Paint Sprayer: Airless or HVLP?

[Mudbone]

Need to purchase a paint sprayer for small jobs. Graco seems to be what is available in my area. Lowes has both airless and HVLP models. All have on gun paint jars, the HVLPs also have base units to supply the air. Right now I am leaning toward an airless that is rebuildable, the ProShot II or the TrueCoat Pro II. Should I be considering the HVLP models?

 

[PAToyota]

What do you want to paint? House paints I'd go airless. Auto paints I'd go HVLP.

 

[Mudbone]

Sorry, Definately house. Exterior and Interior. Maybe the occasional fence.

 

[Steevo]

Thick latex paints don't spray well with an HVLP, unless you thin them until they run too easily.
Varnishes and auto finishes are where an HVLP really shines.

 

[speadphreak]

I have two of the Graco units, dont remember what model but their the better ones not top of the line but up there. We have 14 rental houses with decks. In the past four years I have painted every one of the houses, inside and out, sprayed roughly 1500 feet of picket fence, and sealed the decks in my spare time. Thats just evenings and weekends. The Gracos are excellant products. I tried doing the HVLP method first and it was less than efficient too much monkeying around. With the airless you stick the tube in the five gallon bucket and go. Make sure you have at least a 100 ft of hose and match your nozzle to the paint thickness or you will put on far more than you need. I learned that the hard way. Keep them clean and use pump juice while stored and theyll serve you a good long time.

 

[deter]

I also have a graco airless. I will admit that I don't really take care of mine, and it still works great everytime I need it. For what you want to do, airless seems like the way to go

 

[Mudbone]

Thanks guys, Airless it is. I am leaning toward this one:

TrueCoat Pro II

 

[MoonRise]

Spraying latex/acrlic housepaint or similar?

Airless.

Spraying an auto-type finish or a 'fine' wood finish (shellac, lacquer, etc)? HVLP.