Advice on buying an airless paint sprayer – any reviews
kyrral
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
For some small projects I’ve decided to get my own airless probably from a big box, Hd or Lowes. Graco looks like the house brand. Comparing the models it looks like you get a bigger motor, longer hose and more psi the more expensive. Are there particular features to look out for. Again, on objective review would be helpful. I don’t entire.y trust the online reveiws because they could be plugging a particular mode. thanks, ahead
Replies
Define "Small"
When it comes to paint sprayers, there are two categories: Graco, then everbody else. Graco is by far the preferred brand.
Graco makes several versions of a self-contained paint sprayer. Any of them are great, as long as your usual project involves spraying a gallon (or less) at a time.
Marketed with names like Proshot and Powershot, these sprayers hold about a quart of paint in their jars. They are available both corded and battery powered. There are also (much more expensive) versions suitable for spraying solvent-based finishes and oil paints.
There are two sources for these sprayers: Sherwin-Williams and everyone else. The models sold by Sherwin Williams are superior to the others, but the nozzles and attachments are NOT interchangeable. The Sherwin-Williams models are good (with rebuild) for about 100 gallons of paint; the other versions cannot be rebuilt and are good for about 50 gallons.
I reccomend the corded version from Sherwin-Williams. In addition to the sprayer, I suggest the following also be purchased:
1) Several quart-sized paint jars for the sprayer; this will let you stage beforehand;
2) A 20-gallon "parts washer" from Harbor Freight. This will ease your clean-ups. I'd fit this washer with a larger drain fitting as well;
3) A set of clothes, including shoes, dedicated to paint spraying; and,
4) Plenty of tarps, etc., to protect even more distant things from overspray.
The sprayers come with two different nozzles; Other sizes are available. Remember: If you buy the Sherwin-Williams model, you must go to them for the nozzles.
Batteries are Li-ion, and will become useless after a few years, no matter the storage conditions or amount of use. The batteries are not useful for any other tools.
If you choose to get the sprayer from someone other than Sherwin-Williams, I reccomend Portland Compressor. Great service and quick shipment.
Also invest in a product called "Pump Armor." After cleaning your sprayer, spray a small amount of this product through it before storage. It will protect the insides from rust.
Your post implies (e.g. hose, more psi) you are looking at something more than a little quart airless toy that reno talks about.
Them there little 'quart at a time' airless sprayers are a waste of $$, better, quicker, easier to use a brush or roller.
As for the 'good stuff':
I have a Graco Ultramax airless, and love it. (Piston type)
Also have a Wagner 8865? (diaphram) and it is very tempramental, have not used it since I got the ultramax.
Ultramax can throw 5 gallons of paint evenly on a wall in 10 minutes. The variable speed motor based on demand is nice.
Of course, one of those can be north of $2000 new, got mine at a garage sale for < 10% new price.
Look on CL or ebay if you 'really' want an airless, get something usefull vs. a useless toy.
Hints:
a. at first sign of uneven spray, use a new tip (after about 200 + gallons)
b. ALWAYS dissassemple ALL filters to clean. I only use the big ariless with latex, probably go thru 10 gal of water cleaning - after cleaning filters etc, genreally let the thing pump 8 or 9 gallons thru of clear water to be sure.
c. use a large inline filter, do not rely on just the small filter in the gun (of course, i use lots of surplus paint that is not always 100$ free of clunkers)
d. piston vsl diaphram.
e. keep a few tips and fiters on hand
f. I keep a clean bucket and pre filter paint thru a fine window screen into that bucket, seems to be always a few little chunks that miss getting mixed, esp on free CL paint !
g. did I mention wathcin CL for free paint? Have not bought latex paint for 20 years, typically have 200 or so galons in the sheds, so can mix/match for any color needed.
What type of projects are you primarily intending to spray with your airless and how often are you intending to use it? Also what is your budget?
Excellent advice
Thanks Reno and Junkhound. At the time I wrote this I was going to paint a couple decks and a small 600 sq ft. house. I just (yesterday) got a bid accepted for an 1100' HUD house and I have a rental that really needs painting so I am going to amend that to 'large' I am going to research everything you suggested but could you also give me your thoughts on painters that could draw from 5 gallons tubs. An Ultramax would be overkill. I'm looking entrylevel about $300. Also exactly what wears out, i.e., what needs rebuilding. Thanks, ahead
Rent
MOst professional paint supply stores rent good (probalby Graco) spray rigs. Let them worry about wear and tear and what needs to be rebuilt, etc. For your budget and your intended to use, have you considered renting?
Dont cheap out youll regret it
if you see yourself painting more in the future just know that you get what you pay for. Dont know anything about the graco sprayers. dont see many painters around here use then. Mostly titans, or airlescos.
titans for smaller more portable convenience, tall boys for volume.
I purchased an airlesco 540 tall boy for a steal and have never been able to outpaint it.
