What Is Primer? The word primer refers to the base or ground surface. In other words, it is the process of preparing the surface of a material to make it ready for subsequent coating.
It is also called undercoating. If there is any flaw on the surface of a material, the primer changes its properties to provide the best result.
It is used in different interior and exterior surfaces of material to get the intended and glittering final coating.
It is a heavy chemical base made on a rough and broken surface to make the final paint coating easier. It also saves time and labor in the final painting job.
It can be applied with normal tools like a short-pile paint roller but HVLP Spray Gun has made it easier and time-saving.
What Is The Difference Between Primer And Paint?
The paint is usually made up of resin pigments but the primers are resins.
The basic function of a primer is to provide a stable surface for topcoat (paint) but the resins found in primers seal absorbent surfaces and give that bond to the surface.
Why The Primers Are Required?
The primers can improve the ultimate result with a different coating of special shiny and glittering paint.
In the paintwork, if the surface is absorbent, the primer must be applied. The surface can be checked by spraying water on it, if the water is absorbed swiftly, then a primer is necessary to use.
What Are Different Types Of Primers?
There are four different types of primer.
- #1: Adhesive primers; are the plastic particles that make the smooth and non-absorbent surface rough and pave the way for the final coating. It also stops the wood from swelling.
- #2: Barrier primers; these are the waterproof layer of primers that prevent the transfer of any substance between the coating and the surface. They also allow vapor dispersal.
- #3: Plaster bases; these primers like barrier primers are also made for attractive plasters that allow better interlocking.
- #4: Penetrating primers; these are the colorless primers that are normally used in construction to decrease the absorbency ratio.
Why An HVLP Spray Gun Is Required For Primer?
The HVLP spray gun can atomize the paint faster at a lower pressure than normal guns.
This gun works more accurately and makes the surface softer. It can cover vast areas without leaving smudges and creating any pollution at all.
How To Set Up HVLP Spray Gun for Primer?
When you want to spray primer on the surface, first off you must know the ways to set up the spray gun.
All the performance of guns and efficiency of work depend on the right setting of the HVLP Spray Gun.
In this article, I will tell you the detail of setting up the spray gun so that you can get the maximum benefits. Follow the instructions below;
- Step #1: First of all make sure the air supply is very important. The air makes the gun function in the right way.
- Step #2: Choose the necessary right tip for the gun because there are several tips for the purpose. You should select the most appropriate for your work.
- Step #3: Set the tip of the gun correctly after choosing it.
#1. Adjust The Air Pressure
- Step #1: Adjust the air pressure to about 90 psi.
- Step #2: Sit the regulator of the gun at 50 psi.
- Step #3: Lock the valve underside of the handle.
- Step #4: Pull the trigger where the air volume stays the same.
#2. Adjust The Fan
- Step #1: Unlock the fluid volume control at about three turns for starters.
- Step #2: Behind the nozzle on the left side, close the fan control down.
- Step #3: Move the gun into place keeping it away 6 to 8 inches from the surface and pull the trigger.
- Step #4: Get the desired fan shape.
- Step #5: For spraying up and down, change the nozzle from the front so the fan is horizontal.
#3. Control The Fluid
- At the back of the gun, there is a fluid control volume, adjust it to get the fluid according to your work speed.
#4. Some Common Instructions To Follow
- Step #1: Now your HVLP spray gun is ready for work but you can change the air pressure according to the nature of the work and get a fine result.
- Step #2: When you spray the small areas, turn the fan down, and shut the fluid volume down.
- Step #3: Focus on the proper pressure to get the suitable atomization.
Special And Important Tips
If you still face issues to set up an HVLP Spray gun for Primer, make sure the following things;
- #1: Did you set the airflow right?
- #2: Does the required air come at the right speed?
- #3: Did you make the material at a suitable thickness?
- #4: Is the gun in the right position in your hand? (About six inches away)
- #5: Are you spraying much material or not?
Check the above-asked points and adjust the gun accordingly.
Precautionary Measures
For the safe use of the HVLP spray gun for primer keep the following precautions;
- #1: Use hand gloves to avoid the spread of harmful material.
- #2: Use good glasses to cover the eyes.
- #3: Cover the head with a cap or cloth.
- #4: Wear protective shoes and a tight shirt.
- #5: Open the gun at the appropriate pressure.
- #6: Mix the fluid fully so that it may not block the tip of the gun.
- #7: Avoid the harmful bursting of the gun.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proper pressure of the HVLP spray gun for primer?
The recommended adjustment of pressure is about 25-30 when you pull the trigger. But it may be increased or decreased according to the nature of the surface and the material to be used.
What is the normal size of tip used in an HVLP spray gun for primer?
The primers are generally thicker than the paint. So 1.7 or 1.8 mm tip is commonly used in HVLP spray gun for a primer on most surfaces.
Is it necessary to mix the primer?
Yes, it is necessary to mix the primer when you want to paint after using the primer.
Why are the primers important before painting?
The primers are important because the surface is prepared before applying paint to get the shining and glittering result.
Finally
The primers are the initial coating/undercoating applied on a surface or the basic layer of a fluid-like paint which is very necessary for the ultimate paint.
Different types of surfaces require different primers according to the nature of the place to be painted. The (primers) prepare the ground surface for the final coating. They save time and money by making the surface more glittering, smooth, and shining.
Additional Questions
Can you spray primer with a HVLP spray gun?
Yes, you can certainly spray primer using an HVLP (High Volume, Low Pressure) spray gun. An HVLP spray gun is designed to utilize a high volume of air to atomize the primer, instead of relying on high pressure. This method results in a more efficient application, where more primer ends up on the vehicle rather than getting lost in the surrounding air. As a professional painter, I’ve often found that an HVLP spray gun gives a smoother application and superior finish.
What is the pressure for HVLP primer?
HVLP stands for High Volume, Low Pressure. It’s a spray gun that operates using a high air volume (commonly ranging from 15 to 26 CFM) but at a low pressure (normally 10 PSI or less at the air cap). This combination allows the paint to be atomized into a soft pattern of particles at a low velocity. In my experience, you generally need less than 10 PSI for effective atomization.
What size tip should you use for spraying high build primer?
Typically, heavy-bodied primers and primer surfacers are best applied with a nozzle size between 1.7 to 2.2. For basecoats, a 1.4 to 1.6 nozzle is often recommended. When it comes to spraying clearcoats, use a nozzle size from 1.3 to 1.7. As a rule of thumb, the selection of the right nozzle size can make a noticeable difference in the quality of your finish.
What adjustments are necessary when setting up an HVLP spray gun?
Setting up an HVLP spray gun requires careful attention to a few key aspects such as fluid control, air volume, and spray pattern. Fluid control will influence the quantity of paint coming out of your gun, while air volume adjustment dictates the speed at which the paint is atomized. Spray pattern adjustment allows you to regulate the shape of the spray coming out of your gun. From my experience, getting these settings right is crucial for ensuring an even, smooth finish.