Airless Spray Painting Systems
In our past few articles, we’ve given you breakdowns of traditional air spray painting systems, including Conventional Pressure-Fed and High-Volume, Low-Pressure (HVLP) — and now, it’s time to dive into the third type of spray painting system we mentioned in Part 1 of this series.
Here’s What You Need To Know About Airless Sprayers.
How Do Airless Spray Guns Work?
As you might expect, airless spray guns eliminate the need for an air source, unlike pressure-fed and HVLP systems. Instead, they rely on a motor—powered by electricity, petrol, hydraulics, or pneumatics—and use either a diaphragm or piston pump to force paint through a hose and out of the gun tip.
Airless spray systems typically operate at pressures between 1,000 and 2,000 psi, though some models can exceed 4,000 psi. However, with the introduction of new low-pressure tip technology in recent years, standard spraying pressures are trending lower—often between 1,000 and 1,200 psi. This advancement, known as High Efficiency Airless (HEA) by Wagner or Fine Finish Low Pressure (FFLP) by Graco, allows for reduced overspray, improved control, and a smoother finish—all while using less pressure.
The major difference between airless sprayers is the litre per minute rate at which they can pump the paint. A small tradesman unit will be around 1.8-2.0 litres per minute; however, if you need to spray intumescent coatings, a larger unit will provide the necessary litreage. Airless sprayers can get up to more than 15 litres per minute.
The key difference between airless sprayers lies in their flow rate—measured in litres per minute (LPM). Smaller trade-focused units typically deliver around 1.8 to 2.0 LPM, which is suitable for most general-purpose painting. However, when it comes to more demanding applications like spraying intumescent coatings, a higher-output machine is essential. Larger airless units can deliver in excess of 15 LPM to meet those heavy-duty requirements.
(A quick note: we’ve written a Comprehensive Guide On Airless Spray Tips, covering what the numbers on them mean and how to choose the right one for whatever job you’re undertaking)
Regardless of the tip size you select, airless spray systems consistently deliver fast application rates and smooth, professional finishes. Their higher litre-per-minute output means you can cover large surfaces quickly—making them ideal for big projects where time and efficiency matter.
The Pros And Cons Of Airless Spray Guns
Airless spray guns are the number one go-to choice when speed is a priority. They’re highly portable and suitable for a wide range of applications—both indoors and outdoors. With options ranging from compact handheld models to large-scale industrial units, there’s an airless sprayer to suit nearly every job.
However, the main drawback is overspray. Because the paint is delivered at high pressure, some of it can bounce off the surface, leading to product wastage. This also means thorough masking is essential to protect anything you don’t want painted.
When spraying outdoors, even a light breeze can carry fine paint droplets onto unintended surfaces—like cars, windows, or neighbouring walls—so extra care is needed in open environments.
What Can You Use Airless Spray Guns For?
Thanks to their high efficiency and fast coverage, airless spray guns are ideal for tackling large-scale jobs—such as painting roofs, walls, fences, and ceilings—where speed and productivity are essential.
They’re also a top choice for detail-sensitive work requiring a smooth, even finish, including doors, cabinetry, and interior woodwork.
In the industrial space, airless sprayers are widely used to apply specialist coatings like fire retardants, plasters, renders, and anti-corrosive primers. They also serve niche roles as job-specific machines, such as line markers in road and turf applications.
View Our Range Of Airless Sprayers Here
Not sure what airless sprayer is right for your job? Send me a message with a bit of information about what you’re looking to use it for, and I’ll help you find the perfect spray painting tool.