HVLP Spray Gun Basics - Problems and how to fix them

[@masterofpc11]

Thanks for this really informative and compressed video! I've had another really really frustrating problem, where the paint would come out in big blobs instead of a nice mist like expected. I've tried everything - air pressure lower/higher, fan adjustment tighter/bigger, adding thinner etc. but nothing would solve it. In the end, the small holes in the air cap on either side of the nozzle were plugged with old paint. After soaking in thinner and blowing out with 6 bars of compressed air, it works like a charm again. This wasn't mentioned in any of the troubleshooting videos, probably because it's so easy? So I'm leaving this here for others who might have the same problem... TL;DR when the gun doesn't work like it's supposed to, first thing is to really really clean it well including all the small holes.

[@chuckchristmas2197]

This was the perfect solution to my problem. Air was leaking back into my paint cup causing it to sputter. Tightening the nozzle stopped the air leak. Thanks for your help!

[@OldJoe212]

Didn't watch the last two painting videos in order, but I learned more in the last 1/2 hour than in the last 6 months. You're the best. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@mega_tour]

I had a problem with slow paint. Very frustrating cause everything was tight and clean. It was the top of the cap, paint clogged it. Cleaned that and no issue!! Spraying like a dream again!! Thank you!

[@dakota-joel7590]

Oh man. You have no idea how helpful this was. I'm trying to spray a topper for my pickup and have tried 3 times to spray the thing. I have had literally every single problem you mentioned!!! I've been getting so frustrated cause I spent a lot of time doing prepwork and there is runs and splotches and the paint is expensive color matched auto paint...... I have a renewed sense of confidence and will get to setting up my spray gun(Properly this time) immediately. Thanks a bunch!!!

[@Morrowclaw]

Bless this man. The hero we need.

[@ninehundreddollarluxuryyac5958]

Thanks for these. I just watched the one about setting up the gun. You are a good teacher and organised the information before turning the camera on. I must have watched dozens of videos on this before finding your lesson showing exactly how to set up and troubleshoot for the complete beginner. I knew nothing about this and you taught me how.

[@user-tf5it4kv4x]

Hey Tom you nailed my problem with your video. My vent was totally clogged . It looked clean till I push a wire through it and a coil of paint came out. I got great paint flow and the fan increased in size straight away. My spraying although not professional it looks really good and pretty much no orange peel.

[@naturestan]

what I love about this and his preceding video is that they apply to almost any kind of painting material. Wonderfully Simple! Thanks Tom.

[@imagineform]

+Naturestan your welcome! Thanks for the kind words.

[@moonolyth]

Excellent help man!! Drilled to 2mm. Painting Primer on house... We'll be painting entire house soon this works great low pressure❤

[@mercman2.5]

Fixed my problem first try, after cleaning gun did not tighten nozzle super tight like it came Thanks!!!

[@jacobheranney2595]

Wow I have the same gun and was starting to spray my car and the primer seemed to be taking so long to apply. And now I see my cap was on creating a vacuum. You are a life saver

[@mirko.automaniac2295]

Thx Tom...last-chance filter caused pulsing (and sputtering) in my case...although it seemed perfectly clean and fine! But it`s a middle class hobby spray-gun, so nothing to be surprised of, I guess

[@carltoncoker1639]

Hey Tom, thank you so much. That last bit about the vacuum. Was my entire issue, I've been so aggravated cause it would just slow down. I had no idea why either. You are the man!

[@ocotillodavid2296]

I had the same problem, among others. But checking the vent at the top of the cup showed it clogged. I ran some lacquer thinner through it and blew it out with compressed air and had one less problem to deal with.

[@Glenn7719]

I had same problem, obviously im newish to spraying. I just ended up spraying with the cap off, and i couldnt figure out what was causing it. Hence, why i am here and this is the only info/vid ive found that mentions the problem, i didnt even know there was a vent on the top. Just gave my cap and vent a good clean, and sure enough, a smallish hole on the nipple was completely blocked.

[@hollyrollu]

Just starting fooling around painting and two videos in you solved two issues for me. Thank you for sharing.

[@whitetail7516]

Thank you Tom, I had the problem with it sputtering while spraying gel coat. I tightened the part you suggested and the second coat was good.

[@bronzeddeer7627]

Learned so much in this video thank you

[@anitagreg2010]

Thanks Tom! My husband just had this problem spraying primer on cabinet doors. It's his first time using an HVLP gun and we have this exact one. I ran in and Googled the problem and here you were. It's fixed! You saved the day.

