An Easy Guide to Airless Paint Sprayers

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When speed of application is paramount, pro painters go for an airless paint sprayer. These sprayers work by pumping coatings through a tiny opening in the gun&#;s tip. The pressures are so high&#;up to 3,000 psi&#;that the paint explodes from the tip into a fine mist. Such pressures also allow these sprayers to work with coatings of any type, from thin stains to pudding-thick latexes, without any need to adjust their consistency. And because the droplets they generate are so tiny, airless sprayers are also able to lay down a flawless finish on broad surfaces like cabinets and doors. By contrast, the high-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) sprayers often marketed to DIYers atomize paint using low-pressure air streams. The bigger, slower-moving droplets they create are less likely to drift off as overspray&#;a plus for small jobs and detail work&#;but these sprayers&#; lower output makes them impractical for covering large expanses.

With the development of nimble, handheld airless sprayers, self-contained pump-and-tank combo units, and high-efficiency paint guns, this method of applying a finish isn&#;t just for pros anymore. Here&#;s the latest on airless units for homeowners.

Spraying power: Doors, shutters, latticework, balustrades&#;anything with a large surface area­ or hard-to-reach spots&#;are all good candidates for spray-painting.

Standard features

A. Spray tip
B. Spray tip guard
C. Prime pump/spray knob
D. Sprayer trigger
E. Paint cup
F. Power cord

Helpful upgrades

1. Refillable paint-cup liner
2. Onboard tip storage

Guide to airless paint sprayers

Handheld: Small-project champ

The details: This little sprayer is incredibly convenient for painting cabinets, built-ins, doors, shutters, even the trim in a room. And it sprays in any direction, even upside down. The variable-speed feature lets you adjust paint output to suit the size of your project and finish viscosity: slower for thinner finishes and less overspray, faster for thicker finishes on larger surfaces. A flexible, refillable plastic bag inside the paint cup holds the finish, which simplifies cleanup and reduces paint waste. Comes with two tips.

Graco TrueCoat 360 VSP Electric TrueAirless Sprayer

Max PSI: 1,500 variable speedMax output: 0.24 gpm
Tip size: 0.015 inchPaint-cup capacity: 42 fluid ounces
Weight: 4 poundsWarranty: 1 year
Price: $269; Graco

Combo unit: Airless made simple

The details: Pump and paint reservoir are integrated into one portable, gravity-fed unit that&#;s simple to prime and clean. Its reservoir has a cover to keep debris from falling into the finish. The spray gun uses proprietary technology that reduces overspray (and wasted paint) by up to 55 percent compared with conventional airless sprayers. This sprayer comes with a 515 tip (see &#;Choose the Right Spray Tip,&#;), and can be fitted with four other tips to apply a range of paints and stains.

Wagner Control Pro 130

Max PSI: 1,600MAX Output: 0.24 gpm
Max tip size: 0.015 inchTank capacity: 1.5 gallons
Horsepower: 0.375Hose: 25 feet
Weight: 9 poundsWarranty: 2 years
Price: $250; Wagner

Heavy duty: Great for big jobs

The details: You get all the features, and complexity, of a high-output airless sprayer used by painting pros. Like standard airless models, this one sucks paint out of a separate bucket, but unlike those sprayers, it creates about half as much overspray. That makes it easier to get even coverage with less waste. Comes equipped with a 517 tip with a 10-inch spray pattern. You have a choice of three other tips, for stains (transparent and solid color), primers, and paints (oil- and water-based).

Titan Control Max SprayerMax PSI: 1,500

Max output: 0.33 gpmMax tip size: 0.017 inch
Horsepower: 0.60Hose: 30 feet
Weight: 22.25 poundsWarranty: 2 years
Price: $379; Titan

Technique basics: How to paint like a pro

Get ready: Cover or mask off any surfaces that don&#;t need paint. Put on safety glasses and an appropriate respirator. Wait until wind is calm before spraying outdoors. Prime the pump and spray into a bucket to check for clogs. Test spray a big paper sheet. If coverage isn&#;t even, dial back the pressure.

Ian Worpole

Step 1: Hold the gun perpendicular to and about a foot from the surface. Aim off to the side; squeeze the trigger.

Step 2: Move the gun quickly in a straight pass, parallel to the surface. Turn your wrist to keep the gun at a right angle to the surface.

Step 3: Release the trigger after the gun passes the opposite edge.

Ian Worpole

Step 4: Continuing to hold the gun at a right angle to the surface, overlap each pass by 50 percent. Always keep the gun moving while the trigger is pulled; not doing so can lead to drips, runs, and uneven buildup.

Courtesy Wagner

Key to spraying success: Choose the right spray tip

Paint sprayer tips determine how much coating comes out. To reach the sweet spot between application speed and good control, choose a tip size that&#;s compatible with the viscosity of the coating being sprayed. Tips with smaller openings&#;0.009 to 0.013 inch&#;work best with thin stains, while thicker paints and primers call for tips in the 0.015- to 0.017-inch range. The last two digits embossed on a tip indicate its hole size. The first embossed digit, when doubled, tells you the width of the spray fan, in inches. For example, if that first number is 5, then the width of the spray is 10 inches, give or take an inch or two. The actual width depends on the pump pressure and the material being sprayed.

Troubleshooting sprayer problems

&#; Rounded spray pattern instead of a narrow stripe:&#;
Tip is worn and should be replaced.

&#; Uneven spray pattern:
Pump pressure is too low, or tip size is too big.

&#; Too much overspray/paint doesn&#;t stick to surface:
Turn down the pressure.

&#; Paint sputters from gun/no paint comes out:
The sprayer is clogged at some point. To clear the tip, twist it 180 degrees and spray into a bucket. If the gun sprays, turn tip back to the operating position. If it doesn&#;t, clean the filter in the gun and on the end of the suction tube, then try again.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit toolsbox.

