Paint sprayers - well, they look a little bit like a gun...

[Grendel]

Any recommendations for a DIY paint sprayer to spray the exterior wood siding of my house? I've looked at Graco and Wagner but reviews (as always) are mixed. I'll need to use latex or acrylic, as I live in the Northland on a lake and the weather can be savage in winter.

I have a budget of 200 -250 bucks.

TIA

Ps. I am a novice with spray guns!

[Practical Shooter]

I am curious as well. I will need to spray my property fence.

[Ron M.]

You might be better off renting a good 5 to 15 gallon airless from Home Depot or Lowe's. They usually run about $70 for 4 hours. If you're not planning on doing a bunch of painting over the next year that's the way I'd suggest. My son and I painted a 1400 SqFt cabin inside and out in less than 3 hours using a medium duty rental from Home Depot. My son and I prepped everything first then picked up the painter and paint. We used a 5 gallon bucket of exterior paint and 1 gallon cans inside.

[bang bang]

look at the HVLPs.  Not sure about price.

at one time they were the rage and way better than the Wagner paint flinger.   Never heard about the grace.

you may want to also look at renting or ?  In our neck of the woods there are "tool libraries" where you can borrow/rent tools.  Im not sure what they want for a deposit or leashe for your guarantee  you to return it but you can look at if you have anything like that.

But

[painter]

After spray painting for much of my career, I wouldn't paint a house with an HVLP sprayer on a bet. You wouldn't live long enough to finish.

$200-$250 is kinda light. A rental might be the answer.

How many sq/ft?

[Earl Keese]

After spray painting for much of my career, I wouldn't paint a house with an HVLP sprayer on a bet. You wouldn't live long enough to finish.

$200-$250 is kinda light. A rental might be the answer.

How many sq/ft?

This^^^^
Anything air powered or for automotive refinishing will wear you out. Find a rental place and rent a commercial grade sprayer, just make sure it's clean and functional when you pick it up. Also, similar to firearms keep it pointed down range. Even after it's turned off it will be capable of making serious pressure. I had a friend who lost an eye because of a careless paint rep. Like painter, I've been in the paint business most of my adult life.

[Grendel]

Square footage? Lots. 3000 give or take. All wood siding.

[Grendel]

While I appreciate the replies, no one has actually answered my question. I didn't ask 'should I rent or buy', I asked: 'recommend me a paint sprayer'.

I have plenty of time and the house is single storey. I do not envisage doing the job in an afternoon, but maybe three or four days, once prepped, and giving it two coats overall.

 

[Scoose]

Rent or buy?? That depends on you. Are you going to use the sprayer just this one time or will you need it repeatedly over the years.

I opted to buy. I have a 3500 sq ft home and we are repainting the entire interior. We will be repainting the exterior in a couple years so it made sense.

We picked up a Grayco True Coat 360. Although it is easy to use and clean, there is certainly a learning curve. After reading the quick start guide the had it up and running quickly. Then I started learning how to actually use it. Once I started getting proficient with it we started making ground through the house quickly. The one main ding on the Grayco imo is the size of the paint container on the sprayer. The size is adequate for the purpose of the sprayer but if you are doing a bigger job you will find the gun empties the container quickly. I suggest getting an extra container for the gun and have a container tech by your side reloading containers as you empty them.

In the end I am very happy I bought the sprayer. Easy to use, easy to clean, sprays evenly and for $150 I can use it over and over and over.

[Grendel]

Thanks

[larryflew]

Although I would rent a good one the Bravo has some decent reviews. Renting a good airless would get you done in 2 days easily. Set it on your 5 gallon bucket and go for it. Did a little over 9600 in day and a half after prep work.

[beanz2]

I have no good recommendations, but pay a bit of attention to where you keep your index finger as you stop spraying.  Chances are you automatically keep the "trigger finger" straight and rested on the paint sprayer like a real gun... 

I notice that too when holding my electric drill.


.

[skin]

 12 gauge paint balls. Lol

[painter]

I can't recommend a sprayer in your price range because they're not intended to do the job you're going to do. It would be like me telling you to bring a taser to a gunfight. If you use a sprayer with an on-board container, you'll be toast after a couple of hours.

Do your self a favor...wash...scrape...spot prime everything, and rent a sprayer that will handle a 5 gallon pail. You'll be done spraying in a day, or two at the most.

[mrcabinet]

Airless is the only way to go. I highly recommend the Graco airless sprayers. Their guns are some of the best these days (didn't used to be). I run them on a $4 mil. automated flat line finishing system, if that tells you anything.

That being said, any airless in the price range you stated just won't get the job done in the time or manner you're envisioning. They might be fine for painting a bedroom, but not a whole house. Stay away from used units unless they come from someplace like Sherwin Williams where you know they have been inspected, repaired and usually have some type of minimal warranty. I've seen some "great deals" turn out to be costly nightmares.

As others have said, do all the prep work then rent a proper sprayer. You'll be happy you did.