LVLP

Spray guns with LVLP technology for quality painting at low pressure and low air volume. Lower demands on the compressor, fine atomisation of the paint, a smooth professional finish.

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What does LVLP technology mean?

LVLP (Low Volume Low Pressure) denotes a modern paint spraying technology using a low air volume and low pressure. In practice this means an LVLP gun needs a smaller air flow to atomise the paint and works at lower pressure than other systems. Compared with the popular HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) guns, which require a very high air supply (typically 400–500 l/min) and work at an outlet pressure of about 0.7 bar, LVLP manages with roughly 300–350 l/min and sprays the paint at ~1.5 bar. As a result, an LVLP gun is easily driven even by a smaller compressor, which home workshops or tradespeople without a powerful industrial compressor especially appreciate. Despite the lower air demands, LVLP keeps the benefits of low-pressure spraying – it limits excess mist (overspray) and increases the efficiency of paint transfer onto the surface.

The spraying efficiency (paint transfer) of LVLP reaches roughly 50–60 %, somewhat less than an HVLP system (about 65 %), but still considerably more than older high-pressure (conventional) guns (~45 %). LVLP is thus a kind of hybrid between HVLP and a conventional gun – it combines solid paint savings with finer atomisation. That finer atomisation is LVLP's strong point: the paint droplet size is smaller than with HVLP, so the gun eliminates so-called „spitting“ of paint (the unsightly coughing out of droplets while spraying). The resulting coat is therefore very smooth and even, which is ideal for the final layers of a paint job. Some manufacturers also call this technology RP (Reduced Pressure) or Trans-Tech – it is the same thing under a different name, that is, guns working at lower pressure than conventional systems but not requiring the enormous quantity of air that pure HVLP does.

And what about APS systems? APS (Advanced Pressure System) is the newest category of spray guns, able to work efficiently across a wide pressure range. They combine the benefits of low-pressure and high-pressure modes – at low pressure they minimise overspray much like HVLP, but with the pressure raised (up to ~5 bar) they can quickly cover large areas or apply thicker materials. These guns are very versatile and aimed at the most demanding professionals. For ordinary applications, however, APS technology is not necessary – if what you mainly need is a quality finish and material savings, an LVLP spray gun offers the optimal ratio of simplicity and performance.

Suitable use of LVLP guns

Thanks to its balanced performance, LVLP is widely used. It suits fine painting of topcoats best – acrylic paints and clearcoats in car painting, for example. Professional painters often choose LVLP precisely for final clearcoats and acrylic topcoats on bodywork, where a perfectly smooth, flawless surface is required. Compared with HVLP, LVLP achieves finer atomisation, so it minimises the risk of small imperfections (such as „mapping“ or fine droplets on the surface) with sensitive coatings.

LVLP guns are not only for vehicle refinishing, though. They serve excellently in furniture making and the woodworking industry when applying coatings to wooden furniture or floors, where a smooth finish is likewise valued. Metal fabricators and tradespeople also use them to paint metal parts, machines or design elements where surface quality matters. Because LVLP technology reduces paint waste and works with less mist, it also suits painting in smaller workshops or garages – less dispersed paint means a cleaner working environment and less contamination of the surroundings.

Which type of user is LVLP best for? The combination of economical operation and a quality coat appeals to skilled hobby users and professionals alike. Hobby users appreciate that an LVLP gun does not require them to buy a large compressor – a more powerful home or smaller workshop compressor is enough (ideally with an air delivery of at least 300 l/min and a pressure of 2–3 bar). Professionals, on the other hand, welcome the better surface quality on topcoats that LVLP gives them, together with a still fairly high transfer efficiency that saves material. So if you need a gun for precise painting and only have a medium-powered compressor available, LVLP is an excellent choice.

Tip: When using an LVLP gun, always take care to set the compressor and pressure regulator correctly. A sufficiently wide hose is also recommended (min. 8 mm internal diameter) so that pressure does not drop because of restricted air flow. The right equipment ensures the gun delivers maximum performance and the resulting finish is flawless.

Why choose an LVLP gun – benefits for the customer

Various spray gun technologies exist on the market today. Why reach for LVLP? Below we summarise the main advantages of this technology from the customer's point of view:

• Lower air demands: An LVLP gun does not need as powerful a compressor as HVLP. Thanks to the low air flow (about 300–350 l/min) even more affordable portable compressors will drive it – the investment in equipment is lower.
• Paint savings and less mist: A transfer efficiency of around 55 % means more paint ends up on the surface being painted and less is lost as mist. You save material and at the same time work in a cleaner environment with minimal dispersion.
• A fine, quality coat: LVLP achieves very fine atomisation of the paint. No „spitting“ of droplets occurs and the coat is continuous and smooth. Final coats therefore look professional – free of unevenness and with a uniform gloss.
• Versatility of use: LVLP technology is a compromise between HVLP and classic guns. One LVLP gun can therefore apply both primers and topcoats efficiently. It suits hobby enthusiasts (simpler operation and smaller equipment) and professional paint shops alike (decent efficiency and coat quality).

These reasons make it clear why LVLP spray guns hold a firm place in the market. They offer a great ratio of economy and quality – they spare the compressor, spare the paint and still deliver a top-class painting result. In our Spray guns range you will find a whole series of models with LVLP technology, from affordable ones for the home workshop to professional guns for demanding painters. If you are still unsure which type to choose, we also recommend reading the article How to choose a spray gun from our advice centre. LVLP guns may be the right way to achieve a perfect finish with minimal effort and waste!