Decent latex paint spray guns?

[Sumboodie]

I have a Graco X5 and while it's fine for painting a large job, like a house, it wastes a tremendous amount on smaller jobs. And a big job to clean.

Example last year I painted a 1000 gallon tank using it. Took 2 GALLONS and barely had enough for 2 coats. And it zebra striped and dry coated some.
I repainted it 2 weeks ago (expensive paint I used wasn't very good.. was apparently designed as a primer) and only used about 2 QUARTS. Put 3 fairly thick coats on with a foam roller.

Painted the man doors and 2 truck doors on the place last week as well as gas meter, power conduit, boiler piping . Used a Kobalt air "latex paint" gun. Keeps trying to load some app... so...
lowes part number 220964

Used about 2.25 gallons total, probably 300ish sq feet. 2 coats.

Gun worked, but kept plugging and spraying poorly.
I ended up redoing the man door with a roller as it had like 4 different areas of scheen and just did the truck doors with a roller and 10ft pole.

 

[cgrutt]

I have a Graco handheld airless sprayer that works OK for smaller projects capacity is only about a quart though. If project is bigger than that (gallon or more) I generally hand paint or use a larger machine.

 

[jar944]

All sprayers "waste" paint compared to a brush or roller, even hvlp.

 

[dnschmidt]

You can use a regular spray gun that in autobody is used for polyester primer. The gravity cup will typically only hold about 600ml of material which is fine for small jobs. Spray guns that will do this job typically have a tip size of 2.2-2.5mm as SlickSand has the same viscosity as a good latex paint.

 

[Sumboodie]

All sprayers "waste" paint compared to a brush or roller, even hvlp.8

Sure, but that Graco has a crazy amount of waste.

With paint being $60-70 a gallon, not exactly want to waste much.

 

[BTL-A4]

That Kobalt gun has a 1.4mm tip, maybe it's too small for latex? It states it's designed specifically for latex, but I've found that paint from a can is usually pretty thick. Even when I thin it with water, it still clogs the tip.
What about a Wagner Power Painter or some other airless spray gun? One comes with a 2.5mm tip.

 

[niget2002]

I spray latex through a HVLP. You have to thin it some and use Flotrol so it flows better. Get the largest tip you can for your gun. I think my current latex gun is a Husky from HomeDepot.

 

[The Cobbler]

any atomizing spray gun will cause a lot of overspray. the best would be an airless sprayer , very little overspray with them

 

[Sumboodie]

any atomizing spray gun will cause a lot of overspray. the best would be an airless sprayer , very little overspray with them

Graco X5 is and it has a TON of overspray. Plus needs like a quart just to prime.

Fine for painting a big job, but for something like a gas meter or man door it would be a ton of waste.

 

[Sumboodie]

That Kobalt gun has a 1.4mm tip, maybe it's too small for latex? It states it's designed specifically for latex, but I've found that paint from a can is usually pretty thick. Even when I thin it with water, it still clogs the tip.
What about a Wagner Power Painter or some other airless spray gun? One comes with a 2.5mm tip.

I didn't thin it, no info on can on thinning and at $66 a gallon, and only ~8 hours to get the job done didn't want to try.
Have had it not dry before or stay tacky for weeks.

Oh, and apparently bought the last gallon at the store. Had to buy 2 dust covered quarts to finish and those cost more than a whole gallon!

But I can get cheap guns with like 2.2 tips.
The latex gun I've had for many years. Actually have 2, not sure why. Just remember the last time I used it that it wasn't very good.

I paint as little as possible, it's a pain and info on the right way is impossible... ask 5 painters and get 12 answers.
Only reason I sprayed was the door had a bunch of not flat areas which would have been tough to not make a mess with a brush... least for me.

 

[scooby074]

I have a Graco airless and agree just priming the thing costs $50. It really isnt efficient for anything short of a whole house.

What about the Graco TC series? Combines the quality of the Graco pump and nozzle tip with minimal waste and cordless is a bonus.

