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Written by Finn McCuhil; Updated December 14, 2018
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High Volume Low Pressure, or HVLP, paint guns are popular for applying paint indoors. The low pressure used to draw the paint out of the gun significantly reduces the amount of over-spray produced by traditional compressed air paint guns. This lower pressure works well with oil-based paints and finishes but presents some obstacles when using thicker, heavier latex paint. These obstacles can be overcome with a bit of extra equipment and paint preparation.
Paint Preparation
Quality latex paint is significantly thicker than traditional finishes and must be thinned before it is useful as a spray finish. Insufficient thinning results in the paint coming out of the spray gun in unsightly blobs or not at all. Thin the paint with water and mix well before spraying. The amount of water required varies with the brand and quality of the paint. Start by thinning the paint by adding 10 percent water and mixing thoroughly. If the paint is still too thick, add a small amount of water and mix again. Do not use more than 25 percent water in any paint. Excessive thinning reduces the paint's ability to adhere to and cover a surface.
Additives
When thinning alone doesn't work, use a latex paint conditioner to decrease the viscosity. Latex paint conditioners are designed to improved the paint's ability to flow without thinning the paint and impairing its ability to stick to and cover a surface.
Straining
Use a standard cone paint strainer when filling the paint gun cup. The opening on a standard HVLP nozzle is 1.4 millimeters and can be clogged with very small bits of debris. Once the nozzle is plugged, you will have to take the gun apart and clear the obstruction. This is a messy procedure that can be avoided by using a strainer. If you cannot locate a paint strainer, pantyhose make a good substitute.
Hose Length
The turbine blower on an HVLP paint gun produces heat that is fed directly to the paint when using a short hose. Heating the paint reduces the drying time which affects its ability to flow and level out. Adding a six-foot section of air hose between the gun and the turbine reduces the working temperature of the air atomizing the paint and alleviates this problem.
Technique
Hold the gun no more than eight inches away from the surface you are painting. Start at the top on vertical surfaces. For horizontal surfaces, start along either edge and work your way toward the opposite edge. Fully wet the surface of a section before moving to the next.
Test and Practice
Several factors are involved in getting the paint to the right viscosity. Temperature, humidity, turbine output and the physical characteristics of the paint all affect the paint's ability to flow smoothly. Getting the right mix for your situation is a matter of trial and error. The best approach is to test spray the paint on a piece of cardboard or scrap each time you thin it. Once you have a mixture that flows smoothly, practice your spraying technique on the testing surface until you achieve a consistent finish. Wasting a small amount of paint practicing is less expensive and time-consuming than removing a bad paint job and starting from scratch.
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About the Author
Finn McCuhil is a freelance writer based in Northern Michigan. He worked as a reporter and columnist in South Florida before becoming fascinated with computers. After studying programming at University of South Florida, he spent more than 20 years heading up IT departments at three tier-one automotive suppliers. He now builds wooden boats in the north woods.
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McCuhil, Finn. 'How to Use Latex Paint in a HVLP Paint Gun.' Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/use-latex-paint-hvlp-paint-gun-47388.html. 14 December 2018.
McCuhil, Finn. (2018, December 14). How to Use Latex Paint in a HVLP Paint Gun. Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/use-latex-paint-hvlp-paint-gun-47388.html
McCuhil, Finn. 'How to Use Latex Paint in a HVLP Paint Gun' last modified December 14, 2018. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/use-latex-paint-hvlp-paint-gun-47388.html
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