[@TRYtoHELPyou]

thanks man. bout to do this for the first time and because of two of your videos, and some others', I think I got this... thanks again!

[@TRYtoHELPyou]

Had issues but watched your vids again, too low pressure. Thanks again

[@1akpilot777]

clogged vent..... Man, I was going nuts trying to figure this gun out and it was a clogged vent! Thanks for the great info for this newbie!

[@midnightpassion43]

I just purchased a Kobalt sprayer and mine is Blue, I love that Purple. I just got to learn how to use it now.

[@quanstephens2011]

Thanks for the video it's great, I've got air constantly blowing out my gun but no paint.

[@ApexWoodworks]

Tom, your videos are extremely informative and well thought out. Thanks for sharing your wealth of info with us.

[@driftwoodturning6846]

Thanks for the vid. Very helpfull. I think i have most of the problems you discussed.

[@imagineform]

They will all come up here and there, keep at it and fixing them will become second nature

[@henrysiegertsz8204]

Tom, first problem fixed with the very first tip! Spraying lovely now! Thanks for a great vid!

[@1703clem]

I’m getting micro bubbles in my paint job. Any idea why? Thanks

[@alpacacide]

Another no bullshit video. Great stuff.

[@thefastandthefurious1]

I figured the knob at the top of the canister was for ventilation but I wasn’t sure. Thanks for clarifying!

[@uriel-heavensguardian8949]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@alienmonkeyforever]

Thank you. Your straight forward videos are clearly stated,short and to the point. Subbed 👍🏼

[@handyvoice3943]

Great help. Watched today found the whole in the top of the cup blocked with paint. Pushed out with a toothpick. My symptoms was it sprayed great for a min then just goes rubbish. Had to keep opening the cup tip to get it finish the job. Couldn’t work out why then watched this. Is this what you meant when you said cup vent blocked etc. Anyway thanks man.

[@imagineform]

Yup, glad it helped.

[@dennisgray7509]

Thanks, fixed my sputtering gun!

[@jaydux9733]

First of, thxs Tom for taking out your time to do this... Selfless.... My problem is It starts to spray well then slows/dwindles down to almost nothing being sprayed... Then I put it down for 6-7mins and try again and this process repeats itself

[@imagineform]

Your vent in your cap is plugged or closed.

[@stanbernal2789]

Thanks Tom I was having one of these problems. Now I know how to fix it.

[@robertclapper1712]

Thank you so much for the reply ... I will let you know how the Enduro extender works ... I just love the tooth brush nearby in a cup of water and scrub the tip every few minutes idea ... I will try that too ... thanks again Bob C

[@liamfearnley764]

Very helpful thankyou very much!!!

[@imyourhuckleberry8009]

I have the same gun, after putting down the primer and base and cleaning the gun with acetone in between applications I noticed it dripping from the trigger onto my hand when applying the clear. I had accidently pulled out some little rubber washers from where the needle goes in with my small bristle brush. Do you know where I can buy these to replace them, I may have lost one, as it still drips even after tightening the screw down hard.

[@lamborn55]

I bought a Husky HVLP gun and hooked it up to my compressor. The compressor is putting out quite a bit, but the gun does nothing. It seems as if a passage is blocked, but I can't figure out why, and nothing on Google was relevant. I also tried to blow through it to see if there's any passage of air, and it feels completely plugged up. It doesn't seem to be full of lube like a lot of the brands are said to be, but even if it does need a cleaning I should get SOMETHING shouldn't I? Since the manual doesn't go into any detail on this I'm wondering if it's a simple setting I'm doing wrong...but I don't think so. Any ideas Tom, or anyone else?

[@imagineform]

Make sure all the adjustment screws are backed out some and you should definitely be able to blow air thru with the trigger depressed. Some guns have an adjustment knob right near the air inlet that can completely shutdown the air.

[@TonatiuhMellado]

Tom, muchisimas gracias por compartir tus conocimientos y realizar este magnifico video. Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge and put this video for us

[@nathandeans5829]

Mine only has a large pattern.i try to narrow it down to jet something and it stays pretty much wide open

[@SimplyChicFurniture]

Thank you so much for posting this video! My gun was gurgling and I couldn't figure out why.

[@acustomclosets1278]

Very helpfull. Thanks Quick question, I am spaying primer but I noticed that water drops come out while spraying. I do not why and how to fixed. Thanks

[@Robert5540]

Another great video. Short and to the point.

[@chaos_f4i]

thank you very much it helped me with my refinishing course work!

