In the process of renovating premises, one has to deal with such work as painting. The aesthetic perception of the final result depends on the quality of its implementation. To create an even, flawless coating, craftsmen advise using spray guns. There is a huge range of products on sale, the pricing policies of manufacturers are very diverse. However, high-quality and highly productive equipment costs a lot of money. Therefore, many try to make a spray gun with their own hands.
Spray guns are always needed in everyday life
Operating principle
A spray gun is a device designed for applying paint and varnish material and other liquids to objects by spraying. The result of the work in this case looks better than doing it manually.
The principle of operation of the device is to supply paint and air under high pressure to the nozzle of the device.
The air stream breaks up the paint and varnish, mixes with it, turning into fine dust. Thus, the working composition leaving the nozzle evenly covers the entire working surface.
For reference! Finished products are available for sale. However, their cost starts from 2,000 rubles. Not everyone wants to incur such expenses for one-time work.
Operating principle
Paint spray gun STAYER MASTER 06479 – works with all paintwork materials
A device with a lower location of the storage tank. The latter is made of aluminum alloy and has a useful volume of 1 liter, which allows you to increase the area to be painted and extend the duration of work.
There is a mechanism for adjusting the shape of the torch. The soft-action trigger ensures reliable feeding with varying amounts of the supplied working fluid. Low fire safety of the technological process is ensured.
- Large tank volume.
- Adjusting the spray jet.
- Made of metal.
- Poor fit of individual units to each other.
Types of spray guns
At the moment, there are several types of them:
- Manual is the simplest equipment; anyone with no experience in painting work can master it. If handled improperly, defects may occur in the form of uneven application of dye and uneven coloring.
- Pneumatic - based on the action of compressed air. A similar device is used when working on large areas, for example, when it is necessary to process the sales floors of supermarkets and production workshops of enterprises.
- Vacuum - pressure is created inside, which is extinguished by the dye at the outlet. This airless method saves the amount of paint and allows you to cover large areas in a short time.
- Electric - an electric pump is installed inside the spray gun, which disperses the paint. They are used in everyday life when carrying out cosmetic repairs of premises.
- Combined - vacuum and pneumatic painting systems operate simultaneously. Area of application: transport industry and furniture production.
The range of spray guns is huge. If you want to make a spray gun with your own hands, you must first become familiar with the operation of each type of spray gun.
For reference! The devices are produced even by leading European manufacturers of tools and equipment, such as Bosch, Makita.
Types of spray guns
Paint spray gun Caliber KRP-1.5/0.6 VB PROFI – professional level
A device for applying paint and varnish coatings using a jet of compressed air. Adjustment of the supply of the working fluid is applied. The upper location of the storage tank is used, thanks to which the entire internal volume is used.
Proper placement of the adjustment elements allows the operator to use only one hand. There is a special hook for storing the spray gun.
- Complete set, three adjustment screws.
- Comfortable, fits well in the hand.
- Low air consumption.
- The protective coating of the gun itself is fragile and will peel off quickly.
Advantages of a self-assembled spray gun
How to paint with a brush or roller? It’s better to buy a spray gun or make it yourself, which will definitely affect the speed and quality of work.
Positive aspects of using a spray gun:
- There is no debris on the newly applied paintwork;
- the duration of repair work is reduced significantly;
- dye consumption is reduced;
- the equipment does not require special care;
- lightweight and small in size.
HUBERTH R100 RP20100-08 spray gun – for fine work
Small-sized pneumatic spray gun with a small storage tank volume. Used for applying finishing coatings.
LVMP technology is used, a combination of low volume and medium pressure. This produces a minimal amount of fog and ensures fine and precise spraying. This method is convenient for small repairs, restorations, and the application of artistic images.
- Very soft trigger, fine spray.
- Fine tuning of the flow.
- Compact, convenient, a pleasure to work with.
- Only 0.8 mm nozzle is available.
Aerosol can sprayer
The simplest type of device for coating surfaces with water-based paint. How to make a mini spray gun? It is made at home. A homemade spray gun consists of:
- plastic bottles;
- aerosol can;
- bicycle pump and tube.
The device is based on the principle of airless dye spraying. Can be used to treat interior walls and ceilings with lime mortar and whitewash. Always useful in the house.
