Which Paint Sprayer is Best For You?

An airless paint sprayer is a great new tool for many homeowners. An airless paint sprayer utilizes a smaller hose and nozzle to evenly spread paint over a painted surface or wall. Whether you are thinking of sprucing up your walls in one big room or the entire house, this handy tool will save you a lot of time and elbow grease. However, many people do not know much about these handy devices. Here is some information that will help you get started using them.

An airless paint sprayer works in much the same way as its powered counterpart, only instead of a motor providing the power, the source of power is an air hose. This means that there is no electrical power involved, thus the name "airless." You'll need an air compressor and a suitable airline to operate these sprayers, just like a small airsoft gun.

You can adjust the amount of air pressure or air flow that is used by turning a knob on the side of the unit. The amount of pressure that is applied is controlled by a spring-loaded control, so you will want to be careful. Higher pressure levels will create a stronger spraying motion, but they may require more patience and more frequent practice in order to create a steady spray pattern. On the other hand, lower levels produce a lighter spraying motion and are easier to control when working with small areas.

You will want to pick the best paint sprayer that is right for you and your painting projects. The first thing you should do is measure your wall, including any doorways or other access points that will be serviced by the paint sprayer. Next, check the area that will be painted inside and outside, as well as any surrounding walls. After you have measured your wall and the surrounding area, you can then work out your total area by multiplying your two measurements.

One of the most important things to consider when selecting a paint sprayer is how much air is required to run the sprayer and its atomization process. Generally, you will need two or three gallons of air per pound of atomization for a standard paint sprayer and the majority of paint sprayers. If you are using an airless paint sprayer, the overall volume of the paint will be less than traditional atomization units. Airless paint sprayers also tend to be smaller and more efficient, so if you have a painting job that is only a few gallons each week, an airless paint sprayer is probably the best choice.

Once you've decided which type of paint sprayer you need, the next consideration is what type of atomization system is available. Two basic types of sprayer atomization are the brush-style atomizers and flexible hose atomization systems. Although they are the oldest, brush style atomizers still remain popular among many sprayers. In general, brush style sprayers give you the best coverage, but they tend to be the most expensive type of sprayer. If your project involves staining small, delicate items, or if you don't want to wait for your paint to dry before you can work on it, a brush sprayer is probably the best option for you.

If you are working on larger areas or on a larger paint job, a flexible hose sprayer is your best option. These sprayers utilize an air compressor and usually come in two different sizes, small and large. A small sprayer like this is perfect for jobs that are not very large, and for spraying just a few panels at a time. However, these sprayers are usually not well suited to use on larger jobs, as the compressed air makes the sprayer too powerful for larger areas. The larger compressors are better suited for spraying large areas and covering more distance with paint. HVLP sprayers use compressed air to push the paint across the surface, and while this process can be more messy than the brush method, it is much easier to clean up afterward.

No matter which type of sprayer you choose, always test out your equipment before actually using it. It's always a good idea to wear latex gloves when spraying anything, and spraying your hands is even better. Be sure to spray both your hands, as well as the inside of your wrist, and make sure to wipe off any excess paint, and if you see some wetness on your hand, immediately put on some latex gloves and start cleaning it up! Finally, make sure to move around in your working area while you spray, as this will keep you from straying too far in one spot, which can lead to overspray.