In any workshop for the manufacture of solid wood furniture there is equipment that is designed to cover products with varnish, stain or paint. This approach takes less time than manual staining, in addition, paint consumption is much less. In the process, an airbrush is used, which can be electric or pneumatic. The former are used to perform small-scale work, for example, in everyday life.
Features of choice
Electric models are professional grade and are designed to apply the composition to a surface that has a large area. The pneumatic spray gun does not have an electric motor, so it does not overheat, and it can be used in very dusty conditions, near flammable substances and in high humidity.
How to choose a spray gun for working pressure
Working pressure is notmust be higher than the compressor is capable of delivering. For different devices, this figure can vary from 2 to 6 bar. There are several types of spray guns that differ in pressure and can be used for different tasks. You can determine this by marking.
Pneumatic spray gun has a low pressure within 2 bar if it has the designation LVLP. The equipment has a small volume and sprays thick compositions like car paints. The difference between such models is the uniformity of the torch and the high quality of paint application. There are also disadvantages here, which are expressed in a large consumption of paint, because the transfer of the mixture to the surface is approximately 45%. For narrow areas and small parts, it is better not to use such a tool. It is commonly used in auto repair shops and in the construction industry.
Pneumatic spray gun can have reduced pressure up to 2.5 bar. You can recognize such equipment by the RP marking. Such devices transfer the mixture to the surface more evenly. With their help, you can apply varnish or paint without streaks. The devices are connected to compressors with low capacity, so it is better to use them in small private workshops.
For reference
After reading reviews of pneumatic spray guns, you can understand that devices related to the HVLP series are also quite popular models. They are more advanced, and work with a large volume of air supplied at low pressure. This isallows you to create a thick layer on the surface in one pass, if necessary. Buyers emphasize that paint residue in the form of a cloud is minimal. These models, according to home masters, provide economical paint consumption, but require the use of a powerful compressor to provide pressure.
Additional recommendations
A pneumatic spray gun will have a low pressure of up to 2 bar if you see the designation HVLP on it. The difference from the first type lies in the high volume. Spraying is carried out due to the volume of air, and not due to pressure. Much less fog will form here than with high-pressure devices. Approximately 65% of the colorant will be transferred to the surface, so wastage is reduced.
However, such a tool will consume a lot of air, so it needs a powerful compressor. The price here will be slightly higher than the previous varieties. It is better to buy such an airbrush in a large auto repair shop or for production.
Recommendations for choosing a spray gun based on air flow
If you want to purchase a pneumatic spray gun for painting, you should also take into account the air consumption - this characteristic determines the performance. For a private small workshop, where painting is carried out only in some cases, that is, quite rarely, it is best to purchase a spray gun that will consume air in a volume of 50 to 100 liters per minute. If you have to work withusing such equipment in the conditions of an entire enterprise or a large paint shop, then during the shift you will have to process a fairly large number of products. For this, equipment with an air flow rate of up to 400 liters per minute is suitable.
Expert advice
The compressor for a professional air gun needs to produce 20% more air than the tool requires. Only in this case you will achieve high-quality paint application.
Manufacturer Reviews
If you want to choose a pneumatic spray gun for water-based paint, you should also pay attention to consumer opinions about manufacturers. Among the most popular, Fubag should be singled out. Products of this company, according to consumers, are suitable for dyeing in any spatial position. The models have a sealed barrel, and the gun is attached from below. Customers emphasize that thanks to this, the company's tools can be rotated and tilted without fear of paint leakage. The container is made of metal, which simplifies cleaning after completion of work. Customers, however, do not like the fact that no paint residue is visible through the tank.
Consumers note that it is better to purchase Kraton products for painting gates, walls and fences. It is also suitable for home use for the reason that it has an affordable cost and a durable aluminum alloy body. The container usually has a side connection and does not block the view, which is optimal even forbeginners.
Top models review
If you want to choose a pneumatic water-based paint spray gun, there are several models to consider. Among others, it is necessary to highlight the FUBAG G600 / 1.4 HVLP model, which you can purchase for 1,600 rubles. It is used for painting work, and the tank is located on top, it can hold up to 0.6 liters of paint. This model has nozzles with a diameter of 1.4 mm. Reliability is ensured by a metal construction.
This spray gun has many advantages, among which we should highlight:
- continuous work;
- convenient storage;
- reliability.
Not to mention light weight, high quality workmanship and quick release.
Another model worth highlighting is the Inforce SP 160. Its price is 1,900 rubles. With this device, you can transfer up to 70% of the sprayed material to the work surface. The unit is universal, because it can be used to apply paints, water-soluble varnishes and more viscous materials such as glaze, drying oil, oils and stains. With this equipment you can work with different surfaces. The width of the torch is adjustable, and you can adjust the paint feed speed yourself.
Another outstanding model is the Metabo SPP 1000, which costs 1,600 rubles. This spray gun is designed for cold cleaners, spray oils and detergents. The tool has a capacious tank of 1 liter, which allows less frequent interruptions for refueling. Air consumption per minute is 200 l. The unit weighs only 0.8 kg. The location of the tank is at the bottom. 6mm nozzle included.
In conclusion
When choosing an air gun, you should pay special attention to the percentage of paint transfer. This indicates what percentage of the substance will fall on the surface. If the transfer is quite low, then the material consumption will increase. The rest of the paint will be sprayed into the air. Its particles will settle and dry, deteriorating the quality of the coating.
