A Comprehensive Guide to Spray Guns: Understanding the Differences

— BIGTOYO MACHINERY

Spray guns are tools that utilize compressed air or liquid to rapidly release a substance, often paint or other coatings, onto a surface. They provide a uniform application of the coating and are commonly used in various industries for finishing and coating applications. Depending on the paint feeding modes and atomization, spray guns are further divided into multiple types.

To explore the principles, advantages, and applications of electrostatic coating, visit Goodbye to Traditional Spray Painting! Electrostatic Painting Machine: The Key to Automated Coating.

Structure

1. Gravity Feed Spray Guns
2. Siphon Feed Spray Gun
3. Pressure Feed Spray Gun
4. Air Spray Guns
   • HVLP
   • LVMP
   • LVLP
5. Airless Spray Guns
6. Air-Assisted Airless Spray Gun
7. Electrostatic Spray Guns

Gravity Feed Spray Guns

The gravity feed spray gun utilizes a paint cup positioned above the gun, relying on gravity to feed the paint into the nozzle. When the trigger is pressed, compressed air flows at high speed through the nozzle, creating negative pressure that draws paint from the cup and atomizes it. At the nozzle, the paint mixes with the high-speed air, forming fine mist-like particles that are evenly sprayed onto the surface. This process allows for smooth and uniform coating, with adjustable spray patterns and thickness.

• Advantages:
  • Ideal for small-scale spraying, as minimal paint remains in the cup.
  • Easy to clean and switch colors, offering excellent mobility.
• Disadvantages:
  • The top-mounted cup can obstruct the operator’s view, and the smaller paint flow may affect spray consistency.
  • Limited paint cup capacity requires frequent refills, making it unsuitable for large-scale applications.

Siphon Feed Spray Gun

In a siphon-feed spray gun, the paint cup is located below the gun, and high-speed airflow creates negative pressure at the nozzle, drawing paint upward through a siphon effect. Once the paint reaches the nozzle, it mixes with the high-speed air, breaking into fine particles to form an even spray mist. The atomized paint is then propelled toward the surface, creating a uniform layer. Operators can adjust air pressure and nozzle settings to control the spray coverage and coating thickness for various applications.

• Advantages:
  • Larger paint cup capacity is suitable for extensive applications and provides excellent atomization.
  • Stable operation with the paint cup positioned below the gun.
• Disadvantages:
  • Prolonged use can cause operator fatigue.
  • Cleaning is more challenging due to paint residue in the cup.

Pressure Feed Spray Gun

Pressure-feed spray guns are designed for large-scale, high-intensity applications, such as industrial production lines, vehicle coatings, and large equipment spraying. Paint is stored in a separate pressure tank or container, which is pressurized using compressed air or pump systems to provide a continuous paint supply to the spray gun. The pressurized paint is delivered through hoses to the nozzle, where it mixes with compressed air for atomization, producing fine mist particles that ensure consistent spray coverage. Operators can adjust the pressure in the tank and gun to control the flow rate, spray pattern, and coating thickness, making this system highly adaptable to various large-scale coating needs.

• Advantages:
  • Suitable for long-distance spraying and large surfaces with excellent atomization.
  • Lighter gun handling due to the external paint container.
  • Ideal for continuous production lines with infrequent color changes.
• Disadvantages:
  • Time-consuming cleaning and color changes.
  • Higher costs due to the need for additional pressure tanks or pumps.

Air Spray Guns

HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure)
Operates at high air volume and low pressure for fine mist particles and strong paint adhesion.

• Advantages:
  • High transfer efficiency with minimal overspray.
  • Produces smooth finishes, suitable for detailed work.
  • Environmentally friendly with reduced paint waste.
• Disadvantages:
  • Higher cost due to the need for powerful air compressors.
  • Slower spray speed, making it less efficient for large areas.

Lower air consumption with medium pressure, balancing atomization quality and efficiency.

• Advantages:
  • Fine atomization and reduced air compressor demand.
  • Cost-effective with lower paint waste.
    
• Disadvantages:
  • Requires skilled operators for optimal results.

Very low air consumption with efficient nozzle design for fine atomization.

• Advantages:
  • Produces uniform, high-quality coatings.
  • Works with smaller compressors, reducing operating costs.
• Disadvantages:
  • Narrow spray coverage may increase time for medium-scale tasks.

Airless Spray Guns

Paint is directly pressurized and ejected through a fine nozzle at high speed, atomizing the paint into particles.

• Advantages:
  • High spraying efficiency, suitable for large areas with thick coatings.
• Disadvantages:
  • Transfer efficiency is low.
  • Atomization is not adequate compared to air-assisted systems.

Reminder：If you are interested in the BigToyo spray gun series, click here to learn more about our product details. Feel free to contact us anytime, and we will provide you with the most professional service.