Frequently Asked Questions on Paint Sprayers

The main advantage of a sprayer is that it works far quicker on large projects, such as house painting, than do paintbrushes or paint rollers. In addition, however, paint sprayers provide even coating on uneven surfaces, such as window shutters, so you can avoid the paint drips produced by brushes and rollers.

 

On the other hand, the cost of a paint sprayer is often prohibitive, and sprayers are complicated machines that require practice and extra safety precautions. Finally, paintbrushes and paint rollers give the painter complete control, so you lose less paint than you do using a sprayer; on small jobs, therefore, you should almost always use a brush or roller. Use a paint sprayer if you are working on a large job on which you want to save a lot of time; otherwise, save the money and use a paintbrush and/or paint roller. They will take much longer, but they will get the job done..

 

The paint sprayer you should use depends on the item you are painting and the kind of paint (or finish) you are using. Diaphragm-pump and piston-pump sprayers work great for exterior house painting jobs, while cup guns, air-compressor guns, and HVLP sprayers work well on smaller jobs such as cabinets, doors, and craft projects. In addition, look at the pressure (psi), speed (gallons per minute), and power (horsepower) of different models. The greater each of these statistics is, the thicker liquid you can use with your sprayer. The thickest liquids are block fillers and the thinnest liquids are clear stains and sealers; between these two groups are paints and non-clear stains.

 

Make sure that you purchase a quality sprayer, but in many cases, you should consider renting a paint sprayer. Most do-it-yourselfers will only use a paint sprayer on a few rare occasions, so it makes more sense to rent rather than to buy. Whether you rent or buy, look for features that will help you do your job, such as an extension that allows you to reach all areas of your job easily.

 

Paint sprayers are far more dangerous to use than are paintbrushes or paint rollers, but if you take the proper precautions, you can use sprayers safely. First of all, always consult your owner’s manual for directions regarding the proper way to use your specific sprayer. In addition, always wear a respirator and goggles when using a sprayer, and if you want to protect your hair, wear a hood as well. Finally, if you use an airless sprayer, take extreme care to keep your skin away from the nozzle. Airless sprayers employ such high levels of pressure that they can inject paint underneath the skin; if you accidentally inject yourself with paint, seek medical treatment immediately, as paints are filled with chemicals and toxins.