Painting is as DIY-friendly as it gets, but if you’re using a plain old paintbrush, projects can get messy and time-consuming.
That’s why a paint sprayer is a favorite power tool at the Good Housekeeping Institute — especially with those of our experts who are known to change paint colors, from cabinets to accent walls, the way most people switch out throw pillows.
Paint sprayers are also great for outdoor surfaces, like fences, decks or home exteriors, and for craft projects, like refinishing a picture frame or piece of furniture.
A paint sprayer is one of the most practical choices for small or big painting projects. Here are some tips for using a paint sprayer to ensure the best results.
Buying guide for paint sprayers
– GPM. Gallons per minute, or GPM, is the measure of how much paint your sprayer uses. A lower paint consumption rate is good for small projects, while the opposite is true for larger jobs.
– Spray tips. The size and shape of your sprayer tip affects the type of paint or material you’ll be able to use. The largest size they come in is 0.017″, which is suitable for thick latex paints. A tip with an adjustable spray pattern is also recommended, as this means you don’t have to turn your sprayer to adjust the flow of paint as you paint.
– Pressure rating, or PSI. Small area projects such as cabinets, doors, decks and complex surfaces (such as custom furniture) benefit from low pressure sprayers, typically less than 100 PSI (pounds per square inch of pressure). This helps avoid spraying excess material where you don’t want it.
Choose the Right Paint Sprayer
Selecting the appropriate paint sprayer is crucial for a smooth, quick, and quality finish. So, before picking a paint sprayer, have a look at its types:
- Airless Paint Sprayers
Airless paint sprayers are the most popular ones due to their advanced features. They use pressurized force to deliver a large volume of paint quickly. Moreover, they can paint at a speed of a half gallon to 2 gallons a minute. They are preferred because of their compact design, affordable pricing, and fewer setup requirements.
They are perfect for interiors and house siding. For example, A VEVOR Stand Airless Paint Sprayer Electric Paint Sprayer Machine 7/8 HP 110V is multifunctional. It helps to paint indoors, outdoors, fences, and furniture with high precision and speed.
Moreover, you can control the flow between 500 PSI to 2900 PSI between multiple modes. It is best to paint very low, hidden, or high places as the design is user-friendly. With self-cleaning features, it is the top choice among users.
- High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) sprayers
High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) sprayers are best for small-scale objects which require precision and high accuracy. It uses airflow and paint volume controls for quick and even paintings.
They are preferred for touching up and addressing small needs. However, you can opt for a lightweight, stable model to avoid fatigue. Also, they are not the best option for thick paint, such as latex, as they can cause clogging. So, you must consider a thinner and read the requirements for perfect use.
To test the paint sprayer:
- Fill the sprayer’s reservoir with the paint.
- Now, collect scrap cardboard or fallen-off scraps of walls.
- Start spraying the paint on cardboard or scraps of walls and learn how to control settings.
- Practice vertical and horizontal spraying to know the difference.
- Remember that keeping nozzles near cardboard will give a thick, narrow spray pattern.
- On the other hand, if you position the spray nozzle far from the cardboard, there will be a thin coating and a wider spray pattern.
- An ideal distance is twelve inches from your target surface for a flawless finish.
VEVOR Stand Airless Electric Paint Sprayer Machine
– Many uses: Whether your next big spray project is indoors or outdoors, you’ll be ready for walls, furniture, fences, cabinets, sheds, yards and more. Suitable for a wide range of water-based or oil-based paints such as latex, chalk, stain, sealer, varnish, etc. The 24.6ft / 7.5m hose is long enough to easily reach all your projects. Get ready to tackle any painting job around the house!
– Great time saver: Tired of coming up short? Our 7/8HP 650W motor is designed to work more efficiently, spraying faster than a roller or brush and saving DIY homeowners a lot of time. With a recommended annual use of 125 gal/year and a maximum speed of 0.24GPM, this machine delivers a softer spray while aiming for a more consistent finish.
– Adjustable flow control: The output pressure can be adjusted with a control valve knob to suit your different spraying requirements. It ranges from 500PSI to 2900PSI between multiple modes. It can also save you money on paint by eliminating messy paint spills by up to 55%. The durable piston pump can spray unthinned paint at high pressure, which means users can draw paint directly from the gun. Don’t let the pressure get to you. You are in control!
– Reach higher than ever: You get a 517 tip and an 11.8in / 30cm tip extension wand. Our Electric Stand Airless Sprayer is designed to extend your reach and reduce fatigue when spraying high, low or recessed areas. Ceilings, soffits, high walls, overhangs, decks and other places just out of spray reach are no longer a challenge. Put your ladder and scaffolding away, you can do it!
Maintaining the Paint Sprayers
Maintaining the paint sprayer is crucial for its long life. For this, avoid storing paint in the reservoir for a long duration. Always clean the machine thoroughly after the application.
Luckily, modern paint sprayers like VEVOR Stand Airless Paint Sprayer Electric Paint Sprayer Machine 7/8 HP 110V can be cleaned easily. You must run a water or solvent-cleaning solution through the sprayer until all paint or stains are removed. Additionally, it comes with a cleaning set which is a bonus.
Wrapping Up
Thorough knowledge of paint sprayer machines, paints, and techniques is very useful. It will help you get a smooth finish, and the paint will stay intact for years. So, invest in a good machine, and know the techniques and tips before starting your painting project.
Also, having test runs is very important. An airless paint sprayer like VEVOR Stand Airless Paint Sprayer Electric Paint Sprayer Machine is an excellent choice because it is fast, multifunctional, affordable, advanced, and very future-forward. After practicing a few test runs, you can get familiar with the machine easily. So, follow this guide and bring your imagination to the real world.
When do I need to use a spraying unit?
A sprayer is probably your best choice if you have large areas to cover. It’s quicker than a brush or roller and can also cover imperfections and details extremely well. While some interior painting projects (such as large walls or cupboards) may make sense for a sprayer, you’ll definitely want to consider a sprayer for exterior painting projects.
How does a sprayer work?
Pressure or air is used to atomise paint, creating a mist that is applied with a sweeping motion of the spray gun. The specific mechanism depends on the type of sprayer you’re considering. Airless sprayers use a motor to pressurise paint and force it through a tiny nozzle at the tip of the gun. Typically, a hose draws directly from a paint can. HVLP and compression spray guns use air to atomise the paint.
The type of finish you need on your painting project, along with overspray considerations and budget, will determine which type of spray gun is best for your project.
What type of paint are you going to use in a paint sprayer?
Oil-based paints and stains can be used in a paint sprayer, including HVLP models. If you’re planning to use a latex-based paint, you can take advantage of the smooth, even coverage of a gun by choosing an airless sprayer. It’s also possible to use latex paint in an HVLP sprayer, but you’ll need to dilute the paint, which can give mixed results.
