Paint spray gun purchase advice

 

 The essentials in brief

• Paint spray guns are tools that are used to apply dispersion's.
• A paint spray gun works with a pressure difference through which the liquid paint is atomized and brought in small droplets onto the surface of the new material to be painted.
• Due to the mechanics of the process, an even application of paint is possible in many cases, which would be particularly difficult on rougher surfaces.

 Who does not know this - the sun is shining, the garden calls for affection, in spring you feel like being outdoors again - straightening beds, weeding, cutting hedges, mowing the lawn, sowing berries, vegetables and herbs. The heart rejoices, you are already happy about the jealous comments from colleagues when you come back to the office after a fermented weekend with a sun-tanned face and faded hair.

 But the shock is deep when you want to get your gardening tools out of hibernation: the wooden shed has not survived the winter, the wetness and the temperature fluctuations well. Instead of a beautiful brown, it comes in an unsightly shade of gray.

Do you really have to use a dirty brush instead of oiling the chainsaw and grinding the cutting blade of the lawnmower? But no! A paint spray gun can help. Instead of spots of paint on the terrace and noses on the wood, the use of such a primer promises an evenly smooth primer layer. In our paint spray gun comparison, we show you what the devices 2020 can do and what you should look out for if you want to buy a paint spray gun.

How does a paint spray gun work?

Basic functionality

The basic principle of a paint gun is that of atomization, as is known from plant sprayers. The liquid is broken down into small drops by the supply of energy. This energy is kinetic energy, which in many models is generated by compressed air using a compressor. In contrast, the so-called airless method works with hydraulic pressure. The valve built into the paint syringe allows the air to exit in a ring around the paint, creating a fine mist that applies the paint particles to the surface. The greater the difference between the pressure of the exiting air and that of the gas, the finer the droplets become. However, in this case the spray mist (so-called over spray) is also stronger.

Transport of the liquid

In addition to the pressure supply, there are different approaches to supplying the liquid (i.e. the paint or the varnish) to the nozzle head:

 •        Gravity feed: the container with the liquid is attached above the nozzle so that the liquid is fed to the paint gun using gravity

•        Suction cup: with this principle, the liquid is sucked out of the container through a simple vacuum tube, the liquid must not be too viscous

•        Pressure tank: if thicker materials are to be atomized, the liquid container can be pressurized to transport the paint or varnish to the valve

Functionality

There are three different modes of operation of spray guns: HVLP, LVLP and airless, the first two of which can be described as compressed air paint spray guns. The following table gives you an overview of the details of the individual types.

Traditional vs. Paint spray gun

There is definitely a debate about which variation of the paint application is the right one. While some rave about the "conventional" version with brush and roller, others have never wanted to paint differently since using a paint spray gun for the first time. Of course, as with any other topic, there are pros and cons. We list a few points below.

Benefits

• even application of paint
• Large areas can be painted quickly
• No more bending over for the paint bucket

Disadvantage

• Paint mist requires careful masking and protective clothing
• Paint must be thin
• requires electrical energy

What types of paint spray guns are there?

The spray assistants can be divided into four different categories based on their design.

Mains operated spray systems

This includes a closed system that can be purchased as a whole and often works with the HVLP method. The scope of delivery usually includes the compressor, an air hose, the paint container, the nozzle head and various valves.

Battery spray systems

Some manufacturers also offer paint spray guns with a battery. So you can walk around your garden shed without worrying about the power cord.

Spray gun for compressor

For people who already own a compressor, the purchase of a spray system is not necessary. Here it is enough to buy a spray gun head that is compatible with your air pressure generator.

Airbrush

The airbrush system is a special form of the compressor spray gun. This technique is mainly used in the artistic field and usually only works with low pressure. Often a few milliliters of paint are enough to produce an airbrush picture.

Airless system

Airless systems are also offered for the hobby sector. Due to the complex hydraulics, these paint guns are usually more expensive than the spray systems. They are therefore only really suitable for users who have to cope with large areas and want to apply thick paint such as wall paint.

Buying advice for paint spray guns: what to look out for?

Functionality

First of all, make it clear for what purpose you are going to buy the paint gun. It depends on which type you should use. A paint spray system or a pistol head for the compressor is best for painting or glazing wood in the garden. This allows thin paints, varnishes and glazes to be applied accurately. In addition, the application is easy, with the best paint spray gun; the paint flow can be controlled directly on the handle.

Common spray gun tests suggest that if you want to repaint interiors with wall paint, you should prefer an airless system. The high pressure that the hydraulic system can generate enables a thicker dispersion to be atomized. An airless system is only worthwhile because of the high acquisition and maintenance costs if you have large areas, e.g. want to put a facade in a new light. Devices of this type can easily be used as a paint gun for facade paint.

Caution: Be careful when using the depressurized system. The high pressure under which the paint is placed increases the risk of injury.

Container volume

When purchasing, consider the correct size of the liquid tank. Especially if you want to paint larger areas or a long fence, it is not nice to fill up the tank every few minutes. Some models in our paint spray gun comparison deliver two containers, so you can make a smooth change if you're working on the project together.

Battery or electricity

When you have decided on a paint spray system, the question arises as to whether you prefer a mains-operated or a battery-powered one. While you may be restricted in your freedom of movement with a mains-operated device due to the power cord, cordless devices have the disadvantage that they no longer produce uniform droplets when the battery charge drops. This can be reflected in an uneven paint surface.

What are the best care tips for cleaning a paint spray gun?

Make absolutely sure that you clean your personal paint spray gun test winner after use. Just like on the wood, the facade or the wall, the paint or varnish also dries in the valves. If you do not rinse these thoroughly after use, the fine openings can clog and become unusable. Most paints and varnishes these days are water-based, so it is enough to rinse with water; Thinners such as turpentine or similar are not necessary.

Which manufacturers and brands of paint spray guns are there?

• Black & Decker

• Bosch

• Güde

• Jumbo

• Kinzo

• Landi

• Mannesmann

• Metabo

• Makita

• Rodcraft

• Rowi

• SATA

• Trovex

• Varo

• Wagner

• Walther

Questions and answers on the subject of paint spray guns

What does Stiftung Warentest say? 

Stiftung Warentest has not yet carried out a paint spray gun test and has therefore not announced a test winner. The little information that is available on the subject from this page can be found here. 

 

What color for paint spray gun? 

You can use thin varnishes in all cases. For emulsion paints and facade paint, however, you need an airless system. This is a paint sprayer for facade paint. 

 

Which nozzle is the right one for the paint spray gun?  

In many cases the manufacturers, e.g. Wagner Wall perfect, various nozzles with. These differ in the diameter of the opening. The thicker the paint, the larger the openings must be to exit. 

How do I use a paint spray gun?

Basically, using a paint sprayer is very simple: you fill the suction cup with paint or paint, set the nozzle to a horizontal or vertical flat jet and guide the nozzle over the surface at a constant distance. For the best result, you should perform the process once in horizontal strips and once in vertical strips. Due to the paint mist, you must be careful to protect the environment carefully, otherwise you will have fine paint splotches everywhere. Masking should be carried out very carefully, especially indoors. 

 

How do I clean a paint spray gun?

Rinse the paint container, hose and nozzle with plenty of water after use. Let everything dry well.