30-years of involvement: For over 30 years, Apollo Sprayers, Inc. has been supporting Palomar College in San Marcos, California by donating products, giving scholarships, and supporting the Cabinet and Furniture Technology program. This program is widely recognized as one of the most comprehensive woodworking curriculums in the nation, offering over 50 different classes with an […]
When it comes to industrial, commercial and woodworking applications, choosing the right paint spraying system is essential for achieving the desired finish. Two popular options for finishing applications are HVLP (high volume low pressure) turbine systems and airless systems. While both offer advantages and disadvantages, understanding the differences between the two can help make the […]
We are excited to announce that Apollo Sprayers has won the Visionary New Product Award for Product Innovation in the Power Tool category in the Woodworking Industry at the AWFS Fair. The Visionary New Product Awards promote the development of innovative new technology in woodworking machinery, supplies, and services for the furniture, kitchen cabinets, architectural […]
Bleeder style spray guns have a continuous flow of air through the air cap when the HVLP turbine is “on”. Bleeder spray guns are the original style HVLP spray gun supplied with Apollo turbine spray systems. They are simple in design, extremely reliable, and very easy to clean and maintain. The perception that the continuous […]
Yes. But here is what you need to know: Latex paints differ in their formulation, composition and viscosity. In the manufacturing process, many latex paints have coarse ground resins and pigments, unlike other coatings where the resins and pigments are finely ground. The reason is that latex paint is generally made to be brushed, rolled […]
The basic principle of HVLP guns is to “atomize” the paint using air volume rather than pressure, which means that when it meets the air stream, the paint is split into small particles as it is expelled from the nozzle. All guns come with paint fan formation control, so you can adjust your fan size […]
Spray painting has many advantages over brushing and rolling including the finished result, the amount of surface coverage, and the speed at which a project can be finished. When choosing a spray system you need to understand how the system works and whether it suits what you want to do. High volume low pressure (HVLP) […]
Dents and gouges are both flaws in the wood. But they are not the same thing, so they should be repaired differently. Dents are compressed wood. The wood fibers are still intact, just pressed down or indented. Gouges are also indentations, but the wood fibers have been torn and usually some of the wood has […]
We often receive questions about finishing and spraying. One interesting question that keeps coming across our desk is about Apollo Sprayers HVLP turbine spray systems and what they are best suited for. Since many of our readers are woodworkers, one of the questions we are frequently asked is “What else can I spray with my […]
For over 50 years Apollo Sprayers International, Inc. has been recognized as the HVLP innovator, producer and manufacturer worldwide of TrueHVLP™ spray guns and TrueHVLP™ Turbo Spray Systems. Throughout our history Apollo Sprayers has introduced many “HVLP firsts” and proudly accepted multiple awards for our creativity and originality in HVLP technology and spray equipment. In […]
There are two broad categories of stain: dye that is dissolved in a liquid, and dye and/or pigment that is combined with a binder. The first are usually called “dye” stains and are sold either as powders for you to do the dissolving, or are already dissolved in a liquid solvent. The second are often […]
The vast majority of hobbyist woodworkers, and quite a few professional woodworkers – who might only complete a project or two a month – do their finishing by hand. However, as you begin to undertake more projects, or you move to making larger pieces, it’s natural to start thinking about spray finishing. There are at […]
Apollo Sprayers HVLP systems are complete spray finishing systems consisting of three components. There is no air compressor involved or needed with an Apollo Sprayer HVLP spray finishing system. This is an independent standalone system. The motors used in Apollo Sprayers HVLP turbo spray finishing systems come in different sizes and power/pressure output. Smaller, lower […]
While there are some woodworkers who might cringe at the thought of staining wood, there are good reasons why you might want to do so. Some lighter colored woods, such as poplar, alder, beech, and birch tend to look somewhat bland, and can benefit from a bit of color. Who hasn’t bought a load of […]
Making the Switch from Brush to Spray Believe it or not this is one of the first questions we are asked by people making the switch from brush to spray. How Hard is it to Clean the Spray Gun? Most often you can clean your spray gun faster than you can clean a brush! We […]
Preparation is a huge part of finishing. Failing to prepare the wood will surely lead to a bad finish no matter how good your equipment or coating. Let’s talk first about sanding. You must start with a completely dry piece of wood. If you have stripped it, let it dry thoroughly, this could take a […]
Finishes vary in viscosity depending on their type and formulation, and especially in temperature differences. The viscosity is thicker when the finish is cold and thinner when the finish is warm. To measure viscosity, dip a viscosity cup into a finish so the cup is full. Then lift the cup out of the finish and […]
It’s common to be instructed to apply a finish in the direction of the grain, called “with the grain.” Doing this is usually best when brushing a finish, but it’s rarely necessary when wiping or spraying a finish. Brushing with the grain is best because the grain will help disguise the brush marks, the ridges […]
There are two questions you need to ask when selecting the right system for your needs: Ask yourself how often you will be using the system. Are you using it more or less than 10 hours per week. What coatings or finishes do you intend to use with your Apollo Sprayers HVLP Turbo spray system? […]
Do you really need to clean your spray gun every time you use it? Do you need to clean it when you go to lunch? What if you are putting it away for a week? Which coatings mean clean “right away”? Here are your answers: Always clean your spray gun! If you are spraying a […]
Have you ever used a HVLP turbo paint spray system? Maybe you have been a little apprehensive about it? Take a minute and open your mind to the idea. You can get professional results with little to no mess. Is space at a premium for you? You can spray in more places and situations than […]
You can use architect’s pencils to test for finish hardness (scratch resistance). The lead in these pencils is rated from about 6 or 7B, the softest, to 6 or 7H, the hardest. HB is in the middle. You don’t need to buy all these pencils, just the middle five or six, because most finishes will […]