TC Pro Cordless Handheld Airless Sprayer

Canada equivalent part number CAN166

www.graco.com

 

[tarbellb]

I've just bought the purple wonder gun (HVLP) and drilled out the tip to the appropriate size and thinned as needed.

While I hate paying $60+ a gallon, latex is on the cheaper side of paint and spraying = waste

This is from someone who also avoids painting and only enjoys it when things are setup and going smoothly

 

[Sumboodie]

I have a Graco airless and agree just priming the thing costs $50. It really isnt efficient for anything short of a whole house.

What about the Graco TC series? Combines the quality of the Graco pump and nozzle tip with minimal waste and cordless is a bonus.

TC Pro Cordless Handheld Airless Sprayer

Canada equivalent part number CAN166

www.graco.com

Probably but I'm looking at like $50ish area, not $650. Have no need for it to be cordless, I've never painted that I didn't have air and power close by.

The 2.2 air guns are like $30.

 

[danski0224]

What about the Graco TC series? Combines the quality of the Graco pump and nozzle tip with minimal waste and cordless is a bonus.

Lots of bad reviews, very few good ones.

 

[GeoBruin]

Graco TrueCoat 360-Handheld Cordless Connect Drill Paint Sprayer with Small Project Cup 26D362 - The Home Depot https://share.google/Vw5nkQ2iC6SuYCtGX

Been thinking about trying one of these. I've been thinning and spraying with an hvlp lately and it works but it would be nice not have to thin the paint.

 

[Sumboodie]

Graco TrueCoat 360-Handheld Cordless Connect Drill Paint Sprayer with Small Project Cup 26D362 - The Home Depot https://share.google/Vw5nkQ2iC6SuYCtGX

Been thinking about trying one of these. I've been thinning and spraying with an hvlp lately and it works but it would be nice not have to thin the paint.

I used Behr Marquis and had no info on thinning on the jug so I didn't try.

 

[GeoBruin]

I used Behr Marquis and had no info on thinning on the jug so I didn't try.

It's mostly been trial and error but I've used a lot of PPG Breakthrough lately and I'll cut it with 10% water by volume and then add the Xim extender because that stuff dries crazy fast.

I use a 2.0 tip.

 

[Steve_P]

I use a HF HVLP gun with the tip drilled out. I don't remember what size I ended up with, but I used miniature bits and a pin vise and enlarged it by hand in small steps. Even with the tip significantly enlarged, I still dilute the paint with water. Yes, there's overspray, but it's not that bad IMO when compared to the time savings, especially painting shutters. For shutters, I use the small touchup gun. I bought multiple tips from the HF parts department years ago, they shipped directly from China, and drilled them out for automotive primer and also house paint.

 

[dscheidt]

I just sprayed a bunch of trim with the cheap self-contained HF HVLP rig. Turned out great. It was $40 with a coupon, I think. I sprayed whatever semi gloss benny moore the local Ace sold me, probably Ben (which ***** to put on with a brush or roller). Had to thin it a lot to go through the viscosity cup fast enough. I did two coats in two colors, so I got to clean it a bunch, easy enough if you have lots of running water. It made a horrible messy overspray, but the volume of paint in the overspray is really pretty small. I am sure I'm part of the problem there, too, since it was the first time I'd ever used an hvlp setup of any sort.

 

[goblue1998]

I painted a bunch of cabinet doors with a used turbine hvlp setup. Worked great spraying a latex enamel without thinning. I also invested in a spray tent. The tent was great for a minimal investment of like $60.

Keep in mind both a gravity feed gun using an air compressor and a turbine fed gun can both be called hvlp. The turbine sprayers can handle thicker paint without thinning. Mine is a 4 or 5 stage turbine.

 

[Sumboodie]

I'm going to try a cheap gun with larger tip.

I bought that Graco x5 based if recommendations on here I think. Definitely wasted my money on it.

Actually bought it to paint the doors. Rolling them was far easier. Minimal masking too.

Only negative is the door seams sealed up in a few spots so I need to run a knife.

