A type of spray gun that uses high volume and low pressure to apply coatings.

Prepare for the SkillsUSA Automotive Refinishing Technology Test. Study with our diverse question formats including multiple choice, explanations, and expert tips. Ace your exam and advance your skills!

This question tests how spray guns differ by how they deliver coating air and pressure. HVLP stands for High Volume Low Pressure, meaning it moves a lot of air through the gun but at a relatively low pressure at the nozzle. That combination creates fine atomization and gives you better control with less overspray, which is ideal for automotive refinishing where a smooth, even coat is important and material efficiency matters.

Other types operate differently: a conventional spray gun uses higher pressure at the nozzle, which can overspray more and feel less controllable; an airless spray gun relies on very high fluid pressure to push the coating through a tiny orifice without using compressed air; a siphon-feed gun draws paint from a cup below the nozzle, feeding the coating by suction rather than gravity or pressure alone.