Auto Painting Winnemucca NV

HVLP spray-gun technology has come a long way since Grandma's vacuum cleaner with a spray-gun attachment. Despite all the advances, though, you won't shoot to thrill unless you pick your guns wisely and adjust them correctly.

By Mark Clark
11/1/1999

Lest you doubt that technology in our business moves right along, consider the sophisticated chemistry that makes up the new VOC-compliant products. It was just a few years ago that predictions about the impending National Rule were dire indeed. "Look out," we said, "the compliant, low-solvent products will be thick, viscous and difficult to use." As we now know, these predictions weren't true, and the products are not only environmentally friendly, but also user friendly.

Advances in paint chemistry have been remarkable; advances in paint gun technology are no less amazing.

What have these advances been? What type of spray guns are on the market today? How do you decide which ones to use in your shop?

All good questions. Keep reading, and you'll find your answers.

HVLP and Granny's Vacuum Cleaner
The idea of a high volume of air at a low pressure (HVLP) has been around since the 1940s. When the door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman convinced your grandmother to buy his snazzy new electric vacuum, he also offered as an option a spray gun that would connect to the vacuum cleaner. By turning the motor on the vacuum to blow rather than suck, you could spray paint with the optional spray gun. I...