Home Depot Paint Spray Gun

Compressed Air Paint Sprayers

Compressed air sprayers, also known as pneumatic sprayers, are typically used for car coatings and indoor, outdoor and industrial applications. These sprayers project the paint out of the nozzle’s tip using compressed air, creating a smooth and even finish. A typical compressed air sprayer set-up includes a spray gun attachment, a high-pressure hose and a compressor canister.

Compressed Paint Sprayer Tips

• Thorough masking of the work area is required. Tape and cover areas that you do not want to be covered in paint.
• Suggested spraying distance is 12 inches.
• Compressed air sprayers need thinned paint to work efferently. Refer to the manufacturers directions on how the paint should be thinned in order to work in the sprayer.
• Adjust the PSI level to the setting that is appropriate for whatever job you are trying to accomplish.
• Test the sprayer on a disposable sheet of paper as you try to determine optimal pressure levels.

Pneumatic sprayers are the best paint sprayer for novices since they are simple to use. They are usually cheaper to buy or rent but are less versatile than the airless sprayer. Although they are easy to use, they are not economical to run and use a lot of paint. Controlling the spray can be difficult at first and requires plenty of prep work to protect surrounding surfaces. Pneumatic sprayers are good for most home painting applications including kitchen cabinets and furniture which makes them one of the best paint sprayers for home use.

Best Hvlp: Homeright Finishmax Hvlp Spray Gun

Courtesy of Home Depot

• Spray tip resists corrosion and wear

• Best for small projects only

An HVLP paint sprayer is a popular option, since its high-volume, low-pressure output results in less wasted material. In addition, the low-pressure output makes this type of paint sprayer better for detail-oriented projects where brush strokes would be an eyesore. Keep in mind, however, that the trade-off for using an HVLP sprayer with less overspray and waste is that its more time-consuming than using an airless sprayer to get full coverage. However, if you have patience and want to minimize waste, the HomeRight FinishMax is a versatile HVLP spray gun that has been used for home and furniture projects with great success.

One thing that sets this version apart is its brass spray tip, which resists corrosion and wear. Easily adjust the nozzle to one of three spray patterns to apply paint, stain, sealant, and other coatings. You can also increase or decrease the flow of material easily on the spray gun itself. The overall design and function of this model is easy to master for users that are new to painting with a spray gun, but it also offers quality results that meet the needs of more seasoned and serious DIYers. It’s recommended annual usage is no more than 50 gallons of paint per year.

Price at time of publish: $100

Type: HVLP | Max. Flow Rate: Not listed | Capacity: 27 ounces | Assembled Weight: 2.76 pounds | Power Source: Electric

Best Overall: Graco Magnum 262805 X7 Cart Airless Paint Sprayer

• Can use with up to 100-foot hose

• Easy to use and clean

• May need to purchase mineral spirits separately

A carted paint sprayer is a convenient option for larger home projects or professional painting applications. The Graco Magnum X7 gives you the flexibility to easily maneuver in a project area while also supporting an extended amount of paint hoseup to 100 feet. Keep in mind that 25 feet of hose is included with the purchase of this model, but its easy to swap it out for a longer hose if you have a larger work area or plan to paint elevated areas, like a second or third story of a home.

Our product tester used this paint sprayer to stain a deck and some outdoor planters. He commented that while the air sprayer is easy to assemble, there is a bit of a learning curve to using it. However, he did feel that once mastered, the tool performed well, providing an even coat of stain and greatly reducing the time required to finish this normally lengthy task, saying “Despite some gripes with the time to set up and hassle of moving it around, we took solace in knowing that staining our deck took less than half the time it mightve had we used brushes or rollers to get the job done.”

Price at time of publish: $558

Type: Airless | Max. Flow Rate: 0.31 gallons-per-minute | Capacity: 1 to 5 gallons | Assembled Weight: 36 pounds | Power Source: Electric

The Spruce / Justin Park

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Why Trust The Spruce

This article is edited and updated by Michelle Ullman, the tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs.

For this roundup, she considered dozens of paint sprayers, evaluating each for basic features, extras, and product tester as well as customer feedback. She also received advice and suggestions from Lisa Rickert, CEO and Creative Director at Jolie Home and Rob Abrahams, Co-Founder of COAT Paints and DIY expert.

Best Paint Sprayers For Any Type Of Project

Using a paint sprayer instead of traditional rollers or brushes lets you save time, exert less effort and achieve consistent paint coverage on your project. Paint sprayers simplify repetitive painting tasks on hard-to-paint surfaces while still providing a uniform finish. This lets you cover more surface area in significantly less time, which reduces arm fatigue. This guide will help you determine the best paint sprayer for walls and the best airless paint sprayer for your project.

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General Tips And Techniques

Most spraying techniques depend on the type of sprayer you choose, so consult your users manual for more specific guidance.

Holding the gun closer applies more paint to the surface and creates a narrow spray pattern while holding the gun farther away results in a thinner coat and a wider spray pattern. But be careful not to hold the sprayer too far away or the paint can dry before reaching the wall, which creates more overspray and loss of material.

