Gravity feed, HVLP?
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Gravity feed, HVLP?
I have tried to find an answer to my question and haven't been able to find it.
Are all gravity feed guns concidered HVLP(High volumn, low pressure)? If not what is the difference?
I recently bought a Coleman Powermate spray gun kit that came with both a gravity feed and a touch up gun. I used the gravity feed gun to spray paint a large industrial control panel and it worked great. I used lower pressure, around 35-40 psi, than I would normally use for my conventional gun. I think I usually spray around 60-65 psi, I'm not sure, I just adjust the regulator until it feels right. There seemed to be less paint fog in the shop, which I wanted to accomplish. Would this be concidered a HVLP gun? It doesn't say anywhere on the box. Although I have sprayed a lot of paint I don't know much at all about HVLP guns. I have never used a gravity feed gun but after working with it a little it seemed to work very nicely. I plan to use it to eventually paint my trucks.
Are all gravity feed guns concidered HVLP(High volumn, low pressure)? If not what is the difference?
I recently bought a Coleman Powermate spray gun kit that came with both a gravity feed and a touch up gun. I used the gravity feed gun to spray paint a large industrial control panel and it worked great. I used lower pressure, around 35-40 psi, than I would normally use for my conventional gun. I think I usually spray around 60-65 psi, I'm not sure, I just adjust the regulator until it feels right. There seemed to be less paint fog in the shop, which I wanted to accomplish. Would this be concidered a HVLP gun? It doesn't say anywhere on the box. Although I have sprayed a lot of paint I don't know much at all about HVLP guns. I have never used a gravity feed gun but after working with it a little it seemed to work very nicely. I plan to use it to eventually paint my trucks.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2005
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Inlet yes. At the tip is 10. Does yours say HVLP on it? I have seen identical looking guns where one was and one was not. I have never used an HVLP (although I have one now). I always used the siphon feed ones (years ago).
The paint guys/gals would know way more than I do. We have a body work forum on FTE. Carlene is the mod there.
The paint guys/gals would know way more than I do. We have a body work forum on FTE. Carlene is the mod there.
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
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From: Northshore, MN
I've used a devilbiss gravity feed non hvlp for primer gun, and Sata gravity feed hvlp for sealer, base, and clear. With the devilbiss for primer, it's a quick fill and spray with reckless abandon. You can get a small pressure regulator to mount on your gun at the inlet to set psi at 30-40 for your hvlp, which it sounds to me like you have. I like the gravity feeds for better balance in my hands, but to each their own.
PS: A guy I work with told me of a 49 panel wagon in great shape for sale in Superior, WI. In case you're interested, or are willing to buy it for me...lol.
PS: A guy I work with told me of a 49 panel wagon in great shape for sale in Superior, WI. In case you're interested, or are willing to buy it for me...lol.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,337
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From: Harpswell Maine
Bob I had old Devilbiss gravity feed guns that I used in the past. I bought an inexpensive 3 gun HVLP set right after shooting the inside of the cab of Willard. The fog was too much! It sure sounds like you bought an HVLP gun. The very early HVLP setups (20 years ago and I think still sold today) used a turbine to supply the gun with about a 1 inch hose. The newer versions use a conventional air hose typically limited to 40 psi. I would not go back to a conventional gun. The deposition rate a hugh improvement.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,511
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From: peyton, colorado
Bob, I bought a cheap two gun set for my son to use at school, gravity feed hvlp's. I like them much better than my old suction guns. First, with gravity feed, you can use all the paint in the cup, there's no waste. Second, the "fog" is greatly reduced, nice when you're painting in the garage. Now for the Scoutmaster's minute. Make sure you're wearing a resperator whenever you're working with any of the "modern" two part paints or primers. They are very dangerous to inhale, and can kill you. 3M makes a good unit that the college uses, $25 at the local paint supply house. It filters for about 30 hours, then you can use it as a grinding mask.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 531
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From: New Mexico
You may find it is very difficult to shoot a high gloss with an HVLP. I don't know why but it is a problem. The RP (Reduced Pressure) guns are more in use by pro shops that have state laws against them for using conventional guns (VOC limitations). I use an HVLP occasionally but then I know I'll have to polish the finish like a madman for the gloss. The just don't shoot wet like a convetional gun does
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: southern New Hampshire
I think the gravity feed guns use less pressure to begin with, as gravity is helping to put the paint to the gun tip, whereas conventional guns need more pressure to overcome gravity to get to the tip.
I think I read that the mix ratio of paint to reducer is different for HVLP, could be why you don't get the gloss you get with old style guns. I've heard a number of old school painters don't like the HVLP for that reason, having to learn to use new techniques.
I haven't sprayed anything but primer with mine, but I would expect a lot less orange peel effect with the lower pressure of HVLP in the gloss finish.
I think I read that the mix ratio of paint to reducer is different for HVLP, could be why you don't get the gloss you get with old style guns. I've heard a number of old school painters don't like the HVLP for that reason, having to learn to use new techniques.
I haven't sprayed anything but primer with mine, but I would expect a lot less orange peel effect with the lower pressure of HVLP in the gloss finish.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
The control cabinet I sprayed didn't need an automotive finish, in fact I sprayed it with a semi-matte finish. I plan to paint my F-4 with tractor restoration paint I can buy at the local farm store. It's a lot cheaper than the acrylic urathane I sprayed on my F-2. The tractor paint is about $60, including hardener and thinner, as apposed to the urathane which cost me $45 a quart just for the paint. I have sprayed the implement paint on my 8N Ford tractor and it looks and holds up great. I wanted to try the gravity gun because I was hoping to cut down on the overspray and mist in the shop, I don't have a spray booth and I occationally paint control panels for my customer. I will have to practice on something to get the right technique before jumping on my F-4. One thing I learned with the gravity feed gun is you have to move a little faster than with the conventional gun.
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