How to choose an electric spray gun for painting

Spray guns are mechanical, electric and pneumatic. Mechanical ones are not suitable for painting a car. Pneumatic ones are used by professionals. For independent work, an electric tool remains. Even the most expensive electric spray gun for painting a car will cost much less than a pneumatic one.

Electric tools are preferred by craftsmen who carry out repairs in their own garages. No special skills are required to use it.

What are there

The device is available in two versions: electric and pneumatic. The operating principle of the first is to fill the tank with a decorative coating. When the pump or compressor is turned on, a small pressure is supplied to the nozzle, from where the coating material is sprayed onto the surface to be treated.

Thanks to the creation of a stable paint torch, the paint lays down in an even layer. The scope of application of electric spray guns is painting walls, floors, ceilings, facades, fences and other household items.

The operating principle of the electric spray gun model is simple. It is enough to fill the paint reservoir and connect the cable to the network.

The main advantages of an electric type device are: affordable price and simple device.

The pneumatic model is most often used in workshops and service stations. It works in conjunction with a compressor. The devices are connected to each other with a special hose. Through it, compressed air is supplied to the gun. There, air masses spray the coating into small particles, after which the paint is released through a nozzle.

Before purchasing a pneumatic spray gun, it is important to check the parameters of the air compressor. If the indicators are incompatible, it will not be possible to fully use the paint sprayer.

Electric spray guns are considered more affordable and easier to use. They are used mainly in everyday life. They cope successfully with painting work on the farm. Pneumatic models are professional tools suitable for performing a large volume of work. They are selected taking into account the technical characteristics of air compressors. Complete with hoses. This is where the high price of the equipment comes from.

The best electric spray guns

Since air or airless types of electrostatic spray guns are often chosen, it is advisable to study the popular models of these types. Among the first type, the following brands can be distinguished:

• Bort BFP280;
• SPEC BPN600;
• Wagner W590 FLEXIO;
• BOSCH PFS5000 E
• ELITECH LE800P.

Airless spray guns that are considered in demand:

• Sturmi SG9612;
• Hammer PRZ110;
• Ryobi SSP100;
• Patriot SG110;
• Bison EKPE120.

Air or airless types of electrostatic spray guns are often chosen.

Design and principle of operation of an electric spray gun

A spray gun is a tool designed to perform painting work. This is a universal sprayer that can work with any type of paint and solvent. Its device includes:

• tank (made of plastic or aluminum);
• piston – performs the functions of suction and ejection of the coating;
• electromagnet;
• oscillating bar - pushes the piston under the influence of a magnet;
• paint supply regulator – restrains the mobility of the bar;
• nozzle – the functionality is to spray the composition used;
• the cylinder is the deposit body where the piston moves;
• valve – opens and shuts off the paint supply;
• suction tube – passes paintwork;
• piston spring – returns the piston together with the bar to its original position.

The operating principle of the device is based on the conversion of electrical energy into pneumatic energy. Compressed air is not used to enter the paintwork material into the nozzle. Spraying is carried out due to the pressure created by the built-in pump. Therefore, the dyes are not crushed by the air flow.

The spray mechanism is activated by the reciprocating movement of the piston. It, in turn, is brought into working condition by an armature, an electromagnet and a spring. By directing the air in one direction, the paintwork material is sucked into the cylinder/diaphragm chamber. There, the coating passes through the filter, after which, when the direction of flow changes, the paint comes out through the nozzle.

The functionality of the spray gun is determined by such indicators as the power and weight of the device.

Based on the principle of supplying paint and varnish material from the tank through a nozzle to the surface to be treated, there are air and airless devices.

Choosing an electric paint sprayer

Air

Models work taking into account design features. The material is supplied by natural gravity, sprayed using air and pressure corresponding to 8 atm. The tool provides high quality surface coverage.

The disadvantage of the device is the insufficient pressure, which is not capable of paint particles penetrating through the air. As a result, a cloud of tiny pigments forms in the spray gun operating area, reducing the operator’s visibility.

