HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST HVLP SYSTEM FOR YOUR NEEDS AND BUDGET

HVLP systems are categorized by the number of fans the turbine uses. More fans mean higher air pressure — measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). Systems with more fans speed coverage and make it easier to spray heavier coatings such as latex paint.

• DIY or entry-level systems: A 2-stage HVLP turbine uses two fans, generating up to 6 PSI. In May, 2024, US News & World Report named the Fuji Spray Semi-PRO the best HVLP spray system for DIY use. (I apologize for the pop up ads in their article.)

• Budget upgrade: A 3-stage turbine uses three fans, generating up to 6.5 PSI.

  • The Mini-Mite 3 Platinum has won awards for performance and convenience.

  • The Platinum Q3 is just like it but much quieter.

• Pro level “sweet spot” — and better if you spray a lot of latex: A 4-stage turbine uses four fans, generating up to 9.0 PSI.

  • The Mini-Mite 4 Platinum has enough power for most users.

  • The Platinum Q4 is like it but much quieter.

• Fastest, more powerful: A 5-stage turbine uses five fans, generating up to 9.5 PSI. (This is the limit for what’s considered “low pressure” spraying.) Fuji adds five bonus items to the 5-stage systems.

  • The Mini-Mite 5 Platinum uses the most powerful turbine.

  • The Platinum Q5 is like it but adds a variable speed control knob to the turbine motor, to help fine-tune the spray.

• Amazingly fast and powerful: Fuji Spray has designed from scratch the 6-stage D6 turbine, generating up to 11.5 PSI — so you can spray almost any fluid without diluting it. The sleek design has many new features, including a push-button digital panel for choosing among six levels of power, and for turning the turbine on or off. The panel also includes a Clean Filter light, for replacing the new 2-stage filter packs. Learn much more about the D6 and its three system packages, in the About the NEW D6 page.

??? Questions about what HVLP spraying is, and why you should care? Learn more —> Intro to HVLP.

Got to this page looking for just a turbine? Click here to browse the Fuji Spray turbines.

Keep in mind that I am available, 5 days a week, to answer your questions and help you choose exactly what you need — no more, no less. I’m the one who answers the phone! Roger Phelps, Owner, 800-377-5662.

Key questions for Choosing a Spray System:

HOW FAST DO YOU WANT TO SPRAY?

This may seem like an odd question to start with, but the differences in speed among systems can be dramatic. I ran a time comparison check among 5 stage, 4 stage, 3 stage, and 2 stage systems, spraying latex thinned with 20 percent water on an average sized kitchen cabinet door.

• 5 stage system took approximately 9 seconds.

• 4 stage system took approximately 13 seconds.

• 3 stage system took approximately 22 seconds.

• 2 stage system took approximately 37 seconds.

Now, 37 seconds may not seem very long, even though it’s over four times as long as the 5 stage system took. If you’re only spraying small areas, or using a spray gun only occasionally — or if your budget is very tight — then spraying speed may not matter much to you. For big jobs or frequent use, though, it may matter a lot.

Note that spraying speed also depends on the air cap you need to use for the coating you’re spraying. A 1.0mm air cap sprays slower than an air cap with a larger opening, such as a 1.8mm air cap. But slow spraying is often better for very detailed work with a thin finish.

The new Fuji D6 turbine makes it easy to switch among levels of power, so you can work on different projects or coatings efficiently.

Fuji Spray guns all come with a medium-size air cap suitable for most work. You can buy extra air caps, and some of my money-saving packages include them. Learn more about air cap setups for specific uses.

Will you use only one spray gun at a time?

The 3, 4, and 5-stage Mini-Mite and Q systems can be used with two spray guns, by attaching an ordinary Y garden hose connection to the air hose. This isn’t advisable for a 2-stage spray system like the Semi-Pro 2 or Hobby Pro 2.

WILL YOU BE SPRAYING LARGE AREAS?

You can see how spraying speed matters more if you plan to spray large areas. By large areas, I mean a boat, an entire automobile, or large panels. People have spray painted entire houses with HVLP systems.

In addition to speed, power matters for these tasks. You’ll be better satisfied with a 4 or 5 stage system than with a 3 stage system. A 4 stage system has 20 percent more power than a 3 stage system, and a 5 stage system has 20 percent more power than the 4 stage. And of course a 6-stage D6 system out powers them all.

What Coatings Do You Want to Spray?

If you want to spray latex or other heavy paints….

You may want to choose a 4 or 5 or 6-stage HVLP spray system, rather than a 2 stage or 3 stage system. The extra power will give you a smoother coating with better coverage.

The 2017 comparison tests of 9 HVLP spray systems at Wood Magazine give the 4-stage Fuji Q4 Platinum perfect A (Excellent) ratings for spraying all finishes, while the 3-stage Fuji Mini-Mite 3 did as well except for a B+ rating for spraying latex.

If you want to spray lighter weight finishes….

You may want to choose a 3 stage HVLP system. Spraying lacquers, varnishes, non-latex water-based paints, automotive finishes, etc. doesn’t take as much power as spraying heavier paints.