[@abykhan3629]

Can you show how to spray laquar techniques

[@TheWiseKnightArt]

My Yattich blower's motor just stopped, does anybody have advice on what I can do to save this sprayer

[@realestateinfonet9041]

Excellent tutorial! Thanks!

[@freq4323]

great video. Well done

[@Thinkingshop]

Thank you for making these videos !

[@SteS]

I took my gun completely apart to clean it and had that nut with the bushing behind it too tight. I think. Going to try loosen that tomorrow. Thank you very much for the vid. Edit. That's what it was so thank you very much!

[@spkendrick]

I have a fan shape issue. My fan sprays to one side harder than the other . I’ve cleaned the air cap but that doesn’t help.

[@abykhan3629]

Leant soo much no bullshit straight to the point 💯✔️

[@brumblebuffin11]

Great little series, Tom Thanks!

[@samjones830]

Great instructions. Thanks

[@alexreyes3438]

Hey, I cleaned the lid on plastic cup but apparently not so well. I have dried up primer and now it won’t seal properly. Paint drips sometimes

[@AlbeTurner]

Thanks Tom for another great video. My problem using the HF gun is that regardless of paint, viscosity, and adjusting until I'm ready to throw it in the garbage is that paint will not spray unless the fan adjustment is choked all the way down. I just can't get a wide spray.

[@AlbeTurner]

I should add that's using either the 1.4 or the 1.8 with latex thinned 10%.

[@imagineform]

Latex is really thick, even thinned 10% its a bit too think to come out of a 1.8 tip. I have a non harbor freight gun that has a 2.2 tip and that is even small for latex. If you are gonna be spraying latex your best bet would be an airless sprayer.

[@AlbeTurner]

Thick it is for sure. I have and use an airless but overkill on small items such as stools, toy boxes, etc. I experimented with the latex and ended up with putting 8 ozs in my measuring cup and added 2.5 ounces on top. Thoroughly mixed it. Also, using a 3/32 bit in my drill press I bored out the 1.8 tip to approx 2.3. I was then able to successfully use the gun for the latex. Consistency was that of buttermilk more or less. I also found that by adding a regulator at the gun inlet I needed 80 lbs at the compressor to set the gun for 35-40 when spraying. Due no doubt to the 50' + of 3/8" hose I run from the compressor.

[@AlbeTurner]

P.S. Now that I have a better handle on pressure at the gun, the bigger tip and the desired consistency range I'm going try thinning a bit less each time until I find that happy place. Hopefully in the 10-20% range.

[@Nasonix2]

Ive been looking for a video like this for a long time. You nailed every single problem I was having hahahaha and I was having them ALL, Thank you!!

[@RTD1947]

Well done, again great informative video, where were you when I was learning

[@bryanbo4462]

Hi! thanks for the tips, air isn’t flowing through the gun and I’ve tried all the knobs cleaned the needle adjusted them so on and so fourth and nothing is my gun done what should I do

[@ssl5745]

Do I have to thin the paint (Home depot) before using the spray?

[@jungkuan1373]

I have a LVLP siphon feed type spray gun. I used it many time but now it is blowing air into the pot instead of siphoning it. If you ever do a similar video on siphon feed style spray gun that'd be great. Or if anyone knows whats going on there would be very helpful.

[@imagineform]

There is a restriction somewhere between the siphon tube and the paint exit.

[@sensenlongkumersk4715]

Hello Sir, Thank you for the lessons, would be good if you do a video, how to clean the pain and materials. I am a beginner, for furniture what pain should I use and it's mixture. Thank you.

[@RatsburyRaven74]

Thank you!!...To late for me but good info for the desert tan I WILL apply!!

[@simonebii]

my gun head shoot air, even you release the handle. Tried tighten or loose the spring, it still shoot the air? what is wrong. It was working perfectly for years, and recently three gun got the same problem, it can not all three gun all turn bad in the same time? by the way I clean it everytime I use them thoroughly, if I clean them too much, kind of wearing them out? very frastrated! even checked the compressor, everything works just fine. Suddenly all the gun more or less all have less fluid came out, can not stop air from the nuzzle... it must something wrong. Please help.

[@imagineform]

Sounds like maybe your trigger is getting stuck, or the plunger that it pushes. Try a very small amount of light oil on the seals and plunger

[@RGxFirecrotch]

I'm having a problem with no paint being sprayed and the paint in my can is bubbling from air entering the can. Any ideas?

