A Handheld Paint Sprayer Can Make Quick Work of Painting Walls, Furniture, Fences and More
A handheld paint sprayer can make quick work of painting walls, furniture, fences and more. Until recently these guns were a tool of choice for professionals, but new technology has brought them within reach of do-it-yourselfers.
Before using a paint sprayer for a project, it’s important to practice on scrap wood or another material. This will help you understand the flow rates and thickness of coverage.
Power
Paint sprayers deliver a fine mist of paint, coating the surface evenly and quickly. They’re a must-have tool for professional painters and DIYers alike. They can make a big difference on projects that take longer with brushes or rollers, such as painting a house interior, exterior, or fence, and they work well over uneven surfaces.
But before you buy one, consider how you’ll use it. You’ll need to protect yourself from the paint spray and debris that can fly off the nozzle, so a mask and goggles are essential. You’ll also want to prepare the area before you start spraying, using TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) to wash surfaces or sand them down and stain or prime them if needed.
Sprayers come in different sizes, models and price tags. You’ll also need to decide whether you want a cordless/battery, electric or gas model. A gas-powered unit will need a refillable tank and may be heavier than an electric model, depending on how large a project you plan to do with it.
You can find handheld airless paint sprayers that run off a small motor and connect to a garden hose for easy cleanup, or you can get larger handheld models with an engine that handheld paint sprayer sits on a cart and holds a large tank of paint. Many can handle most types of paints and stains, though some may require thinning for thicker materials.
Portability
Paint sprayers save time by allowing users to apply even coats of paint with the press of a button. They can be used indoors or outdoors on a variety of materials. They come in a range of sizes and price points, making them a useful tool for DIYers, homeowners and professional painters alike. When shopping for a handheld sprayer, consider the size and scope of your project to help determine which model will work best for you.
For quick projects, the HomeRight HVLP model is a lightweight option that can easily stow away in a drawer or on a pegboard. It offers the ability to choose from two cup sizes, letting you tackle larger projects or smaller touch-ups. It also performs well in our tests, laying down smooth, even finishes on both water-based and oil-based paints. It is easy to use and set up, but it requires careful cleaning.
An airless model like the Graco Magnum X5 is an excellent choice for larger projects. It has a large paint reservoir and is portable, with swivel hardware on the airless hose at both the gun and pump attachment points for easy maneuvering. It also has an impressive amount of power, allowing you to tackle whole rooms and the exterior of your house with ease. It is more expensive than the cheapest models, but it provides superior performance and is ideal for semi-frequent large projects.
Control
A paint sprayer can be an excellent choice for home and craft projects like painting furniture. Compared to traditional brushes and rollers, it can provide a more consistent, smoother, and faster finish. However, it’s important to understand the different kinds of sprayers available before deciding whether or not this tool is the right fit for your application.
Handheld paint sprayers are usually airless machines that pump a fluid, such as a stain or varnish, through a small nozzle to atomize the material into a fine mist. They can be either cordless/battery or electric and are smaller, lighter, and easier to use than larger stationary airless machines. The size of the nozzle determines how large or small the spray pattern will be. This allows for precise control of the coating thickness.
Depending on the type of paint or stain being sprayed, there are several different tip sizes that can be used to adjust the size of the spray pattern. The tip size is identified by a number that denotes two factors – fan width and orifice diameter.
One important tip to remember when using a handheld sprayer is to always start and stop the machine off of the object you’re painting. This will prevent overspray in those areas that are being sprayed. This is particularly helpful for delicate objects that require a light touch.
Safety
The power that a handheld paint sprayer generates and the pressure of the fluid it pumps necessitates the use of safety equipment such as masks, gloves, eye protection and a respirator. Ventilation is also key, and you will want to segment off the area where you are painting so that overspray doesn’t travel into areas you don’t want painted.
Handheld airless spray guns can be used for a variety of small DIY residential projects, incorporating a motor, reservoir and nozzle into a portable footprint that can be easily maneuvered. Larger projects may call for a stationary airless bottle packing machine spray gun that combines the motor, compressor and tank into a cart or truck with wheels, so it can be moved to different areas of a project. Spray systems that are built into a bay or spray booth are permanent fixtures, allowing the applicator to be hose-tethered to the motor, compressor and reservoir but can only be operated within the confines of the spraying system.
Before you use any spraying equipment, make sure you read the manual and adhere to all manufacturer recommendations and cautions. It is also a good idea to practice on a piece of cardboard or similar surface to get a feel for the equipment and to determine the best pressure setting for your specific project. Be sure to keep a consistent speed as you move the sprayer across the surface and be aware of any noticeable runs, as these can indicate that the pressure is too high or that you are moving too quickly.
