Best HVLP Spray Gun for Woodworking

best hvlp spray gun for woodworking featured photo

Our Top Picks

We spent hours searching for the best HVLP spray guns currently available online. Here’s a quick overview of the ones we’ve found. 

If you’d like a more detailed review, feel free to read each individual product review and check out our HVLP spray gun buying while you’re here. 

Enjoy!

Top Picks for The Best hvlp Spray Gun for Woodworking

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Product Dimension: ‎ 16 x 9.5 x 12.5 inches
  • Weight: ‎25.20 Pounds
  • Material: Metal
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  • Product Dimension: ‎ 7 x 4.25 x 12.25 inches
  • Weight: 1.95 Pounds
  • Material: Stainless Steel, Metal
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  • Product Dimension: ‎ 15.9 x 6.7 x 13.9 inches
  • Weight: ‎ 2.11 Pounds
  • Material: Latex
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  • Product Dimension: ‎ 9.5 x 6 x 12.5 inches
  • Weight:: ‎‎3.3 Pounds
  • Material: Plastic, Brass
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Table Of Contents

Topic
Top Picks
Introduction to HVLP Spray Guns
Best HVLP Spray Gun for Woodworking Reviews
– Best HVLP Spray Gun System
• Fuji 2203G Semi Pro 2
– Best HVLP Spray Gun
• Fuji Spray 5175G
– Best Handheld HVLP Spray Gun
• Wagner FLEXiO 590
– Beginner Friendly HVLP Spray Gun
• HomeRight Super Finish Max
Honorable Mentions
HVLP Spray Gun Buying GuideImportant Factors
Conclusion

Introduction to HVLP Spray Guns

Whether you’re touching up the paint job on an old piece of furniture, wall, deck or DIY project you’ll be wanting to use the best tools to get the job done. One of the best tools you can use to get an even coat of paint is with a spray gun.

Compared to using a traditional paint brush or a spray can, air gun spraying is a much faster and more efficient method of applying a coating of paint to wooden surfaces evenly when done right. HVLP stands for High Volume Low Pressure. HVLP sprayer guns literally use high volumes of air set at a low pressure to aerosolize and propel the compressed air. This results in more paint covering a surface with more efficiency and less overspray. HVLP spray guns are a popular choice for contractors or DIY enthusiasts because of how efficient, accurate and smooth the finished results are. HVLP spray guns are ideally used for covering small to large sized surfaces such as cabinets, floorboards and decks or walls among other similar painting tasks. 

HVLP spray guns come in all sizes, shapes and have a ton of technical features that can easily put off any newcomers who might be interested in buying one. Don’t worry though because in this article, we’ll be covering the essentials of HVLP spray guns and the best ones we recommend. 

Best HVLP Spray Gun for Woodworking Reviews

Best HVLP Spray Gun System:
Fuji 2203G Semi Pro 2

Key Features:

  • Nozzle size: 1.3mm air cap
  • Paint Cup Capacity: 400cc
  • Motor: 1400 watt 2 stage motor
  • Feed Type: Gravity Feed
  • M-Model non-bleed spray gun
  • 25ft hose
  • Dedicated pattern control
  • All metal gun
  • 2 year warranty
Fuji 2203G HVLP Spray Gun

Overview:

The Fuji 2203G Semi Pro 2 is a great pick for professional or DIY use that offers users more reach, better spray control and professional finishes.

The Fuji 2203G spray system consists of a powerful motor that users can place on the ground or on a table while using the system’s popular model M spray gun to get the job done. These two are connected with a 25 foot air hose which provides more than enough reach and makes tasks such as outdoor painting much easier and accessible. The metal turbine case features a holder for the spray gun and quick-change turbine filters that make it easy to maintain. 

The M-Model 7–2G is a gravity feed spray gun that comes with this system. It features a 400cc paint capacity and an adjustable fan pattern that lets you choose between vertical, horizontal or circular patterns ranging from 1 to 12 inches in size. The spray gun is made with stainless steel, making it easy to clean and ideal for use with both water and oil based paints or solvents. The spray gun itself is easy to maintain and clean with minimal effort. It comes with a 1.3mm air cap but different sized caps are sold separately for a wide range of paints. 

The Fuji 2203G Semi Pro 2 spray gun system is ideal for all sorts of painting applications like house renovations or furniture finishing. This system combines high performance and versatility to make any project look as professional as can be. 

Check out the Fuji 2203G Semi Pro 2 spray gun system here.

