The Best LVLP Spray Gun — Buyers Guide, Review, and Comparison
For DIY and trade projects where nothing but a flawless finish will suffice — you need an LVLP spray gun. Boasting both low overspray and high transfer efficiency, these units ensure the minimum of wastage, dripping, and pooling — allowing you to achieve the smoothest of coats on vehicles, cabinets, furniture, and crafting projects. With a low PSI requirement, these guns can run-off small compressor units, making them within reach of the DIYer, as well as the contractor. And, multi-medium compatible, they're as comfortable delivering primers and latexes as they are varnishes and enamels.
- Two paint cups — 0.63 and 1.06 quarts.
- Corrosion-proof stainless steel tips.
- Requires just 3.5 to 3.9 CFM at 30 PSI.
- Choice of 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, and 2.0 mm air caps.
- 7.0 to 10.9-inch spray fan width.
Top LVLP Spray Guns 2022
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Best LVLP Gun Kit
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Best LVLP Gun Kit
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Features
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Check Price at Amazon SprayIt SP-33310K Kit Review SprayIt SP-33310K Kit Review | |
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Best LVLP Paint Sprayer Beginners Set
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Best LVLP Paint Sprayer Beginners Set
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Features
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Check Price at Amazon SprayIt SP-33000K Kit Review SprayIt SP-33000K Kit Review | |
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Best Low Overspray LPLV Spray Gun
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Best Low Overspray LPLV Spray Gun
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Features
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Check Price at Amazon Astro EVOT14 Review Astro EVOT14 Review | |
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Best Multi-Medium Low Volume Low Pressure Paint Gun
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Best Multi-Medium Low Volume Low Pressure Paint Gun
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Features
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Check Price at Amazon SprayIt SP-33500K SprayIt SP-33500K | |
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Best LVLP Gun for Primers
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Best LVLP Gun for Primers
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Features
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Check Price at Amazon Transtar 7718S Review Transtar 7718S Review | |
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Best Mini LVLP Sprayer
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Best Mini LVLP Sprayer
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Features
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Check Price at Amazon SprayIt SP-352 Review SprayIt SP-352 Review | |
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Best Siphon Feed LVLP Paint Gun
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Best Siphon Feed LVLP Paint Gun
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Features
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Check Price at Amazon SprayIt SP-31000 Review SprayIt SP-31000 Review |
LVLP Paint Spray Gun Reviews
LVLP Paint Spray Gun FAQs
LVLP Spray Gun Reviews and Buying Guide
What Is LVLP Spray Gun?
An LVLP gun delivers paint by utilizing a low volume of air in conjunction with low pneumatic pressure — hence LVLP. This distinguishes them from the more common HVLP units, which propel the coating medium with a high volume of air.
A series of baffles, chambers, and typically an inline regulator steps-down the pressure from the compressor to a more manageable level. This ensures a steady yet finely atomized spray fan — meaning a minimum of bounce-back, overspray, and pooling — and resulting in the perfect coat.
Unlike HVLP sprayers — which are available as pneumatic or turbine machines — LVLP guns exist only as compressor-driven units. For more information on how these two formats compare, check out my HVLP vs LVLP article.
Why Choose LVLP Spray Guns?
Transfer Efficiency
When using any form of power-painter — wastage occurs. Some simply misses the object being addressed (hence why you should use drop cloths and dust sheets) while some is lost through atomization and hovers around in the air (meaning a requirement for a protective mask).
LVLP guns have a minimum TE of 60 percent, with some examples such as the mighty Astro EVOT14 — boasting a transfer efficiency of over 80 percent. This makes them the most economical of all power painters — resulting in less overspray, wastage, and better for the environment.
Fine Finish
Small Compressor Requirement
Multi-Medium Compatible
LPLV spray guns are generally compatible with the full range of most commonly used mediums — including enamels, acrylics, lacquers, stains, sealers, and latexes.
Admittedly, they require a fairly large diameter tip to propel the densest of paints — due to the low-pressure delivery of the gun (below 10 PSI). This is in contrast with airless machines, which deliver in excess of 3000 PSI, allowing the utilization of narrow nozzle ends.
However, the ability of low volume low pressure spray guns to work with a multitude of paints makes them suitable for automotive, molding, trim, cabinet, and furniture spraying.
Who Shouldn’t Choose a Low Volume Low Pressure Spray Gun?
Compressor Requirement
It’s true that an LVLP gun only needs a small, DIY-style compressor — but, it still needs one of these pneumatic powerhouses.
Unless you already have a compressor in your garage or workshop to power other tools such as impact wrenches and nail guns — you’ll need to purchase one of these air units in addition to your LVLP gun — which can add a significant cost to your spraying project. I’d suggest checking out my Compressor Guide to discover the most cost-effective and practical pneumatic units for LVLP guns.
If the requirement of a compressor is a dealbreaker — instead, consider a turbine-powered HVLP unit. These popular sprayers also utilize low pressure like their LVLP counterparts, but can be used straight-out-of-the-box with no additional machinery needs.
Not Ideal for Large Projects
If your painting projects include addressing large expanses of area — such as coating walls, deckings, and outbuildings — you don’t want an LVLP gun.
Sure, you’ll have a showroom-like finish on your fence — but no-one will appreciate it, and it will take you weeks to complete the job.
The low-pressure low-volume aspect of these guns means an accurate, yet slow, delivery — making them unsuitable for spraying large areas in a rapid fashion. For jobs like these, you need the high-delivery rate of an airless machine.
Struggle With Heavily Viscous Paints
Hence, if your projects include utilizing seriously hardcore mediums such as epoxies, elastomerics, drywall fillers, and roof-coats — opt for a contractor-grade airless or turbine machine — such as the Graco 390 or Apollo Power 5.
How to Select Your Ideal LVLP Paint Spray Gun
Nozzle Size
Generally speaking, the larger the nozzle, the more suited the gun is to propelling denser paints.
For LVLP guns, a 1.5 mm tip or above should allow the unit to knock out viscous mediums such as latex. However, if your projects involve thinner liquids — such as stains and urethanes — consider a smaller diameter nozzle. If it’s too wide, you will drench your target material in paint — leading to drips and pooling and ruining the coat.
Many models, such as the SprayIt 33310K, arrive with a multitude of interchangeable heads — allowing you to select the perfect tip for your current painting medium.
Paint Container Size
Gravity or Siphon-Fed
Gravity sprayers, unsurprisingly, rely on gravity to draw the paint into the gun barrel — this is in opposition to bottom-fed, or siphon units that use a vacuum to suck the paint into the gun.
This means gravity shooters require less pressure than siphon units, typically resulting in a finer finish. However, as the cup is mounted on top of the gun instead of beneath, this can make the unit top-heavy, awkward to wield, and too tall to access confined spaces.
CFM Requirement
Our Picks of the Best LVLP Spray Gun
This set includes both the top-feeding SP-33000K unit and the bottom-feeding SP-31000 shooter. Thus, allowing you to take advantage of both the finer finish of the gravity machine, or the more compact and balanced feature of the siphon gun.
The kit boasts four interchangeable tips — 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, and 2.0 mm — compatible across the two units. This enables a vast spectrum of medium usage, from thin stains through to dense chalk paints.
Included with the set are two paint cups. The SP-31000 features a robust 1.06-quart aluminum container — ideal for larger projects — while the SP-33000 has a 0.63-quart easy-clean nylon cup.
Both guns offer user-adjustable airflow, volume flow, and pressure output together with a variable fan width pattern. Additionally, this LVLP kit comes complete with gun wrenches, cleaning brushes, and a regulator.
Features
- 3.5 to 3.9 CFM at 30 PSI.
- Fast color-switching with two gun feature.
- Large range of tip sizes.
- A gun for every application.
- 7.0 to 10.9-inch spray fan width.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
This set includes both the top-feeding SP-33000K unit and the bottom-feeding SP-31000 shooter. Thus, allowing you to take advantage of both the finer finish of the gravity machine, or the more compact and balanced feature of the siphon gun.
The kit boasts four interchangeable tips — 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, and 2.0 mm — compatible across the two units. This enables a vast spectrum of medium usage, from thin stains through to dense chalk paints.
Included with the set are two paint cups. The SP-31000 features a robust 1.06-quart aluminum container — ideal for larger projects — while the SP-33000 has a 0.63-quart easy-clean nylon cup.
Both guns offer user-adjustable airflow, volume flow, and pressure output together with a variable fan width pattern. Additionally, this LVLP kit comes complete with gun wrenches, cleaning brushes, and a regulator.
Features
- 3.5 to 3.9 CFM at 30 PSI.
- Fast color-switching with two gun feature.
- Large range of tip sizes.
- A gun for every application.
- 7.0 to 10.9-inch spray fan width.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Requiring just 3.5 to 3.9 CFM at 30 PSI — this gun will run off the smallest of home-style compressors. The lightweight aluminum construction of the shooter permits fatigue-free use, while its 0.63-quart cup should provide adequate capacity for the majority of small-to-medium-sized projects.
A selection of three spray tips — 1.3, 1.5, and 1.7 mm — offers versatility in your spraying medium type. And, like the needles, being constructed from stainless steel, they provide durability and protection from corrosion.
Gravity fed, this gun requires a lower pressure than its siphon-fed counterparts — meaning less wastage, overspray, and a cleaner coat. And, with the ability to adjust volume flow, airflow, and spray width — you can fine-tune your delivery intensity to suit both your paint type and target material.
In addition to the gun and tips, this SprayIt LVLP gun kit includes spare needles, a gun wrench, a cleaning brush, and an air regulator. Furthermore, it boasts a hard storage case — not only allowing for easy portability — but enabling you to keep the gun and all the accessories safe and in one place.
Features
- Adjustable spray width from 7.0 to 10.9 inches.
- Choice of three fan patterns.
- Suitable for small compressors.
- Excellent online LVLP spray gun reviews.
- Easy-clean nylon paint cup.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Requiring just 3.5 to 3.9 CFM at 30 PSI — this gun will run off the smallest of home-style compressors. The lightweight aluminum construction of the shooter permits fatigue-free use, while its 0.63-quart cup should provide adequate capacity for the majority of small-to-medium-sized projects.
A selection of three spray tips — 1.3, 1.5, and 1.7 mm — offers versatility in your spraying medium type. And, like the needles, being constructed from stainless steel, they provide durability and protection from corrosion.
Gravity fed, this gun requires a lower pressure than its siphon-fed counterparts — meaning less wastage, overspray, and a cleaner coat. And, with the ability to adjust volume flow, airflow, and spray width — you can fine-tune your delivery intensity to suit both your paint type and target material.
In addition to the gun and tips, this SprayIt LVLP gun kit includes spare needles, a gun wrench, a cleaning brush, and an air regulator. Furthermore, it boasts a hard storage case — not only allowing for easy portability — but enabling you to keep the gun and all the accessories safe and in one place.
Features
- Adjustable spray width from 7.0 to 10.9 inches.
- Choice of three fan patterns.
- Suitable for small compressors.
- Excellent online LVLP spray gun reviews.
- Easy-clean nylon paint cup.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
It’s a durable, gravity-fed tool worth adding to your painting arsenal. A forged, anodized body offers protection from everyday wear and tear while the stainless steel spray 1.4 mm tip and needle can handle a few knocks concomitant to contractor-grade use.
Ergonomically designed, it features a soft trigger pull and weighs just 0.6 pounds, which lightens the load during extended use. Its quick thread technology makes detaching and attaching parts easy. And, while it comes with a plastic 0.63-quart paint cup, it’s also compatible with most traditional and disposable paint systems.
Overspray is kept to a minimum with Astro’s proprietary ‘air curtain’ design, and the adjustment knobs are lubricated to make precise control a breeze. It also incorporates innovative EVO-T technology for fast and fine paint atomization.
You’ll need an air compressor to use this gun. But, with an operating pressure of between 15 and 19 PSI, and air consumption of 11.5 to 13.5 CFM, it doesn’t have to be super-powerful.
Features
- Anodized aluminum for durability.
- Proprietary ‘air curtain’ design reduces overspray
- Soft-pull trigger.
- Ideal for vehicle work.
- Impressive online LVLP spray guns review.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
It’s a durable, gravity-fed tool worth adding to your painting arsenal. A forged, anodized body offers protection from everyday wear and tear while the stainless steel spray 1.4 mm tip and needle can handle a few knocks concomitant to contractor-grade use.
Ergonomically designed, it features a soft trigger pull and weighs just 0.6 pounds, which lightens the load during extended use. Its quick thread technology makes detaching and attaching parts easy. And, while it comes with a plastic 0.63-quart paint cup, it’s also compatible with most traditional and disposable paint systems.
Overspray is kept to a minimum with Astro’s proprietary ‘air curtain’ design, and the adjustment knobs are lubricated to make precise control a breeze. It also incorporates innovative EVO-T technology for fast and fine paint atomization.
You’ll need an air compressor to use this gun. But, with an operating pressure of between 15 and 19 PSI, and air consumption of 11.5 to 13.5 CFM, it doesn’t have to be super-powerful.
Features
- Anodized aluminum for durability.
- Proprietary ‘air curtain’ design reduces overspray
- Soft-pull trigger.
- Ideal for vehicle work.
- Impressive online LVLP spray guns review.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
The SP-33500K gun features a compact 0.13-quart cup, making it ideal for small finishing work such as addressing trim and moldings and performing touch-ups to automotive body paint. In contrast, the SP-33000K has a 0.63-quart container, enabling it to tackle larger jobs such as a full cabinet respray.
The kit includes four corrosion-proof stainless steel tips — 0.8, 1.3, 1.7, and 2.0 mm — that are compatible across both guns. This means you can spray anything from thin urethanes and enamels through to viscous milk and latex paints.
Both shooters are gravity-fed, leading to minimal pressure requirements — just 3.5 to 3.9 CFM at 30 PSI for the SP-33000K and a tiny 2.4 to 3.3 CFM at 30 PSI for the SP-33500K. Hence, suitable for use with consumer-style pneumatic units.
Easy-access, rear-mounted dials permit fingertip control of the airflow, pressure delivery, and material flow. Furthermore, this set includes two gun wrenches for straightforward nozzle replacement, a cleaning brush, and an air gauge and regulator.
Features
- Lightweight aluminum construction.
- Choose the ideal gun for the size of your project.
- Compatible with a multitude of mediums.
- Incorporated ladder hooks.
- Smooth-trigger operation.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
The SP-33500K gun features a compact 0.13-quart cup, making it ideal for small finishing work such as addressing trim and moldings and performing touch-ups to automotive body paint. In contrast, the SP-33000K has a 0.63-quart container, enabling it to tackle larger jobs such as a full cabinet respray.
The kit includes four corrosion-proof stainless steel tips — 0.8, 1.3, 1.7, and 2.0 mm — that are compatible across both guns. This means you can spray anything from thin urethanes and enamels through to viscous milk and latex paints.
Both shooters are gravity-fed, leading to minimal pressure requirements — just 3.5 to 3.9 CFM at 30 PSI for the SP-33000K and a tiny 2.4 to 3.3 CFM at 30 PSI for the SP-33500K. Hence, suitable for use with consumer-style pneumatic units.
Easy-access, rear-mounted dials permit fingertip control of the airflow, pressure delivery, and material flow. Furthermore, this set includes two gun wrenches for straightforward nozzle replacement, a cleaning brush, and an air gauge and regulator.
Features
- Lightweight aluminum construction.
- Choose the ideal gun for the size of your project.
- Compatible with a multitude of mediums.
- Incorporated ladder hooks.
- Smooth-trigger operation.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Its large 1.8 mm tip permits the delivery of viscous priming mediums while providing impressive atomization for a flawless finish. Yet, while able to propel the thickest of vehicle bases, it still has a low pressure requirement of 4.2 CFM at 22 PSI.
Its gravity-feeding 0.63-quart cup offers an easy-access wide-fill feature for rapid paint replenishment. And, manufactured from anodized aluminum, it’s both lightweight and ensures corrosion-free longevity.
In addition to primers, the manufacturer also indicates it’s ideal for delivering other dense mediums such as finishing fillers, self-etchers, and polyesters — both waterborne and solvent-based. Thus meaning, it’s a one-stop gun for the automotive restorer.
The gun provides a choice of three spray fan settings and also permits user-tailorable adjustment of airflow, material flow, and pressure input.
Features
- 12-inch maximum spray width.
- 65 percent transfer efficiency.
- Ideal for motor restorers.
- Corrosion-proof stainless steel tip.
- Incorporated ladder hook.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
- 12-inch maximum spray width.
- 65 percent transfer efficiency.
- Ideal for motor restorers.
- Corrosion-proof stainless steel tip.
- Incorporated ladder hook.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Weighing one pound and measuring just six by 4.5 inches — this compact unit offers both accuracy and versatility. With a novel, 0.42-quart side-mounted swivel gravity cup, you can adjust the angle of the paint container, allowing you to manipulate the gun through a full 360 degrees. This means you can access harder-to-reach or awkward areas with no loss of paint flow.
Aluminum construction of both the cup and gun body keeps the gun lightweight while also offering reassuring durability. Its 1.5 mm tip is suitable for use with both thin and dense mediums — although you can purchase larger or smaller airheads from the manufacturer if you want the perfect diameter for your paint type.
Requiring 4.2 to 6.0 CFM at 30 PSI, you can use this unit with a standard home or garage compressor. And, delivering a modest spray width of 5.5 to 7.5 inches, this gun offers precise control with the minimum of overspray.
Features
- 44 to 58 PSI working pressure.
- Adjustable air and material flow.
- Novel side mount swivel cup.
- Ideal for crafting and hobby work.
- Lightweight.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Weighing one pound and measuring just six by 4.5 inches — this compact unit offers both accuracy and versatility. With a novel, 0.42-quart side-mounted swivel gravity cup, you can adjust the angle of the paint container, allowing you to manipulate the gun through a full 360 degrees. This means you can access harder-to-reach or awkward areas with no loss of paint flow.
Aluminum construction of both the cup and gun body keeps the gun lightweight while also offering reassuring durability. Its 1.5 mm tip is suitable for use with both thin and dense mediums — although you can purchase larger or smaller airheads from the manufacturer if you want the perfect diameter for your paint type.
Requiring 4.2 to 6.0 CFM at 30 PSI, you can use this unit with a standard home or garage compressor. And, delivering a modest spray width of 5.5 to 7.5 inches, this gun offers precise control with the minimum of overspray.
Features
- 44 to 58 PSI working pressure.
- Adjustable air and material flow.
- Novel side mount swivel cup.
- Ideal for crafting and hobby work.
- Lightweight.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Its generous 1.06-quart aluminum cup provides impressive capacity for larger projects. Furthermore, not only does this container promise longevity through its anodized body, a quick-connect feature allows for rapid paint replenishment.
The stainless steel 1.5 mm tip can deliver urethanes, stains, sealers, latexes, and chalk-based paints — while adjustable air, fluid, and pressure controls permit you to tailor the gun to suit both your coverage medium and base material requirements.
Despite its suitability to more substantial projects, you don’t require a mammoth pneumatic power unit — working off 3.5 to 3.9 CFM at 30 PSI, this LVLP gun will function with most DIY-sized compressors.
An incorporated ladder hook permits safe storage when working on high-level projects, while a heavily knurled metal handle ensures a stable grip even when using the unit with gloved or paint-drenched hands.
Boasting an adjustable spray fan width of 7.0 to 10.9 inches — this gun promises rapid coverage — making it suitable for more expansive projects. And, in addition to the gun, cup, and tip — this siphon sprayer also arrives with a tip wrench and cleaning brush.
Features
- Lightweight aluminum construction of gun and cup.
- Maximum operating pressure of 60 PSI.
- Easy-trigger pull.
- Suitable for medium to large jobs.
- Corrosion-resistant needle.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Its generous 1.06-quart aluminum cup provides impressive capacity for larger projects. Furthermore, not only does this container promise longevity through its anodized body, a quick-connect feature allows for rapid paint replenishment.
The stainless steel 1.5 mm tip can deliver urethanes, stains, sealers, latexes, and chalk-based paints — while adjustable air, fluid, and pressure controls permit you to tailor the gun to suit both your coverage medium and base material requirements.
Despite its suitability to more substantial projects, you don’t require a mammoth pneumatic power unit — working off 3.5 to 3.9 CFM at 30 PSI, this LVLP gun will function with most DIY-sized compressors.
An incorporated ladder hook permits safe storage when working on high-level projects, while a heavily knurled metal handle ensures a stable grip even when using the unit with gloved or paint-drenched hands.
Boasting an adjustable spray fan width of 7.0 to 10.9 inches — this gun promises rapid coverage — making it suitable for more expansive projects. And, in addition to the gun, cup, and tip — this siphon sprayer also arrives with a tip wrench and cleaning brush.
Features
- Lightweight aluminum construction of gun and cup.
- Maximum operating pressure of 60 PSI.
- Easy-trigger pull.
- Suitable for medium to large jobs.
- Corrosion-resistant needle.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Conclusion
Offering the highest transfer efficiency across all power-painting categories, and promising the minimum of overspray — LVLP guns provide the cleanest of finishes on automotive, marine, and cabinet applications.
Multi-medium compatible and user-tailorable, these units are as comfortable knocking out urethanes and enamels as they are primers and latexes. And, requiring a low-pressure input, you don’t need a behemoth-sized compressor to drive the shooter.
When selecting your perfect gun, consider whether you prefer the lower power demands of the gravity-fed units, or the more compact siphon-feed examples. Additionally, consider what tip you need for your most commonly used mediums and how much paint capacity you require to complete your projects with the minimum of refilling.
Admittedly, LVLP guns aren’t for everyone. Those DIYers or pros who don’t have access to a compressor should consider a turbine-driven machine. And, spray gun users who are looking at tackling mammoth projects should look at the rapid coverage of the airless units.
However, if you need the ultimate in flawless finishing — there’s no better tool than an LVLP spray gun.
LVLP Spray Gun FAQs
Q: What Is an LPHV Paint Sprayer?
An LPHV spray gun is a somewhat uncommon term for an HVLP unit — a machine that utilizes high volumes of air at a low pressure to deliver the coating medium.
Although not achieving the ultimate finish provided by LVLP guns — they provide rapid coverage while still promising a pleasing coat.
Q: Where Can I Find an Ampro LVLP Paint Gun?
Unfortunately, you cannot as this manufacturer only retails HVLP machines. However, if you’re looking for an LVLP gun equal in quality to the Ampro brand, I’d suggest checking out the SprayIt SP-33000K.
Q: How Do I Set Up a LVLP Gun?
LVLP spray gun setup is remarkably straightforward and no different from using an HVLP shooter. For a detailed, step-by-step guide, check out my How To Use a Paint Gun With a Compressor article.
Q: What Is Better HVLP or LVLP?
It depends on your project. The fine atomization and minimal overspray of an LVLP unit make it ideal for small jobs where the perfect coat is crucial. HVLP guns are suited to larger projects that require more speedy coverage. For a detailed comparison, take a look at my LVLP vs HVLP article.
Q: Can You Paint a Car With a LVLP Gun?
Yes! With low overspray and minimal pooling, LVLP guns are ideal for the perfect finish demanded by automotive respraying.
That said, many motor-restoring pros utilize the dense-medium compatibility of an HVLP gun for the primer, then switch to an LVLP for the topcoat. For a step-by-step guide on painting a car, check out my article on Automobile Spraying.
Q: What Does LVLP Mean?
LVLP means low-volume low-pressure. This indicates that the spray gun utilizes low volumes of air combined with a low pressure input from an external pneumatic compressor to deliver the paint.
It results in a slow, yet accurate propulsion of the coating medium with high-transfer efficiency — reducing wastage and providing the smoothest coat in the power-painting niche.