Airless

In such models, the decorative coating is sprayed under the influence of high pressure (more than 500 atm.). The nozzle has a hole of minimum diameter. Pressure is supplied through a special hose. The flow force is so high that pigment particles easily overcome the air.

In this case, no nebula is formed in the operator’s work area. The disadvantage is the low quality of surface painting. The paintwork is applied unevenly, there is a possibility of smudges and sagging. Disadvantages can be avoided by correctly selecting the nozzle and setting the appropriate pressure parameter.

Pros and cons of an electric spray gun for painting cars

Painting a car with an electric spray gun is not a good idea. It will not give the same quality of painting as a pneumatic sprayer. The secret lies in the design of the device. A pneumatic sprayer must have a compressor. The air flow from it breaks the paint into much smaller particles than even the highest quality and most expensive electric sprayer would.

The main disadvantage is the poorer quality of painting compared to pneumatic models. There are also advantages - power tools are much cheaper. It is easy to maintain and has compact dimensions. Due to this, it is more convenient to work with him. Budget models have strong vibration. They are difficult to paint. The hand gets tired quickly and the quality of work decreases.

Electric spray gun BOSCH.

Be careful with plastic options. They are cheaper and lighter. But what will happen to the parts after the first painting and washing with solvents is unknown. Plastic can only be used in body parts, all moving parts, nozzles, etc. must be made of metal. Therefore, take spray guns only from well-known manufacturers. In our country, the most common products are Bosch, Ryobi, Wagner, Elmos, Sturm, Bort, Fit, Paint Zoom, Wagner, Foreman, Caliber, Zubr, Fiolent, etc.

The best results are shown by spray guns with a mini-compressor. In terms of quality of work, they almost reach pneumatic models. A high-quality electric spray gun for painting a car with a mini-compressor will cost between 4,500-12,000 rubles. The airless option will cost only 2000-2500 rubles. A good option is an HVLP system spray gun with a mini-compressor. The quality of work is only slightly inferior to pneumatic spray guns. But the cost will be from 30 thousand rubles. Electric spray guns are ideal when painting a car with liquid rubber.

Pay attention to: How to choose paint by VIN number - search and determine the enamel code

Criterias of choice

It is easier to decide on the choice of a spray gun if you take into account important criteria that determine the quality and functionality of the device.

Manufacturer

To purchase a reliable assistant that ensures high quality painting work, it is recommended to give preference to well-known manufacturers. Among the brands that have won the trust of craftsmen:

• WAGNER;
• BOSCH;
• PATRIOT;
• BISON;
• Stavr;
• Intertool;
• Sturm.

Nutrition

Depending on the type of power supply, paint sprayers can be battery-powered or mains-powered.

Mains-powered models are available in a wide range of capacities. The service life is limited only by the service life of the electric motor. The disadvantages include: volatility and the distance from the tool to the outlet, determined by the length of the cable.

Battery spray guns are considered more mobile. You can use such equipment regardless of the availability of an electrical network. Although there are options that can simultaneously operate from the mains and recharge batteries.

The disadvantages of mobile devices are: limited continuous operation time (on average up to half an hour), low power. It is also worth considering that battery-powered spray guns weigh more than their mains-powered counterparts due to the additional load on the batteries.

Power, W

This parameter is not the main one, but it should also be taken into account along with the nozzle diameter, paint consumption, etc. the higher the power, the heavier and more productive the device. They produce spray gun models with different power options:

• up to 500 W;
• 501-750 W;
• 751-1000 W;
• more than 1000 W.

For domestic use, 300-600 W models are quite sufficient. A professional tool should be more powerful.

The power indicator should be taken into account when calculating the total load on the electrical network.

Pump

Models that spray paint using air flow are equipped with a pump. It comes in two versions: built-in and remote.

Built-in - they resemble airless devices, but there is no hump on the body with a plunger pump, and the nozzle does not have a spray cup. Thanks to the design solution, a stable shape of the torch is achieved; maintenance is recommended in a simplified version (it is enough to clean the nozzle).

