What is a spray gun?
A spray gun is a tool that is used to spray liquid coatings >> – Paint, Varnish and Lacquer in particular. The spray gun uses air pressure to force the paint to become a mist (atomise).
What are the benefits to a spray gun?
Using a spray gun with your compressor >> will cover an area much faster and with a much better finish, though you need to mask >> / protect the surrounding area; you also need a mask to protect your lungs >>.
Can I use a spray gun (paint sprayer) with my compressor?
Yes, size matters. Large compressor = many spray gun options; small compressor = mini/midi spray guns.
How to choose the correct air compressor for my spray gun?
Compressors are measured by their displacement in CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute). Spray guns are measured by the free air they use, the maths is for example a 12cfm displacement less a third equals the free air available. The simple sum is (12cfm displacement minus 1/3 = 8cfm free air).
How to use a spray gun with an air compressor?
A spray gun that is driven by compressed air must be connected via an airline; it can be directly screwed to a threaded airline but is usually used with quick release connectors.
What type of spray gun do I need to paint with?
Do I need an HVLP spray gun or an LVLP spray gun?
Usually a gravity spray gun, HVLP, LVLP, Compliant and Conventional are options. Full sized and mini/midi spray guns would be selected depending on the scale of work and the size of the compressor.
Style/type
• Compliant Spray Guns – for balance of finish with control of over spray – See DeVilbiss FLG for example >>
• HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) describes the correct air delivery for modern spray guns, but full HVLP guns don’t suit most applications as they produce an uneven, ‘orange peel’ finish. HVLP spray guns mainly suit water-based basecoat car paint.
• LVLP (Low Volume Low Pressure) spray guns are designed to operate with less air but also produce a sub-optimal finish. We advise the ANi Compact Spray Gun when less air is available.
Size
• Mini/Midi spray gun >> – a popular choice for all compressor size 24 litre (6.34 gallons) and over; there are options that are capable of even a full respray – ANi Compact Spray Gun (ideal for beginner & professional) >>
• Full sized spray gun >> – the typical choice where larger areas are being painted. Usually requires at least 7cfm free air.
Do I need to use a spray gun gauge?
A spray gun gauge controls the amount of air, this enables accurate predictable atomisation so works in combination with spray fan pattern size control (knob adjustment). This means you can work slowly with a small fan or faster with a larger fan. Air control is usually in conjunction with wall filter regulators. View Spray Gun Guages >>
How to setup a spray gun?
Connect your spray gun with quick release components to your airline. This will feed from your compressor via an intermediary filter regulator >>
What size nozzle tip for car paint?
• What size nozzle tip for primer?
Car primer – 1.8 for gravity full sized; 1.2/1.4 for mini spray gun
• What size nozzle tip for basecoat?
1.2/1.3 for gravity full sized; 1.0/1.2 for mini spray gun
• What size nozzle tip for clearcoat?
1.2/1.3 for gravity full sized; 1.0/1.2 for mini spray gun
How to filter compressed air for spray painting?
You must install a wall mounted filter regulator to remove water and oil otherwise paint defects e.g. craters emerge. A simple solution is to run a 10-metre airline >> from the compressor to the wall filter then add another line to the outlet to run to the spray gun.
What filter regulator do I need?
• Single stage brings the air down to 0.5 microns which is clean enough to spray with.
• Two stage 0.01 micron and greater capacity for long life span. Sufficient for 1-man air fed mask.
• Three stage for minimal contaminants including odour; so the ultimate for air fed mask operation.
What airline and connectors do I need for my spray gun?
• Typically 3/8” (8mm) is the minimum airline internal diameter/bore. We recommend using pre-made airline that includes ¼” BSP female threaded nuts at either end.
• Quick release connectors screw in to the end of the airline primarily to pair/interconnect with a tail-piece. The spray gun tail-piece would have a female thread.
What are the different airline connectors?
• Male and Female thread (originates from the animal kingdom).
Example: ¼” BSP male thread screws into ¼” BSP female thread and forms a seal. Spray guns and fittings supplied by us in BSP link with NPT.
• Quick release coupling connectors tube type tails that push in to small barrel like receivers (sometimes confused or described as male and female BUT not in SprayGunsDirect language).
• Euro (HVLP) high flow connectors are best practice for use with a spray gun. Traditional / old-fashioned British connectors (often misleadingly referred to as PCL style) do not suit optimal air delivery for a spray gun.
Choosing the right spray gun for your paint?
Difference between gravity, suction, pressure and mini spray gun?
Which spray gun brand is best?
European or Japanese?
ANi, DeVilbiss, Iwata, SATA & Sagola are the main tools of choice amongst bodyshop professionals. Read more >>
Spray painting knowledge using compressed air comes with experience and it’s easy to make the wrong assumption when purchasing products.
Along with the guidance above we are always available to help and support you via:
