When you are looking for the best HVLP spray gun for woodworking there are some things you should keep in mind to make sure you select the best one.
HVLP?
HVLP stands for High Volume Low Pressure.
The name pretty much describes the main attributes of this type of spray gun.
The HV (high volume) part of the name means the spray gun outputs a high volume of paint for the amount of pressure the spray gun requires.
The LP (low pressure) part of the name means the spray gun is designed to work at a lower pressure than previous types of spray guns in the past.
Now that we know what HVLP stands for let’s take a look at why HVLP guns are the best spray gun for woodworking.
More Efficient
These types of spray guns are more efficient at applying paint, stain, or other material than other traditional higher pressure spray guns.
When we saw more efficient we are referring to there being less wasted material, so more of the sprayed material gets applied to the workpiece instead of dispersed into the air.
Less wasted material has several advantages.
Probably the biggest advantage is you have to buy less material, so this definitely save you money.
That is always a good thing.
Less Overspray
If you have done any painting at all, even with a rattle can, you are familiar with what overspray is.
Overspray is material that comes out of the spray gun, but it is not applied to the piece being painted.
This material has to go somewhere, and unfortunately most of it lands on the area just outside the area you are trying to cover.
Besides using less material HVLP spray guns also have less overspray since they are using lower pressure to apply the paint or stain.
Less over means less clean up and less masking is needed.
Better for the Environment
In an ideal world 100% of the paint or stain would be applied to the piece being painted.
Of course, we all know that nothing is 100% efficient.
Some of the wasted material end up as overspray which covers some other surface area rather than the intended one.
There is also a portion of the wasted material that is released into the atmosphere.
Some paints and stains contains components that can be very bad for the environment.
Depending on the type of material being sprayed, this can have a significant impact on the environment.
HVLP spray guns greatly reduce the impact to the environment by emitting less wasted material.
Have an Air Compressor?
When it comes to picking the best HVLP spray gun for woodworking one of the main considerations will be if you have an existing air compressor available to use with the gun or not.
If you will be spraying in the same location all of the time, for example you are painting or staining furniture in a shop then you likely have an air compressor already.
Even if you do have an air compressor if may not be suitable for an HVLP spray gun.
Many people are using small air compressors, and even if you have the best pancake air compressor it may not have the capacity to power an HVLP spray gun.
If you are interested in purchasing an air compressor take a look at our information on picking the best air compressor for a home garage.
Do I Really Need an Air Compressor?
If you do not already have a suitable air compressor and are not interested in purchasing one then you may not actually need one for your new HVLP spray gun.
Of course, if you have or plan to purchase other air powered equipment then you will need to have an air compressor to power those tools anyway.
There are HVLP spray guns for woodworking that either do not require an air compressor or come with their own integrated compressor.
Spraying Location
Even if you have or purchase an air compressor you may still want to purchase an HVLP woodworking spray gun that has its own integrated compressor.
If you will be using the spray gun in different locations or on large things that can’t be moved like fences, barns, houses, etc then it may not be possible to have access to an air compressor.
In these cases it is very likely you will have easier access to AC power than an air compressor.
If this is the case you should definitely consider an HVLP spray gun that comes with a integrated compressor.
These are more expensive, but they will give you much more flexibility as to where you can use your spray gun.
Best Spray Guns
Ok, now that we know why HVLP sprays guns are the best for woodworking let’s take a look at some of out top spray gun picks.
If you already have a suitable air compressor then a good HVLP spray gun for woodworking is the TCP Global 9 piece HVLP spray gun set.
This kit comes with 3 spray guns with different fluid tips for a variety of different materials such as paints and stains.
The tips range from 1mm to 1.8mm across the 3 spray guns.
TCP 9 Piece Spray Gun Kit
- HVLP Design
- Graviy Fed
- 2 Full Size Guns, 1 Detail Gun
- 2 One Liter Cups, 1 150cc Cup
- Includes Wrenchs
- Includes Cleaning Brushes
- Includes Pressure Regulator and Filter
- 3.5-7.1 CFM at 29-50 PSI
Check TCP 9 Piece Spray Gun Kit Prices
The second spray gun on our list is the HomeRight Super Finish Max.
It has a compressor built into the gun, so it is a simple and compact one piece unit.
When using it you just add your material, plug it in, and start spraying.
HomeRight Super Finish Max
- One Piece Design
- Integrated Compressor
- HVLP Design
- 40 oz Cup
- Ideal for Oil or Water Based Materials
- 3 Spray Tips Included
- 450 Watts of Power
- Very Portable
- 120V AC
Check HomeRight Super Finish Max Prices
The next spray gun on our list is the Earlex HV5500 HVLP Spray Station Paint Sprayer.
The Earlex unit does not require an external air compressor as it comes with its own 2 stage turbine compressor.
It is designed for serious woodworking, light contractor, and even automotive painting.
All you need is a 120V outlet to power the built-in turbine compressor, and you are ready to spray.
This unit features on-board storage for the spray gun, 13 ft hose, and 5.5 ft power cord for easy and convenient storage.
There is even an integrated handle to make portability almost effortless.
Earlex HV5500 HVLP Spray Station
- Integrated, 2-Stage Turbine Compressor
- HVLP Design
- Works with oil and water based materials
- Very Portable
- 13 ft Hose
- 5.5 ft Power Cord
- 120V AC
Check Earlex HV5500 Spray Station Prices
The last spray gun on our list is the Fuji Semi-PRO 2 Spray System.
This unit is the most expensive, but it packs a lot of features and quality for the price.
It is solidly built with a metal turbine case.
It has a powerful 1,400 watt 2-stage motor that provides plenty of power for professional quality results.
The M-Model spray gun comes in gravity feed and bottom feed versions, and each of those can be converted to the other design (extra purchase required).
Fuji Semi-PRO 2 Spray System
- Integrated, 2-Stage Turbine Compressor
- HVLP Design
- Inlcudes 1.3mm Tip
- 0.8mm to 2.0 Tips Available
- Works with oil and water based materials
- M-Model Spray Gun
- Stainless Steel Nozzle and Needle
- Portable
- 25 ft Hose
- 120V AC
Check Fuji Semi-PRO 2 (Gravity Feed) Prices
Check Fuji Semi-PRO 2 (Bottom Feed) Prices
Conclusion
There are several things to consider when picking the best HVLP spray gun for woodworking, many of them may not be things you think of at first.
We hope we have given you some useful information and suggestions that will help you pick the best spray gun for your woodworking projects.