Turbine and HVLP Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the benefit of the 4 stage Turbine over the 3 Stage?

Answer: The obvious answer is that you will achieve a finer finish with the 4 stage because of the increase in atomization air pressure. This increase in psi will break up the paint particles into finer droplets. The second advantage of the 4 stage turbine's increased pressure is that you can move across a surface more rapidly than you can with lower pressure because the paint will 'flow out' much better. The 3 stage turbine demands more practice and technique to achieve 'show quality' results than the 4 stage does.

2. What do you mean by STAGES in a turbine?

Answer: Lets compare a stage to a water impeller. As the impeller turns it picks water that it is immersed in and carries the water to different place. When we increase the speed of the turning impeller we increase the flow of water. Now let's say that the speed of this impeller is maximized and we can't turn it any faster – how do we increase the flow? We add a second impeller right next to it so it will work in sequence with the first one and thereby double the flow. The more stages we add, the greater the flow. The turbine impeller works in the same fashion except it moves air instead of water.

3. Why should I consider HVLP?

Answer: There are three main reasons for using HVLP and they are:

1. High transfer efficiency. Typically you will use half the paint as you would with a conventional sprayer.
2. Very Low Overspray. Because of the low air pressure the paint won't tend to 'bounce' off the panel you are spraying but rather stick to it.
3. Elimination of moisture from the airline. Because of the friction heat that is formed at the outlet of the turbine, 99% of moisture from the air is burned out of the air. This means that no moisture traps or other moisture reducing devices are required

4. Why should I use a turbine when I can buy an HVLP Conversion Spraygun?

Answer: You still get moisture and oil from the compressor through the sprayline. And you don't have the portability the turbine offers. Granted, the Conversion Type Spraygun lets you spray at lower pressures, it still must be powered by a compressor which offers a multitude of problems you don't need to deal with when using a turbine.

5. How can I tell a good HVLP turbine system from a bad one?

Answer: As with a lot of tools, the price of a good quality system will probably be somewhat higher. What you need to carefully consider is the Spraygun that is included with the system. In the turbine area we have found only two sprayguns worth using if you expect a quality finish of automotive quality. Thy are made by ACCUSPRAY or LEXAIRE. At Axis Products, Inc. we don't make sprayguns but rely on those who are in the Spraygun manufacturing business to provide them to us. Choose an HVLP turbine sytem with either of the guns mentioned and you can be pretty sure you will be pleased with your purchase.

6. I have never sprayed before - how long will it take me to learn to use the HVLP system?

Answer: We like beginners because they don't have bad habits to break or expectations that don't apply. Generally speaking, a painter who is used to working with high pressure sprayguns will have a tough time at first when changing to HVLP because the spraying technique is not what he is used to. I would suggest that a person spray with his new HVLP system for about an hour with the types of material he plans to use soas to familiarize himself with the various techniques which are addressed in the HVLP manual. Any questions that arise during the process will be immediately answered by calling our hotline.

7. How often to change the filter?

Answer: Because the CITATION 'pump unit' is outside the spray area and in a fresh air location it should only ingest particulate dust. Sometimes we have seen filters with paint overspray on them because the mist was allowed to get to the filters but if the CITATION unit is placed upwind from the spray area this shouldn't ever happen…if it does then the filters will need to be changed before the next se of the system…if only particulates are allowed to enter the filters, the change frequency will be cnsiderably longer….Keep an eye on the outside black filter – when it looks dirty, clean or replace it.

8. Can the turbine in the Hobbyair ll be used to convert to a 'Buddy System'?

Answer: Yes, the same High OutputTurbine is used in both systems and we offer the 'Buddy System Upgrade Kit' for Hobbyair ll users.

9. Are Lens Protectors included with systems that have hoods or Full Facemasks?

Answer: No. the reason is because our respirator systems are used for other tasks besides painting where Lens Protectors are not required. We do consider the Lens Protectors to be a very essential item for, however, when used in a painting environment. They will greatly extend the life of the lenses in either the hood or full mask.

10. What is the advantage/disadvantage of the heat that is generated by the HVLP turbines?

Answer: The reason turbines generate heat is the way they are designed. The impeller of the turbine is approximately 6" in diameter and spins at the rate of around 20,000 rpm. The air that is gathered is then driven out of the turbine through a ¾" oriface which causes the air molecules to break up into smaller ones which causes friction which causes the air to heat up. The advantage of this heat is that practically all moisture that is present in the air is evaporated from it so, unlike compressed air, the painter doesn't need to worry about adding moisture traps to the airline. The disadvantage of this heat is that it has a tendency of also evaporating thinner material which is present in paint which is needed to help the paint particles 'flow out' when it is sprayed onto a surface. If not enough thinner is present when the paint is sprayed it will not flow and will have an 'orange peel' effect when the paint dries. Because of this potential problem, the painter needs to add more thinner to the paint mixture to compensate for this thinner loss when spraying with turbine powered HVLP.