Paint brushes and rollers are great for painting a small
area, but they can be slow and time-consuming for larger painting jobs. In
these cases, using a paint sprayer is often preferred. Paint sprayers are
quicker and more efficient than a traditional paint brush, and are able to be
used on a variety of surfaces.
Paint sprayers come in three main styles; air sprayers,
airless sprayers, and HVLP sprayers. Which paint sprayer you will need depends
on the intended application, as well as the surface being painted, the type of
paint being used, and the size and location of the job. All of these factors
play a critical role in selecting the proper paint sprayer.
Air Sprayers
Air sprayers use an air compressor to power the spray gun. These
paint sprayers are ideal for applications that require great precision, such as
automotive work, refinishing furniture, and smaller sized interior and exterior
jobs. Air sprayers are able to handle a wide variety of paint types, but may
require paint thinning depending on the sprayer.
Airless Paint Sprayers
Airless paint sprayers use a small motor to create high pressure
and propel the paint through the spray gun. Airless paint sprayers are the fastest
type of paint sprayer, and are known for providing widespread, uniform paint
coverage. Like air sprayers, airless paint sprayers can handle a variety of paint
types, but unlike air sprayers, paint thinning isn’t usually necessary. Airless
paint sprayers are great for larger jobs, such as painting fences or siding.
HVLP Paint Sprayers
HVLP, or high-volume, low-pressure sprayers use a high
volume of air at a very low pressure, resulting in a highly efficient transfer
of paint to surface. This means that more of the paint reaches the surface, and
less is released into the air. Because of this, HVLP paint sprayers are recommended for
interior applications, but they can also be used for exterior applications as
well. HVLP paint sprayers work better with thinner paints and substances, so paint
thinning may be required.
