This post is to pass on some things I have learned about spraying Latex with a LVHP gun. I’m a new gun owner and still learning.
First off, I will still roll or brush household walls and ceilings. But for small projects spraying can work.
I am refinishing a painted bookcase. Not something easy to roll or brush. Spraying inside corners has got to be easier than brushing. I suggested pigmented lacquer, but my wide wanted it color matched to the wall perfect. So the same paint was bought in flat.
My gun is a Wagner HVLP Conversion unit, feed with my air compressor.
The Wagner HVLP gun has a pressurized cup, and is not siphon feed. In fact, I can disconnect the air hose, and still “spray” a stream of fluid for many seconds. This give this unit an advantage over a siphon feed gun. Paint is fed to the nozzle under pressure, and not drawn by a vacuum. This is a GREAT ADVANTAGE with thicker materials such as latex paint.
With some trial and error, I can thin flat latex with 6oz water to 32oz paint, and it sprays really nicely. I sprayed 3 coats on a primed test piece, and it looked great. No defects in the spray, and as far as I can tell, complete atomization. I have sprayed polycrylic on top and my test piece looks fine so far.
I expect some “why for” and some “how come” replies. That’s OK. Just wanted to share what I have discovered so far.