How to Select an Airless Sprayer for Industrial Coatings

What to Consider When Choosing an Airless Coatings Sprayer

If you want to learn more, please visit our website New graco sprayer filter.

Equipment selection is critical to the success of airless spraying of industrial coatings. No matter what market you serve, the equipment must be capable of dependably delivering a select coating type at the right application rate, under various operating conditions. If equipment is not properly suited for the job, quality issues and equipment failures can result, often leading to budget overruns, schedule delays and unhappy customers. 

The key to airless spraying is providing enough fluid pressure at the gun to atomize the material into a pattern that provides consistent coverage. In selecting airless spraying equipment, many factors need to be considered, including: available power source, coating type, application demand, distance between pump and spray gun, operating environment, portability and maintenance requirements.
 

Power Sources

Airless pumps can be powered by air, electric or gas power sources. The selection of power is often determined by the operating conditions and availability of power sources. Key considerations of each source are shown below.

Power SourceProsCons

 

Air (Pneumatic)

• Convenient for contractors using air-compressor-driven blasting equipment
• Safer in explosive atmospheres
• Capable of using large tip sizes
• Capable of employing multiple spray guns
• Easily handles long spray hoses 

• Noisier than other types
• Can be prone to icing in cold environments 
• Requires large compressor

 

Electric

• Quieter than other sources
• Reduces energy costs
• Less prone to icing
• Does not require large compressor
• Handles long spray hoses

• Need 240V on-site as well as an electrician
• Only supports smaller tip sizes (not able to use for heavier-
• bodied materials)

 

Gas

• Greater portability
• Capable of high production rates 
• Helpful in handling heavier, thicker coatings
• All-in-one power source (does not require electricity or compressor)

• Not allowed in hazardous environments
• May need permits for fuel on jobsite

   

Material & Application

Material Being Sprayed

Coating type also plays a key role in spray equipment. Industrial coatings are typically epoxy or polyurethane based, which are highly viscous materials (i.e., thick and resistant to flow). Higher pressure pumps allow pumping more viscous materials and optimizing pressures for less viscous materials.

If solvents are used to lower viscosity, one key factor to consider is the length of time the material needs to be sprayable after being hand mixed (hot potted). The proportion of solids in the coating is another key factor. As the solids percentage increases, the amount of solvent decreases and pot life decreases.
 

Application Demand

The rate at which coating is to be sprayed, or application demand, is also a key factor in selecting spraying equipment. The pressure required to atomize the material often determines the appropriate pump. Tip size required for proper coverage, the number of guns, duty cycle and pump flow rate also need to be considered.  

A combination of both pressure and flow of pump determine the application rate. Many pumps have enough pressure to spray a coating, but they&#;re offered in different sizes (or flow rates). 

The company is the world’s best airless spray gun filters supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

The flow rate that the pump is capable of achieving also needs to be considered. For example, a sprayer with a larger pump fluid section can handle more demanding applications because it cycles slower.
 

Distance & Environment

Distance from Pump to Gun

To properly atomize and apply coating material, the pump must overcome pressure drop in the hose. As hose lengths increase, pressure drops increase, and additional pumping pressure is needed. 

The diameter of spray hose also affects pressure drop. By increasing hose diameter, pressure drop can be reduced. Elevation of the application area can also affect pressure drop. If the application area is higher than sprayer, a larger pressure drop will occur through the hose. Coating suppliers and product data sheets can provide additional information on pressure required.
 

Operating Environment

Different operating environments require different spraying equipment. Temperature and humidity are often key factors to consider. Air motors can experience icing issues, as ambient air is compressed and exhausted out of the pump at a colder temperature. A good motor design will mitigate icing and possible pressure loss.  Some advanced sprayers feature thermally isolated poppets on the motors that are insulated from motor castings to virtually eliminate pilot valve freezing.

If sprayers are used in hazardous locations, pump type must be considered. Gas pumps are generally not allowed in these areas. If an electric pump is being used, agency approval is needed for operation in a hazardous location.
 

Portability

Portability is another factor to consider. Most sprayers are typically available on carts, and may be moved around a job site. Pump size can also affect portability. While larger pumps often help achieve higher application rates, the pump size should also be optimized to maximize portability. In industrial environments and smaller projects, if a sprayer can be maneuvered by one person, a smaller unit at a lower cost may make sense.
 

Maintenance

A sprayer that&#;s easy to troubleshoot and maintain will make life easier &#; and jobs more profitable. The equipment dealer can advise on ease of maintenance, regular maintenance tasks and anticipated lifespan of wear items for various sprayers. Some key maintenance questions to ask:

• Are common items easily accessible, or is disassembly required? 
• Are any special tools required, or can common tools handle most maintenance tasks?
• How easy is it to remove the cover?
• Is there a convenient place on sprayer to store essential tools and parts? 
• Are replacement parts reasonably priced and readily available?

Summary

Each of the factors discussed in this article (power source, coating type, application demand, distance between pump and spray gun, operating environment, portability and maintenance requirements) play a key role when selecting an airless sprayer.) In addition, here are some general items to consider when selecting equipment:

• Make sure you have sufficient fluid pressure at the gun to provide consistent coverage. 
• A dependable, high quality sprayer may have higher initial cost, but successful completion of more jobs on time is possible if you consider all the right factors. 
• Rugged sprayers can perform in a variety of environmental conditions and make the difference between a good day&#;s work and a day of frustrating delays.
• Work with a qualified technical representative to make the right choice

NEW:

Neon

low pressure tips

Discover Graco&#;s new neon-coloured low pressure spray tips. They are as versatile as the existing tips for general painting and high production jobs, but work at up to half the usual pressure, which has several benefits:

• Up to 50% less overspray
• Up to 2X longer tip life
• Perfect airless finish
• Easiest pattern overlap
• Reduced prep and cleanup

The neon low pressure spray tips are available in two versions: 
LP tips and WRLP tip

Want more information on mist eliminator pad for sale? Feel free to contact us.