| Image | Item | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 | Wagner Airless Paint Sprayer | Check it out |
 | HomeRight HVLP Spray Gun | Check it out |
 | YATTICH HVLP Spray Gun | Check it out |
 | Graco TrueCoat Paint Sprayer | Check it out |
 | YATTICH HVLP Spray Gun | Check it out |
 | Wagner Spraytech Handheld HVLP Paint Sprayer | Check it out |
 | Graco Paint Sprayer | Check it out |
 | Fuji Semi-PRO 2-Gravity HVLP Spray System | Check it out |
 | Graco Magnum Airless Paint Sprayer | Check it out |
 | Pool Paint 5-gal. Ocean Blue Semi-Gloss Acrylic Exterior Paint | Check it out |
 | KILZ Interior/Exterior Self-Priming Masonry | Check it out |
Let’s be honest, having to paint a huge wall with a roller is an incredibly long tedious process and unless you are an expert when it comes to painting walls, it’s not highly unlikely that you’ll end up with marks left on your walls. So, a better option for you to have a clean and precise execution when painting the walls in your house is by using a paint sprayer with an air compressor.
This duo will help you not only cover a surface area quickly but also ensures that you can achieve an even coat of paint. Spray painting guarantees that you are able to achieve a much more controlled and even application on your paint job. Compared to using a brush or a roller, spray paints will offer you an immediate optimal result that does not even require a ton of work and labor. But before you start your spray painting, there are a few things you have to keep in mind to avoid using it improperly which may result in a bad paint job. Let this guide and help walk you through the do’s and don’ts when dealing with paint sprays.
Before you start your paint job, it is important that you are educated on what is the technical pieces of equipment used. So when you start painting you know what you are doing and you know how the whole system works.
Why do you need an Air Compressor?
Paint spraying with an air compressor attachment ensures that you are able to get a lower pressure that enables you to paint with precise proportions on any surface area. Yes, you may paint with the paint sprayer easily but having a compressor that can provide you pressurized air guarantees a more even and seamless paint job.
Air Gun Spraying
A gun compressor for painting is not technically talking about a specific type of compressor that is exclusively made for spray painting, but is it rather which compressor is best suited for spray gun function. Different compressors vary from their different pressure limits. This equipment makes use of a power source to give off pressurized air inside the storage tank. So, choosing the right air compressor is very important. Air paint spray guns usually use an HVLP or a “high volume, low pressure” delivery system. Knowing this, it is essential for the system to properly work to use a spray paint compressor that would supply the necessary pressure and volume of air for it to generate a coherent flow of paint that will provide you the perfect result for your paint job.
What is HVLP?
High volume low pressure or HVLP is like a conventional spray gun that uses a compressor to supply the air needed. The only difference is that it requires a lower pressure. A high volume of air is used to disperse and project the paint mixture at a lower pressure. Because of this, you will get a higher percentage of paint reaching the surface area and can also avoid an overspray as a result. There is also less painting mixture consumed and the air around the area will be less likely polluted. In order for a typical compressor to adjust the air pressure lower, a regulator is usually required, making it compatible with an HVLP spray gun.
What is LVLP?
Similar to an HVLP, an LVLP, or low volume low pressure spray guns operate at low pressure, but these guns use a lower volume of air compared to traditional HVLP equipment. This is to further increase the efficiency of transfer or the amount that ends up on the targeted surface area of the spray guns while the amount of compressed air consumed is decreased.
What are the requirements to meet when setting up an air compressor?
Before you learn how to set up an air compressor, you must know the requirement to comply when using an air compressor. There are three main requirements you need to take note of and consider when using an air compressor. These three key measurements are essential to comply with if you want to achieve a seamless paint job with ease and less effort. These are the PSI or pounds per square inch, CFM or cubic feet per minute, and tank size. Since you know how HVLP delivery works, there is no need for a lot of pressure in order to get the job right, but making sure that you maintain high PSI that is enough to ensure constant flow for your spray gun. In terms of choosing an air compressor, the most important factor to consider is the CFM measurement. Since this will measure the production of air volume by the air compressor per minute and the amount of air produced by the compressor at a given PSI. The rate of your CFM has to be higher and not equal to the CFM required of the spray gun you are using, if not, you may risk dropping both the pressure and volume which are usually the main culprit of imperfect coating and coverage. So, when you have an HVLP, it is a big clue that this will require a larger compressor for it to work properly. The requirements for CFM when using a spray gun actually vary from model to model, wherein with smaller spray guns, A lower CFM is required compared to when using a bigger one. While some spray guns ask for at least a 10 CFM rating, having at least 12 CFM is suggested. For professional use, the rate might need to be higher but it is more important to check the spray gun you’re using and comply with the CFM requirements asked. Lastly is the tank size. The size of the tank matters for spray painting because the operation must have a consistent flow of air like any other pneumatic equipment. So, it is essential that you have enough storage to keep up with the gun you are using. When it comes to air pressure, it is important to check the model’s recommendation and follow it, but for HVL guns, the PSI will usually be between 25-30 PSI.
