I've used a gravity fed HVLP setup before. Basically, the paint goes down.

Not sure if this is what you're referring to.

 

im curious to know what situations call for which sprayers..ive never used a sprayer hooked up to a compressor

 

Gravity feed can be used for Spray stains, though I prefer my siphon feed to which I run off an HVLP Turbine system as the gun can be tipped more during spraying making it nice for railings. The Gravity feed is nicer for lacquers as the air feed does not get warm like the turbine HVLP's. I tend to only use the HVLP's for smaller jobs and touch ups, as with such a variety of tips these days I use airless for 95% of my work. A lot of automotive shops are using gravity HVLPs also. The HVLP's won't push thicker materials without thinning, and the viscosity effects the spray pattern a lot more then with an airless.

What particular job are you looking at spraying.. perhaps we could offer more direct advice if we knew this.

Cheers

 

What particular job are you looking at spraying.. perhaps we could offer more direct advice if we knew this

I think you answered his original question just fine.

 

Gravity fed guns are from the family of conventional spray guns that include siphon and pressure fed. They usually require compressed air to operate. Most, if not all, are now considered HVLP.

Personally I like the pressure feed guns. The container with the pressurized material, separated from the gun by any length of line, allows me to maneuver the gun in all directions while maintaining a steady flow of paint. This is especially useful when spraying into tight areas. I also find you can get a better finish with higher viscosity coatings like high solid epoxies.

With that said, gravity fed's are more practical for most applications, and are easier to clean.

 

Gravity Feed HVLP powered by compressor: Odd ball finishes, for example I had a job that need the prefinished Anderson windows primed with a plastic and vinyl primer. Also used for any thing small where thinning a finish is not detrimental to long term durability. Works well on with spray stains for cabinet doors laid flat, not so good for cabinets. Not good for spraying upside down.

Pressure Pot HVLP, air compressor: Great for all spray stain applications. Work with lacquer (but I prefer airless for that). Most materials do not need as much thinning with this setup. For large pieces, dry overspray can affect finish, especially on full size doors. I used to use this for all cabinet door finishes in my shop, but found that my airless gave a better finish and quicker. HVLP had less overspray, but with proper fan use and a fine finish tip, I have most likely switched to airless for this. This set up comes the closest to my airless pumps though in how I use it.

Turbine HVLP: Great for portability. Use for similar things to Gravity feed gun (small items, needs material thinned). If it is a fast dry finish, hot air can cause problems when spraying large items that allows the turbine to heat up.

Airless: The new construction trimwork of all kinds painters best friend.

Conventional compressor power: only had a conventional gun for a little while, used too much air for my 25 gallone porter cable compressor to handle.

If you get a Bink's HVLP make sure you order the aircap (90P I think) that is designed for smaller compressors (smaller compressor=anything that you can physically move).

 

thanks guys i have only used the airless sprayers and the other big airless sprayers to spray elastomeic paint on stucco....neer used any of these airless sprayers and i was just curious about them

 

The gravity feed air guns are more for automotive type applications. Mopaint

 

This would apply to spray booth applications verses field applications where the airless is king.

 

I use all the different configurations in res/commercial apps...

A gravity fed airless pump would be fine for doors or cabinets.. small projects.
They are NOT real popular and probably the best of pumps available.

I also use cup guns and gravity feed guns for small projects...
Possible to do really nice work, but just not up to any production tasks.

It's all good!

 

We use the high volume, low pressure (hvlp's) for cabinets and woodwork. Stuff that requires a very smooth finish.