Airless sprayers in new construction

[5030tinkerer]

I am just a few weeks out from having sheetrock in my new house and am considering the purchase of an airless piston sprayer in lieu of paying a professional to do the work. Northern Tool sells this 1/2 hp Wagner for $299 and this 7/8 hp version for $539. For those that have used these sprayers before, is it worth the investment? Is the more powerful unit just able to spray thicker material faster or is there some other benefit? How do these units compare to using an HVLP pressure?

Any and all ideas appreciated.

 

[sodamo]

I just recently finished painting our house.

Rented a Graco TexFinish to spray texture (basically a gypsum compound). I sprayed approx 250 gallons.

I own a Graco XR-9 (Home Depot version) to spray some primer and 2 color coats both interior and exterior. Masking took more time than the painting.

I'm not sure the smaller of the 2 units you posted would be good on a big job. What you might consider is just renting a contractor size unit from Home Depot or some rental yard. If you get the weekly rate you'll probably save money. In my case the tex sprayer rental was less than $300 for the week, but buying the same machine was about $650. For me it was a one time thing. The airless sprayer I had bought previously and used several times during the building process and will use againt in future, so purchase was more sensible than rental.

Here's some pics: Painting

Have fun

David

 

[tawilson]

I bought a small sprayer, probably 1/2 hp at Sam's years ago. I love it. I may not use it for a year or so, but it's nice to have around when you need it. I even mix Rustoleum or similar paint with thinner to spray equipment. I think it would do just fine on your sheetrock.

 

[5030tinkerer]

Funny you should mention the Sam's version - that seems to be the same one sold by Northern, just for quite a bit less money at $250. I am torn between saving the money and getting this one, or I had also noticed last night that the local home center (Menards) has the 7/8 hp version on sale for $439.

I suppose that what I am concerned about is saving the $189 by buying the smaller unit and being dissatisfied (and therefore wishing I had gone with the larger version).

What can the 7/8 hp version do that the 1/2hp version just cannot?

 

[5030tinkerer]

Hey David -

I checked out the Home Depot Graco units. That XR-9 looks perfect (the XR-7 would likely work, but for the $100 difference, why take a chance?). The adjustable pressure and garden hose cleanup looks to be just the ticket.

Thanks!

 

[dmccarty]

Back in 1998ish I bought a Wagner to spray paint some cabinets. Took it back to Home Depot. It did a horrible job. Maybe we did not use the sprayer correctly but we hand painted to get the job to look good.

If you are going to do a house use what the contractors use. There is a reason they use expensive sprayers and not Wagners. If the cheaper tool works they will use it. Try to rent a sprayer. I know the not so local rental place rents them.

Later,
Dan

 

[CharlieTR]

I thought about the wagner also when painting my new house.
A friend bought one and had to return it because of all the leaks.
So I decided to rent a quality airless from Shermin Williams. I think I rented it for Friday thru Monday morning and Sunday was free because they are closed. I will always rent one for projects the quality is well worth it.

PS it is real easy to go thru paint fast and use more than you need when using a sprayer.

 

[czechsonofagun]

A friend got the cheapest Wagner from HD to spray his deck and was very frustrated with it.

I got it from him for a sixpack and painted the whole barn with it. It did a decent job when the paint was thinned properly. The only frustration was the small capacity, I had to stop every 15 minutes to refill but it was much better than paint by hand and I am happy with the result.

 

[forgeblast]

I recently added some lattice to my house and needed to stain it. Painting takes way too long so i looked at different sprayers. the small sprayers forget it. After looking at a buch of different ones and being outbid on ebay for a couple i went with this.
Heartland America: Wagner Paint Crew

It is a wagner paint crew. I have stained my barn using HD's Baer Solid color stain. The paint crew really works well. Nice control, easyish clean up.
I do use a bit more paint, but for the ease of staining a rough cut hemlock barn, It was worth it.
Let me tell you too it was so easy to stain the lattice. I have one more part on my barn, and then this summer i will start on my house. i just need to seal and mask some parts and replace some of the moldings around the windows.

Good luck
Forgeblast

 

[IllMarty1]

Fellas,

Being an industrial painting contractor specializing in water towers I just wanted to add: WATCH OUT FOR YOUR OVERSPRAY!

Many coatings do not dry fall, especially oil based that are thinned with mineral spirits. If you live in a neighborhood with homes and cars nearby you can do alot of damage in a short amount of time. Wind currents can carry overspray quite a ways too.

A simple but not full-proof test is to aim gun at cardboard 10' away and spray. Then check any paint on cardboard. If it's not dry, be extremely careful.

Marty

 

[tawilson]

Yeah, my father-in-law painted 50 cars in one day once. It was not a good thing.
The only time I've had problems with my Sam's sprayer was when using cheap primer/paint. Plugs up all the time. I like Sherwin-Williams.

 

[tommu56]

I bough a dayton from granger 20 years ago to paint my cabin.
and wouldn't get rid of it yea it sits far a year or 2 at time but when you got open spaces to paint its the only way to go.

