Imagine having to paint a 20-storey building with a paintbrush – it does not bear thinking about. Fortunately, the first paint sprayers were invented in the late 19th century to speed up the painting process. Since then, different paint spray guns have been developed in response to rapid industrialization and the rise in infrastructure development, which gives rise to enormous painting projects.
Paint sprayers are not only used in industries such as automobile, manufacturing, and construction; DIY enthusiasts and small paint contractors also need them for smaller paint projects.
There are different types of paint sprayers, and it’s not always clear which ones are best for a particular project. To make an informed choice easier, this blog will discuss the main spray gun types and their uses.
What Are the Main Paint Gun Types?
There are three main types of spray paint guns. They are categorized as follows: air (pneumatic) spray guns, which include HVLP and LVLP paint sprayers, airless spray guns, and electrostatic paint guns.
HVLP and LVLP spray guns fall under the broader category of air spray guns, also known as pneumatic spray guns. The different types of spray guns are categorized according to the manner the paint is atomized and propelled onto the work area.
Electrostatic spray guns fall into a separate category as they work differently from airless or HVLP/LVLP guns. Electrostatic spray guns use an electric charge to attract paint particles to a grounded surface, creating a smooth, even coat with minimal overspray.
Pneumatic (Air) Paint Guns
Pneumatic paint sprayers work with compressed air, which breaks the paint down into minute particles. The air, which comes from a compressor, is mixed at high pressure with the paint to turn it into the consistency of fine mist that can be sprayed onto a surface. The desired spray pattern is achieved by choosing the correct setting with a pressure control valve. Most pneumatic paint guns use considerable pressure.
A pneumatic paint sprayer consists of an air compressor, a compressor connection, a pump and housing, a suction hose, a fluid container, a pressure regulator, and a spray gun with a nozzle and air cap.
HVLP Paint Sprayers
HVLP sprayers fall under pneumatic spray guns because they also work with compressed air. HVLP is an abbreviation for “high volume low pressure”, which means air volume, not air pressure, atomizes the paint, resulting in a softer spray.
In an HVLP paint sprayer, air from a turbine pushes the paint from the container through a tube to the nozzle. At the nozzle, the high air volume and low pressure turn the paint into a fine mist (atomize it). The gentle air stream wraps around the paint mist, helping the paint stick to the surface and minimizing paint waste.
For What Kinds Of Projects Are HVLP Paint Guns Used?
Using air at low pressure, a more controlled spray pattern is achieved, creating a fine finish with minimal overspray. This makes these paint sprayers well-suited to projects that require an even finish, such as cabinets, furniture, and automotive projects.
The low spray mist means fewer emissions, making these spray guns an environmentally friendly choice.
HVLP spray guns are particularly well-suited for projects where a high-quality, even finish is desired, such as automotive painting or furniture refinishing.
Use a HVLP spray gun if you want:
- An eco-friendly solution
- Minimum waste of paint
- Increased efficiency
- A flawless finish
Tips and Tricks for Best Results
- Apply multiple thin layers rather than one thick coat. Let the first light coat dry completely. Sand the surface smooth before applying the next coat.
- Make sure you clean the spray gun thoroughly after each use. That means taking it apart and cleaning each part individually, especially the tip and needle.
- HVLP paint guns work best with thin paint, so make sure the paint you use is not too thick.
LVLP Paint Sprayers
LVLP sprayers also fall under the air spray guns. LVLP stands for “low volume low pressure”. An LVLP spray gun uses low air pressure and a small amount of air to spray paint. The air pushes the paint out through the nozzle, breaking it into small droplets that reach the surface relatively slowly, improving the paint transfer rate.
Because the paint comes out at a slower velocity, the spray is softer and more controlled, with little overspray and waste.
For which projects are LVLP paint guns suitable?
The slower paint application rate and smaller spray pattern size mean these guns are unsuitable for large-scale projects. They are better suited to small DIY projects like cabinets, furniture, and trim work that require good coverage and little mess.
LVLP paint sprayers are also a preferred tool for automotive respraying because they provide good control and efficient paint transfer of coatings.
Want to repaint your car? An LVLP spray gun is the ideal tool. Because of the lower air pressure, you can get closer to the surface for detailed work. These spray guns give users more control over the paint flow and air pressure, so you can avoid overspraying and wasting paint.
