Table of Contents

Understanding HVLP

Understanding Different Spray Finishing Technologies

Conventional Compressed Air: An effective means of atomizing coatings. Does a good job but does permit a large amount of overspray. Compressors allow the user to adjust pressure and viscosity

HVLP: High Volume Low Pressure offer a more efficient choice than compressed air. Turbine HVLP provides a fixed pressure for consistency and the only variable is the coating viscosity. Air atomization is constant. Excellent tool to achieve the perfect finish. A properly designed and used HVLP spray gun for compressed air can also provide a more efficient choice for fine quality finishing.

Airless: Sometimes confused with HVLP but not the same. Tends to be used by painting contractors who are applying thick heavy material over a large area. It is not an air atomizing tool but uses ultra-high pressure to sheer paint into small particles. While effective for large spaces where you don’t see the coating in close up, it doesn’t stand up to close inspection as it has an uneven look and feel.

Air Assisted-Airless: Sometimes referred to as “airmix” is a combination of compressed air and airless technologies. Designed for use by large production shops. Expensive technology.

Electrostatic: A means by which the substrate and the coating have different charges (one positive, one negative) and are attracted to each other. Best suited to metal. Not practical for woodworkers and a heavy financial investment.

Powder Coating: Suited to large robotic systems where metal surfaces, tubes etc. are to be finished.

Next > "Learn More About HVLP""Ways of Finishing" < Previous