As some one else stated prep and clean up is a little more envolved than a brush and roller. I use a piece of fascia as a straight edge to cut in areas in straight lines.

tom

 

[Mrwurm]

Guys, I have a Wagner Paint Crew. It has a two gallon hopper. Here are my observations: It sprays latex paint very well and requires no thinning. The spray pattern and handle quality is very good. To do any serious painting, you need a helper to refill that hopper as you work because it runs out so fast. I worked on cleaning mine for about three hours and its still not clean. 20 minutes of painting = 3 hours of cleaning. The cleaning involves filling and emptying the hopper and running it in a recycle mode until the water (and soap) stays clear. It never happens. There is always some paint in the system.

I would definately go with one that syphons paint out of a five gallon bucket. There is much less clean up required with this type of unit. Avoid having a hopper to clean.

 

[KentT]

I am just a few weeks out from having sheetrock in my new house and am considering the purchase of an airless piston sprayer in lieu of paying a professional to do the work. Northern Tool sells this 1/2 hp Wagner for $299 and this 7/8 hp version for $539. For those that have used these sprayers before, is it worth the investment? Is the more powerful unit just able to spray thicker material faster or is there some other benefit? How do these units compare to using an HVLP pressure?

Any and all ideas appreciated.

I have the 3/4 HP Wagner Model 9170 and it does a good job. You can flat put some paint on with it...

Wagner 3/4 HP Piston Paint Sprayer — Model# 9170 | Paint Sprayers | Northern Tool + Equipment

I bought it to paint my old colonial house, and I consider it one of the best tool investments I've made. Once prepped and masked up, I can put 6 to 8 gallons of paint on in less than 3 hours, including the time to move the ladder and clean the gun & hoses when I'm done... Allows me to paint an entire coat after work, rather than it being an all-day (or more) job for each coat.

I bought mine from Northern a few years back as a factory refurb with a 1 year warranty. I think I paid about $250 plus shipping... If saving $$ is the object, I'd advise getting a refurb of a more powerful unit (if you can find one) rather than buying an underpowered one. I had tried a less expensive Wagner, their backpack sprayer model (can't recall model number) and it went to the yard sale...

I've sprayed both latex and oil-based paints and primers without thinning, in addition to deck stain.... Painting my house, decks and barn, I've put well over 50 gallons of stuff through it. It's paid for itself, for sure...

 

[hazmat]

I've got a graco (I think it's the XR 9) from HD. Haven't actually sprayed with it. I bought the roller attachment. I've found I'm at least 2X faster than rolling by hand (don't have to refill the roller every 30 seconds). Painted an entire duplex with it. No need to mask off anything either.... Be sure to buy lots of paint - It will suck up most of a gallon just priming the pump & line...

Cleanup is more involved than a regular roller, but not terrible, simply hook the hose up & pump some water thru. probably 20 minutes. I don't think I'd ever use it on oil based - requiring mineral spirits for cleanup.

 

[rox]

Hazmat,
I to bought a wagnor product but it was just the power roller. My husband did real well with it. I found that I did not have the upper arm strength to go at it all day. I could do it for a bit but then put it down and painted the borders of the walls with a paint brush. For a man it is not an issue probably but for a gal, it is tiring. That being said it still did a great job, I especially liked that the paint didn't splatter as it would with a traditional roller.

It had been 12 years since the walls were painted so they really sucked up the paint, i was glad to have the power roller, it delivered paint and a lot of it. I was able to do one coat with the power roller becuase it put on a lot of paint, whereas if I would have done it with the trditional roller it owuld have taken an extra day and another coat of paint. Bottom line-I liked it and felt it was well worth the money. I do think Wagner (Wagnor?) improved their machine from the early introduction in the 70's or 80's.

 

[ToddW]

I am just a few weeks out from having sheetrock in my new house and am considering the purchase of an airless piston sprayer in lieu of paying a professional to do the work. Northern Tool sells this 1/2 hp Wagner for $299 and this 7/8 hp version for $539. For those that have used these sprayers before, is it worth the investment? Is the more powerful unit just able to spray thicker material faster or is there some other benefit? How do these units compare to using an HVLP pressure?

Any and all ideas appreciated.

That 1/2 HP Wagner sprayer used to be a Spraytech Apex series sprayer until Wagner bought them in 2005 or so. I have that sprayer and it rocks. I've painted several houses with them and repainted some popcorn ceilings with it as well. You'll do well with it.

/Todd

 

[rcowan]

Hey Forgeblast are you still happy with the Wagner Paint Crew?
I'm looking at the one at Lowes.

PSI: 2750
GPM: .20
Horsepower: 3/8 HP motor
2 Gallon.

The wife wants the back side of the barn painted and I figure we need one anyway.


------------------

It is a wagner paint crew. I have stained my barn using HD's Baer Solid color stain. The paint crew really works well. Nice control, easyish clean up.
I do use a bit more paint, but for the ease of staining a rough cut hemlock barn, It was worth it.
Let me tell you too it was so easy to stain the lattice. I have one more part on my barn, and then this summer i will start on my house. i just need to seal and mask some parts and replace some of the moldings around the windows.

Good luck
Forgeblast[/QUOTE]

 

[wedge40]

I have a Wagner 3/4HP that I bought from Lowes 10plus years ago. Since you're going to be doing an empty house, go for it. Like others have said you will spend more time taping things off then painting. The place where this thing came in handy was when I was doing the ceiling. I have textured ceiling and a spray gun did a good job of providing an even coat.

Wedge

 

[KennethBrown]

Not who you were looking for but I'm still happy with the paint crew. Its done my house, several other houses and a couple of garages. No real problems.