Tips and tricks for the best results
- Ensure that the paint is not too thick. Use the paint manufacturer’s recommendation to thin the paint.
- Choose the appropriate air pressure settings to ensure fine atomization and a consistent spray pattern.
- Choose a nozzle according to the thickness of your paint, choosing a large nozzle for thick paint.
- Do a test run on a piece of cardboard to make adjustments if needed before you start painting.
- After each use, clean the spray gun thoroughly. Take it apart and clean each part separately.
Airless Paint Sprayers
Airless spray guns use high pressure to pump paint or other material from a container along a tube and through a spray tip onto the surface to be painted. The spray tip and the pump pressure determine the flow rate of the paint. The spray tip is chosen to suit the thickness of the paint or other coating. A fine spray fan is formed as the paint leaves the nozzle
Airless spray guns are fast and efficient. Working with one of them, you can cover a large area fast. Another benefit of airless sprayers is that they can work with thick coatings like latex, acrylic, and oil-based paints.
What surfaces can you paint with an airless paint sprayer?
Airless sprayers can be used to paint all kinds of surfaces, including wood, metal, brick, concrete, and drywall. This is the spray gun you want to have when you need to remove unsightly graffiti from a wall.
These sprayers can even handle coatings like epoxies, which have wide applications in industry, such as protective coatings for metal and concrete. For example, in industrial settings, epoxy coatings are used as a protective cover for floors.
What You Should Know About Airless Paint Sprayers
Airless spray guns are powerful tools. They generate pressures of up to 3,000 pounds per square inch, which propels the paint at 100 to 200 miles an hour through the spray tip. This is a tool that should be handled with great care.
Although airless sprayers have numerous paint filters to keep paint free of foreign particles, it’s not sufficient to prevent blocking the spray tip. It’s best to filter the paint through a fine mesh or similar material before using it for a painting job.
Electrostatic spray guns
Electrostatic paint guns work on a different principle from other paint sprayers. They use neither air nor pressure, they use an electric charge.
This is how it works. The spray gun charges the paint particles with static electricity when they leave the nozzle. The surface to be painted is grounded or has the opposite charge. Since opposite charges attract, the paint is drawn toward the surface and wraps around It, so fewer paint particles remain suspended in the air.
Who uses electrostatic paint sprayers?
Electrostatic paint guns are widely used in automotive factories, appliance manufacturing, and for industrial coatings because the use of an electric charge reduces waste and makes it possible to paint complex shapes like vehicles, palisades, and bicycles easily.
Get Premium Wholesale Cordless Paint Sprayers From A Reliable Supplier
MaxXT has been a leader in the branded power tools industry since 2006. MaxXT focuses on two distinct product categories: wall tools and auto tools for wholesale. Our products are sold in more than 60 countries and regions, and our annual turnover exceeds USD 100 million.
If you are looking for a trusted supplier for your power tool business, including quality wholesale paint sprayers, then MaxXT is right here for you. Our products are endorsed by internationally renowned brands such as Bosch and Dewalt, giving you the peace of mind that you are sourcing superior products for your business.
In addition, we offer comprehensive dealer support, 24-hour availability, low MOQ, and competitive pricing. Grab this opportunity and become the preferred distributor of top-quality handheld power tools in your region. Contact us today to learn more about becoming a distributor of our branded power tools.
Conclusion
Choosing the right spray gun significantly impacts the efficiency, accuracy, and overall quality of your painting projects. With several spray gun types available—including pneumatic (HVLP and LVLP), airless, and electrostatic spray guns—understanding each option’s unique features, advantages, and ideal applications is crucial for achieving outstanding results.
Whether you’re completing detailed automotive refinishing, intricate furniture restoration, large-scale industrial painting, or specialized coating applications, selecting the appropriate spray gun saves time, minimizes waste, and ensures a professional-quality finish every time.
If you’re a professional dealer or retailer specializing in wall construction or power tools, MaxXT is your trusted partner. We offer premium-quality spray guns and power tools backed by global brands, exceptional dealer support, and competitive pricing.
Contact us today to learn how MaxXT can help you equip your business with the industry’s best spray guns and power tools.
English 
Arabic 
French 
German 
Portuguese 
Russian 
Spanish 
Turkish