Paint Spray Units   AXIS HVLP Paint Spray Systems Made in the USA

Painting your model project is the last segment of the building exercise. For many modelers, spray painting is an unfamiliar process. The use of easily applied and commonly available mylar films do a satisfactory job for many modelers. The films do not present your building skills to any significant degree. The finish is not realistic for many modelers. For many modelers the only way to get a realistic professional finish to is to spray paint the model.

The self-contained AXIS HVLP spray system reduces paint costs up to 40% because of less over spray. Turbine air source unit is only 9" x 9" x 9". Painting your model is now easier than ever.

After you have spent many weeks or even months, building your project, why is there a rush to cover the model soon as possible? Yes, spray painting does take some time, but the painting process is a small portion of the time required to completely finish the model.

For many, spray painting is not an option. Reasons being; lack of a proper air compressor, high cost for the air compressor, no space in the workshop and or not sufficient electrical power for the air compressor, no suitable location to spray paint due to high dust levels and inability to create a temporary spray booth area.

The NELSON HVLP Axis spray system offers solutions to the previously mentioned problems. HVLP means High Volume and Low Pressure. Normal pressure at a conventional spray gun is around 30-40 pounds per square inch. A HVLP system atomizes the paint much lower at 3-5 pounds. The paint in a HVLP gun is pressurized forcing the material to the nozzle. As a result, the paint adheres quickly and firmly to the surface being painted. Typically the paint used will achieve its highest gloss with a HVLP system.

HVLP spray gun is a more costly complex unit and machined to a much higher quality than a typical suction feed spray gun. The HVLP spray gun is designed to gather the air inside the gun and send it downstream with as little pressure drop as possible.

A conventional air compressor is not used with a HVLP system. Instead, a high RPM motor running a centrifugal blower turbine about 20,000 RPM, provides the air sour/ce. Somewhat like the motor in a vacuum cleaner. The turbine doesn't have to provide a lot of pressure, just a large volume of air (95-110 cubic feet per minute). Household 110 volt source is used. Many air compressors require 220 volts.

The high RPM of the turbine heats the air coming out of the unit. The heated air is passed to the paint, thus heating the paint slightly. In this application, this is a benefit. The heated air eliminates all moisture from the atomizing air, thus reducing blushing problems with some paints. A major problem for the painter is the presence of moisture that can splatter onto a surface along with the paint. The heating of the air eliminates up to 95% of the moisture in the output air. The paint will also dry faster.

HVLP systems typically have a 15 to 20 foot hose. Two reasons for the long hose. One is to let the air cool as it passes through the hose. Paint heated too much can cause problems. Second is to keep the turbine a safe distance from the painting area for reasons of safety, especially with flammable paints. Sparks from the motor in the turbine could cause an explosion with high flammability paints.

A HVLP system is usually sold with the turbine air source. For painting projects of sizes encountered in modeling, a two stage turbine with 95-100 CFM at 4 psi. is recommended for paints used in modeling (polyurethane, lacquer, enamels, dopes, epoxies, etc.). As one needs to paint larger items (full size boats and airplanes), larger capacity three stage turbines with 105-110 CFM at 5.5 psi. are desirable to provide more paint coverage. The 95-100 CFM units will handle most any paints, but they may not have sufficient output to paint large surface areas in a timely manner. The spray gun for the two sizes is the same.

The HVLP spray gun is convenient to use. Fan or cone spray pattern is easily controlled. 8 ounce cup is non-breakable, see through plastic with one ounce graduations. Quick disconnect on air hose.

The spray gun features a heavy duty chrome plated die cast aluminum gun body. The stainless steel needle and nozzle, chrome plated brass air cap, and 6061T-6 anodized aluminum nozzle holder are all CNC machined to tight tolerances.

Over spray is minimal with HVLP system. The savings in coatings can be as much as 40%. Obviously a major reduction in paint cost. The reduced over spray greatly reduces the paint accumulation on the workshop floor, bench, or walls.

The paint has to be thinned, just like with a regular gun. However, paint in a HVLP system typically is thinned about 10-20% more than paint used in a normal spray gun.The HVLP spray gun is held about 7-10 inches from the surface in the same manner as a regular spray gun.

The three position adjustable floating air cap offers the ultimate in pattern control. Two fan outputs are provided for, horizontal and vertical, plus a cone output. The width of the spray pattern is adjustable as well. Indents every 45 degrees. The nozzle is simply rotated to index to the desired spray pattern. The blue retraining ring is screwed in and out to determine the width of the spray pattern. An adjustment control on the back of the gun determines the amount of paint sprayed. Different size nozzles are available for special applications.

An appropriate respirator mask as recommended by the paint manufacture must be used. Your hands and exposed skin should also be protected. Invisible Glove barrier cream or latex gloves are recommended. Use eye protection as recommended by the paint manufacture.

Clean up with the HVLP system is similar to that of a standard gun. The HVLP gun can be easily disassembled for cleaning. There is a filter for the air entering the turbine unit. This filter will have to be changed from time to time depending on the condition of the air in the painting area.

The 8 ounce paint cup can be replaced with a one quart unit, as additional accessory item.

All parts used in the spray gun are available separately.

NELSON HVLP SPRAY UNIT USED WITH NELSON Hobby PAINT.

Water reducible polyurethane NELSON Hobby paint and the NELSON HVLP spray system are made for each other. The advantages of the low odor and quick drying NELSON Hobby paint used with the HVLP paint system provide excellent results.

Unique with HVLP system is a much higher gloss finish with NELSON Hobby paint eliminating the need for a high gloss clear coat. What little over spray is created dries instantly to dust and can be cleaned away later. With this combination it is practical to spray models in a normal workshop environment. Don’t think one should spray in your living room, but it would almost be practical to do so!

NELSON Hobby paint should be thinned about 33% with water. Suggest 1 oz. of water and 3 oz. of paint. Note that the paint must strained with a fine (not medium or coarse) paper cone paint filter before pouring the paint into the spray gun cup. Before painting the model, experiment first with the amount of water required. Use only enough water to produce a wet and glossy finish.

NELSON HVLP SPRAY SYSTEMS USED WITH OTHER PAINTS.

The only difference with most paints being used with the NELSON HVLP system is the addition of more than the normal amount of thinner appropriate to the paint used. Typically 25-33% more thinner will be required.


STANDARD EQUIPMENT AS SUPPLIED WITH SYSTEM

The NELSON AXIS HVLP SS100 system is supplied with the following items:

• 2 stage Turbine rated at 97 CFM at 4 PSI (120 volts @ 7.0 Amps)
• NELSON AXIS SS200 professional spray gun with 8 oz. cup and1  oz graduation markings.
• Nozzle for most paints.
• 20 ft. of hose
• Shut off valve on hose
• Filtration system for Turbine
• Full instructions

WARRANTY

All systems have a full one year warranty.

AXIS HVLP Paint Spray System
ITEM NO.	DESCRIPTION	QTY. PKG.	PRICE
SS100	Complete spray system with gun, hose,turbine air source, hoses, etc.	1	$599.95 Net Price

Revised 3/23/04

Nelson Axis paint spray system is only available from NELSON Hobby Direct.