Spray gun from an aerosol can
Which is better: electric or pneumatic
Spray guns that run on compressed air are called pneumatic. They only function if there is a compressor. A correctly selected set of a gun and a pumping device is quite expensive, so this type is in demand for professionals.
Electric models do not require compressed air, since the paint is distributed through a built-in pump that generates operating pressure.
But due to the lack of air flow, the quality of paint application is reduced.
Making from a ballpoint pen
The most primitive way of touch-up. You need to prepare a container no larger than 1 liter and a ballpoint pen.
How to assemble a spray gun:
- Take a regular pen and disassemble it.
- The handle body and the rod are secured perpendicular to each other.
- They blow into the pen with their mouth, and paint flows through the rod.
- The pressure is regulated by the person himself.
It is used for small jobs, for example, in a garage or car workshop for painting a car, removing small saffron milk caps on a car.
Your requirements
How often will you use the spray bottle? If you plan to use the spray gun rarely, for small volumes of work, then there is no point in spending a lot of money and buying an expensive professional tool. On the other hand, you need a paint gun that will do the job well. For these purposes, you can choose an inexpensive HVLP spray gun with the necessary characteristics.
To choose a spray gun, you need to decide what tasks the spray gun will perform. There are paint sprayers that use different spray systems that have different characteristics. It is necessary to familiarize yourself with the theory and understand the variety of types and characteristics of spray guns offered. Then you can make smart choices. You can paint with any spray gun, but the better the tool, the better the paint coating and the more stable the result.
For novice painters, we can recommend purchasing a spray gun at a budget price, and later, as they gain experience, purchasing a high-quality professional spray gun.
Homemade spray gun from a vacuum cleaner with a hose
To do this, you need to find an old model vacuum cleaner of the Soviet period, such as “Raketa”. In these models, the hose is inserted at the suction and outlet. This creates the effect of a compressor unit.
Modern imported vacuum cleaners do not have this capability. But if you change the poles on the motor, it will start to blow out. You need to take nozzles from unnecessary spray guns or make them yourself.
A spray gun assembled by hand from a domestic vacuum cleaner
Paint spray gun Inforce SP 160 01-06-03 – stable spray pattern
A tool for applying liquid protective and decorative coatings to various surfaces. The special design of the nozzle allows you to create a stable torch at the outlet without harmful air turbulence, ensuring uniform coloring.
By adjusting the shape of the torch and adjusting the amount of material, you can cover surfaces of various shapes. The spray gun is economical and works with water- or oil-based compounds.
- Price – quality, reliability.
- Fully fulfills its functions.
- Good economy, uniform application.
- It would be nice to have spare nozzles in the package.
Sprayer with compressor from a refrigerator
The equipment operates quietly and paint consumption is minimal.
Execution steps:
- Fix the auto-compressor on the board;
- connect pipes and hoses;
- prepare a closed container for the receiver and drill 2 holes for the hoses;
- install a pressure gauge on the receiver;
- insert a filter onto the outlet pipe;
- turn on the compressor.
Important! The compressor on the board must be secured in the position in which it was in the refrigeration unit.
Polishing machine
This tool is used at the final stage of painting work and allows you to polish the car body with high quality. With its help, after finishing the painting work, the body is given an attractive appearance. In addition, surface polishing helps protect the surface of the car from the negative effects of the environment.
In addition to the polishing machine, it is worth purchasing related tools, which include special polishing wheels, which can be of different densities, as well as sheepskin polishing pads.
How to make a spray gun for powder paint
This will not be easy to do, as it will require knowledge of electrical engineering.
What needs to be done step by step:
- Assemble the electrical module and place it in a plastic container. Fill the inner space with paraffin.
- Assemble the pistol. Prepare a plastic tee, place the core in it, treating the inner surface with glue.
- Pass the electrical wiring into the bottom hole.
- Connect the structure to the paint tank.
- Insert the tank into the tee.
- Electrical wires are shorted to power.
With such equipment, it is easy to tint a home gate or fence.