How do I set up and use the air compressor?
Before you walk through how to set up your air compressor, there are several things you need to ensure your safety and success when you start painting away. For safety measures, it is important to have safety gears, which are a respirator or mask, goggles, and gloves in hand and ready to be used. Wearing a respirator or mask makes sure that you avoid inhaling toxic chemicals from the paint mixtures. Goggles protect and shield your eyes from any splatters if your machine ever malfunctions. Since you are using your hands to spray paint, protecting your hands from possible harmful toxins from the paint and to avoid hurting yourself from a machine malfunction is a must. You will also need a suitable air compressor for your spray gun, a hose, and all the spray gun attachments to start.
Getting the right type of paint and thinner is also important when you want to achieve a good result. Oil-based paints are usually the best type of paint to use with a spray gun. When you use oil-based paint, it is important to mix a type of solvent that will thin out the mixture and make it easier to work with. always make sure that you get the compatible type of paint and thinner and follow the suggested mixing ratio provided on the label container. It is also a must to protect the surfaces and areas that you don’t want to be ruined by the paint. So tape off and cover all those places that you do not want to be painted over. Take out or cover the furniture, flooring, and other things you want to protect. Make sure that you have a flat and even surface where you can place your paints to avoid spilling them all over. Also sanding the surface area you are planning to paint is a must to remove the uneven surfaces and help you achieve a more seamless paint job. Also, prepare a tack cloth on hand that you can use to remove any debris from the area you are going to paint.
After making sure that the area you are planning to paint is ready, choosing the right type of paint sprayers that would work best for your preference and the paint job you are about to do is important. A siphon gun is an option that you can choose. This type of gun has a container placed under the gun body. This is usually the type of spray gun people envision when they talk about spray painting. This gun would require a higher pressure but does not cover a larger area when used. So, this would take a lot of time painting so it is not as efficient as you think. However, if you are planning to paint a small surface area, using a siphon gun can be a good option for you. Another option you might want to consider using is a gravity gun. This type of gun is a little similar to the siphon gun because of its storage container. However, a gravity gun’s paint container is placed on top of the gun’s body instead of being placed on the bottom of the gun. This gun does not require a lot of air pressure because gravity helps the paint flow into the body of the gun. This tool works better for smaller spaces and is easier to use when you get used to how it works. However, this requires a special stand if you want to refill the container which may be a hassle for some people. Another type of gun is called a pressure feed gun. This type of gun has a pressure pot that is connected to the gun using two hoses. One hose is for the air supply that atomizes the paint and the other hose will supply the paint. Since this gun only requires hoses that vary in length which can be used to your advantage, this is commonly known to be the most efficient gun to use for spray paint jobs out of the bunch.
To ensure a good result, not only do you have to ensure you got the right measurements for your compressor, but you also have to have the correct pieces of equipment. So finding the right equipment is a must that works and is compatible with your other equipment is essential as well. Like how you have to make sure that the hose you are using is the right size fit for the amount of pressure you need. A too-narrow or a too-long hose may cause problems in terms of the pressure you get from the compressor.
Since the equipment needed in order for you to achieve a good result, you are now ready to set up your air compressor. Setting up your compressor is fairly simple. First, you have to apply your safety gear before you start any paint job. Then, you attach your air spray gun to your air compressor using the hose and the other attachments needed. Make sure to push the trigger-lock button to activate it. Plug all of the power cords into the outlet and connect the hoses to the appropriate sockets. You have to make sure that your compressor is delivering the right amount of CFM. After doing that, you will start mixing your paint or primer to your solvents to the suggested ratios on their container label. This will ensure that you get the right consistency you need to get a seamless result. After adding your paint mixture to the machine, you have to test the pressure of your paint spray on a piece of the surface area you will be working on or any piece of cardboard to ensure that your compressor is producing the consistent flow of paint that you need. If it is ever not in the right pressure point, you can usually adjust your spray pattern using a knob on the side of the gun. When done, you can go ahead and start painting your wall or your chosen surface area. While you spray, always hold the gun about 6 to 10 inches away from the surface area you are painting and move the spray gun in a sweeping motion smoothly to prevent the paint from dripping or running and keep the spray gun moving continuously in straight uniform strokes. Always overlap your previous stroke with each sweep to prevent it from inconsistent thickness and continue doing the process until you cover the walls or surface you are painting. When you think you need another coating of paint, you must wait for the paint to fully dry which would usually take about 12 to 24 hours depending on the paint mixture before you start applying another coat of paint again.