TOH Pro Tip: Spray-gun safety

&#;To keep a sprayer from accidentally driving paint under your skin (a poisoning hazard), always engage the gun&#;s trigger lock when not in use.&#; &#;Chris Ermides, host, Tool Lab

In this article we&#;ll walk through what is a paint sprayer, when should you use a sprayer, the different types of paint sprayers, and the features to consider when purchasing so you can set yourself up for success.

Overview

If you have an upcoming painting or staining project planned you might be asking yourself how to paint your project, what&#;s the best way to paint the project, and if a paint sprayer should be used. In this article we&#;ll walk through what is a paint sprayer, when should you use a sprayer, the different types of paint sprayers, and the features to consider when purchasing so you can set yourself up for success.

What is a Paint Sprayer?

Paint sprayers can often be used in place of paint brushes, paint rollers, or spray cans to quickly apply paint or stain to a surface with a consistent finish. Unlike these other tools, paint sprayers use electricity, gas, an air compressor or battery power to run. Paint is generally added to the sprayer container or pulled directly from the paint can and then sprayed out of the nozzle or tip. There are a wide range of sprayers which vary in power level, adjustability, price and intended use.

What are the Different Types of Sprayers?

There are several different types of sprayers and it&#;s important to select the right kind for your intended project. The three common types of sprayers include:

• Airless
• High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP)
• Pneumatic sprayers

Each sprayer will vary on the types of materials it can use and its intended projects so it&#;s important to read the product details for each sprayer.

Great for small to medium sized projects. They use high volume, low pressure technology to atomize materials into fine particles and provide a smooth, professional quality finish on your projects. There is a wide selection of these sprayers which vary in price, adjustability, ease of use and power level.

Projects: Small to Medium

• Small decks
• Rooms
• Furniture
• Cabinets
• Trim
• Crafts
• Décor

Great for medium to large sized projects. They work by pumping out paint through a pressurized hose and fanning miniscule droplets to evenly coat the surface. Airless sprayers are generally more powerful to handle thicker paints/primers and spray faster with more gallons per minute than other sprayers to help get large projects completed quickly.

Projects: Medium to Large

• Home exterior
• Fence
• Deck
• Barn
• Interior walls and ceilings
• Unfinished rooms

Pneumatic Air Sprayers:

Great for small to medium sized projects. They use compressed air to apply paint to a surface, producing a smooth, even finish. Unlike airless or HVLP sprayers, these sprayers require a separate air compressor. 

Projects: Small to Medium

• Furniture
• Cabinets
• Trim
• Automotive

What Sprayers Does Wagner Offer?

Wagner offers several different sprayer models to suit your project needs. These include:

• Control QX Series: These HVLP stain sprayers are perfect for applying a fresh coat of stain on small to medium sized decks, fences or patio furniture.
• FLEXiO Series: These HVLP paint and stain sprayers are great for spraying small to medium sized decks, furniture, cabinets, sheds, or even interior walls.
• High Efficiency Airless Series: These Control Pro High Efficiency Airless Sprayers are ideal for tackling large projects with unthinned paint or stain. They cover large areas quickly with 55% less overspray compared to other airless sprayers.

When Should I Use a Paint Sprayer?

A paint sprayer is versatile and can often be used for a wide variety of projects depending on the capability of the sprayer that you choose. A few project examples might include&#;

Interior/Exterior Spaces

Accomplish big projects quickly in a fraction of the time

• Home Exterior
• Large buildings
• Fences
• Decks
• Room makeovers
• Walls 
• Ceilings

Furniture

Achieve a nice, smooth surface without brush or roller marks

• Kitchen tables and chairs
• Outdoor patio sets
• Dressers
• Bed frame
• Buffets
• Hutches
• Lamps and décor
• Spindles
• Curvy and/or intricate pieces

Woodworking

Take your woodworking projects to the next level

• Cabinets
• Trim
• Molding
• Intricate woodworking projects
• Handmade DIY&#;s

What Features Should I Consider When Purchasing a Sprayer?

Each sprayer will offer unique features and benefits. Start by reading the product information when selecting a sprayer or use our product selector to see which features it offers and determine which features are necessary for your project needs. Here are a few important features to consider&#;

Adjustable Models

Sprayers can offer adjustable settings to suit project size, material compatibility, and spraying speed. Some of these settings include:

• Flow control: How much paint you want to come out of the spray nozzle
• Pattern control: The shape of the spray pattern. Typically vertical, horizontal and/or circular
• Pump or turbine speed: Controls how fast the coating is supplied to the spray   nozzle
• Interchangeable spray tips (for airless sprayers): For different coatings and/or increased productivity

Power Level

Sprayers have varying power levels which will allow them to spray thicker/thinner materials at different rates of speed.

Power Option

Paint sprayers can be powered in different ways, including: Cordless/battery, Electric and Gas.

Style of Sprayer

• Direct feed: Pulls material directly from a 1 or 5 gallon paint container
• Pressure fed cup: Pulls paint from a cup attached to the sprayer
• Hopper: Paint is poured into the sprayer hopper, which is then pulled through the hose to the gun

Portability

Depending on your project, you might want the weight of the sprayer on the ground, in your hand, or on wheels.

• Stationary Sprayers: Turbine remains on the ground and is connected to a hose with the spray cup or spray gun
• Handheld Sprayers: Turbine and sprayer are connected and in your hand
• Cart Design: Sprayer is on wheels and portable to easily move from job to job

Cleaning

Finally, all sprayers will need to be cleaned after use. Some are more complex than others depending on the amount of parts that need to be cleaned.

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