Titan is a leader in fine finishing with a variety of equipment options and application methods available for painters to take advantage of.
To help better understand fine finishing and which option may be best for your project, here is a breakdown of the three main application methods and their unique benefits – with supporting video insight from our Cabinet Finishing Tradecraft Video Series featuring professional painter Nick Slavik.
Method 1: HVLP Spraying
HVLP – or high-volume/low-pressure – is a method of spraying that provides a very fine finish. There are a number of reliable HVLP sprayers available, but none combine power and control like Titan’s Capspray®.
The Capspray 115 features a six-stage turbine, sprays most finishes un-thinned, and only requires maintenance on the filters located on either end of the machine (i.e., making sure they’re dust- and debris-free before and after use). Regular cleaning of the hose and gun are advised, but maintenance on the sprayer itself is much less intensive.
The Capspray comes with either a Maxum II gun or a Maxum Elite gun, both of which are infinitely adjustable and usable with different needle nozzle sets you can leverage for coatings of varying viscosities. The guns can change between pencil and fan patterns and feature an air adjustment knob and a fluid adjustment knob.
HVLP Sprayer Application
The biggest benefit of the HVLP finishing method is its elite control and flexibility, as well as the ability to perfectly dial in your sprayer ahead of shooting. There are many adjustments you can make before spraying, in addition to a 90% transfer efficiency, a range of options offered (Capspray 75, 95, 105, and 115), and easy and lightweight transportation around the jobsite. The Capspray can quickly alternate between fan or pencil patterns, as well, which is extremely useful in fine finishing work.
Watch below as Nick alternates between a fan and pencil pattern to spray cabinets with an HVLP sprayer.
HVLP Sprayer Cleaning Tips
Another major advantage of HVLP spraying is the minimal cleanup required. When you’re done, all that’s needed is to clean the gun and the cup. There are no additional filters, lines, or accessories to clean after regular use.
You’ll start by salvaging the leftover paint out of the cup and pouring it back into the can. Put the appropriate cleaner or solvent into the cup and run some of it through the gun. Always make sure to take apart the check valve, clean it up, and put it back together. Now your HVLP sprayer is ready to roll for its next project.
Method 2: Airless Spraying
Airless paint sprayers make use of versatile technology to get the job done. The Titan Impact® 440 airless sprayer will spray almost anything in industrial, commercial, or residential settings – and will do so in a way that is user-friendly and long-lasting.
By adjusting the fluid pressure and selecting the right tip (the SC-6+ Synergy Fine Finish tip, in this case), you can achieve a high-quality finish on interior trim, millwork, doors, cabinets, and furniture – all in a production setting.
Airless Sprayer Application
Before you load up enamel and start spraying with your airless paint sprayer, you should test the fan pattern to make sure it’s where it needs to be. In the video below, Nick tests the pattern of his Titan 440 loaded up with hybrid enamel using an RX-Pro® Airless Gun with a fine finishing tip. These tips have dual orifices that atomize the paint much more effectively than a standard tip, helping reduce pressure even further. Nick also walks through how to find the right pressure when spraying to eliminate tails and overspray.
Airless Sprayer Cleaning Tips
It’s important to clean the different components of your airless sprayer well after each use. If you’re using a water-based coating, you’ll want to use water to clean out the machine. If you’re using anything else, however, you should review the technical data sheet (TDS) for that coating to see the recommended cleaner for your machine.
If you’ll be storing your equipment for an extended period, use Titan LS-10 Liquid Shield Plus or mineral spirits in the pump for best results.
Method 3: Air-Assisted Airless Spraying
Air-assisted airless sprayers are high-production fine finishing machines that get their performance from two different components. The high production comes from an airless sprayer (like the Titan Impact 440) while the fine finish comes from an air compressor attached to the sprayer.
During use, the airless sprayer sends fluid through the line to the end of the tip, with the air compressor kicking in at the end to further atomize the paint. This allows you to reduce overall line pressure by a significant amount compared to standard airless spraying, resulting in a more delicate, refined, and forgiving spray pattern at a high production rate.
Another key benefit of air-assisted airless spraying is that you can flip off the air compressor at any time to use the sprayer as a standard airless unit.
Air-Assisted Airless Sprayer Application
Air-assisted airless sprayers are known for delivering an ultra-high-end finish in a production setting. They are more controllable and delicate than airless sprayers, allowing you to achieve a very high-end finish on intricate settings and compound structures.
Nick uses the Titan MultiFinish® 440 in the video below – a standard Titan 440 airless sprayer with an air compressor attached. Watch as he applies hybrid enamel at a line pressure of about 1200-1300 PSI while walking through how to use the air compressor to eliminate tails before spraying his cabinets.
Air-Assisted Airless Sprayer Cleaning Tips
The only cleaning aspect specific to air-assisted airless sprayers compared to other sprayers is the special guard with air ports in the end. This must be cleaned to ensure your machine is serviceable upon its next use.
Consult the TDS for the coating you were using to find the recommended solvent or cleaner for the machine, and don’t forget to clean the filters in the pump and in the handle.
Spray Smarter with Titan Tool
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