 

[TailGunner3000]

If you're in it for the long term, the Graco Ultra QuickShot might be the way to go. It's cordless ( uses Dewalt batteries) ) and designed for smaller painting projects like furniture and cabinet painting. But it's sure spendy...around $1500 as I recall.

 

[pcmeiners]

Have $3000 Super Bee unit and a Graco x7, the Graco sits in a box used once.

With a 50 foot hose it take only a pint of paint to load the machine/hose with paint. If handled correctly there is little paint lost to over spray. Biggest draw back to airless is prep time, cleanup time and difficulty repairing airless's smooth finish.

 

[signcrafter]

I have a Graco X5 and while it's fine for painting a large job, like a house, it wastes a tremendous amount on smaller jobs. And a big job to clean.

Example last year I painted a 1000 gallon tank using it. Took 2 GALLONS and barely had enough for 2 coats. And it zebra striped and dry coated some.
I repainted it 2 weeks ago (expensive paint I used wasn't very good.. was apparently designed as a primer) and only used about 2 QUARTS. Put 3 fairly thick coats on with a foam roller.

Painted the man doors and 2 truck doors on the place last week as well as gas meter, power conduit, boiler piping . Used a Kobalt air "latex paint" gun. Keeps trying to load some app... so...
lowes part number 220964

Used about 2.25 gallons total, probably 300ish sq feet. 2 coats.

Gun worked, but kept plugging and spraying poorly.
I ended up redoing the man door with a roller as it had like 4 different areas of scheen and just did the truck doors with a roller and 10ft pole.

Sure, but that Graco has a crazy amount of waste.

With paint being $60-70 a gallon, not exactly want to waste much.

Have $3000 Super Bee unit and a Graco x7, the Graco sits in a box used once.

With a 50 foot hose it take only a pint of paint to load the machine/hose with paint. If handled correctly there is little paint lost to over spray. Biggest draw back to airless is prep time, cleanup time and difficulty repairing airless's smooth finish.

Just curious how much experience you have with airless sprayers? I have a couple and yes they do overspray but not like you are saying. It shouldn't be wasting that much paint. Yes you have to buy extra to prime the hose but not that much extra and when done you recoup most of the hose paint by returning it to the paint pail till water comes out. Was your graco bought new? Are you using the right tip or is the tip blown out? Are you setting your pressure correctly on the pump? Holding the gun correctly when spraying? Streaking and dry coating sounds like operator error to me, same if you are getting that much overspray.

A graco truecoat sounds like it would work good for you, I have one and use it for littler projects. Have to reload the cup but doesn't take paint to prime. But if you're looking to spend 30-50 bucks I would just keep using rollers.

Also behr marquee is junk paint so you're setting yourself up for failure right off the bat. Depending on the paint I'm usually paying 25-50 bucks a gallon at sherwin williams under my commercial account.

 

[Sumboodie]

Just curious how much experience you have with airless sprayers? I have a couple and yes they do overspray but not like you are saying. It shouldn't be wasting that much paint. Yes you have to buy extra to prime the hose but not that much extra and when done you recoup most of the hose paint by returning it to the paint pail till water comes out. Was your graco bought new? Are you using the right tip or is the tip blown out? Are you setting your pressure correctly on the pump? Holding the gun correctly when spraying? Streaking and dry coating sounds like operator error to me, same if you are getting that much overspray.

A graco truecoat sounds like it would work good for you, I have one and use it for littler projects. Have to reload the cup but doesn't take paint to prime. But if you're looking to spend 30-50 bucks I would just keep using rollers.

Also behr marquee is junk paint so you're setting yourself up for failure right off the bat. Depending on the paint I'm usually paying 25-50 bucks a gallon at sherwin williams under my commercial account.

Yeah, sure it is. The internet highly disagrees with you. "Junk"... as if.

Have used Shermin Williams and Rodda and neither did any better or worse, are a PITA to get, stores are a drive out and only open banker's hours, and even more expensive. Not getting an account when I buy house paint maybe once every 5 years.

 

[signcrafter]

Yeah, sure it is. Ask 10 "painters" and get 12 answers on what is good and what is "junk"

Whatever works for you, or in this case isn't working for you. Ask 10 real painters where they get their paint from and not one will say home depot.

