Latex paint (the kind normally used with a brush or roller) is a difficult medium for most spray guns, but with proper thinning and set-up, you should get great results. You should use at least the 1.9mm or 2.2mm needle/nozzle/air-cap for gravity feed guns, a 2.2mm -2.5mm for siphon feed, and a 1.3 - 1.8mm for pressure feed systems. Smaller sized nozzles generally give the best atomization, but larger sizes give you wider fan patterns and finish output (speed).
What kind of spray gun do you use for latex painting?
These spray guns are designed to deliver high-quality paint with minimum effort. They are easy to use and have a large capacity that can hold up to five gallons of paint, so you don't have to worry about running out of paint while painting. I have been using a gravity feed spray gun for my latex painting work for the past few years.
Can you use an HVLP spray gun to spray latex paint?
I suppose we ought to be clear that you can use an HVLP spray gun to spray latex paint. Latex paint is the most common house paint for interior use. It dries quickly, is environmentally safe, and presents little odor. While they are not designed to spray heavier bodied latex paints, that is not a major issue. We’ll get back to this in a moment.
Do you have to thin latex paint before spray painting?
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.
How does an HVLP spray gun work?
When you’re done painting, you’re done. HVLP spray guns atomize paint. When the paint enters the feed line from the paint basin and comes in contact with the air stream of the gun, the paint is broken down into tiny particles as it is sprayed through the gun’s nozzle.
What is the best way to spray latex paint?
The fastest way to get the smoothest finish with latex paint is to use an airless paint sprayer, which you can rent for less than $100 a day. (Other sprayers are less expensive but require you to thin the paint to a precise consistency.)
Can I use latex paint with a HVLP spray gun?
You can Spray Latex with an HVLP or Conventional Spray Gun. However, if your using an HVLP Spray Gun you will need to use a high CFM Air Cap. The CFM of the Air Cap with an HVLP spray gun determines the ability of the spray gun to atomize heavier coatings.
Can you put latex paint in a spray gun?
But today's latex paints are made of new synthetic resins, which are compatible with water, have a thinner consistency and are wet enough to be used in a spray gun. Today you can use an airless gun or aerosol can for spray painting with latex paint.
What kind of paint do you use in a gravity spray gun?
If you are using latex paint, thin with Flotrol and if you are using oil-based paint, thin with Penetrol.
What kind of sprayer do you use for latex paint?
Airless paint sprayers are considered the best type of paint sprayer for spraying latex. They're built for speed and coverage over large surface areas. They're also adept at spraying thicker materials without significant thinning, making them the professional's choice for spraying Latex paint.
How do you thin latex paint for spraying HVLP?
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.
Does latex paint need to be thinned to spray?
Yes, the latex paint does need to be thinned. Even though latex paint is water-based, it is thicker than the oil-based paint varieties. The thick latex paint needs to be thinned to be able to spray a fine mist of paint. Before applying your paint, it is a good idea to test out the paint's viscosity.
How do you dilute latex paint for a sprayer?
Latex paint is a water-based paint. It is generally thicker than oil-based paint and it must be thinned with water, especially if you intend to distribute a thin mist of paint over a surface using a paint spray gun or nozzle.
How do I get a smooth finish with latex paint?
It's impossible to achieve a smooth finish with latex paint without first cleaning and repairing walls and trim. Begin by sponging the walls with an all-purpose cleanser mixed with water. Nail holes, dents or gouges in the drywall or trim should be filled with spackling compound then sanded smooth.
Do you have to dilute paint when using a sprayer?
The answer is no. Airless sprayers don't require paint to be thinned before spraying. Whether oil-based or latex, the paint formula is already designed to be sprayed without any thinner. Painting professionals, however, will attest that paint should be thin to achieve the desired finish.
How do you spray latex paint with an air gun?
4:1211:56How to spray latex paint with an air gun - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause latex is water-based. Then just spray it and it also makes a lot easier to clean up becauseMoreBecause latex is water-based. Then just spray it and it also makes a lot easier to clean up because you could use water to clean up your spray gun. So we're gonna add a little water to thin it.
What is a gravity feed spray gun used for?
1/ Gravity feed As mentioned above, a gravity feed style holds the paint or fluid in a container on top of the gun. Gravity feeds require less air pressure to atomise the paint, providing the direct benefits of lower overspray, less paint wastage, and a greater level of control for the painter.
Do you have to thin latex paint for a sprayer?
Is it necessary to Thin Latex Paint for Spraying? Yes, the latex paint does need to be thinned. Even though latex paint is water-based, it is thicker than the oil-based paint varieties. The thick latex paint needs to be thinned to be able to spray a fine mist of paint.
What paint to use on HVLP?
HVLP paint sprayers work with oil-based paint, but thicker paints such as water-based latex can clog the sprayer. Combine a half cup of water for every gallon of latex paint in a bucket and stir thoroughly to thin its consistency before using latex paint an HVLP gun.
How do you dilute latex paint for a sprayer?
Latex paint is a water-based paint. It is generally thicker than oil-based paint and it must be thinned with water, especially if you intend to distribute a thin mist of paint over a surface using a paint spray gun or nozzle.
What pressure should I use to spray latex paint?
4:0811:56How to spray latex paint with an air gun - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we're gonna add a little water to thin it. I've went as high up to 20 percent water.MoreSo we're gonna add a little water to thin it. I've went as high up to 20 percent water.
How to keep latex from thinning?
Use a pressure pot or a pressure cup gun. Home Depot sells a cheap one for about $70 that works well for latex. They never seem to last that long, about 1-2 years with good maintenance. But they spray latex nice with only a slight thinning.
Does solvent based paint match with latex?
A solvent based coating will amber at a different rate than a latex. So if it matches perfect today, it probably won't a few weeks from now. Letting them know that will keep you from having to do a refinish down the road. The accuracy of the match will depend on the talent of the tint specialist at your supplier. If you use a product like Stealth from MLC, it will not amber with age, so if there is ever a shift in color, you can tell the customer that it was the existing coating that shifted in color, therefore keeping you from eating a refinish job.
Can you spray latex paint?
You will need to play around with everything; thinning paint, adding Floetrol, adjusting needle and cap sizes, pressure at pot and gun settings, in order to spray latex properly. Even then it will not look like lacquer, period. I have been spraying latex, as well as solvent based finishes, for many years and can get some very good results, but it is a difficult medium to achieve good results with.
How to thin latex paint?
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.
How does a turbine blower work on a paint gun?
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.
What to use when thinning paint?
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.
How to get paint 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.
How much water do you need to thin paint?
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 ...
Why do you heat paint?
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.
What factors affect the viscosity of paint?
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.
