Which airless paint sprayer to buy?

[TimberMan]

My wife and I will probably be painting our barn ourselves with a combination of primer for the bare wood and latex to top the primed wood and LP Smart Lap. I am not opposed to buy a sprayer for the job since the labor savings is huge, the sprayer will pay for itself before our mid morning coffee break but after this job it will (hopefully) not get used for a few years.

What are some decent sprayers to consider that will get the job done reliably and not cost a fortune?

Thx!

 

[mike93lx]

If its just going to sit long term, I'd rent one.

Says the guy who owns a Graco sprayer that has never even been used...

Make sure to have a decently long wand and a few tips to test for best performance

 

[cgrutt]

I'd recommend Graco or Titan. I have a small homeowner Graco from the big box stores (+/- $400) that would probably work although not sure if it has enough "umpf" for a long extension. I have two small professional models that would absolutely work. I really like my Titan (believe it's a 440) and have painted large commercial buildings with long extension (around 6') with no problem. I generally prefer using an extension on gun around 30" though.

 

[pcmeiners]

The OP will be using it for multiple coats, so a weeks rental (approx $450) at minimum for a no stress paint job. Buy a pro version used on FB or Ebay, the older Binks or Graco are the best. Be aware some units need fairly high amperage, needing a good extension cord, perhaps you need a gas powered unit . Recommend a thinned out, light coat of oil based primer, a light coat so moisture does not collect under the primer, it needs to be be thin enough for the moisture to travel through the primer, latex top coat is OK. Best if you pressure wash the entire barn, letting the wood thoroughly dry before painting.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

There is an outfit that sells factory refurbished Graco units on Ebay / online.
I had planned to purchase an X5 or X7 from them before my project was put on hold.

great pricing for a good unit. https://www.ebay.com/itm/253636398801

 

[Pen & Wrench]

Our home has cedar shingle siding and it is a real pain to paint. Last time we painted it we bought a Graco 395 airless sprayer, we don't use it very often but we've used it to paint about 6 homes now (Habitat for Humanity) and as long as you clean it up well every time, it will be ready for you to use when you want. Maybe rent one to see how you like it and if you buy one, spend the money and get a good one that will do what you want get done.

 

[txvwnut]

Rent it. I have an airless and letting them sit for years is not good for them. Whenever I've tried to use mine after it has been in a long slumber it usually ends up being an entire teardown, clean it even more than when I cleaned it last and then replace an o-ring or seal or something.

 

[TheClaw]

You can rent pro level sprayers from sherwin williams, jclicht or any good paint retailer.

 

[TheClaw]

For that matter, most paint retailers will have a bulletin board with independent painters available. You can do the estimate yourself on Homewyse.com. I would pay my painters $25-$30/hr (Chicago suburbs) Painting the side of a barn is easy but you will need the right equipment. Sprayer, barriers, ladder or scaffold. business is slow so you can find them

 

[cgrutt]

For that matter, most paint retailers will have a bulletin board with independent painters available. You can do the estimate yourself on Homewyse.com. I would pay my painters $25-$30/hr (Chicago suburbs) Painting the side of a barn is easy but you will need the right equipment. Sprayer, barriers, ladder or scaffold. business is slow so you can find them

I don't think you'll find a good professional painter with spray equipment, scaffolding etc for $25 - $30 per hour. At least I hope not.

 

[partsguy5768]

For that matter, most paint retailers will have a bulletin board with independent painters available. You can do the estimate yourself on Homewyse.com. I would pay my painters $25-$30/hr (Chicago suburbs) Painting the side of a barn is easy but you will need the right equipment. Sprayer, barriers, ladder or scaffold. business is slow so you can find them

Seems very cheap to me... I do all my own painting ( also have a nice airless and lift) if could find someone that cheap that did good work they could have at it...

 

[pcmeiners]

Our home has cedar shingle siding and it is a real pain to paint.

Pain in the neck is not the word with shingles. Within a day, off a 40ft ladder I could spray my entire 2 story house (after masking) one coat; by hand it took me and an other person nearly a week (in hot weather). Not had an issues with any sprayer I have if it sits, though I always leave it with paint thinner in it, even if I spray latex.
Couple things about an airless, you need to use the gun just like you are spraying a car, maintained distance is critical just as consistent movement of the gun.... for a barn not so critical. Wind is an issue, you need a still day or you will waste paint, and paint neighbor's cars and houses

 

[Cc_windsurfer]

I am happy with my graco x5. The x7 will put down paint faster, but requires much better technique.
Good maintenance is key to getting optimum results long term.

 

[mcj115]

A different way to look at it here. Choose the paints/primers you want to use first. Review the technical sheets for the paint(you will need to ask at the store- it typically isn't on the cans) to see what tip sizes are required for the paint/primer. Once you know tip sizes needed by the material you select then review the sprayers capabilities to ensure the sprayer can shoot the paint you want.

I have a small Graco Tradeworks 150, which was sold through Sherwin Williams a few year back. Essentially it is a current X5 sprayer with longer hose and upgraded gun with a swivel. When I went to stain my house last year the Sherwin Williams exterior stain was too tick to shoot with my sprayer, so I switched to a a Benjamin Moore stain.

 

[cgrutt]

For that matter, most paint retailers will have a bulletin board with independent painters available. You can do the estimate yourself on Homewyse.com. I would pay my painters $25-$30/hr (Chicago suburbs) Painting the side of a barn is easy but you will need the right equipment. Sprayer, barriers, ladder or scaffold. business is slow so you can find them

Here's quote from your link 3000 sq ft in 60043 $6k - $12.5k labor, job supplies and power washing only. And this is priced for a home not a barn that may require additional equipment. This works out to $67 - $140 per hour based on indicated hours per Homewyse. Just saying....

 

[dodgeramsst2003]

I'll probably catch a lot of grief for this, but I was in a similar situation last year. I painted a 30x40 barn and trim. The name brand units were more money than I wanted to spend, and I really didn't want to be rushed when I rented one, so I went the Harbor Freight route. I am by no means a professional painter, but that sprayer worked well with no issues. The model I bought is below. I also picked up some extra tips, and the extension hose.

Airless Paint, Primer & Stain Sprayer

Amazing deals on this Airless Paint Sprayer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[2Rocky]

I bought a Graco to paint my house interior in 2016, and exterior in 2018. Never done it before. If it was uneven, then I rolled it to even it out. If you hate it, someone will buy it used from you, and you are still spending less than renting a machine other folks didn't take care of.

I just had to tell myself through the process:

 

[no704]

I’ve painted my house twice with the harbor freight one. Needed to replace the nozzle after sitting for 10 years.

 

[462867aa]

I used the harbor freight airless painter for my house. Worked great.