Spray guns
can be helpful tools for completing those large scale, do-it-yourself priming and painting projects. The DeVilbiss Manufacturing Corp. has been producing spray guns for these sorts of projects since the early 20th century and now offers a full line of spray guns and accessories to make your work easier. Following some basic safety tips and strategies can ensure you a beautiful project that is safely completed.
Safety Tips
No matter how easy a tool can make a job, it's not worth the risk if you don't follow proper safety precautions. For instance, the DeVilbiss Spray Gun Troubleshooting and Preventative Maintenance Guide recommends that you always wear eye protection, such as safety goggles, when working with the spray gun, because shooting and cleaning the gun can result in paint and other solvents being forced out toward you.
Similarly, the Maintenance Guide advises that you always work in a well-ventilated area and provide adequate exhaust for your workspace. Buildup of chemical fumes in the air can be harmful if inhaled too often and can also be flammable if exposed to a spark or fire. If you are not sure about the ventilation for your work area, wear a mask or respirator, and make sure no one smokes or lights a flame in the area. You should also keep fire extinguishing equipment on hand in case of an emergency.
Choose the Right Gun
DeVilbiss produces a number of types of spray guns, and selecting the right one for your project is important for precision and efficiency. In all spray guns, the air and the paint are drawn into the gun from different sources, creating a fine spray that results in an even coat of paint. The way these materials are combined differs by gun, and each creates a different look.
For example, a gravity feed gun is ideal for small touch ups or detail finishing. In a gravity gun, the material is pulled down into the gun by gravity. This limits the amount of paint that can fit in there at one time, reducing over spray and resulting in a more accurate application. On the other hand, a pressure feed gun pumps the paint into the gun in larger quantities, making it ideal for bigger projects and faster application.
Similarly, different guns mix the paint and air in different ways and are better for different projects. An external mix gun sprays the air and paint through the cap, and they mix directly in front of the tip of the gun and then are pushed toward the surface. This is better for fast-drying paint products and projects, as it limits the time the paint and air are exposed to each other before hitting the surface. Conversely, an internal mix gun mixes the paint and air before expelling it through the gun tip. This is ideal low-pressure projects, and those with slow-drying materials, such as painting walls or siding. Select the proper gun for your project for best results.
