Best Set Up For An Apollo Precision-6 HVLP

1. Topcoats (waterborne finishes, cabinet finishes)

Best general setup

• Needle/Nozzle: 1.3 – 1.5 mm

• Air Cap: BHS (High-Efficiency / High Solids cap)

• Pressure: ~ 5.5 – 6.5 PSI

 

This is the sweet spot most pros use for cabinet finishing because it balances atomization and control.

Typical coatings using this setup

• Renner 851
  

• Envirolak Clears

• General Finishes Enduro

• Milesi Waterbornes 

  
  

 

Pro tip:
If the finish is very thin, drop to 1.0 – 1.3 mm for better control.

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2. Primers

Primers are thicker and need more fluid.

Best setup

• Needle/Nozzle: 1.8 - 2.0 mm

• Air Cap: CHS (High Solids Cap)

• Pressure: 6.5+ PSI

 

This gives enough material flow without starving the turbine. 

Typical primers using this setup

• Renner 643

• Renner 648

• ICRO primers

• Heavy Surfacing Primers

• Envirolak 170 

  
  

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3. Sealers

Sealers are thinner and atomize easily.

Best setup

• Needle/Nozzle: 1.3 mm

• Air Cap: BHS

• Pressure: 5.5 – 6.5 PSI

  
  

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4. Clear Coats / Fine Finishes

For the highest quality finish:

• Needle/Nozzle: 1.3 mm

• Air Cap: BHS

• Fluid: slightly reduced if needed

 

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Pro Tips for Turbine HVLP (Important)

1. Use larger tips than compressor guns

Turbine air is lower pressure but higher volume, so it needs larger needles.

Typical turbine sizes:

• 1.0 – 1.3 mm → thin finishes

• 1.3 – 1.5 mm → topcoats

• 1.8 - 2.0 mm → primers

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2. Control the fluid before reducing

Pros adjust in this order:

1. Fluid knob

2. Fan width

3. Distance

4. Only then reduce coating

 

Too much reduction causes runs and poor build.

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3. Keep the gun closer

Turbine sprayers work best at:

4–6 inches from surface

Farther away = dry spray.

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4. Move slower than airless

HVLP requires a slower pass to maintain a wet edge.

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5. Always strain coatings

Use 100–150 mesh strainers for waterborne coatings.

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Apollo Precision-6 “Pro Cabinet Shop” Setup

If I walked into a cabinet shop using that turbine, I'd expect:

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Extra Pro Tricks (Most people don't know these)

1. Warm the finish

Putting waterborne finish in warm water for 5 minutes lowers viscosity and sprays smoother.

2. Add retarder for waterborne

Prevents dry spray from turbine heat.

3. Set the fan wide but not full

80–90% fan width atomizes better.

4. Use a test pattern

Spray cardboard until you see:

✔ cigar-shaped pattern
✔ no heavy edges
✔ even droplets

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✅ My recommendation for your Apollo Precision-6

If you're spraying cabinets:

Buy these three setups

• 1.0 mm BHS cap – clears & fine finishes

• 1.3 - 1.5 mm BHS cap – most topcoats

• 1.8 - 2.0 mm CHS cap – primers

That combination covers almost every cabinet finish system.