How to choose a spray gun for painting a car for beginners: criteria and recommendations
Content
The High Volume Low Pressure Spray System has been designed to reduce paint loss to air by up to 35%. This became possible due to a decrease in the outlet pressure to 0,7-1 Bar, which is 3 times less than at the inlet. Cloud pollution is small.
If you need an effective body finish, it is important to know how to choose a spray gun for painting a car. With the right device, painting work can be done quickly and efficiently, and the unit itself will last a long time.
What is a spray gun for?
The tool looks like a pistol. It is designed for applying liquid mixtures to the surface. It can be used to perform a number of tasks:
- treatment of plants with fertilizers and pesticides;
- whitewashing tree trunks;
- disinfection of premises with special means;
- moistening of concrete structures;
- adding food coloring, creams, and icing to desserts;
- applying primer, base material, varnish and enamel to the surface.
The performance of a spray gun is several times higher than finishing with a roller or brush. For example, a voluminous task of 2-3 days of work can be completed using an airbrush in 1-2 hours.
Spray gun manufacturers
Spraying from the gun occurs with a small dispersion, thanks to which the new layer lies evenly without bubbles and lint. The unit is convenient to process hard-to-reach places (joints or hidden cavities), apply paint on relief objects with the required thickness and minimal risk of smudges.
Types of spray guns for painting a car
The most common are pneumatic, mechanical and electric spray guns. They differ from each other in the way they pressurize the chamber.
Mechanical sprayers are also called plunger sprayers. Their design is a sealed tank with hoses. Differ in economical paint consumption, but the lowest productivity among all models.
Principle of operation:
- The liquid solution is poured into the container.
- By means of the pump manually pump in pressure up to the necessary level.
- The mixture enters the sleeve and is sprayed onto the object.
Using a plunger spray gun, you can paint 100 square meters in half an hour. m.
The pneumatic tool gives the best result. It is intended for professional use. The principle of operation is based on the supply of compressed air from the compressor. Air particles enter the receiver and mix with the paint. Due to the pressure pumped by the compressor, the mixture is pushed out of the nozzle, breaking up into small drops. The result is a cone-shaped torch.
An electric spray gun sprays the liquid mixture with a motor or built-in pump. The quality of applying paintwork materials is worse than that of a pneumatic device. Depending on the power supply, an electric atomizer can be:
- network with connection to a network of 220 V;
- rechargeable, powered by an external battery.
If the mixture enters the gun nozzle using a piston pump, then the airless spray method is used. The main advantage of this principle is the absence of fogging. But the layer of pigment material on the surface is very thick, which is not suitable for processing embossed products.
During air spraying, the paint is supplied by an electric motor. The principle of operation is the same as that of pneumatic spray guns.
How many spray guns do you need
It is possible to finish the bodywork with 1 spray gun. For example, use a device with a universal nozzle diameter of 1.6 mm. But after spraying a different type of mixture, the device must be disassembled for washing with a solvent. This is a waste of time.
The most effective way is to use a separate gun for each type of paintwork. In this case, the speed will be maximum. In addition, there will be no problems from accidental ingress of soil into the paint (base) or varnish.
Airbrush for cars
The best solution in order not to spend money on 3 nozzles is to use models with interchangeable nozzles. Rapid spray guns are recommended. This will save time on disassembling the device.
Device Specifications
An airbrush for painting a car for beginner painters is best taken with the following parameters:
- Power. 300-600 watts is enough for most small volume tasks.
- Operating pressure. 4-5 bar is sufficient for the use of mixtures of different viscosities.
- Performance. Spray must be at least 200 ml/min (for airless devices) and 3 times faster for pneumatic models.
- Tank. The optimal volume of the tank is 0,7-1 l.
- The weight. Not more than 2 kg. With heavy models, the hands will quickly get tired. Especially if spraying overhead.
Equally important is the presence of pressure adjustments, paint supply and the shape of the torch. These settings can greatly simplify the process, especially when processing hard-to-reach places.
