Airless paint sprayers??

watcher · #1 03/25/10, 09:46 PM

Anyone have a Wanger airless painter? Specifically the Wagner Spray Fast Plus Power painter. ($72 @ Sam's Club)

Our church needs to do some painting, OK a lot of painting. I'd like to use an airless sprayer but years ago I had a bad experience with a Wanger airless sprayer. It was a royal pain in the rump because the paint couldn't be too thick nor too thin, it would clog and several other things caused me to say bad words. Are the new ones better?

I'm not sure if this model would be adequate or if we should spend a few more bucks and get the Wagner Paint Crew ($172). We are looking to paint what would probably equivalent to painting a large two story house with primer and probably two coats of paint.

Trying to keep the price below $200 (under $100 is better of course) is there another brand or model you'd suggest?

||Downhome|| · #2 03/26/10, 02:50 AM

from experience get a graco and not thier home onwer version, shop them new and tell the sales guy you want something inline with a 390 or 490 size pump and features.
look at the quality and darn it stay out of home depot when you do this. I already looked online you can get a better deal instore someplace like sherwin williams or any good paint store. price tag should be 450-600 bucks? thats new see if they have any rental equipment get prices for that then maybe take that info and browse the classifieds or craigslist and see if you can do better. bet you can find something in good condition for about three hundred or less. but before you commit call a graco dealer and make sure that graco supports it and its not a discontinued model. at sw they can browse gracos factory refurbished and trade and trade in pumps to so get a price on those well your shoping.
spend the money for a good pump its worth it, time and money.

let them know its for a church funtion they may give you a better deal. you could also rent one? if you dont want to make the investment.we use to rent the smaller pumps 40 a day, and if your geting your paint and stuff there. you may be a better price yet.
you can also set up something like a buisness to buisness account with sherwin williams, it can be cash and carry or a charge,
you could have two one explicity for the church with the tax exemtion on file and special priceing for the church . and another with discounts for the church members.

there are usually a few sherwin williams around larger areas some are better to deal with.it really depends on the employees,I have been in some bad service stores.

English Oliver · #3 03/26/10, 03:45 AM

I have this Graco sprayer
http://www.drillspot.com/products/50...nt_sprayer?s=1

I also have the Wagner "Paint Crew" model and find that I like and use the paint crew more than the Graco sprayer. I just recently sprayed the inside of my pole barn with it and didn't have a problem. If you are using latex paint the paint crew is a lot easier to clean up than the Graco.

"O"

Cascade Failure · #4 03/26/10, 10:05 AM

By airless do you mean HVLP or something else?

rambler · #5 03/26/10, 10:09 AM

I got a little hand-held Wagner, used it once.

Got a Grayco and like that, much better deal.

--->Paul

cfabe · #6 03/26/10, 01:17 PM

I have a Graco Magnum DX which is their homeowner/handyman version. I believe it was around $250-300. It's about 5 years old now and has painted numerous houses & barns. I think it was well worth the cost.

Now if what you're asking about is one of those little handheld sprayers that will hold maybe a quart of paint, I wouldn't bother with it. I haven't used any recently but back 10 years ago I used one and spent more time refilling it and unclogging it than I saved.

For painting a house sized building, go with one of the big airless sprayers or just do it with roller/brush. Also remember painting is 90% prep work, so don't skimp there.

Macybaby · #7 03/26/10, 06:51 PM

We bought a Wagner like that. After using it a few times we gave it to a neighbor. He used it once and gave it back. . .

We now have a Graco also, but it cost a wee bit more (like $500) but we use it to paint outbuildings and things like that.

**clovis** · #8 03/26/10, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfabe

Also remember painting is 90% prep work, so don't skimp there.

This is excellent advice.

With the low end Wagner, I'm guessing you will spend more time jacking around with that than it would to completely brush the whole building.

Beeman · #9 03/26/10, 10:05 PM

I painted once with a Wagner that had the paint container attached to the bottom. What a pain to paint with and what a mess. I painted my shop building this year using a Graco commercial type. The taping took longer then the painting and what a great job. It's the only way to go. If you can prep it all ahead of time I would rent a commercial sprayer and you can paint it pretty fast. The one I used could handle 5 gal. buckets so that's the way I bought my paint. I removed the bucket lids and mixed the paint with one of those large mixers on a drill.

farminghandyman · #10 03/27/10, 10:32 PM

I have two old gracos that i bought off of a pro painter, I think there EH300's they were one of the first air less introduced and still work like a charm,

Jim Bunton · #11 03/28/10, 07:20 AM

I am a painter by trade and would recommend staying away from the really cheap sprayers. If this is a one time paint job you might consider renting a sprayer. I would look at something like the Titan 440 or the Grayco 395. Get all the taping off and prep work done before renting it. If this is for a church why not ask the congregation if any one has one that could be used?

Jim