Device structure
The following components are included in car painting spray guns:
- handle - necessary for directing the sprayed composition and holding the device;
- tank - it contains the liquid composition used for spraying;
- trigger - sets the locking needle in motion, when pressed, paint begins to spray;
- nozzle - located at the front of the gun, the nozzle fits into part of the spray base.
For pneumatic models, the pressure regulator (p) is located in the rear area of the gun; it is necessary to adjust the level at which air is supplied. The second similar mechanism is a shut-off screw that regulates the intensity of supply of liquid material.
Device structure
Safety precautions when making a spray gun
Homemade spray gun designs are related to the presence of pressure in the system. Therefore, safety precautions should be observed when manufacturing equipment.
- Carry out work only in a ventilated room.
- Use personal protective equipment and special clothing (overalls, gloves, goggles).
- Check the connections for tightness.
- Observe electrical safety measures.
Safety precautions
The best manufacturing companies
The top best suppliers of guns for painting cars include the following brands:
- GAV produces budget devices suitable for beginners who are mastering all the intricacies of painting. They allow you to apply base coat and acrylic.
- Walcom - presents elite spray guns for auto repair shops. Various models of guns for dispensing a wide range of coatings have been produced since 1945.
- SATA produces wear-resistant equipment with a long service life.
Tips for using a spray gun
Even ordinary people can give a number of recommendations for using such equipment:
- After painting work, thoroughly rinse the equipment to remove paint and varnish material and dry it.
- Pour the remainder in the container into another container and do not leave it in the tank. Wash the spray gun with solvents.
- After washing the equipment, pour soap emulsion into the tank and use a spray bottle to rinse all the insides of the device.
- Use toothpicks to clean the mini-spray gun nozzle.
- Carefully study the instructions for using the device and comply with the manufacturer’s requirements.
- Provide additional ventilation of the room by installing a fan.
- It is necessary to place artificial lighting at an angle in order to see all the imperfections in the painting.
- When operating the spray gun indoors, exclude the presence of unauthorized persons.
- Prepare the paint in advance before starting work.
- Use masking tape to mark smooth and clear edges.
- When spraying paint or mortar, do not linger in one place. This can lead to the formation of a thicker layer than necessary. It is better to maintain the same time periods to ensure a uniform layer of color.
- The rod from which the paint comes must be placed strictly perpendicular to the surface to be painted.
- Moving the spray gun in a circular motion will also allow the paint to be placed evenly on the surface.
- If the paint is applied in several layers, then each subsequent one must be applied after the previous one has completely dried.
- An important role is played by the preliminary preparation of the surface to be painted.
Spray gun at work
It is quite possible to make a homemade spray gun for painting.
The proposed spray gun designs are used depending on the volume and importance of the work. How to make a spray gun with your own hands for painting can be viewed in a video on the Internet. For one-time work, a ballpoint pen spray is suitable; it is better to paint a production room using a compressor unit.
Top products
Now you know by what parameters you should evaluate the spray gun. To make your choice even easier, we've selected the best products in three categories - electric spray guns, entry-level pneumatic, and advanced pneumatic. At the same time, the price-quality ratio was assessed, user reviews and the parameters of the spray guns were taken into account - and each of the selected models is doing well with the above.
The best professional pneumatic spray guns
Anest Iwata W-400 Bellaria
A much more accurate tool than the previous ones discussed - it will suit even the most demanding professionals, and the paint applied with its help will lie perfectly flat. And to achieve such a result, no additional skills are required. But the cost of the device is high: 16,000 – 21,000 rubles.
Air consumption is 270 l/min, the tank is designed for 600 ml, the total weight of the device is only 380 g. Nozzle diameter is from 1.2 to 2 mm. The main advantage of the model is the BA 4-2 air cap, which provides increased performance at standard pressure. With this spray gun you can also apply water-soluble paints, you just need to change the head to WBX.
Price: ₽ 18,000
JONNESWAY JA-6111K
Another expensive professional tool - costs from 15,000 to 20,000 rubles. Provides high-quality painting and uses materials efficiently. Air flow is 396 l/min, the tank is designed for 600 ml, operating pressure is 3-3.5 bar. You can apply varnishes, paints, primers and enamels using the device. The nozzle diameter is adjustable, the maximum is 1.4 mm. Spray gun weight 700 g.
