Technical Foundation
What Is a Conventional Spray Gun?
A conventional spray gun atomizes liquid coating material by mixing it with compressed air at relatively high pressure at the air cap, producing a fine, well-atomized spray pattern suited to fine automotive and industrial finish work. This distinguishes conventional guns from HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) guns, which use lower air pressure at the cap to reduce overspray and improve transfer efficiency, generally at some cost to atomization fineness on very high-viscosity coatings.
Feed method — gravity, siphon or pressure — determines how material reaches the nozzle: gravity feed uses a top-mounted cup relying on gravity to feed material to the fluid nozzle, siphon feed uses air passing over the nozzle to draw material up from a bottom-mounted cup, and pressure feed uses a separate pressurized pot or pump to push material to the gun, suited to high-volume continuous spraying beyond what a cup-fed gun can sustain.
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| Spec | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Feed Method | Gravity, siphon, or pressure feed | Determines cup position, material capacity and suitability for continuous high-volume spraying |
| Fluid Nozzle Size | Commonly 1.0-2.5mm depending on coating viscosity | Larger nozzles handle higher-viscosity coatings; smaller nozzles suit fine detail and low-viscosity finishes |
| Air Consumption (CFM) | Rated air volume required at spray pressure | Compressor capacity must meet or exceed the gun's CFM demand to maintain consistent atomization |
| Atomization Pressure | Higher pressure than HVLP for finer atomization | Higher pressure improves atomization but increases overspray and reduces transfer efficiency vs. HVLP |
| Pattern Adjustment | Fan width and fluid flow adjustment controls | Allows the operator to tune spray pattern shape and coverage to the specific job |
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Applications
Where Conventional Spray Guns Get Used
Conventional spray guns are specified wherever fine atomization and finish quality take priority over the overspray reduction offered by HVLP systems.
Automotive Refinishing
Applying primer, basecoat and clearcoat finishes requiring fine atomization and controlled pattern shape.
Industrial Equipment Coating
Applying protective and finish coatings to fabricated equipment and machinery components.
Furniture & Woodworking Finishing
Spray application of lacquers, stains and topcoats in furniture manufacturing and finishing operations.
Marine Coating Application
Applying specialized marine paints and coatings requiring high-volume continuous spray capability.
Metal Fabrication Finishing
Applying primer and finish coats to fabricated metal parts and structures before or after assembly.
Touch-Up & Detail Work
Small detail guns for spot repair and touch-up work requiring precise, controlled spray pattern control.
FAQ
Conventional Spray Guns Questions, Answered
What's the difference between a conventional and an HVLP spray gun?
A conventional spray gun atomizes material using higher air pressure at the cap, producing very fine atomization suited to demanding finish work, but generates more overspray and lower transfer efficiency (more material lost rather than landing on the part). An HVLP gun uses a higher volume of air at lower pressure, improving transfer efficiency and reducing overspray, which is why many regions require HVLP for certain coating applications, though conventional guns remain preferred for some high-viscosity or specialty coatings.
Which feed method should I choose — gravity, siphon or pressure?
Gravity feed guns are generally easier to clean and use less material to prime the system, popular for automotive refinishing. Siphon feed guns handle larger cup capacities better suited to production work. Pressure feed systems use a separate pressurized pot, decoupling material capacity from the gun itself and suited to continuous high-volume spraying where a cup-fed gun would require frequent refilling.
How do I select the right fluid nozzle size?
Fluid nozzle size should be matched to the coating's viscosity — thinner, lower-viscosity coatings (like some clearcoats) work well with smaller nozzles (around 1.0-1.4mm), while thicker coatings or high-solids materials need larger nozzles (1.7mm and up) to atomize properly without excessive tip pressure. The coating manufacturer's technical data sheet typically recommends a nozzle size range for their specific product.
Why does my compressor need to match the gun's CFM rating?
If the compressor cannot sustain the gun's rated air consumption (CFM) at the required pressure, air pressure at the gun will drop during spraying, resulting in poor atomization, an uneven or 'spitting' pattern, and inconsistent finish quality — always check the gun's actual CFM requirement against the compressor's continuous (not just peak) delivery capacity.
How should a spray gun be cleaned between uses?
Spray guns should be disassembled and cleaned with an appropriate solvent for the coating material used, with attention to the fluid nozzle, needle, and air cap passages where dried material buildup most commonly affects spray pattern quality on the next use. Many facilities use a dedicated gun cleaning station or kit to manage solvent use and cleaning consistency, and to comply with VOC and hazardous waste handling requirements.
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