Safety Measure to take when using a Spray Gun with an Air Compressor
The most effective way to stay safe when using a spray gun is to familiarize the operations and safety procedures that come from the manuals provided by the manufacturer. If in any case that you don’t have a copy or lost the manual, it is better to find a copy from the internet, usually this can be downloaded, as spray guns are different from model to model. Your safety should be your utmost priority, especially when dealing with unfamiliar equipment. Careless and improper use of spray gun equipment may cause minor or massive injuries depending on the situation.
Safety Hazards
Knowing the possible safety hazards when operating spray gun equipment is a preventive measure. When you know the possible risks and consequences, you will be more careful when dealing with the equipment. There are two major types of safety hazards. Fire and explosion are one. This can occur if the sprayer is sprayed into an area where there is poor air circulation and or in an open flame. There are several cases where paints and solvents will produce vapor and may ignite. These flammable vapors are the common cause of a fire or explosion be ignited which is caused by an open flame or spark. An underground spray system where the flow of the fluid along the paint sprayer and hose can make just enough static electricity which can cause a spark from the gun and ignite the flammable vapors. The other safety hazard is the injection of spray material into your body. The injection can be caused by a high-pressure fluid that passed along a tiny opening like a spray tip or a hose leakage. This can create a fast current of a stream of fluid powerful enough to be injected into your body. This injection commonly happens when you positioned your hand too close to the spray tip or you accidentally grabbed a leaking hose or fitting. This high-speed stream of fluid can still pierce your skin even when you are wearing gloves or using a cloth. This might look like a tiny cut but the stream of fluid that entered your body can cause serious damage. Get to the hospital quickly and seek immediate medical attention and inform the doctor what fluid was injected.
Now you are aware of the major safety hazards when handling a spray gun, implementing preventive measures is a good way to avoid serious injuries and trips to the hospital. To prevent having a fire or explosion when dealing with flammable materials, avoid spraying in places or rooms that are not well-ventilated. Knowing the location you are working on may help you determine what are the possible accidents that can happen. Spray painting in a well-ventilated area that has good air circulation can avoid those unwanted flammable vapors to explode. If you need a fan, use non-sparking models only, Take out all the sources that may ignite like cigarettes, electric appliances, and other furniture that you think may catch fire. Place the gas-powered paint sprayers outside of the area and just run the hose into the room that you want to spray but even when the sprayer is placed outside, remember to always ground the machine to prevent sparks. Always keep the area free from debris that may contribute to a fire. Remember to only use grounded hoses, tape the wall switches so that it won’t be accidentally pressed, and use metal pails that are grounded when cleaning. To help you prevent injection injuries, always have the tip guard on the gun when you are spraying and keep the trigger safe when the gun is not in use. Never point the gun towards yourself or others. Never try to stop the leaks with your hand or body. Refer to the manual guide when cleaning the spray gun. To avoid accidentally spraying or triggering the spray gun, place the trigger safety latch on when you are not using it. Keep the trigger guard on the gun always to prevent it from spraying when it is accidentally bumped. Aside from all of these preventive measures, always wear safety gear when working.
Air Compressor: Pros and Cons
Having a good paint job relies on the right tools, equipment, and techniques used. There are several advantages and disadvantages when using a paint sprayer to get the job done. This method of painting allows you to cover more surface area faster than any other method, This gives you a detailed and perfect finish. Since this can help you do your paint job faster, it can also help you get more jobs done while still giving you an even and professional result. Using a compressor can help you atomize the paint mixture you are using properly. However, having to hook up your spray gun to a compressor can cost you money. Only airless models can get away without having to use a compressor attached to it since it does not need any air pressure to project the paint. This method also might take longer for the pieces of equipment used to clean. The retouching can also be done only with a sprayer as well which you might make you have to attach all of the pieces of equipment again to retouch one tiny part of your area.
Paint spraying with an air compressor might sound complicated and a lot of work but the finished product of the paint job can speak for itself. There is a reason why professional and veteran painters prefer using spray painting when working.
Last Words
Paint spraying with an air compressor might sound complicated and a lot of work but the finished product of the paint job can speak for itself. There is a reason why professional and veteran painters prefer using spray painting when working.