What is the difference between LVLP or HVLP spray guns?

LVLP vs HVLP Paint Sprayers – Which One to Choose?

For professional painting jobs, it’s important to select the right spray gun for your specific needs. Choosing between HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) and LVLP (Low Volume Low Pressure) becomes much easier once you understand their key differences.

Sames provides a wide range of spray guns to fit any painting project. Our FPro Airspray line is available in three versions: Conventional, HVLP, and LVLP. In this guide, we’ll focus on the main differences between HVLP and LVLP.

Although they may look similar and can sometimes be used for the same types of applications, HVLP and LVLP are two distinct tools. Understanding these differences will help you select the best option to achieve the perfect finish for your job.

What is HVLP Spraying?

HVLP spraying technology was first defined by the South California Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) in the 1980s and later adopted by most state EPAs across the US. To comply with HVLP standards, the air pressure at the spray gun’s air cap must be between 0.1 – 10 PSI, or the gun must demonstrate at least 65% transfer efficiency.

This regulation was introduced to reduce overspray, minimize material waste, and lower air pollution compared to traditional Airspray guns.

HVLP stands for High Volume, Low Pressure. Unlike conventional guns that rely on high pressure, HVLP achieves atomization using a large volume of air at low pressure. This results in a softer spray, which increases the amount of material that adheres to the surface instead of bouncing away into the air.

To achieve this, HVLP guns are designed with larger air passages and air caps featuring multiple or wider atomizing orifices around the fluid nozzle.

Sames Kremlin has developed a full line of HVLP spray guns, with the latest being the FPro HVLP, available in both gravity feed and pressure configurations. While compressor-fed HVLP guns deliver professional performance, other systems (like Wagner, Fuji, Apollo, HomeRight, and Graco) often rely on electric turbines for atomizing air. Although turbine-based systems are efficient, they are typically slower, louder, and require more maintenance than compressor-fed options.

Why choose HVLP?
✅ Less paint wasted = more cost savings
✅ Cleaner environment due to reduced overspray
✅ Longer booth filter life = lower maintenance and disposal costs
✅ Versatile for spraying wood, metal, and plastic coatings

What is LVLP Spraying?

LVLP stands for Low Volume, Low Pressure. These spray guns are a hybrid between conventional Airspray and HVLP Airspray.

Compared to HVLP, an LVLP gun uses less air volume (around 5–18 CFM vs 10–25 CFM for HVLP) and requires lower air pressure (10–30 PSI) than a conventional spray gun (which typically runs at 35–60 PSI).

Similar to HVLP, LVLP guns feature large air passages, but with slightly smaller holes on the air cap. This design increases the pressure at the cap, resulting in finer atomization and smoother finishes. Unlike HVLP guns, LVLP is not limited to 10 PSI at the cap, but it can still achieve compliance by delivering 65% or higher transfer efficiency, depending on the application.

The FPro LVLP spray gun technology is especially effective for handling:
✅ Difficult coatings
✅ High-viscosity materials
✅ Water-based paints
✅ High flow rates

LVLP sprayers also apply coatings faster than HVLP, making them ideal for large surfaces and high-production jobs. Sames Kremlin offers the FPro LVLP guns in both Gravity Feed and Pressure versions, with a smooth trigger system to match different application needs.

What is the difference between HVLP or LVLP spray systems?

The main difference lies in air pressure and efficiency:

• HVLP (High Volume, Low Pressure) systems are compliant with the 10 PSI limit at the air cap, making them the most transfer-efficient option. They minimize paint waste and overspray, but require higher CFM, meaning you’ll need a properly sized air compressor to keep up.

• LVLP (Low Volume, Low Pressure) systems, on the other hand, offer better atomization, faster spraying speeds, and smoother finishes. They use less CFM than HVLP, but operate at slightly higher air pressures, making them suitable for high-production work or when efficiency and finish quality are key.

Why Choose an LVLP or HVLP Spray Gun?

Both the FPro HVLP and FPro LVLP are premium-grade professional spray guns. The choice depends on your project needs:

• FPro HVLP Spray Guns
  ✅ Provide a high-quality finish with minimal paint waste.
  ✅ Compliant with the 10 PSI limit at the air cap, making them the most transfer-efficient of all Airspray technologies.
  ✅ Ideal when material savings and environmental considerations are a priority.

• FPro LVLP Spray Guns
  ✅ Deliver excellent atomization for a superior, smooth finish.
  ✅ Spray faster, making them ideal for large surfaces and high-volume production.
  ✅ Better suited for handling higher viscosity coatings and waterborne paints.