• Test the sprayer on a large piece of cardboard or other scrap material, adjusting the sprayer and your technique as needed to achieve a uniform spray pattern.
• To prevent paint buildup, start your stroke before you pull the trigger and then continue the stroke after releasing the trigger.
• Carefully observe how the paint lands on your project when you first start spraying, then speed up or slow down to get consistent, even coverage.
• Spray straight at the surface. Avoid swinging your arm back and forth. Move your arm, not your wrist, keeping the gun straight and at right angles to prevent arcing, which causes an uneven coating.
• Regularly wipe the tip of your paint sprayer to prevent paint from dying and disrupting the spray pattern.
• Clean the unit thoroughly following manufacturers instructions once your project is completed.
• Do not store paint in your paint sprayer for an extended period of time.

Specialty Sprayers And Accessories

For projects with unusual challenges, or if you simply want a different paint finish than that produced by a standard paint sprayer, you may need to use a specialty sprayer.

Choose from handheld paint sprayers or paint sprayers that use stands, carts or are cordless. Each type allows you to rest your arms during long painting jobs or provides more flexibility as you paint.

• Texture sprayers are designed to apply interior wall and ceiling textures such as orange peel, popcorn, splatter and knockdown.
• Line striping machines align the paint sprayer on rollers with a handle so that you can easily roll the device along the ground to paint stripes.

No matter what type of paint sprayer you use, preparation is key. Make sure to set up drop cloths and properly tape off the area you’re going to spray, wear coveralls and old clothes you don’t mind getting paint on and take the necessary safety precautions by wearing a full-face respirator or mask.

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Our Recommendation Re: The Husky Gravity Feed Hvlp Paint Gun

Setting the manual aside which you should do as quickly as possible this turns out to be a solid product. Most of the attention in the cheap spray gun market goes to Harbor Freight’s offerings, but it’s hard to imagine an entry-level gun being any easier to use successfully. The secret is simply surfing YouTube for videos about HVLP paint guns.

Okay, sure, we are unbelievably displeased with the manual, which is more important than the fact that earlier versions of this gun included a handy air pressure regulator, while the H4840GHVSG comes with a new “ornamental ring” for the paint cup … which we sincerely hope didn’t add much to the price.

It probably wasn’t malice that prompted Husky to issue such a hideous user manual, but a pro forma commitment informed by the fact that people commonly teach, overstimulate, and diagnose themselves with on-demand user-created content from sources like YouTube. And speaking of diagnosis, does this gun turn out to be a cure for painting? No, it’s far too fiddly and time-consuming for that. But it does make painting more like a chronic ailment and at least you know you can get an acceptable outcome in the end.

What Precautions Are Necessary When Using A Paint Sprayer

A. There are precautions for you and for your surroundings.

• You should always wear a paint mask and eye protection. More powerful sprayers also necessitate hearing protection.
• Surroundings you dont want to paint should be covered to protect from splatter and other accidents. You should also wear clothing you dont mind getting stained.

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We Tried The Cheapest Paint Sprayer At Home Depot Here’s How It Went

For most people, or at least the most vocal people, painting your home is a job only slightly preferable but possibly related to digging your own grave. So when some advancement comes along to make it easier, it feels like a miracle cure. And when that cure fails, well, the disappointment can be powerful.

Enter the paint sprayer. Promising an end to the pain of painting since the 1880s, the paint sprayer evolved and expanded through a variety of industrial uses, says Paint Spray Pro. It took about 100 years to arrive at high volume, low pressure sprayers , and another 40 years for us to arrive at Home Depot to purchase one. Our mission was to find the cheapest model they sold, which turned out to be the $69.98 Husky Gravity Feed HVLP Spray Gun, model H4840GHVSG.

The first thing you notice when you get your hands on the HGFHVLPSG is that it comes in an impossibly small box. This, you think, cannot possibly contain the cure for painting maybe it’s just some kind of palliative care device that keeps you painting until the very end. The second thing you remark on, after prying open the box and laying out the contents, is that it has more parts than can be expected to simplify anything.

We Recommend The Graco Magnum 262805 X7 Cart Airless Paint Sprayer

We independently research, test, review, and recommend the bestproductslearn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

The Spruce / Justin Park

A paint sprayer is the fastest, most efficient way to handle large home painting, staining, and sealing projects. Rob Abrahams, Co-Founder of COAT Paints and DIY expert, notes Paint sprayers are very useful for bigger projects, as they are usually faster in terms of the actual painting process. However, the preparation time can be a lot longer than when using a brush or roller. These machines do need a little practice to grasp the technique, but once youve nailed it, they give an even and flawless finish.

We researched and tested the best paint sprayers on the market, evaluating ease of use, durability, and overall value. Our top pick, the Graco Magnum 262805 X7 Cart Airless Paint Sprayer, is an easy-to-use machine thats great for big projects and can be used with a hose length of up to 100 feet.

