Spray Guns

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What are Spray Guns? Functions and Uses

An essential component of all industrial spray machines, spray guns are the handheld devices that technicians use to apply spray materials. They are typically connected to larger systems and prompt the rest of the spray machine to mix, transport, and spray the fluid materials via a trigger.

These products come in varying types, have an assortment of features, and are designed by a range of different manufacturers. Overall, they help make spraying jobs more efficient, cost-effective, and higher quality.

Types of Spray Guns

The spray industry is quite diverse with a range of different spray materials and surfaces. As such, there are many different spray gun types available to meet these requirements. Bolair focuses on stocking the most versatile iterations on the market, ensuring that every customer will find an option that perfectly suits their needs.

Airless spray guns are the most commonly used. They are powered by a motorized pump (either electrical or hydraulic) and offer high-power operation, customizable spray patterns, and uniform coatings.

Manual spray guns feature a user-controlled trigger assembly and are perfect for less demanding operations where an expensive automatic system is overkill. They are much easier to maintain, as the spray gun parts can be easily swapped out. Manual spray guns can be more effective than automatic spray guns in the hands of a skilled technician, as the operator can make on-the-fly adjustments.

Automatic spray guns and powder guns are typically used in demanding production lines. They can be either user-controlled or integrated into an automated, robotic system. Automatic guns do not have a trigger assembly and will spray continuously. This can be very beneficial for novice spray technicians or for situations where speed and extensive coverage are important.

Thinner spray materials like primers and lacquers require sensitive spray guns. Most fine finish guns are high volume low pressure (HVLP), ensuring optimum transfer efficiency.

Texture guns are most often airless and are used for applications like fireproofing, drywall, and some roof coatings. They’re designed for high-viscosity materials like ready-mix and powdered joint compounds, but can also be used with standard paint.

Waterproofing guns are extremely heavy-duty and feature a very high flow rate that makes it possible to apply thick coverage in fewer coats.

As the name suggests, foam guns are utilized by the spray foam insulation industry. They can be either air-purged, mechanical-purged, or solvent-purged, and are engineered to specifically handle high-viscosity, plural component materials.

The thicker viscosities of plural component materials like polyurea need specialized components throughout the entire system. Accessories like heated hoses and transfer pumps ensure that the polyurea guns will be able to perform at maximum efficiency.

Many of the spray guns used for polyurea can also be used for floor coatings and repairs. They feature shorter stroke lengths that are ideal for fast-setting materials and have varying mix chamber sizes for different applications.

Protective coatings guns are often the same guns used for other applications like fireproofing, floor coating, texture coating, and fine finishes. They come in a wide range of pressure ratings and fluid compatibilities.

Hoses are essential to the functionality of any spray gun. It’s important to choose a product that matches the material, temperature, and pressure requirements of the spray project. Gun & hose bundle kits are available for convenience.

Air-assisted guns are hybrids, as they rely on both a hydraulic fluid motor and compressed air. The motor will typically pressurize the system to a halfway point, where the compressed air then takes over the disperse the spray material from the gun. With a high transfer rate and application speed, they’re one of the more expensive air spray guns available.

Main Features and Capabilities

There are several spray gun parts and features that are used in all industries. The air cap is found on all guns and is responsible for atomizing and directing the fluid materials. This can often be customized and dictates the shape of the fan pattern. The nozzle is the component that meters the amount of fluid that enters the spray gun, controlling the flow rate of material as it exits the system.

Many brands like Graco have specialized features. For example, ClearShot technology is used with liquid purge spray guns to automatically clear the chamber of any excess residue, drastically reducing cleaning times. ProConnect technology is another proprietary feature that makes spray gun rebuilds a breeze.

Industries That Utilize High-Performance Spray Guns

Coatings are essential for a wide range of purposes, including protection, insulation, weather resistance, and visual appeal. Their specialized construction is necessary to accommodate a range of different industries, such as:

Manufacturing:

Automotive spray guns are used in vehicle manufacturing for the painting, powder coating, protective coating, and fine finishing of frames and exposed metal.

Painting:

Exterior painters find that the efficiency and quality of their work are drastically improved when using spray guns over brushes.

Consumer Goods:

Many consumer products have a final painted or powder-coated layer that protects them from wear and makes them ready for the shelf.