[@pushpendrarajput5064]

Hello Tom. I spray melamine on wood. M getting white residue on the edges of the spray fan. Can't get over this problem since long. Also pls tell us the right air pressure for wood spray polish. Thanks

[@loydmusunhe7243]

Thanks man

[@HarrySatchelWhatsThatSmell]

Great info and a well presented video.

[@sh32atta76a]

Nice work man.. think found a solution to problem thx .

[@gutterbee]

Hey Tom. What about when no paint is coming out, only air, and the only way I can get it to spray paint is if I unscrew the needle spring screw and back the needle almost completly out of the gun? As soon as I push the needle back in, paint stops automatically. Just to add, when I pull the trigger, I can see the needle tip at the nozzle go back like its suppose to. Thanks a ton, if youre able to help.

[@imagineform]

It sounds like your paint is way too thick. Try spraying just water or thinner and see it it sprays that ok

[@mohammedamran4228]

I started to get weird fiber like dust in my clear, I can’t figure out what it is. Fresh desiccant filter, fresh tank of air. Any idea what it could be

[@olawalemiftahudeen47]

Tom I really appropriate for that, but my question is that,what would be the causes of spraying gun that is not pouring straight again, only to be flating

[@imagineform]

If I understand the problem it sounds like the holes in the side of the air cap are partially clogged

[@studioGEEZ]

Great video, thanks! What would cause siphon HVLPs to stop spraying entirely? I have two HF cheapies yhat have crapped out on me despite being cleaned. Air comes out but no paint or solvent will come through. 2. Also noticing on my turbine that the fan pattern seems to be getting more narrow but the cap, tip and needle are CLEAN. ???

[@imagineform]

The siphon one could be clogged on the air intake causing a vacuum. I would double check the tip on the turbine gun, depending what you are spraying they can wear over time

[@studioGEEZ]

@imagineform fixed the turbine gun. Seemed to be a clog where the makeup air enters the siphon cup. Sprays well now. On my other hvlp guns that are not spraying anything but air, would air still come out the cap if this was the case (clogged at air intake)? The air hole on the cup is not clogged. The gun has only been used a handful of times, once with auto primer and base, and the rest of the time solvent based acrylic lacquer so I don't think wear is the issue. You're probably right about a clog but i dont know where to look. The parts diagram calls the "air intake" the fitting where my pneumatic hose connects (not talking about my turbine hvlp, just the Harbor Freight cheapies I hook up to a small compressor.) I'm guessing the air intake your talking about is something else. Thx.

[@emogee9573]

I bought the same kit and when i put the 1.8 needle and tip it spays and leaks like it doesnt atomize that paint fast enough

[@johnbuhay4688]

Why air is coming out in thr tank?

[@mannyramirez8249]

I have two Huskys sprayers and now one of them won't send air threw the gun when spraying. What's going on? Its my 3rd time using it and I took it all apart and cleaned it very well but air won't shoot through anymore.

[@grubbetuchus]

Informative. Concise. Thank you.

[@1607100]

thanks for the video, it explained a lot

[@David-pz4jq]

Thanks so much for these videos. I do wood working and have run into an issue. I have just started spraying lacquer paint on my wood projects and am running into an issue of the paint drying a very cloudy or dull whitish color. I am currently painting a frame satin black and the finish is coming out a hazy almost whit cloudy color. I have read and researched and believe it may be from the humidity that day seeing how it was raining and my shop isnt exactly sealed from the elements. Any help with thiss would be awesome or a video on cures. I can provide more information, pictures, videos, etc. if needed.

[@allaunier8143]

Another excellent tutorial!

[@y2kroxy]

Would you expect Paint volume decrease on a spray gun PPS system if it’s properly burped as the PPS cup liner collapses?

[@imagineform]

Yes it decreases some as the cup collapses. You have less weight of paint pushing down and it has to suck the cup in.

[@jamespolucha8790]

I’ve tried to spray with my r500 gun and a couple other guns and my primer or paint just comes out too thin almost like colored water then I try to put a heavy coat and it runs like crazy, I’m almost ready to give up

[@imagineform]

Best to do more light coats than a couple light coats, also increasing the distance between the gun and what you are spraying will give the paint time to “dry “ a bit befor it’s gets on the object.

[@mikeoneal4882]

My hvlp won’t hold pressure at a steady psi. I adjust regulator at the gun, but once trigger pulled pressure continues to fall. If I turn in the air control knob that is on the gun it helps but I’ve been told to run that wide open, Second, I’m getting paint streaks in final paint job

[@imagineform]

Sounds like maybe your compressor isn’t keeping up or there is too much small id line between it and your regulator. There will be a drop when you first pull the trigger but it should only be about 5 to 10 psi and then level off. What kind of streaks? Different colors? Drips? No paint? Vertical or horizontal?

