A paint sprayer is a great way to save time when you are about to begin a large-scale painting project.
Sprayers may not be necessary for all jobs, but they do have their place.
This guide will cover everything I know about these devices. It includes my favourite accessories, painting tips and a list of sprayers that I consider great.
To learn more about sprayers, before you see the spray list, please use the menu to skip to our buying guide.
You might be wondering what a paint sprayer is.
The Best Paint Sprayer
These are not the cans you use to spray paint. Paint sprayers are also known as paint guns. They spray paint efficiently and quickly.
The paint sprayer is an advanced version of the airbrush and a more artistic tool. Paint sprayers are heavy-duty and can be used to complete home improvements or other similar tasks. It can be tiring to use the brush/roller method.
Ghosts will visit people who use paint rollers to decorate their homes. This is a lesson from movies. Mean ghosts.
You can do much more with a paint sprayer than just spraying it at evil spirits. It can turn long, boring painting sessions into shorter, more enjoyable events. You might even find it a little bit fun!
Read Also: Best Paint Sprayer under 200$
Are I really going to need a paint sprayer?
This is the first thing to do if your job is large. A paint sprayer may be necessary. Spray guns work by using a compressing unit that pulls the paint from a basin and pumps it through thenozzle to spray the paint onto the surface. It’s fast, simple, and efficient. If you are looking for a quick and easy way to save time, these are the guys for you.
- Covering a large surface like the barn’s broad side.
- You want to paint furniture. A paint gun can easily spray difficult areas like corners and crevices. If you are looking to go crazy fast, try using a brush to paint a cranny.
What are the reasons to not use a paint sprayer?
If:
- This is a small job that can be done easily with a brush. It can be difficult to set up the sprayer, so they are better suited for longer projects.
- If you are limited on paint or have a tight budget. Paint sprayers are not suited for micro-managing. They use a lot of paint.
- Preparation is not necessary. You will need to tape or cover many surfaces if you spray paint. Sprayers can sometimes be a bit messy.
- You don’t feel the cleanin’. After you are done spraying, paint sprayers will need to be cleaned up. You can save time if the project is large. If it is not, you will waste your time cleaning up.
Different types of paint sprayers
Airless Paint Sprayers
These paint sprayers can be motor-power and are very powerful. Paint is spray from airless sprayers at very high pressure to create thick coatings.
These units spray paint in a fan-like form, which gives surfaces an even coat. This means that you will need to apply fewer coats. We like the idea of less work.
The flow can’t be adjust, so you can get thick or thin coats. Your next-best choice is to use a different tip on your airless sprayer.
The airless sprayer can spray thicker paints than other types.
An airless sprayer is a good choice for painting decks, fences and large walls as well as the exteriors of houses. These are big projects you need to complete quickly. Avoid smaller projects or those that require more care.
One word of caution: Although all paint sprayers should be handled with care, airless sprayers are more dangerous. The intense pressure can cause the skin to break and paint to get into the bloodstream.
In case you were curious, no paint should enter your bloodstream. If this were to happen, you would need immediate medical attention. Be careful, folks.
Sprayers for compressed air paint using pneumatic/compressed air
This is the most popular type of paint sprayer. The pneumatic model uses compressed air to propel paint. This one, like the airless model, produces a smooth and even coat. These are great for large furniture and household items that require a smooth finish. It is smoother than a wall or ceiling.
They can also adjust naturally, unlike airless sprayers. They are versatile which is always a positive thing. Although they are more difficult to use, this can be overcome with some practice.
Pneumatic paint sprayers can also be messy. They produce overspray (see overspray section), and use the most paint.
Good news! They are cheap. They are cheap, at least by paint sprayer standards. You can use an existing air compressor if you don’t need it for some reason.
High-Volume Low-Pressure Sprayers
It’s quite a list. This is commonly referred to by “HVLP”, as it’s an alternative to the compressed-air sprayers. The latter tend to be heavy on the overspray. Although HVLP sprayers are more expensive, they don’t have overspray issues. These sprayers propel paint particles through large volumes of air, moving slowly but precisely.
These things are accurate. Expect a smooth, clean coat that allows you to add lots of detail. Do you need less cleaning? Yes. HVLP paint sprayers are great for projects of a more complex nature. These details can be achieved with great precision.
They are also less expensive than the pneumatic option and use less paint. You’ll be able to break even and save money if you paint frequently (like, really often).
You might be wondering about the negatives. HVLP paint sprayers can be slow as molasses. Or a slug. They are not the best choice for large-scale projects such as house exteriors and long hallways. A slug wouldn’t paint your hallway. This analogy is a bit stale.
You can adjust the settings of HVLPs to suit your needs.
The pros and cons of handheld paint sprayers
Pros
- These handheld sprayers can be carried around easily. It’s amazing, don’t you think? These units are lightweight and compact, making them easy to use. It’s easy to transport and is not hard on the wrists. This is a plus because paint sprayers can be very heavy.
- You can quickly spray paint in tighter areas with handheld paint sprayers. This is where the cordless handheld sprayers are especially useful. You don’t want to trip over cords.
- The handheld units are typically cheaper than the average paint sprayer making them an excellent choice for those on a tight budget.
- Most handheld models can be adjust, so you don’t have to buy a lot of accessories. It’s simple and straightforward.
Cons
- There are many knockoffs available on the market for handheld units. This is why you need to be cautious. They are cheap, but they can be unreliable and costly to replace.
- You could end up with a poor-quality model that doesn’t work as it should if you don’t do your research. While a budget is important, don’t put too much emphasis on it. You get what you pay for!
- The smaller models are more powerful than sprayers. A handheld sprayer may not be the best choice if you have a large project.
- Because they are not able to hold a lot at once, most sprayers need to be refill at an annoying rate. It is not ideal to have to stop work every now and again to refill the sprayer.