Structural Fabrication:

Civil structures like bridges and skyscrapers all feature strong steel beams that are fabricated with protective coatings for resistance against the elements and corrosion.

Spray Foam Insulation:

Large-scale spray foam insulation projects utilize high-end machines and spray guns for more efficient and uniform application.

Fireproofing:

Often used in construction, spray guns are used to apply fireproof coatings to elements of the building like the walls.

Floor Coating:

Many floors, such as the ones found in garages and commercial spaces, utilize plural component spray systems and guns for epoxy and polyurea coatings.

Commercial Roofing:

Many commercial, flat-roofed buildings take advantage of the speed at which spray on roof coatings can be applied.

Benefits of Using Spray Guns

Improved Accuracy

Spray guns meticulously control the application of fluid materials. Competent spray technicians will find that using a high-quality spray gun will improve the accuracy of their coatings, resulting in less overspray and fewer coverage gaps.

Maximum Efficiency

The speed at which a spray job can be done using a professional gun is impressive. Higher-powered machines can cover the same amount of area in one hour that it would take a contractor to do by hand in a day.

Better Surface Quality

There is minimal margin of error with spray guns. The technology within the device creates uniform spray patterns with a consistent amount of material. This results in a much higher-quality surface finish that’s free from blemishes, drips, and thin coverage spots.

Top Brands to Consider

Graco

Graco is hands down the world leader in fluid handling equipment. They have some of the best spray guns for every application, including product lines like the Fusion, Contractor PC and FTx, AirPro, and others.

Gusmer

Highly regarded for the GX-7 and GAP spray guns, Gusmer is the go-to choice amongst contractors and commercial enterprises for polyurea spray guns.

Gema

Gema has made a name for itself in the powder coating industry. Their OptiFlex product line has revolutionized protective coatings and has both manual and automatic options available.

Titan

Titan produces some of the most heavy-duty sprayers on the market. Their HVLP FlexSpray gun is ideal for fine finishing jobs on both exteriors and interiors.

PMC

The PMC Xtreme is one of the more affordable spray foam and protective coating options in stock at Bolair. Its lightweight and ergonomic design maximizes operator comfort and the patented chamber/PCT design supports nine different sizes for variable spray patterns and mixes.

Sames Kremlin

Sames Kremlin is the leader in air assisted airless spray guns with their Airmix Xcite line of manual and automatic guns.

How to Choose the Best Spray Gun for Your Business

With so many options to choose from, finding the perfect spray gun can be quite difficult for both first-time and veteran buyers. In general, the main factors that you should consider when finding a gun include:

Application/Use (Protective Coating, Painting, Insulation, Fireproofing, Etc.)
Spray Materials Being Used (Paint, Powder, Epoxies, Silicone, Polyurea, Etc.)
Flow Rates and Pressure Required for These Materials
Desired Specialty Features (Easy Maintenance and Cleaning Features, Customizable Spray Patterns, Etc.)
Budget

If you have any uncertainty, our trusted representatives would be happy to learn about your spray requirements and point you in the right direction.

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Why Trust Bolair for Your Spray Gun Purchase?

Since 1982, Bolair Fluid Handling Systems has been a respected name across North America and Canada. We have established ourselves as experts in the spray industry and have the knowledge and products that customers need to make a worry-free purchasing decision. We are 100% dedicated to helping business owners and contractors like you find the perfect spray gun or machine for your upcoming projects, and we’ll make sure that our attentive customer support is there for you every step of the way.

When you purchase from Bolair, you won’t have to worry about the quality of your new spray gun. We offer impressive 12-month warranties and only carry products from the industry’s leading manufacturers. Furthermore, we have an extensive range of financing plans and rental options that will help make your investment more attainable. Let our experts be your trusted source for high-quality, long-lasting spray equipment.

FAQ about Spray Guns

How to Use a Spray Gun?

Spray guns are used by connecting the gun to the fluid and pressure source. For Air Spray and Air Assisted Airless guns, there will also be a connection for compressed air for atomization. Pressure pots and air powered pumps are used to provide the fluid to air spray type spray guns along with compressed air for atomization. For airless spray guns, the fluid will be provided from pneumatic (air), hydraulic or electric powered pumps that develop the required fluid pressure. From there, the spray gun fluid intake and/or air pressure knobs can be set to the desired parameters. When ready to spray, hold the spray gun 25-30cm (10-12”) from the surface, begin the spray pattern before the surface starts, compress the trigger, and move in a smooth horizontal or vertical motion, making sure to go beyond where the surface and before releasing the trigger.

