How to Use HVLP to Spray Latex (The Best Informative Guide)

High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP), paint sprayers are popular when it comes to applying paint indoors. That’s because they use the low pressure to draw the paint from the gun, the result being that the amount of overspray is reduced. In this case, they are better than the standard compressed paint sprayers.

Bear in mind that the low pressure is ideal when working with oil-based finishes and paints, but presents obstacles when dealing with heavier and thicker latex paint. However, you can overcome these obstacles with a bit of paint preparation and extra equipment. This informative post gives you a systematic guide on how to go about it.

Can HVLP Spray Latex Paint?

The Best Informative Guide on How to Use HVLP to Spray Latex

Paint Preparation

One factor that you should keep in mind when dealing with latex paint that’s of high quality is that is much thicker than the traditional finishes. It means that you must thin it to ensure that you can use it as a spray finish. If you fail to thin it, the paint will come out your spray gun blobs or fail to come out at all.

The amount of water that you’ll use with depends on the quality and brand of the paint. The best way to start thinning the paint is to add 10 percent water and mix the solution thoroughly. Add some small amount of water if the paint is still thick.

However, make sure that you don’t use over 25% percent of water in any of your latex paint. The reason is that if you thin it excessively, you will reduce the paint’s ability to stick and cover surfaces.

Additives

Bear in mind that if the thinning by water fails to bring the desired results, consider using a latex paint conditioner to enable you to decrease that paint’s viscosity. Latex paint conditioners have special effects that allow the paint to flow. That’s without thinning it and reducing its ability to adhere to and cover a surface.

Straining

The best way to fill the paint sprayer cup is to make sure that you use the paint strainer standard cone. Remember that a standard HVLP nozzle’ opening is 1.4 millimeters, which means that small bits of debris can clog it (to find out how to unclog a paint sprayer, read more here).

The moment you plug the nozzle, you need to take the paint sprayer apart and remove the obstruction. The best way to avoid this procedure, which is messy, is to ensure you use a strainer. In the case that you fail to find the paint strainer, a good alternative is to use a pantyhose.

Hose Length

The HVLP paint sprayer’s turbine blower produces heat that is then fed directly onto the latex paint by using the short hose. The reason why you need to heat the paint is to ensure you reduce the drying time, which affects the paint’s ability to flow well and level out.

The addition of a 6-foot section of air hose between the turbine and the gun enables you to reduce the working temperature of the air that atomizes the paint.

Method

Make sure that you hold the paint sprayer at a maximum of 8 inches from the area or surface that you’re painting. Ensure that you start from on the vertical surface’s top. If you’re dealing with horizontal surfaces, you can choose to start along their either edge or go towards the edge’s opposite. Make sure that the surface is entirely wet before you move to the next.

Test and Practice

Keep in mind that that for you to get the right viscosity, several factors are involved. They include humidity, temperature, the paint’s physical characteristics and turbine output. All these factors affect the ability of the paint to flow smoothly. For you to find the right mix, it depends on how you try.

The best method to try is to use your paint sprayer and test-spray the paint on a piece of scrap or cardboard each time you thin it. Once you achieve a mix that flows smoothly, you should practice your spraying way or method on your testing surface until you get a consistent finish.

Remember that using tiny amounts of your paint to test is less costly and takes much less time than removing a bad paint job and starting from scratch.

Summary

Can HVLP spray latex? Yes, it can. The above informative guide should make it easier for you to use your paint sprayer or gun to spray latex paint. Make sure that you read online reviews of paint sprayers to ensure that you buy efficient models.