 

[Sumboodie]

Whatever works for you, or in this case isn't working for you. Ask 10 real painters where they get their paint from and not one will say home depot.

Worked just fine for me. Was no problem with the paint.

Last Shermin Williams i used was so waterery thin it ended up taking like 5 coats to mostly cover... with a roller. Burgundy red over grey primer.
Reminded me of the ultra cheap rattle can paint that is like water colors.

 

[signcrafter]

Worked just fine for me. Was no problem with the paint.

Last Shermin Williams i used was so waterery thin it ended up taking like 5 coats to mostly cover... with a roller. Burgundy red over grey primer.
Reminded me of the ultra cheap rattle can paint that is like water colors.

Ok if you say so, I have the exact opposite experience and buy 15-20,000 in paint a year.

I was trying to help you with your sprayer issues but you didn't answer any questions about that and just want to debate paint brands. Good luck with your projects.

 

[Sumboodie]

Ok if you say so, I have the exact opposite experience and buy 15-20,000 in paint a year.

I was trying to help you with your sprayer issues but you didn't answer any questions about that and just want to debate paint brands. Good luck with your projects.

There's no questions and I never brought up paint being an issue.

Please go away!

 

[signcrafter]

There's no questions and I never brought up paint being an issue.

Please go away!

I asked questions about your graco sprayer problems trying to help you. Funny how only one of us has issues with sprayers. Again, good luck on your projects. I will gladly go away and update my blocked list.

 

[The Cobbler]

Burgundy red over grey primer.

that colour is one of the worst covering . I guess it's to do with the red pigments and since lead was taken out of paint, coverage was one of the ideals of using lead .

 

[danski0224]

Last Shermin Williams i used was so waterery thin it ended up taking like 5 coats to mostly cover... with a roller. Burgundy red over grey primer.

Should have had the primer tinted to closely match the paint.

And if the primer was already there, long before the color choice, it would have been beneficial to re-prime with tinted primer.

 

[Sumboodie]

I asked questions about your graco sprayer problems trying to help you. Funny how only one of us has issues with sprayers. Again, good luck on your projects. I will gladly go away and update my blocked list.

Yes it's new.

 

[pcmeiners]

As to paint quality there is NO paint brand which maintains the same quality throughout all its paint levels, or the same quality year after year. Consumers reports gave some levels of Sherwin William paint a lack luster report so paint quality/features can vary for any manufacturer .

 

[The Cobbler]

I've always had good luck with Sherwin Williams paints . that was my go to when I did contracting repairs. Now I use Home Hardware house brand paint. they have their own paint factory and I am having good luck with it

 

[danski0224]

This one looks really interesting.

Ultra QuickShot Airless Sprayer

www.graco.com

 

[Sumboodie]

that colour is one of the worst covering . I guess it's to do with the red pigments and since lead was taken out of paint, coverage was one of the ideals of using lead .

The Marquise (or whatever they call it) worked well. I painted over white and was fairly close to being 1 coat.

This one looks really interesting.

Ultra QuickShot Airless Sprayer

www.graco.com

$1300

 

[danski0224]

$1300

Yup.

But if it works, I think it's worth it.

Would be perfect for painting cabinets and doors. Maybe not for production use... but certainly more than homeowner grade.

The cheaper cordless one with a cup on a drill looking sprayer has awful reviews.

A 4 or 6 turbine HVLP is the same or more. And a LOT noisier.

 

[Sumboodie]

Yup.

But if it works, I think it's worth it.

Would be perfect for painting cabinets and doors. Maybe not for production use... but certainly more than homeowner grade.

The cheaper cordless one with a cup on a drill looking sprayer has awful reviews.

A 4 or 6 turbine HVLP is the same or more. And a LOT noisier.

The cabinets aren't even worth that much!

 

[danski0224]

Then go spend 50 cents on a chip brush.

There doesn't seem to be any other options for a "small" airless sprayer.

Wagner is the other one.