What is HVLP Sprayer
In an HVLP sprayer, paint is atomized and propelled towards the surface with a high air volume at low pressure. HVLP or high-volume low-pressure sprayers, have a compressor. The compressor produces large volumes of low-pressure air, which passes through a paint gun. The gun has a nozzle that sprays paint in a fan pattern.
HVLP sprayers are easy to control and give little overspray. The paint is applied from a distance rather than directly on the surface. A drawback of HVLP sprayers is that they are not good at producing large quantities of paint. Additionally, painting with HVLP is often a slow process. As for cleaning, HVLP sprayers will require cleaning much more often.
What is an Airless Paint Sprayer
The airless sprayers rely on very high pressure rather than high volumes of air to disperse paint. The spray gun has a tiny hole through which paint is forced out through pressure. This creates a very thin spray of paint, something that is referred to as a fine mist. The high-pressure sprays the paint material into tiny droplets.
Airless sprayers apply more paint to surfaces at high speeds, making them more productive than HVLP sprayers. Cleaning airless sprayers is also not a tedious task. Their main drawback is the increased overspray. It is also difficult to control the spray pattern of the coating.
HVLP vs Airless: What Are Their Differences?
Simply put, your HVLP system is a direct substitute for a paintbrush, while your airless paint sprayer directly replaces a roller. The following points will examine the airless paint sprayer vs HVLP differences more in detail:
1. Cost
HVLP paint sprayer systems are more budget-friendly than airless systems. The simplest HVLP equipment consists of the spray gun and the air compressor.
Airless units have a spray gun, a paint pump and a drive motor. These additional parts contribute to the high cost of airless paint sprayers.
2. Overspray
HVLP spray guns are more efficient than airless spray guns. They waste less paint as overspray, meaning more paint reaches the intended surface. This saves time on cleanup and reduces paint consumption.
Airless sprays have an efficiency of only 25% to 50%. The rest of the paint gets lost as mist and thus unusable. To add to this, more overspray results in more time to clean, especially when using solvents and also increases paint consumption.
3. Speed
HVLP spray guns offer a more efficient application than airless spray guns. They produce less overspray. As a result lesser paint is wasted and you also save on the cleanup time. However, their lower pressure can lead to slower paint delivery.
Airless spray guns are known for their high speed and ability to handle thicker paints. Due to their high pressure, they can apply more paint per minute. However, their aggressive spray pattern may not be suitable for delicate surfaces.
4. Finish Quality
HVLP sprayers provide a better surface finish on intricately smooth surfaces like cabinets or furniture. The reduced pressure gives excellent control over the spray cone. This eliminates texturing in the paint film for better smoothening of the walls. The newer models are also 10% lighter, which allows for more precise finishings.
Airless painting often creates more texture or ‘orange peel’. Its very high rate of spraying can often lead to a different texture than the desired one if not done correctly.
5. Maintenance
HVLP guns require more cleaning and frequent solvent flushing than conventional guns. Compared to airless, HVLP compressors must be oiled and require more maintenance.
These airless sprayer tips do not require rigorous washing before storage other than a simple cleaning. They only need to be replaced occasionally.
Follow the paint sprayer use and safety instructions.
HVLP vs Airless: What Are the Pros and Cons
In areas such as painting woodwork, metalwork or any fine finishing work, HVLP sprayers provide better control and smoothness and produce less overspray. The compromise is to paint at slower speeds. Homeowners and small shop painters prefer HVLP for its simplicity.
Airless sprayers are preferred for large painting work since they can complete it quickly. Airless sprayers can cover large projects, such as walls and long hallways. Although they have a lower accuracy, they are preferred for their high spray rate.
Thus, you must consider your requirements before deciding which type of spray you will need. For a better understanding of their pros and cons, refer to the table below.
The choice between HVLP and airless sprayers ultimately depends on the nature of your project. If you tackle large surfaces and aim for fast coverage, an airless sprayer is your best bet. On the other hand, if precision, control and a professional finish are your priorities, an HVLP sprayer is the way to go.