Best HVLP Spray Gun:
Fuji Spray T-Model 5175G

Key Features:

  • Nozzle size: 1.3mm
  • Paint Cup Capacity: 600cc
  • Feed Type: Gravity Feed
  • Adjustable control knob
  • Nylon handle
  • High efficiency air cap
  • Stainless steel body
  • Easy pull trigger
  • Lightweight design
  • Non-bleed spray gun
  • 2 year warranty
Fuji Spray 5175G HVLP Gun

Overview:

The Fuji Spray T-Model 5175G spray gun was designed to be more user friendly by being more ergonomic, lightweight, flexible and easier to control while still delivering the best performance.

The T-Model 5175G spray gun is lightweight at just under 2 lbs when empty and features stainless steel fluid components for easy cleaning. It has an ergonomic design which complements its lightweight build and helps lessen fatigue making it great to use for extended sessions.                                                                     

Fuji Spray T-Model 5175G Key Parts and Features

Adding on to this is the easy pull trigger and high-efficiency air cap that provides little overspray and great atomization. The T-Model 5175G spray gun also comes with an impressive 400cc paint capacity and an easy access side-mounted fan pattern knob.

The T-Model 5175G is a professional spray gun that offers users more comfort while providing the best finishes for a wide range of projects from spray painting furniture to walls. 

Check out the Fuji Spray T-Model 5175G here.

Best Handheld HVLP Spray Gun:
Wagner FLEXiO 590

Key Features:

  • Paint Cup Capacity: 1 ½ quart cup
  • Quiet operation
  • Variable air flow control knob
  • Material flow control
  • Width control
  • Comes with 2 air caps
  • Comes with storage case
  • Low maintenance
  • 1 year warranty
Wagner FLEXiO 590 HVLP Spray Gun

Overview:

The Wagner FLEXiO 590 handheld spray gun is a bottom feed sprayer with a plethora of features designed to apply consistent finishes for both indoor and outdoor woodworking projects.

The FLEXio 590 handheld spray gun comes with two air caps for both small and large projects. The iSpray air cap features a large 1 ½ quart paint capacity capable of covering a 8×10 foot surface with one full cup. The second air cap is a detail and finish nozzle that features a smaller paint capacity and nozzle size meant for detailed painting projects such as fine finishing on cabinets. 

Wagner FLEXiO 590 Key Parts and Features

Both of these air caps are complemented by the amount
of control you have in the palm of your hand. This spray gun features everything from a variable air speed dial, a pattern width selector and a material flow control function. All these features let you pick and choose how much material you want to use, how fast the material is sprayed onto a surface and what pattern you want. This makes the FLEXiO 590 very customizable and flexible to what material you’re using and how you want to use it. 

Overall, this handheld paint sprayer from Wagner is a versatile, convenient and efficient option for DIY enthusiasts looking to make any painting project easier. It’s also easy to clean making it low maintenance and is covered by a 1 year warranty.

Check out the Wagner FLEXiO 590 handheld spray gun here.

Beginner Friendly HVLP Spray Gun:
HomeRight C800971 Super Finish Max

Key Features:

  • Paint Cup Capacity: 40 oz
  • Nozzle Sizes: 4.0mm, 2.0mm, 1.5mm nozzles
  • Comes with 3 nozzles and 2 air caps
  • Side mounted material flow dial
  • Low maintenance
  • Cleaning brush included
  • 2 year warranty

Overview:

The HomeRight C800971 Super Finish Max is a handheld spray gun designed for convenient,  straightforward operation while providing quality finishes.  

HomeRight Super Finish Max HVLP Spray Gun

The Super Finish Max is a great tool for applying paint on projects small and large. In its kit are 3 different sized nozzles along with 2 air caps for a wide range of materials and patterns to choose from. The 2 air caps included are for both detailed and wide spray patterns that each let you easily switch between round, vertical and horizontal spray patterns. Meanwhile, the 3 accompanying nozzles are the 4.0mm nozzle for primers, the 2.0mm nozzle for latex and the 1.5mm nozzle for stains and paint sealers. 

Complementing these nozzles and air caps is the spray gun’s large 40oz paint capacity that makes it great for longer painting sessions. It also features a material flow dial conveniently located on the side and an access door to make swapping air filters a breeze.

HomeRight C800971 Super Finish Max Key Features

If you’re new to the field of air gun spraying, then this HVLP spray gun from HomeRight might be the one for you. Not only is it beginner friendly, but it’s also budget friendly and offers much more options and better results than other spray guns in its class.

Check out the HomeRight C800971 Super Finish Max handheld spray gun here.

Honorable Mentions

Here are some HVLP spray guns that didn’t quite make our list but we felt deserved honorable mentions.

