Hey all! I just became a homeowner and I'm looking to buy a paint sprayer because rolling and brushing just isn't cutting it for me. I've come across two types: airless sprayers and HVLP sprayers, and I'm a bit confused about which one would suit my needs better.
Here's what I plan to tackle:
- Painting small bedrooms
- Repainting IKEA furniture
- Spraying some DIY woodworking projects
I'm aiming for a smooth finish, especially on my furniture, but I also want something that's efficient for walls. From your experiences, are paint sprayers a good investment? Which type would you recommend for someone just starting out? I'd love to hear any tips or brand suggestions you might have. Thanks!
1 Answer
I recently did some research and found that an airless sprayer (like Graco) is an excellent investment. I used a budget-friendly Graco for some high-gloss projects, and the results were fantastic! HVLP sprayers seemed more complicated and required extra equipment, like a more powerful air compressor and various accessories. The downside of the Graco is that it can be a bit of a hassle to set up and clean up afterwards. If you're looking for a smaller option, the Critter sprayer is super easy to clean and works great for furniture since it uses mason jars for the paint. Anyone else have experiences to share?
You can certainly find some compact HVLP sprayers, but I wouldn’t recommend them for larger areas, as they usually only hold about a quart of paint. I have one, and while it’s okay for small projects, I wouldn't want to tackle an entire room with it. On the other hand, my Graco airless sprayer is perfect for larger spaces and can make painting really quick, but you're right about the cleanup—it's a pain! Also, the overspray can be a real problem if you're not careful.