What requirements must the spray gun meet?
To achieve the best result when finishing the body, you need not only a unit with suitable characteristics, but also the right components for it.
Compressor
It must be compatible with the air gun. For atomization to be effective, the compressor must produce 1,5 times more cm3 of compressed air than is consumed by the atomizer.
Choice of nozzle size
Paint is sprayed through the nozzle. And if you insert a needle into it, you can adjust the flow of the liquid mixture. The diameter of the nozzle should be chosen according to the viscosity of the paint. The thicker the consistency, the wider the nozzle should be. Then the solution will not get stuck. And for a liquid mixture, on the contrary, a narrow diameter is required. Otherwise, the paint will fly out in large drops, creating blots.
Waterborne paints
Special care must be taken with this type of mixture. If, when changing the material in the tank, its remains get on the paintwork with a solvent, then the paint will curdle. When sprayed, flakes will fly out. In addition, there is a risk of corrosion of the device. To avoid these problems, a separate device must be used for water-based paints.
Paint Spray Systems
For body work, it is better to use HP, HVLP and LVLP class spray guns. The main difference between them is the principle of injection and pressure supply.
HP
High Pressure technology first appeared for industrial spray guns. When spraying by this method, 45% of the material is transferred under a pressure of 5-6 atmospheres. As a result, a lot of paint is consumed, a minimum of air. A polluted cloud appears, reducing visibility. The HP method is only suitable for fast processing of large surfaces.
HVLP
The High Volume Low Pressure Spray System has been designed to reduce paint loss to air by up to 35%. This became possible due to a decrease in the outlet pressure to 0,7-1 Bar, which is 3 times less than at the inlet. Cloud pollution is small.
Electric spray gun
Among the disadvantages of the method, it is worth noting the high consumption of compressed air and the need to install cleaning filters. In addition, for high-quality painting, the device must have a powerful compressor, and paintwork should be applied at a distance of 12-15 cm. The method is suitable for finishing a car in a garage.
LVLP
Low Volume Low Pressure technology combines the benefits of an HP and HVLP spray system:
- minimum air consumption (about 200 l / min) and paintwork;
- low fogging;
- no dependence on pressure drop;
- transfer of 70-80% of the material to the surface;
- it is possible to spray the mixture at a distance of up to 25 cm (convenient for processing hard-to-reach places).
Disadvantages:
- low productivity;
- small torch;
- high price.
The LVLP spray system is widely used in manufacturing workshops and auto repair shops.
Electric pistols
This class includes spray guns that are powered by an engine. Some models are equipped with a mini-compressor and work on the principle of pneumatic devices. But they are inferior to them in terms of painting quality and performance.
Due to the affordable price and simple operation, electric spray guns are used mainly in everyday life. They are the best alternative to a brush and roller with a fairly wide range of applications, from painting furniture to treating green spaces with insecticides.
Which is better: electric or pneumatic
It is not difficult to choose a spray gun for auto painting if you determine what task the device will perform.
When you need to perform a large task with the best result, then the pneumatic machine will do it best. It is best to buy such an airbrush for painting cars or coating products with complex geometry. After all, it sprays the particles of the mixture with a minimum diameter, due to which the painted layer of a small one turns out to be of small thickness and without smudges.
Airbrushes with the bottom location of the tank
Many beginner painters prefer such models. The lower location of the container is typical for electric spray guns.
Advantages of the bottom tank:
- no obstruction to view;
- large capacity (usually from 1 liter and above);
- quick paint change available;
- minimal risk of leakage.
Cons:
- slow jet;
- large droplets when spraying;
- permanent residue at the bottom of the glass 5-7 ml of the mixture.
During bodywork, only high viscosity paintwork materials can be used. Thick paint simply will not grab the pump of the device. But if you need to take a break, then the tank will act as a stand for the gun.
Spray gun manufacturers
It is best to buy equipment for painting works from well-known companies that have long established themselves in the market.
