the reservoir. The surface material is oppositely charged, forcing the materials to “stick” to the surface like a magnet. From there, the surface is cured and hardened for a final product.

One of the biggest electrostatic painting benefits is durability. Powder coating and electrostatic paint guns are used by industries that require a weather-resilient finish. These could include vehicles, bridges, consumer products, and industrial machinery.

Pros and Cons of the Types of Paint Spray Guns

As you can see, each type of paint gun is different in its own way. It’s important to understand the unique applications of each so that you can purchase the right spray equipment for your operation. Each type of spray gun has its own pros and cons that you’ll want to analyze.

Type of Spray Gun	Pros	Cons
HVLP	Reduced Overspray from air spray Less Waste Environmentally Friendly	More Expensive Requires More Skill and Experience Can’t Use Thicker Paints
LVLP/Compliant	Versatility for Many Applications More suitable over HVLP with similar results Reduced Overspray	Can Only Be Used with Thin Materials Suitable for small to large jobs
Airless	Powerful Spray Output Does Not Rely on Compressed Air Very Effective with Thick and high solids Coatings	Heavy and Cumbersome to Use Requires Frequent Maintenance to Prevent Clogging Expensive Upfront Cost due to required airless spray pumps.
Electrostatic	Fewer Fumes and Environmental Hazards Very Accurate Application Excellent Paint Adhesion Excellent paint surface coverage	Requires a Skilled Spray Technician Can Only Be Used with Powder Coating Materials Sensitive to Environmental Conditions Expensive

Maintenance and Safety of Different Types of Paint Guns

No matter which spray painting machines and guns you choose, you need to keep maintenance and safety in mind. There are some serious hazards involved with using this equipment. Personal protective equipment (PPE) like respirators and full body paint suits are highly necessary.

For spray gun maintenance, ensure that you’re cleaning your equipment after use. Flushing may be necessary to remove any leftover materials inside the chamber, as these could dry and cause clogging issues.

Cost Effectiveness of Professional Spray Guns

When determining the cost-effectiveness of each type of spray gun, you’ll want to consider your use case. Certain guns can be more economical for different-sized jobs. Balancing the initial equipment cost with ongoing operating expenses is crucial.

Paint Sprayer Comparison Chart

Type of Spray Gun	Transfer Efficiency	Common Applications	Paint Compatibility
HVLP	65%+	Fine Automotive Finishing, Furniture Finishing, Consumer Products	Thin Paints, Lacquers, and Protective Coatings
LVLP	65%+	Fine Finishing	Thin Paints, Lacquers, and Protective Coatings
Airless	45-60%	Large-Scale Painting and Coating, Exteriors, Structural Components, Protective coatings	Thick, High-Viscosity Paints, Primers, and Protective Coatings
Electrostatic	60-90%	Automotive and Consumer Product Finishing	Powder Coating Materials

Get a Quote for Your Spray Equipment from Bolair Today

It can be confusing to compare paint sprayers and decide on the right one for your application. As shown above, each has its own material compatibility, functions, pros, and cons.

Whether you want a conventional paint sprayer, a pneumatic paint gun, an HVLP system, or an electric spray paint gun, our team at Bolair is here for you. Contact us today to learn more about our paint sprayer types and to get a quote.

FAQs About Spray Paint Guns

What Paint Gun for Walls?

Both LVLP and HVLP spray guns are best for walls.

What is the Best Paint for Guns?

There are different spray machine paints for each type of gun. View your product manual to find out which materials are compatible.

What is the Best Brand of Industrial Paint Guns?

Graco is one of the leading manufacturers of different types of spray guns like air spray guns, electric paint spray guns, and airless guns. Every spray gun Graco offers is meticulously engineered to offer the highest quality finish. Additionally, Titan is another trusted brand that makes versatile spray guns for a wide range of materials and applications.