Balance this factor with the size area you are likely to want to spray — for large areas you may still be happier with a 4 stage system or higher. The D6 offers the most convenient versatility since you can switch the power according to your spray fluid and size of project.

how much does turbine noise matter to you?

Although increasing the power of the turbines does increase the noise level, Fuji has built some noise reduction into the Mini-Mite Platinum turbines by adding a noise reduction cover that directs the air through a different path than most turbines.

The Fuji Platinum Q turbines are even quieter due to a patented technology. The “Q” in the name is for “quiet,” and the sound of the Fuji Q turbines is both lower in volume and more pleasant to hear. (Sometimes a whine is more annoying than loudness.)

Fuji measures the decibels of even the most powerful Q5 at 60 db at 20’ from the turbine — quieter than normal conversation. The 3-stage Fuji Q3 is the quietest HVLP turbine of all, at just 58 db when 20 feet away.

The comparison tests in 2017 at Wood Magazine measured the mid-level Fuji Q4 sound level at 72 db just 10 feet from the turbine. (That’s quieter than the sound of most toilets flushing, and you’d normally have the turbine much further from the spray area.)

Compare this with the more intense 78 decibels of the Mini-Mite 3 measured (10 feet away) in the same Wood Magazine test.

The spray gun matters

The Fuji 2-stage systems use the M-Model spray guns, which are a bit heavier and less convenient than Fuji’s luxury spray guns in the Fuji T-series. If you will be holding a spray gun for an hour or more at a time, the weight and convenience of the spray gun do matter. If you buy a Mini-Mite or Platinum Q system, you can choose a lighter T70 or T75G gun.

(LEARN MORE —> Help Choosing a Fuji Spray Gun.)

How portable a system do you need?

The Fuji Spray Semi-Pro 2 and MIni-Mite systems are smaller and lighter than the Q Systems. The turbines weigh just a bit over 12 pounds. This may matter to you if you need to carry your system from one site to another — for example, to refinish cabinets on site.

Both Mini-Mite and Q systems are still easier to transport than an air compressor system, but the Q systems weigh almost twice as much, so they’re better for a stationary site. The D6 turbine is designed for easy carrying, but it weighs about 1.5 pounds more than the Q5.

Fuji Mini-Mite platinum & Platinum Q systems

The 3-stage Mini-Mite Platinum system uses the same motor as the 3-stage Platinum Q3, and offers the same performance and overall quality. The same is true when comparing the 4-stage Mini-Mite 4 with the Platinum Q4, and when comparing the 5-stage Mini-Mite 5 with the Platinum Q5. They also use the same best-in-class T-series spray guns.

These latest Mini-Mite and Q-series systems, labeled PLATINUM, add two new features:

• The Fuji Heat Dissipation Box on the rear of the turbine case dissipates hot exhaust air evenly through an optimum surface area with 60 holes. This means no added hiss or loud whistling noise, nor any blowing around of dust. Fuji’s aim is to minimize heat buildup so the motor has a longer life.

• Fuji Spray Noise Reduction Covers™ (NRC) house the turbine filters. Ambient air is entrained only from the rear, effectively removing any Direct Sound Paths. Air is drawn in through a large Rear Aperture and through specially designed ‘Finger Slots’ for optimum performance.

• NEW as of October, 2023 — Fuji Spray 5-stage turbine motors run cooler than ever, with no loss of features and performance. So this applies to the Mini-Mite 5, and Q PLATINUM 5 systems.

the super quiet Platinum Q turbines

The Fuji Platinum Q turbines have exactly the same motor and features as the Fuji Mini-Mite turbines, plus these advantages:

• Their sound is lower in volume and more pleasant than that of the Mini-Mite turbines.

• The top-of-the-line Fuji Platinum Q5 also has a variable speed control on the turbine, for adjusting the motor speed to the optimal level for the coating being sprayed. It comes with five bonus items in addition to the bonus items I add.

Which 4 or 5-Stage System should you purchase?

All Fuji 4-stage systems have the same motor and same performance, and all the Fuji 5-stage systems have the same motors and performance.

Fuji 4-stage systems:

• The Fuji Mini-Mite 4 is less expensive — a good choice if price matters more than noise.

• The Fuji Mini-Mite 4 is also smaller and lighter, easier to transport and store.

• The Fuji Platinum Q-4 costs more, but is much quieter, with a more pleasant sound.

Fuji 5-Stage Systems

Both Fuji 5 stage systems come with five bonus items in addition to the bonus items I add. Both now come with turbine motors that run cooler, to extend turbine life and increase user comfort.

• The Fuji Mini-Mite 5 is less expensive — a good choice if price matters more than noise.

• The Fuji Mini-Mite 5 is more portable than the Q5.

• The Fuji Platinum Q-5 costs more, but is significantly quieter, and has the bonus feature of a variable motor speed control mounted on the turbine.

Fuji 6-stage 6-stage D6 Systems

Choose among three options, depending on the spray gun you choose: The T70, T75G, or GXPC. How to choose the right spray gun for your projects? Of course there’s a How to Choose article here for exactly that purpose.

NEXT STEP…Click on one of the “How to choose” pages below. OR on the new D6 page.