The differences between conventional and electrostatic paint spray guns

Comparing the strengths and weaknesses of conventional and electrostatic spray guns.

Selecting the right spray gun for your application is important for optimising transfer efficiency. The challenge is choosing the applicator that maximises the spray performance for your specific application. This article serves as your guide when selecting the optimal spray applicator.

Conventional spray applicators and electrostatic spray applicators both have their strengths and weaknesses. In general, electrostatic spray applicators enable excellent performance, finish quality and transfer efficiency, but are more expensive than conventional spray applicators.

 

Finish quality

Conventional spray applicators

  • High finish quality
  • Only cover the surface directly in front of the spray gun

Electrostatic spray applicators

  • Excellent finish quality
  • Wraps the material around the part

Transfer efficiency

Conventional spray applicators

  • Low transfer efficiency
  • A lot of overspray

Electrostatic spray applicators 

  • Up to 90% transfer efficiency 
  • Minimum overspray

Investment

Conventional spray applicators

  • Cost-effective solutions

Electrostatic spray applicators

  • Calls for a larger initial investment, but with a quick return on investment (lower paint cost, less VOCs, less clean-up and increased throughput)

Applications

Conventional spray applicators

Designed to optimize spray performance for:

  • General metal
  • Wood
  • Plastic finishing applications

Electrostatic spray applicators

Designed to maximize spray performance for:

  • General metal
  • Wood
  • Plastic
  • Automotive
  • Electronics 
  • Construction finishing applications

 

Conclusion
Electrostatic spray applicators wrap the material around the part, minimising overspray and thus saving on material, labour and clean-up costs. Because of these important cost savings and the enhanced throughput, the larger investment costs of electrostatic spray guns can be recovered in a relatively short time. 

An overview of the complete Graco range
Graco has a wide range of high-quality spray applicators. We offer both conventional and electrostatic spray applicators with different technologies and characteristics. Whatever the desired finish quality, transfer efficiency, controllability or job size, you will always find a solution that meets your specific requirements. If you are looking for the applicator with the highest transfer efficiency, the ProBell® Rotary Atomiser [M1] is your best bet. When its advanced atomisation and shaping air technology is combined with electrostatics, the ProBell can achieve an incredible transfer efficiency of up to 95%!
 

ELECTROSTATIC SPRAYING WITH WATERBORNE MATERIALS

Would you like to read more about the differences between conventional spraying solutions and electrostatic systems using waterborne materials? Are you looking for a spraying solution that can be used in a wide range of applications? Be sure to check out the HydroShield TM system, the safest and most operator-friendly electrostatic spraying solution on the market.

 

Contact an expert

Please enter a value
Please select
Please enter a value
Please enter a value
Please select
Please enter a value
Please enter a value
Graco