Renting not an option
Its a good idea but I'm up in Crestline, CA near Lake Arrowhead so there would be the problem of pick up and return. I've narrowed my choices down to Home Depot (easy on returns if things don't work, and 5 minutes away). And I get a 5% discount. Any thoughts on the graco X5 vs x7. $299 vs $369 vs $469 (for Graco Pro X7). I have two decks, small house, medium and big (1100 sq. ft.) to paint and then nothing until I buy something else. For me part of this is the thrill of owning a new tool even if I don't use it. I used to collect coins and stamps. It was a thrill to buy a new addition, even if it sits there. And I like Graco blue.
I use a Graco 495 MX II for larger airless jobs and a Titan 440 for smaller ones. Both are out of your budget new, but I've seen some 440's on Craigs List from time to time within your budget. I would check that out before buying new from H.D. If that doesn't pan out at least try to swing for the Graco brand over the others.
Junkhound, not sure what this means?
did I mention wathcin CL for free paint? Is there a source for free paint? Also: are there particular color/trim combinations that might sell better in a mountain town? Crestline is a town in a forest with every 'house' a unique one off design. Am I better off going with 'forest colors, i.e. green/brown forest colors or popping with something light blue house with cedar red deck. Thats off topic and not critical but I'm curious about opinions because I'll be re-painting a HUD house that has been sprayed with an absolutley unappealing mixture of leftover paints.
Size Does Matter
While I don't consider the quart-size sprayers as 'worthless,' I do admit they have their limits ... as does everything in this world.
In practice, the smaller sprayers are worthwhile for one room, or one side of the house, at a time. That translates to about 5 quarts of paint. Up to that point, the small sprayers have an advantage in maintenance, convenience, and operation.
After then, you need to clean hoses, etc. You're getting your paint in 5-gallon pails. You need to run hoses and extension cords. Etc.
Expense? There's no avoiding it ... things cost money. Every 'great deal' has been subsidized by someone else. There would soon be no used cars if no one ever bought new cars! Nor wioll folks make nice things if they can't make any money. I am constantly amazed at the folks who expect to make money for their efforts, yet seem to object when others profit.
You often get what you pay for - that's the effect of a free market. That's why no one has suggested you get the $35 Harbor Freight sprayer! Or, for that matter, anything by Wagner- that brand seems not to be what it once was.
Lost in all this sprayer talk is the much greater efforts you will need to control overspray and 'rebound.' This means a major investment in masking and containment. Cut corners, and soon you'll be paying for a parking lot of cars to visit the body shop, to have over-spray removed.
Yes, there is still a place for rollers and brushes. Spraying has the edge on open or rough surfaces. Painting stucco or ACB/ shake siding is a nightmare - unless you spray. You still often need to 'cut in' or touch up the border areas and the trim. Still, it's a lot easier to paint a ceiling if you can stand on the floor and spray!
Back about 1985 I painted our entire house with a Wagner "buzz bomb" quart unit. When I was done (used flat latex Olympic Overcoat paint which was pretty coarse and abrasive) the unit was junk, but got the house painted. (I forget how many nozzles I went through.)
(When I resided about 10 years later I used brush and roller, using Bennie Moore semigloss, and again used brush and roller to repaint 10 years after that.)
I'm recalling that one reason I tried the sprayer was that the house across the street was "professionally" painted by a crew who used a large hosed unit (unsure whether air or airless) a year or two prior. Got the entire job done in less than a day (though the quality left a bit to be desired). My memory is that my job went fairly fast, except that masking took more time than spraying, and cleaning and servicing the sprayer was a significant chore. (Of course I was younger then.)
Dan those sprayers are very useful when used for what they are intended. In your case its like racing an f-250 in a nascar race and labeling the truck as junk because it cant keep up.
paint sprayer
I had need to stain my cedar sided North Carolina house recently and decided to buy a spayer for the job. I did indeed go to Sherewin-Williams and bought a Graco sprayer for approx $700. I forget the model number but it was one of the least expensive ones there. SW stores that I am familiar with have good counter people who know their paint and equipment.
I got the needed tips, lube and cleaning solutions as well. I sprayed a solid stain. The hardest part was setting up the scaffolding and masking the windows, doors, etc.
Spraying was the easy part. Cleaning is a b*tch. Long time ago I had a Wagner, and if I had to put out a lot of paint/stain then the professional airless gun is the way to go.
All this was done after I got advice from a friend who is a painting contractor......drumroll please...........WHO BOUGHT THE SPRAYER/GUN FROM ME WHEN I WAS DONE. Win-win.
And since I sold it, nobody can ask me to borrow it or have me spray their project.
I've had a Graco X5 - the smaller unit - for about 8 years. I've sprayed out a number of houses, also I've done rooms and cabinets. I think it's a good DIY unit. It really depends on the gun and tip. The original gun failed out and I bought a Titan with a wide range of tips, and the results have been great.
A buddy of mine owns a painting company, and he told me to run paint-thinner mixed with some 30W motor oil through it after each use. It drives water out of of the compressor and lubricates it. The thing runs like new every time I use it. Also, you can get it serviced if needed.