The kit includes: an air gun, two reservoirs (in addition to the main one, there is also a small one, 250 ml), replaceable nozzles, an air adapter, a special kit for adjustment and repair, and another one for servicing the tool. For ease of carrying, the kit also includes a plastic case.
Price: RUB 16,180
The best electric spray guns
Bosch PFS 2000
The model is designed for ordinary household work - the characteristics are quite sufficient for their implementation. Noise level – 79 dB, vibration – 2.5 m/s², tank volume is 0.8 l. The device power is 440 W, the material application speed reaches 2 m²/min, and it is possible to regulate its supply.
Hose length – 130 cm, two additional nozzles included. The nozzle has three-stage adjustment. The weight of the spray gun is 2 kg. These characteristics make it a simple and convenient device; it copes well with its intended purpose - painting walls, gates, varnishing furniture. Easy to clean and wash. The cost is 4,800 - 5,200 rubles, the manufacturer provides a two-year guarantee. Disadvantages - the paint does not always apply neatly, and in some cases you have to work with a roller.
Price: RUB 5,026
"Zubr" KPE-500
The model from a domestic manufacturer is characterized by good power for its cost (2,300 - 2,900 rubles) - it reaches 500 W. The receiver volume is 0.8 l, there is a viscometer. Vertical, horizontal and circular spraying is supported, and flow adjustment is available up to 0.8 l/min.
The weight of the device is only 1,500 g, and the kit includes a glass for measuring viscosity. Built-in pump. Overall, this is a simple and reliable device; the spraying result with it will not be perfect, but it is well suited for simple work. It is important that the manufacturer provides a 5-year warranty.
Price: RUB 3,290
RedVerg RD-PS18V
The device from RedVerg stands out for its moderate price (about 2,500 rubles) with good characteristics and the ability to operate on battery power. Although it is worth emphasizing that it is not included with the spray gun, nor is the charger - they will need to be purchased separately.
The weight of the device is quite small - 1,400 g. Of course, for the sake of compactness, we had to sacrifice some characteristics: in particular, the tank volume is not enough - it is only 600 g. It is possible to adjust the material flow to 0.4 l/min, the device is equipped with a viscometer, and the package also includes a special needle for cleaning the nozzle.
This spray gun cannot be used to spray acidic, alkaline, emulsion paints or materials with a flash point below 55 degrees.
Price: RUB 2,393
The best entry-level pneumatic spray guns
Matrix 57315
An inexpensive home appliance that uses legacy HP spray technology. Of course, this is fraught with large losses of paint, but it will cost 700 - 1,200 rubles. If you need to paint a lot, it is better to turn to more expensive models, but for irregular painting of small surfaces, this one is enough.
It can be used to apply paint or varnish, as well as liquid rubber, protective agents or disinfectants. The device has small dimensions and its weight is only 760 g. The capacity of the aluminum tank is 1 liter, air flow during operation is from 75 to 230 l/min. Includes two additional nozzles.
Price: ₽ 1,220
Wester KP-10
This is a more serious model, but it also costs several times more – 2,100 – 2,500 rubles. Although the device still cannot be called expensive, especially since its manufacturer is widely known, so there is no need to worry about reliability.
The main advantage is the ability to finely adjust pressure, material supply, spray width, jet shape, and nozzle diameter. This allows you to apply paint equally successfully to different surfaces. Equipped with a 5L nylon receiver, which is enough to perform basic tasks around the house. Air consumption – 165-260 l. The spray gun weighs 1.4 kg.
Price: ₽ 2,300
"Zubr" Profi Pro 150 Mini
A miniature spray gun designed for small-scale work. The volume of its tank is only 125 ml, and the weight in the package is 360 g. Air consumption – 100-145 l/min. The price of the device is from 1,200 to 1,900 rubles, and the warranty is given for 5 years.
HVLP spraying system – about 70% of the sprayed paint is transferred to the surface, which is a very good indicator for a model of such a low cost. Paint and varnish materials are distributed evenly over the surface. Adjustment of inlet pressure and torch shape is available. Based on the sum of its characteristics, this model is one of the best for small jobs, and at the same time it is very inexpensive.
Price: ₽ 1,860
