Testing the Walcom FX HA gravity spray guns

BENCH TEST

A common problem in workshops is deciding what types of spray gun to use. Certainly one must use a gun suitable for the type of paint you are spraying, but you should also consider the transfer efficiency of the spray gun. Painters want spray guns to work like the old conventional spray guns but want the product savings usually associated with the HVLP. Just for those who might not know, HVLP stands for High Volume Low Pressure.

If the painter is already a user or someone who can accept the changes that HVLP painting demands, he should be a Walcom FX GEO user. If on the other hand he simply wants a gun that will save him money without changing the way he works, he should be a Walcom FX HA user.

It is up to the painter to choose the most suitable gun for his purpose with each gun performing excellently in its own way. Both guns deliver savings in paint consumption through higher transfer efficiency.

These spray guns have been tested by an independent research test centre, the Thatcham Institute, which is the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre in the UK and the leading test centre in Europe.

At the Thatcham Institute the guns were tested according to the new applications parameters as laid down by the new European rules which will come into effect this year. The tests were conducted in real bodyshop conditions, with normal spray gun regulation procedures and new generation paints. The tests were conducted in a spray booth with all paints -- from waterborne to VHS clears -- in real working conditions for pressure, distance, speed and number of passes.
Results: the Thatchman Institute certifies that the Walcom FX HA and Walcom FX GEO have a transfer efficiency between 71 and 75 per cent.

The FX HA is no ordinary conventional spray gun. It is a new generation High Atomisation spray gun designed especially for new generation paints. It uses little air (300 Lt/Min) and works at 2.5 bar (36.3 PSI). Few would have thought that the FX HA. being a conventional spray gun had a transfer efficiency superior to 65 per cent.

We tested the FX HA Gravity Gun 1.2 and the FX HA Gravity Gun 1.4. Upon examination, it was evident that they were manufactured to a high quality standard. Upon usage, I found they were well-balanced and easy to use. We used the spray guns with various types of paints and found they performed extremely well. They were used for touch-ups and full re-sprays, the results were quite positive and although it is difficult to choose between quality spray guns on paint application efficiencies, I would give the guns a very high rating. We cannot do the same tests as Thatchum, but I could establish that the guns deliver savings in paint consumption through higher transfer efficiency. Anyhow, if you are in the market for a new spray gun give this one a try. I am sure you will be happy with the results. The Walcom FX HA Gravity Gun 1.2 is the most popular.

Technical Tip: Nearly 90 per cent of spray gun faults are due to dirty components, the other 10 per cent can be split up between damaged or worn parts and maladjustment.

Walcom spray guns are available from the sole importer, Michael Koodak.

For more info tel: 03 9428 0728 or fax: 03 9428 0890.