BATAVIA ‎BSG0140 HVLP Paint Gun
BATAVIA ‎BSG0140 HVLP Paint Gun
Key Features:
– Comes with 4 nozzles & 3 air caps
– Easy to clean
– Soft grip handle
– Ergonomic design
– Convenient air flow adjustment knob
– Double insulation
Earlex HV5500 HVLP Spray Station
Earlex HV5500 HVLP Spray Station
Key Features:
– 650 watt 2 stage turbine13ft air hose
– Onboard hose and handy gun holder
– All metal spray gun
– Push n click pattern adjuster
– Rear-mounted material control knob
– 1 quart paint capacity
– Comes with 2.0mm air nozzle
– 2 year warranty
NEIKO 31207A HVLP Mini Air Spray Gun
NEIKO 31207A HVLP Mini Air Spray Gun
Key Features:
– Compact design
– 125cc paint capacity
– Comes with 1.0mm air nozzle
– Gravity feed spray gun
– Lightweight design
– Minimal overspray
– Easy access air control valve

HVLP Spray Gun Buying Guide

Important Factors:

Types of Paint

High Volume Low Pressure sprayer guns are capable of using different types of paints depending on what size nozzle you use. Here are some of the most commonly used paints you might come across.

Latex Paint

Latex paint is one of the easiest paints to work with and is commonly used on furniture, artworks and painting house exteriors as well as interiors. Latex paint dries relatively quickly and cleans off easily if you happen to make a mistake. Latex paints aren’t as durable as oil based paints though and would require an additive or extra layer of protection to make it last longer especially when exposed to the elements.

Latex is usually thicker in viscosity and does not atomize very well when used in a spray gun. However most latex paints nowadays are made with synthetic resin and can be thinned with water making them spray gun compatible.

Paint Stains

Paint stains are commonly used on wooden surfaces to achieve a natural and rustic finish. Adding paint stains to wooden surfaces will make the natural grain of the wood stand out and is a great alternative to using paint. Paint stains come in different shades with some giving the wood a darker finish (great for covering up blemishes) or lighter tones that make the wood look cleaner.

When used with a spray gun, you can easily cover larger wooden surfaces with paint stains such as decks, cabinets, doors and other woodworking projects with consistency. 

Lacquers

Lacquer paint is a clear substance used as a finishing coating for wooden surfaces. When dried, lacquer has a hard and solid finish meant to protect the surface from chipping or water damage. This can prove challenging to clean out of a spray gun when left to dry and thus, you should wash the spray gun with a cleaning solution immediately after using lacquer.

Varnish

Similar to lacquer paint, varnishes are meant to be a final layer of protection for wooden surfaces and are commonly used on floor boards or table tops. Varnish has waterproofing properties and can prevent scratches or blemishes from damaging the wood.

Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint is a water based coating commonly used for painting canvas, leather, glass, stone, metal, wooden surfaces and even for automotive painting. Because it’s water soluble, acrylic paint washes off quickly and needs protective layers to be viable for outdoor use especially when exposed to the elements. Similar to latex paint, acrylic needs to be thinned if you plan to use it with a spray gun or else you could run the risk of clogging the nozzle of the spray gun. 

Enamel Paint

Enamel paint is commonly used on surfaces that get a lot of use or exposure to outdoor elements such as outdoor furniture, fences, walls, metallic surfaces, plastic and glass. Enamel paint is moisture resistant and leaves wooden surfaces with a sturdy, glossy finish that will last for a long time. 

When used with a spray gun, you would be able to cover more surface area with less time, making enamel a great pick for medium to large wooden surfaces such as outdoor porches. You would need to thin the paint a little bit to make it work on a spray gun though.

Vinyl Paint

Vinyl paint is a water based paint with a slight mixture of resin or plastic. 

Vinyl paints are commonly used on floors, walls or ceilings and are known to be easy to apply and quite durable. They come in different sheens and are a great choice for covering areas that see a lot of use. Vinyl paint is ideally used to coat soft plastics, home interiors such as walls and floors. When used on wood, we recommend you use a primer because vinyl tends to have a harder time sticking to bare wooden surfaces. 

Primers

Primers are used to cover up any blemishes or stains on a wooden surface so that the actual layer of paint won’t get affected. These are very common and are the first layer you should consider placing on a wooden surface especially if the color of the wood is darker than the paint you plan to apply. While some primers don’t need to be thinned for use on a spray gun, we recommend that you thin the primer a little bit before putting it in to prevent any unwanted clogging.

Stationary vs Handheld Spray Guns

The two main options you have when it comes to spray guns are the stationary or handheld spray gun. Let’s break down the two.