This tool requires skill to use. Due to the strong flow, a cloud of dust and sand forms in the area where the paint is sprayed. When applying paintwork materials into a confined space, air masses with paint particles burst out like a whirlwind.

Spray guns with a remote pump are a bit like household vacuum cleaners. The pump is connected to the sprayer using a hose. Most models have a power of 500-800 W, but there are also more productive options (up to 1200 W) that do not involve interaction with compressors.

Models with a remote pump are called floor-standing, since during operation the operator holds only the sprayer in his hands. This eliminates heavy workload and rapid fatigue.

The technical characteristics of models with a built-in and remote pump do not differ significantly.

Tank volume, l

It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of what volume the tank should be. The spacious tank eliminates frequent refilling and allows you to paint a large area in one go. At the same time, the weight of the equipment increases, which brings inconvenience to the work.

On average, the volume of the tank varies from 1 to 2 liters.

Maximum viscosity of the material, dyn sec/cm

This parameter is taken into account when performing the work of a certain LMB. Models with a viscosity of 20-30 din are suitable for spraying primers, antiseptics and liquid paints. For applying enamels, alkyd paints, and thick varnishes, it is worth considering options with a viscosity of more than 40 din.

Are there options

Devices with a built-in pump have a minimal set of adjustments. Mainly this is adjusting the amount of paint supply and the shape of the torch. Models with a remote pump have additional adjustments:

• air supply;
• nozzle diameter;
• air pressure.

Other options include : quick cleaning system, adjustable coating speed, etc.

The most sophisticated are painting stations, which are equipped with a wide range of settings and functions.

Types of spray guns

Let's consider the types of spray guns presented on the domestic market.

Mechanical

They have the lowest performance, having secondary accuracy and painting speed, but their cost is an order of magnitude lower than any other models. They are in great demand when performing simple tasks, for example, when applying whitewash. The mechanics function in a similar way to a conventional pump chamber. When the trigger is pressed, air is pumped inside, and after the pressure reaches 0.4-0.6 MPa, the valve opens and the paint and varnish mixture begins to exit through the nozzle.

Mechanical spray gun has the lowest price

Pros:

• fairly uniform coloring;
• simple design;
• very low price;
• do not require special skills.

Minuses:

• it is necessary to regularly pump air manually;
• a significant percentage of suspension spraying.

Pneumatic

These spray guns are mainly made of aluminum, which is lightweight and has a long service life. They apply paints and varnishes to surfaces efficiently, but not always economically. The fluid transfer process, taking into account different models, varies in the range from 45 to 70%. The rest of the mixture dissolves as a mist.

Pneumatic model applies paint efficiently

The key work when using it is carried out by the compressor, which supplies compressed air to the device, generating a pressure of 0.7-2 bar with a gas flow of 150-1000 liters per minute. Pneumatic paint guns can have a built-in tank with a capacity of 0.5-2 liters, or an external one that is connected via a hose. In the second option, the tank for the paint and varnish mixture is increased to 25 liters in household models and up to 600 liters if professional equipment is used.

Pros:

• high speed and quality of coloring;
• you can use external containers with an impressive volume;
• suitable for using any paint and varnish materials;
• simplicity and ease of maintenance.

Minuses:

• are professional devices with a fairly high cost;
• average loss of mixture during application.

Electrical

Air

Spraying of paints and varnishes is carried out using a pump. Electrical devices operate from the mains. They are distinguished by their compactness, ease of disassembly and assembly, and the fact that they do not create difficulties during maintenance. Thanks to these features, spray guns of this type are in very high demand among home craftsmen.

Electric spray gun

Paint guns with an empty container weigh between 1.4-2.5 kg. The built-in tank holds up to 1 liter of paint and varnish composition, so holding it suspended is quite comfortable, but they have a slightly worse transfer quality compared to pneumatic ones. Their high power and productivity (around 0.35 liters per minute) make the spray guns ideal solutions for use at home.