How Do Spray Guns Work?

Spray guns work through the interaction of various components, such as the pressure pot/pump/cup, trigger, nozzle or air cap, fluid needle. The different types of spray guns will have different interactions and components. Pulling the trigger releases fluid into the gun or mix chamber and moves out the tip. Depending on the type of spray gun, air may come in contact with the fluid for atomization. In the case of impingement airless spray guns, there is mixing that takes place in the mix chamber before it exits the gun.

What is the Difference Between a Spray Gun, Sprayer, and Spray Machine?

Spray gun, sprayer, and spray machine are sometimes used interchangeably. However, a spray machine and sprayer typically refers to the equipment that houses the pumps, controls, and other core components. The spray gun is the handheld portion or automatic valve of the system that the material is sprayed out of. A spray package is referred to as the complete system including the sprayer machine, hoses, spray guns and more.

How to Clean a Spray Gun?

Spray guns are quite easy to clean and doing so can drastically improve the lifespan of the equipment. This process involves cleaning the exterior of the spray gun with the compatible cleaning liquids. Then, the spray gun can be disassembled such as nozzle, fluid needle, air cap, mix chamber and air trigger assembly. From there, these parts can be cleaned and flushed with compatible cleaning liquids or water if water based materials are used. You should always refer to both the spray machine and gun manual and material Technical Data Sheet (TDS) for more information on proper safety, flushing and cleaning procedures.

Which Type of Spray Gun Uses the Highest Fluid Pressure?

Airless spray guns use the highest fluid pressure. For this reason, they are best suited to jobs where fine accuracy and finish quality isn’t as necessary, or where thicker materials like epoxy are being used. Materials with high solids content such as protective coatings materials typically use airless spray guns.

What is the Difference Between HVLP and LVLP Spray Guns?

High volume low pressure (HVLP) spray guns rely on a large amount of air and a low amount of pressure to atomize spray materials. Low volume low pressure (LVLP spray guns) rely on low amounts of air and lower pressure. HVLP guns atomize paint materials more completely, resulting in a finer finish with greater transfer efficiency. LVLP guns are also effective at creating a fine finish with less waste, but they’re more geared to light and medium-viscosity materials.

Are Spray Paint Guns Worth It?

Spray guns are absolutely worth it for any professional coating job. Compared to brush-on or spray-can coatings, guns create a much more consistent and visually appealing coating. They are much easier to control physically and they are also better at regulating how much material is used. This results in a higher-quality finish that is appreciated by many users. Even more importantly, spray guns allow for faster and more efficient application.

How to Remove Spray Paint from Gun?

Spray paint is quite easy to remove from a gun and it’s one of the key parts of maintaining your equipment. For water-based materials like paint, running water through the system is all that’s needed. For heavier-duty materials that are oil-based, a paint thinner or flushing solution may be necessary. To achieve the best results, ensure that your spray gun is cleaned after every use.

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Check Out Our Client’s Feedback Google reviews

My experience was absolutely fantastic! I started shopping for a commercial grade paint sprayer. Bolair helped me find the best sprayer for a large project. They suggested a Titan sprayer and I am so happy with the choice. I have been using it for a year now, sorry for the late review but thank you! The price was absolutely fair and even the delivery was early. I highly recommend Bolair to anyone in the market from a sprayer!

I purchased a Graco Sprayer from Bolair a few months back. They were amazing, they explained the difference between all of the different equipment and helped me get the best sprayer for my job. Thank you!

Very professional company that has a substantial amount of stock readily available. A range of different equipment including Graco. I got a fantastic price on my Graco products. I purchased multiple sprayers from Bolair and the delivery was extremely quick. Highly recommend them to anyone in the market.

Had a very pleasant experience working with Bolair. I have purchased all of my equipment from them for several years now. Each time they have never disappointed me!

First time purchasing equipment, I purchased a sprayer and spray gun from them. They made a great bundle for me and I definitely got my value. Great service, I recommend them to everyone looking for any fluid handling equipment.

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