I'm not new to painting but I'm also not real experienced either. I've managed to turn out some pretty good projects in the past, but its been a while and the memory ain't as good as it used to be. Which source is better to follow? My 1.5 air cap says 23 max PSI, SPI's general gun guidelines says 26-32 psi for that size cap, and I've had tech sheets say to shoot at lower pressures (I suspect that had something to do with the specific type of paint??), so what's the relative golden rule for gun PSI settings, if there is one, and if there isn't which is the source to follow for any given job?
Gun psi question - Devilbiss FLG-4
- Thread starter Timdhawk
- Start date
Gun manufacturers max psi is to ensure the gun remains EPA/VOC compliant. It is not necessarily the best pressure to spray at. That is going to vary based on what is being sprayed.
Most guns have a "sweet spot" where they spray best with the type of material being sprayed. You want it atomizing nicely. You adjust to achieve that. Use the pressure guidelines as a starting point. It will be up to you to find the sweet spot for the way that you spray. There is no hard and fast number.
Most guns have a "sweet spot" where they spray best with the type of material being sprayed. You want it atomizing nicely. You adjust to achieve that. Use the pressure guidelines as a starting point. It will be up to you to find the sweet spot for the way that you spray. There is no hard and fast number.
In general with clears the higher the solids content thr more pressure you want to use.
With metallic base a bit more pressure often helps overcome marginal technique or limitations of the gun being used.
With metallic base a bit more pressure often helps overcome marginal technique or limitations of the gun being used.