However, with so many options out there, it’s not hard to end up buying something that’s too fussy to learn how to use or that doesn’t work with the types of materials you want to use on your home renovation projects.
To figure out what paint sprayer works for you it’s important to understand both the types of paint sprayers available on the market as well as what those sprayers are suited for.
Types of paint sprayers
Airless paint sprayers
An airless paint sprayer works perfectly for large areas such as decks, fences, and shutters as well as interior ceilings and walls.
This type of sprayer is used with an air compressor which feeds very high pressure into the unit which then sprays out droplets of paint that evenly coats the surface it touches.
If you plan on using thicker paint that’s not watered down, this is the type of sprayer you would choose.
Note: While all paint sprayers use air, airless sprayers use very high-pressure air which can be damaging to your skin if it comes in contact with it, so use caution.
Compressed Air Sprayer
If you’ve ever wondered how to get the same smooth and even surface on your kitchen cabinets that manufactured cabinets have, then a compressed air sprayer is a good choice.
Keep in mind, however, this type of air sprayer tends to get very messy and will emit more overspray than other types of air sprayers so it’s important to completely cover any surface you don’t want painted.
High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) Sprayer
This type of sprayer uses a large volume of air to spray paint onto the surface. The paint will travel more slowly, keeping more of the paint where you want and less where you don’t.
These are typically more costly than other types of sprayers, but they work well on interior projects like trim, molding, doors, cabinets, etc. because there’s not as much overspray as with other types of paint sprayers.
This is also the type of air sprayer that works well for first-time paint sprayer users.
Air Sprayer or Brush/Roller?
Air sprayers work best in the following cases:
- ⬥ When you need to cover large areas (siding, fence, doors, etc.)
- ⬥ On furniture (the spray easily gets into tight spaces)
- ⬥ When you’re painting the whole house or an empty room
Situations where you may be better off not using a paint sprayer:
- ⬥ When you’re unable to protect surrounding areas from overspray
- ⬥ If you don’t think you have enough paint (sprayers tend to use more paint)
- ⬥ Prep work is not your favorite pastime.
- ⬥ If you hate the idea of cleaning up a paint sprayer
Features to consider
Quick cleanup
Cleaning up a paint sprayer takes longer to do than a roller and brushes, so look for sprayers that hook to a garden hose or with fewer pieces for easier cleanup.
Adjustable models
Look for sprayers that will let you adjust the speed, spray patterns and/or paint thicknesses to gain the most benefit from the sprayer.
Weight
Even small jobs can become tiring after painting for a while, so consider weight when choosing your paint sprayer. Paint sprayer manufacturers offer different models in a variety of weights, however, keep in mind the tradeoff for a lighter weight model might be the use of plastic instead of metal for some parts.
Power source
Paint sprayers use a variety of options for a power source including cordless, gas or electric.