Pros:

• low weight and portability;
• ease of maintenance;
• a huge number of different attachments included;
• high productivity;
• low price.

Minuses:

• make a lot of noise when used;
• The quality of painting is an order of magnitude lower than that of pneumatic devices.

Plunger (airless)

In models of this type, a plunger is responsible for pushing out the liquid. The quality of painting is far from ideal, but due to the lack of air supply, the occurrence of “fog” and the consumption of paint and varnish composition is significantly reduced.

Airless gun reduces paint consumption

Basically, airless pistols are small devices that have a tank capacity of 0.8-1.2 liters. The rate of supply of the mixture in household and professional solutions can range from 0.3 to 30 liters per minute, providing the opportunity to choose the most suitable option for different jobs depending on the volume. The key feature of plunger devices is that they are able to absorb paint directly from a bucket or can using a special hose.

Pros:

• ease and comfort of use;
• ease of cleaning;
• optimal level of performance;
• economical material consumption;
• acceptable cost.

Minuses:

• insufficiently high quality of coloring;
• They are intended for the use exclusively of synthetic and acrylic paints and varnishes.

Rechargeable

In many ways they resemble electric models, but their distinctive feature is that they operate not from the mains, but from battery charge. Externally, the spray gun is similar to a manual screwdriver, having the same compactness and ease of use. The device is additionally equipped with a tank with a volume of 1-2 liters, and its power and productivity are practically not inferior to those of electric air spray guns.

Cordless spray gun

Pros:

• small dimensions;
• ease of use;
• The kit comes with many attachments;
• average color quality.

Minuses:

• need periodic recharging;
• second-rate quality of paint coating;
• the price is more expensive than ordinary electric guns.

Tips for effective use

Before painting, it is necessary to prepare the workplace by covering with film all surfaces that may fall into the area of ​​settling of paint particles. When sprayed, 20-40% of the paint floats in the air and then falls onto objects. It is important to provide them with protection.

In some cases, the item or part being processed must be partially painted. Using the same film and masking tape, the necessary contours are created

.The room where work is planned to be carried out must have a ventilation system. In its absence, it is enough to open windows or doors to ensure the flow of fresh air. Safety rules require the operator to use personal protective equipment. We are talking about a respirator, rubber gloves, goggles, and work clothes covering most of the body.

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The surface to be painted also needs preparation. It should be cleaned of old finishes, degreased with a solvent or other product. If necessary, anti-corrosion treatment is performed. After complete drying, you can begin painting.

The dyeing process is carried out in compliance with the following recommendations:

• the supply of paintwork materials is regulated after testing on a sheet of cardboard;
• to reduce viscosity, the paint is diluted with a solvent;
• the distance from the nozzle to the surface is determined taking into account the pressure of the unit (in pistol systems - 15-20 cm, in convection sprayers - 20-25 cm, in devices with low pressure - 10-15 cm);
• setting the maximum paint supply involves fully opening the nozzle and turning the regulator 3-4 turns;
• the nozzle diameter is set taking into account the type of paintwork material (liquid primers - 1.3-1.5 mm, base enamels - 1.3-1.4 mm, varnishes and acrylic enamels - 1.4-1.5 mm);
• When applying the second ball, the tool must be guided perpendicular to the previous layer.

Do not leave the spray gun with the tank filled with paint.

During use of the spray gun, various defects are possible. They can be eliminated after finding out the cause.

Tips for choosing a spray gun

1. Before purchasing a particular model of device, you must read the instructions for the list of mixtures that the device is capable of spraying;
2. It is best when the nozzle and the constituent elements of the nozzles in the spray gun are made of metal, since they have an order of magnitude longer service life;
3. Price. The tool does not have to be expensive, but it should be remembered that a too cheap model from an unknown manufacturer can in no way be better in quality than a well-known one. Basically, failed components of inexpensive electric spray guns cannot be replaced because they are not commercially available.

Watch a video on how to choose a spray gun