A gravity feed spray gun is a piece of painting equipment that uses pressure to spray paint and other materials, resulting in a smooth, consistent finish. Instead of feeding paint through the nozzle with extreme air pressure as in a siphon feed gun, it uses gravity, as the name implies, and less air pressure is required to atomize the paint. Many professionals now favor gravity feed guns because of air quality regulations requiring a high volume/low pressure approach. This reduces airborne overspray. Gravity feed guns became popular in the 1980s and have become standard in today's painting industry.
Instructions
1. Select a spray gun with the main paint cup at the top of the gun.
2. Fill the paint cup as directed on the spray gun with the paint color of your choice. Attach the spray gun to the air compressor, then turn the compressor on.
3. Spray some test coats of paint to gauge the gravity feed spray gun. Use scrap wood or cardboard. Move the spray gun in smooth, consistent strokes, from left to right.
4. Thin the paint if clumps develop on this initial test spray. If the paint has been over-diluted and appears thin, add some fresh paint to get it to the proper consistency for the job at hand.
5. Practice your spray strokes until you get the desired look. Move to the actual surface to paint. Keep your gun's cup amply supplied with the proper mixture of paint to avoid running out mid-spray and creating uneven color. This also helps push the paint through the gun, as the weight and gravity will pull the paint through the machine with ease.