[@allaunier8143]

Nice job! Very helpful!

[@fg146]

My gun sprays fine but every couple seconds the paint will stop coming out for a few milliseconds and then it goes right back to normal. It's just enough to leave about an inch wide empty spot in a 4 foot pass. I can't figure out what's making it stutter like that

[@imagineform]

Check the the cups air intake on the top isn’t blocked, also check the nozzle is tight to the gun

[@texweed]

Great video, very helpful ...Thanks Tom !

[@danielshields9808]

very good video, thanks

[@louisgibson5065]

Hi I use the Wagner flexio 5000 and have been getting small bubbles in the dry paint. How can I correct that? Thanks

[@imagineform]

Sometimes if the second coat is too soon or too wet the first coat can off gas and create small bubbles. Better timing and a little more thinner can help

[@1503page]

I have a Binks M1-G ...I took it apart to clean and it leaks. I even bought a new needle.

[@tleonard410]

Even with the biggest fan setting my fan is very narrow could this be because of too large of a tip ?

[@imagineform]

I would check and make sure the fan air holes are not clogged, Also some guns just don’t have a wide fan pattern, like detail guns

[@johnnypena1083]

Why does air go thru the gun and out the tip without pulling the trigger? Thanks

[@imagineform]

Some guns have a constant airflow,

[@Viralclown]

Hi. Ever sprayed penetrol? Did it as a primer rust preventive but it was blowing back so much dust off the surface it wasn’t enjoyable at all. I normally use airless and have no over spray. I had it set at 36psi recommended for the gun lvmp. I’m thinking maybe being so watery I should try a lot lower psi and smaller fan?

[@imagineform]

I have not, but if it’s really thin definitely turn down the pressure, You will get more overspray with hvlp, 40% is common

[@DRV_Woodworks]

Thanks for sharing. Any suggestions on avoiding pinholes?

[@imagineform]

Those are normally caused from the substrate, I normally deal with them just by having a pin or sharp xacto knife and drag a little paint into the hole. If they are everywhere I would do a light coat, the sand and spray again.

[@DRV_Woodworks]

@@imagineform wow thanks for the swift response. I was spraying a bunch of cabinet doors today and there's alot of them. Some have more then. Others and some not much at all its kinda random. I heard the air temp or improper atomization Plays a role also. I'm using a Chemcraft aquaset top coat and it's already pretty runny to spray so I didn't thin it. I haven't had this issue before with other water based paints.

[@PaulFarrell1]

thanks for great tips

[@v26224]

what about a paint gun praying cob webs and very dry paint?

[@imagineform]

To high of pressure, too much fan and/or try a much slower reducer, ie a higher temperature one

[@MusicConnorThomas]

So. I'm not sure what the problem is with my sprayer. I filtered the paint, and also have the last chance filter in. however very limited paint is coming out. Extremely strange

[@imagineform]

Sometimes the last chance filter can slow the paint too much and almost cause a blockage.

[@danielesposito4727]

Why dose my paint cake up under the last chance filter? Using a polyester fill primer.

[@imagineform]

You might have a small leak where your cup meets the gun, the filter will create a low pressure zone on the back side of it allowing air to be drawn in and drying the primer.

[@KosmoOnTop]

My paint gun fan isn’t wide. It only comes out mainly on top. Like the bottom won’t spray. Pretty much instead of a footballish pattern, it’s half the pattern which only the top comes out.

[@imagineform]

Sounds like you have some dry paint between your air cap and nozzle. Can happen if you don’t have a perfect seal at you needle tip.

[@77bubba00]

Thanks! Good info!

[@efernandez2298]

how about paint clotting in gun as I'm spraying?

[@JamesBrown-fd1nv]

Tom, I have a Home Depot Husky HVLP spray gun. I think I have the problem with vacuum as you stated in your video. The weird thing about opening the flip top cap on my gun is that the hole is the same size on the cap as the main lid. Should I drill the main lid hole bigger to allow more flow? I replaced the OEM nozzle with a 2.0mm and thinned my latex paint beyond the suggested max.

[@imagineform]

HVLP gun are designed to spray water thin paints, like automotive types and stains. Latex is too thick on its own and needs to be thinned a lot for it to spray. If you are going to be spraying a lot of latex I would suggest an airless sprayer.