Spray guns from China
Most often, these products are characterized by low cost due to the budget assembly. Chinese manufacturers like to make copies of famous models without certification. As a result, such spray guns often break down and give low efficiency when painting.
Which spray gun to choose
But there are companies that produce high-quality and budget atomizers. For example, Voylet, Auarita and Star products are mostly positive on the Internet.
Spray guns of an expensive segment
Premium models are produced by companies that occupy a leading position in the market for professional spray guns.
If you have a lot of work to do, then it is better to choose an airbrush for painting a car from well-known brands, such as:
- British DeVilbiss;
- German SATA;
- Japanese Anest Iwata.
Their products are distinguished by high-quality assembly, high wear resistance and performance.
Criterias of choice
It is better to choose an airbrush for painting a car, taking into account certain parameters.
Receiver material quality
This indicator is primarily important for pneumatic pistols, since the supply of a certain pressure and air depends on it. Cameras are made of metal and plastic. The first option is easier to clean, and the second is convenient for visual inspection.
A spray chamber with HVLP technology must deliver a high volume of air at low pressure. Therefore, its performance should be at least 350 liters per minute, and the inlet pressure should be 1-4 bar.
The receiver of the LVLP atomizer must be able to deliver a low volume of air. Productivity in the range of 150-30 l/min. For proper operation, a pressure of 0,7-2 bar is sufficient.
Tank volume and location
Top reservoir guns are great for small areas. In this case, the paint flows by gravity into the nozzle. The volume of the container is usually in the range of 0,5-1 l. Coloring is uneven, as the center of gravity of the device shifts when spraying.
If you need to stop less often to fill the container with a liquid mixture, then it is better to buy an airbrush for painting a car with a lower tank. Their volume is usually 1 liter or more. From the tank, the solution enters the nozzle, is crushed into small particles and sprayed with a jet of compressed air. Painting with a gun occurs evenly due to the absence of a shift in the center of gravity.
When it is required to perform a voluminous task, stationary paint pressure tanks are connected to the spray gun. Their capacity can reach up to 100 liters.
Device power and performance
The quality and speed of painting the object depends on these parameters.
With a powerful motor, the spray will be more efficient. In addition, solutions of any consistency can be used. Compressor power of 300-500 W is enough for most jobs of medium intensity. For example, for painting the walls in the apartment.
Productivity shows how many liters of a substance can be sprayed in 1 minute. For different models, this figure can vary from 100 to 1,5 thousand l / min. What kind of spray gun do you need to buy for painting a car in a garage with your own hands? A lot will also depend on the diameter of the nozzle. The narrower it is, the lower the consumption.
Self-painting
Therefore, with a nozzle size of 1-1,5 mm, a device with a capacity of 100-200 l / min is enough. It should be borne in mind that the compressor writes the data of the supercharger, which is 30% lower than the consumption of the atomizer at the outlet. That is, a mark in those. performance certificate must be at least 260 l / min.
Nozzle diameter size
It all depends on the viscosity of the material. The thicker the mixture, the wider the nozzle should be, and vice versa.
Required diameter depending on the type of coating, in mm:
- Base / varnish / acrylic - 1,3-1,7.
- Soil - 1,6-2,2.
- Putty - 2.4-3.
Some painters use only one 1.6 mm nozzle when finishing. This universal diameter is suitable for spraying mixtures of various viscosities.
Tips and tricks from experts
If a novice painter has to choose a spray gun for painting a car, then it is recommended to look at reviews and user reviews.
The electric unit will be suitable for the majority of tasks of average volume. Recommended parameters:
- Power 300-500 W
- Productivity not less than 260 l/min.
For professional surface treatment, where the quality of the coating is important, you will need "pneumatics" with a spray class of HVLP or LVLP. These devices are suitable for advanced users.
When performing bodywork, it is better to use 3 sprayers or 1 device with interchangeable nozzles for each type of paintwork. To work with water-based paints, it is recommended to purchase a separate spray gun.