Here are the best paint sprayers.

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Best Airless: Graco Magnum X5 Airless Paint Sprayer

Courtesy of Home Depot

• Compatible with a variety of paints

• Great for larger projects

• Produces overspray

Airless paint sprayers are typically used for projects that involve large, flat surfaces. They offer fast application of both thin and thick coatings, such as latex stain. The Graco Magnum X5 is a capable model that has become a go-to sprayer for medium-to-large projects by professionals and DIYers alike. It includes a 25-foot hose, but you can use up to a 75-foot hose if desired. Draw paint directly from your 1-gallon or 5-gallon paint can there’s no need to thin the paint first. Plus, it’s easy to control pressure and flow.

What you’ll like most about this airless paint sprayer is its ability to smoothly apply even unthinned paint. While it does produce some overspray , it is one of the fastest ways to paint large surfaces, like walls, siding, and fences. For best results and the longevity of the sprayer, you must follow the manufacturers set-up and clean-up processes. This sprayer is rated for up to 125 gallons of paint per year.

Price at time of publish: $349

Type: Airless | Max. Flow Rate: 0.27 gallons-per-minute | Capacity: 1 to 5 gallons | Assembled Weight: 19 pounds | Power Source: Electric

Best For Metal: Campbell Hausfeld Gravity Feed Spray Gun

Courtesy of Home Depot

• Tip isn’t removable for easy cleaning

• Requires the use of an air compressor

If youre looking for a paint sprayer that will lay down a smooth coat on metal surfaces without a lot of bothersome overspray, consider this go-to option from Campbell Hausfeld. While the DH580000AV is an affordable paint spray gun, you can adjust the pattern, material, and air spray settings to achieve the right mode of application for your project. The gravity-fed paint cup holds up to 20 ounces of paint, so you’ll be able to work for a long time before needing to refill.

This HVLP spray gun is ideal for projects that include metal, like spraying paint or clear coat on car fenders, motorcycles, metal fences and door, metal furniture, and more. And once you’ve finished, it’s easy to clean the cup and sprayer body. With proper maintenance this spray gun will offer consistent performance and even application of primers, enamels, lacquers, and more. Note that you’ll need an air compressor that provides at least 4.5 cubic-feet-per-minute at 40 psi to power the paint gun.

Price at time of publish: $70

Type: HVLP | Max. Flow Rate: Not stated | Capacity: 20 ounces | Assembled Weight: 2.3 pounds | Power Source: Pneumatic

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How We Tested The Husky Paint Gun

In general, if you proceed with the correct air pressure, a sufficient compressor, an inline water filter, perhaps an inline air pressure regulator, paint of the correct viscosity, the correct distance and sweeping technique, and don’t stop for a drink, very little can go wrong with a paint sprayer. Given this, we simply used the thing. Specifically, we set up the gun using a few pieces of scrap plywood underlayment that we know to resist coverage unprimed.

Next we painted a roosting hutch salvaged from a pigeon house to use as workshop shelving, and partly painted a bedroom. Between each use, we let the gun sit for 20 minutes and then attempted to spray with it immediately.

Although not by design, we did end up testing both 1.4- and 1.8-mm nozzles, as well as our paint choice both diluted and undiluted. We also used the gun with and without the paint filter that came with it … also an unplanned improvisation. And we played around with the recommended 6- to 9-inch distance from nozzle to workpiece.

The idea was simply to determine what could be reliably done with an inexpensive HVLP paint sprayer. Is it practical for painting room interiors? House exteriors? Long privacy fences? Or just laying down lacquer on a guitar and other smallish items?

Best For Cars: Tcp Global Professional 13mm Hvlp Spray Gun With Air Regulator

TCP Global

• Controls for spray pattern, pressure, and fluid control

• Lays down an even coat of paint

• Requires the use of an air compressor for power

A pneumatic spray gun is a common option for applying paint and clear coats to automobiles. While models are plentiful and preferences vary greatly, the TCP Global Professional HVLP Spray Gun checks all the boxes for a paint sprayer for cars, motorcycles, ATVs, and similar vehicles. Its cup holds 1 liter of paint, so you can get most jobs completed before having to refill.

This model has a 1.3 mm tip and includes options to fine-tune application of light to medium viscosity car coatings. You can adjust the spray pattern to suit your purpose, and a fully adjustable air regulator allows you to find the right setting within a range of 29 to 51 PSI. Keep in mind that to complete the set-up, this paint sprayer for cars will need to be paired with a high-pressure hose and air compressor.

Price at time of publish: $70

Type: HVLP | Max. Flow Rate: Not stated | Capacity: 1 liter | Assembled Weight: 2.81 pound | Power Source: Pneumatic

For a paint sprayer thats efficient and easy to use, go with the Graco Magnum 262805 X7 Paint Sprayer. It’s great for larger projects as the included hose can be swapped out for one that’s up to 100 feet long. We also love the Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus, which is perfect for house exteriors and compatible with many different types of paint.

The Spruce / Justin Park

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