Advantages and disadvantages of airless painting, necessary equipment
Airless paint refers to an innovative technology that is becoming increasingly popular. Today, this method of staining is used in a wide variety of areas of life. It is used in industry, car workshops, and in the manufacture of joinery. Also, this method is suitable for home conditions. At the same time, only strict adherence to certain rules can achieve the required results.
General information about airless paint
Airless painting is a method of applying stain using special equipment. In this case, the substance is not applied pneumatically, but by dispersing the flow of material. The dye is ground without the participation of compressed air. Therefore, this method began to be called airless painting.
The essence of the procedure is as follows:
- Dye spraying occurs due to increased hydraulic pressure.
- The working substance enters the elliptical nozzle of the atomizer, after which it flies out at high speed.
- Under the hydrodynamic effect, the paint air particles are slowed down.
- Paint and varnish are deposited on the surface more economically and more evenly than with a pneumatic gun.
In other words, the airless painting of walls or other surfaces is carried out using a pump. It feeds the dye through the pipes. In this case, the working mass is ground into small particles on an elliptical nozzle. At the exit of the nozzle, a high pressure and strongly atomized flow is generated. Its droplets collide with the surrounding air, causing them to decelerate. As a result, it is possible to obtain a softer and more uniform surface coverage.
Airless paint is most often used on an industrial scale. This method is perfect for application to metal structures. Using sprayers, it is allowed to apply different types of paints - latex, alkyd, epoxy. They are also used for the use of construction floors when processing wood, metal, concrete and other types of surfaces.
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
The main advantage of airless paint is considered to be the ability to apply thick coatings and the use of a smaller volume of solvents. There are no foreign particles and air in the dye stream. Thanks to this, it is possible to paint surfaces more efficiently and evenly.
High pressure dye spraying helps reduce painting costs and makes jobs less labor intensive. This is very important when painting large objects.
This method has the following advantages:
- mechanization of the painting process and increase in the pace of work;
- the creation of a perfectly homogeneous coating thanks to the gentle application of the paint;
- no need for strong ventilation due to the use of solvents;
- increase the productivity of painting work and the ability to apply stain in a thick layer;
- economy of dyes due to the large surface of the sprayed flux;
- improve occupational health and safety.
When using the airless painting method, it is necessary to use a working substance of a specific viscosity. It should not contain large pigmented particles which can precipitate.
When using airless spray guns, it is irrational to paint small products or small surfaces.
This is due to the impossibility of regulating the surface and the intensity of the flow of dye.
Equipment needed
The airless spray gun has no air in the dispensed stream. And this is its main difference from the pneumatic analogue. The rest of the equipment is very similar.
For maximum convenience, it is recommended to mount the sprayer on a portable stand. The equipment includes the following:
- body with a handle;
- dye supply connection;
- elliptical nozzle;
- special pipes;
- compressor.
Reliable, good quality equipment is recommended for airless spraying. The sealing elements must certainly be tight. The device must have a security shutter. A special non-slip coating is applied to the handle.
Budget spray guns are distinguished by a plastic body. The durability of such devices is considered very questionable, since plastic can hardly be called high strength. In addition, it is not particularly resistant to the effects of chemicals.
The best solution is the use of metal structures. If during work you constantly have to move, it is better to give preference to a compact device.
Painting preparation steps
Before painting, it is important to properly set up the gun and evaluate its performance on a sheet of paper or cardboard. If uniform streaks appear on the surface, it is worth proceeding to the application of paint. In case of uneven application of the substance, it is recommended to use a high-viscosity working composition.
At the preparatory stage, it is recommended to do the following:
- Filter the dye with a fine mesh. Then, a cleaning of the filter is necessary.
- Place the supply hose in a container with dye and drain wire in a container with bad paint. Only after that it is worth switching to the ignition of the device without air.
- When the paint enters the drain, it must be lowered into a bucket. After that, it is necessary to connect the suction and drain hoses with a clip and lower them into a container with a mixture of working dyes. After 30 seconds, the equipment should be turned off.
- Before painting walls, facades and metal structures, it is imperative to fill all the pipes. In this case, it is recommended to disassemble the nozzle, adjust the mode and wait for a uniform flow of the composition. Then the gun must be installed on the safety seal and the pressure in the device must be released.
Spray paint instruction
To ensure even application of the paint to the surface, it is recommended that the equipment be properly installed. To do this, it is worth testing the device on paper and adjusting it if necessary. The test is recommended by pressing the trigger on the device and spraying dye until visible streaks appear.
For high-quality painting of the surface, it is recommended to tilt the gun in different directions - left-right and up-down. After performing the required amount of work, it is important to carry out high-quality cleaning of the device from tinting residues and apply a special composition that does not contain silicone.
Troubleshoot potential issues
An important element of successful staining and long-term use of equipment is considered to be the timely identification and elimination of malfunctions, so during laborious operations the nozzle is often clogged. It should be cleaned by turning it 180 degrees and blowing out the dye.
A clogged torch often results in the unit simply not spraying dye even at the highest pressure. In this case, the turned nozzle should be directed at a piece of cardboard and pull the trigger. If at least some material comes out, the painting can continue.
Professional and high-quality painting is impossible when the filter is clogged or the valve stops on the pistons that push paints and varnishes. Thorough washing and preservation of the device helps to get rid of such troubles for a long time.
Rarer difficulties that prevent uniform and perfect painting include material supply failures. This issue occurs when using oversized nozzles for dye production and consistency.
Precautions for work
When airless painting, it is important to follow a number of safety rules. In this case, the following should be considered:
- Always use airless spray fuses.
- Depressurize gradually in the final stages of work before cleaning and replacing torches.
- It is strictly forbidden to direct the equipment connected to the network in the direction of a person.
- During work, be sure to wear protective glasses and a respirator.
- Perform staining under conditions of good ventilation.
When spraying flammable materials, equipment and metal containers must be grounded. In this case, it is important to observe the safety rules in order to avoid the formation of sparks.
Additional tips and tricks
For walls or ceilings to be painted effectively, it is important to choose the right equipment. In this case, the following parameters should be considered:
- overall compactness;
- availability of cover for transport and storage;
- compliance with the cost of features;
- the ability to control paint supply;
- completeness of a complete set.
Airless spray painting is an important technology that continues to evolve and is increasingly available to professional craftsmen and hobbyists alike. To achieve good results, it is important to strictly follow the rules for applying the dye. Compliance with safety rules is essential.