Stationary Spray Guns

Stationary spray guns need to use external compressors with powerful turbines that effectively propel the material. They are great to use in indoor and outdoor projects but can be limited to the length of the air hose and power cable. Some manufacturers include an air compressor specifically built for paint use, effectively giving the user a  stationary spray system that they can easily bring around the house or set up in a workshop. A stationary spray system is significantly cheaper than buying an air compressor and most models are convenient
enough to be carried around and set up with ease.

Stationary Spray Guns

Handheld Spray Guns

Handheld spray guns on the other hand, take portability to a whole new level and come complete with a built in compressor. These are less powerful than stationary spray systems but are more affordable and convenient for occasional painting projects. Because of this, handheld spray guns are very popular for DIY enthusiasts and homeowners looking to paint their own garages, porches, fences, you name it. High end handheld spray guns will give the user control over the air flow, air speed and the pattern that they can choose from. Although stationary systems can do the same, having that much control in the palm of your hand.

Handheld Spray Guns

So Which One Is Better?

Whether one or the other is better depends on what you plan to do with them. If you’re looking to buy a spray gun for the occasional backyard project, then handheld spray guns should do the job well enough and come at a much cheaper price than their stationary alternatives. 

Stationary spray systems are a better choice for contractors or if you have plenty of painting projects either as a hobby or profession. Stationary spray systems often require more practice, space and are significantly more expensive but offer better results than handheld spray guns. Stationary spray guns offer more long term benefits and are built to be durable and high performing.

Feed Systems

When looking for spray guns, you’re gonna hear the terms “gravity feed” and “bottom feed” be thrown around quite often. This key feature changes a lot about the spray gun so, let’s discuss the two and see the main differences.

Bottom / Conventional Feed Spray Gun

This is an older design that has its paint cup located below the nozzle. Bottom feed spray guns use a siphon to pull up paint from the cup and require more air pressure to create a strong enough vacuum. Nowadays, manufactures design their bottom feed spray guns with pressurized paint cups to help siphon out the paint while keeping the overall pressure low.

Bottom feed spray guns suffer from having more overspray, are less efficient and clog more often than gravity feed spray guns. Nonetheless, bottom feed spray guns are still a common sight and are often used for larger projects because of their larger paint capacity.                    
Handheld spray guns often have a bottom feed system
because it fits the mobile design better and lets manufacturers use larger paint cups making them better for medium to large outdoor projects.

Conventional Feed Spray Gun

Gravity Feed Spray Gun

On the other hand, gravity feed spray guns use gravity to push the paint down to be atomized. This process solves a lot of the problems that bottom feed spray guns encounter such as overspray while being more efficient, having less air pressure, more control and less chances of clogging. For better balance, gravity feed spray guns have smaller paint capacities, meaning you’re probably going to stop
more often for a refill. But the quality of the finish
and overall efficiency of this system makes it well worth it. It should also
be noted that gravity feed HVLP spray guns are not suitable for thicker paints.

Gravity Feed Spray Gun

Sprayer Nozzle Sizes

The nozzle size you choose for your spray gun will determine what type of material you can effectively use. Most manufacturers will include their recommended nozzle sizes for what material and psi in their user manual. Here’s a quick guide for what material works best at a specific nozzle size.

MaterialNozzle Size
Paint sealers and Urethane paints1.4mm to 1.6mm
Basecoat paints1.4mm to 1.6mm
Clear coat paints1.3mm to 1.7mm
Primers1.7mm to 2.2mm

Spray Types

When using sprayer guns, a common feature you might run into are the different spray patterns that an air cap can do. This feature lets you easily switch to a more appropriate pattern for the project. But what are the different types of patterns and what are they for? Most spray guns have three different spray patterns, an oval shape, horizontal, vertical and even circular. Let’s discuss each one.

Horizontal Spray Patterns

A horizontal spray pattern makes painting surfaces from left to right (or vice versa) a lot easier and ensures that you get an even layer. The side to side motion used with this spray pattern lets you easily paint wde objects or surfaces that are directly in front of you such as walls and benches 

Spray Gun Horizontal Spray Pattern

Vertical Spray Patterns

This is the opposite of the horizontal spray pattern and makes up and down motions a lot easier to do. This can also be used to paint walls or tall and narrow objects such as fences, boards and doors.

Spray Gun Vertical Spray Pattern

Circular Spray Patterns

Circular spray patterns are a great choice for more detailed painting tasks. Some models let users choose the size of the circle and even different variations of the circle.

Spray Gun Round Spray Pattern

Conclusion

When used properly, HVLP spray guns can be some of the best tools to use for painting wooden surfaces. We hope that this article has taught you a thing or two about HVLP spray guns for woodworking, how they work and which one is the right HVLP spray gun for you. Thank you and happy painting!