Difference between airless and HVLP sprayers?

[Ted]

What is the difference between airless paint sprayers and HVLP paint
sprayers.

I am completely renovating a house and plan to re-texture the ceilings
and walls with orange peel, prime and paint everything AND refinish
the oak cabinetry. I was planning to use a Graco Airless unit from
Home Depot for this.

Is HVLP the same thing as using my air compressor with a spray gun?

Should I get both types?


Thanks,

Ted

 

[John]

I am doing the same as you but might be alittle ahead of you. I did
research on airless vs. HVLP. Some of the best information came from
the Sherwin Williams store in my area that specializes in commercial
spraying. They are a regional center for all the Sherwin Williams in
northern Ohio and Southern Michigan.

Airless creates more overspray than HVLP. Airless is best for covering
large areas quickly and is especially suited to new construction. HVLP
is High Volume Low Pressure. Not the same as just hooking up a sprayer
to your compressor. A good low end HVLP sprayer will cost about $300
but will do a great job of finishing woodwork or other fine painting. I
have used mine in my garage but am told I can use it in my furnished
house with no problem. I am a little scared to do that. HVLP puts a
small amount of paint right where you want it. Painting a wall or
ceiling would be slow work with HVLP. I use mine for doors, cupboards
vanities and trimwork.

I use a Wagner Professional Power Roller for walls and ceilings. It
cost less than $100 at Lowes. I can apply paint right out of the can
faster than I thought was possible. I never need to stop and load the
roller so every minute the roller is in my hand I am applying paint.
Another plus of the power roller is that it is easy to clean. Hope this
is some help. John

 

[Eric Ryder]

What is the difference between airless paint sprayers and HVLP paint
sprayers.

I am completely renovating a house and plan to re-texture the ceilings
and walls with orange peel, prime and paint everything AND refinish
the oak cabinetry. I was planning to use a Graco Airless unit from
Home Depot for this.

Is HVLP the same thing as using my air compressor with a spray gun?

Should I get both types?


Thanks,

Ted

Airless units are paint pumps and ideal for large volume interior and
exterior latex jobs. Expect to pay real money for one that will give an
excellent finish. Considering the amout of product you can put through one
in a day, consider renting those same good sprayers for your project. I
wouldn't use anything else for large latex jobs. Cleanups are pretty quick.

HVLP spray guns can be either turbine or conversion type. The main
difference from standard air driven spray equipment is the reduced overspray
(and the lower fumes & product cost). There are a number of decent complete
setup turbine units for small money out there. Fuji comes to mind, but you
should look at homesteadfinishing.com for recent info. The conversion HVLP
guns run off air compressors, best results are with 10+ CFM compressors, but
some guns seem to do well on less.

I use an Accuspray turbine gun on a Capspray turbine. I get excellent
results with slightly thinned oils, clear waterbase poly and lacquers. I
get 8 psi at the aircap, a 4 stage turbine would probably get 10-12 psi and
allow it to better atomize the thicker finishes. I don't run latex (and no
longer run wb poly) due to dried residue missed in cleaning effing up
lacquer jobs.