Paint Sprayers

I have to stain/paint my fence, and thus far, applying the primer is taking so long that I'm looking to get a paint sprayer (specifically, one of the Wagner Power Painters). In my research, I've heard numerous people say that it's far more difficult than it looks on TV. Being someone who would never be described as "handy", I'm a bit leery about using one. On the other hand, the best quote I got from a painter was $2,800, so buying a paint sprayer seems like a worthwhile investment.

Has anyone ever used one of these, specifically for an outdoor project?

 

Alot depends on if you know how to thin out the paint to the proper viscosity for use by the sprayer. Then there's the cleanup.

I'm not sure whether or not the newer sprayers require a certain viscosity or not any longer. That said, primer should be painted on with a brush or roller. You want that on as a thick coating to protect the underlying surface.

Then for your topcoat, you can use a sprayer.

Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

I own one of the Wagner paint sprayers and would not recommend it. It spits out the paint rather than a heavy mist that provides for a smoother coat. I used the Wagner sprayer on a changing table I built for my first son and most of it has almost a pebble-type finish.

If you're going to splurge (but still save considerable money over someone else dong it), buy a compressor and the appropriate air sprayer. You'd probably spend about $200-$250 for such a set up but you would have better results.

And nielz is right. The prep work to prevent lots of paint spraying onto things you don't want it to will be considerable. If you're going to your fence, make a moveable paint shield that will protect the lawn and surrounding areas. You could then move it for each segment of fence.

 

Yeah check out the reviews of wagner sprayers on Amazon... they are krapp. You might be able to rent a HVLP (high volume low pressure) setup which doesn't waste most of your paint into the air like most of the lower-end sprayers do. Maybe one of the rental places or home depot has one...

A few links..

http://www.epinions.com/content_174698303108
http://doityourself.com/paintext/paintfencing.htm

I'll be right behind you... I need to do my fence as well... I need to get a gas pressure washer.... I tried calling ashburn rental and they wanted > $100 for a day... screw that... I can buy one for about 3 or 4 days rental fees...

Rharse, where did you get the plans for the changing table? I've got a wee-one on the way and that's the only thing we don't have yet..... wouldn't mind trying to build one in my spare (hah) time.

 

boomertsfx,
I actually drafted up the changing table myself using Visio. I still have the plans and would be happy to send them your way. It doesn't look like I can send attachments via the HOA Forum site (plus e-mail is down for now). I'll send my e-mail to you when the forum e-mail is back up and we can go from there. I can then send the plans and a couple of pictures to see if you like the changing table. We've used it for our two boys and it's done well. It's a strong table with two drawers, two shelves behind two doors, and two section changing table on top (one section for the changing pad and the other for supplies) and you'd probably pay about $450 for it in a store. It took me a couple of weekends and I paid about $100 for the lumber, paint, etc. The hard part is finding the time to actually build it!

 

Cool! what is it made of? MDF? You can email me at f4x8v2so166e5jf@jetable.com .. expires in 8 days so spammers won't use it. I'll reply with my normal email.

Thanks!

 

Home Depot (Ashburn) has a large equipment rental department.

 

Thanks for the tips. I think giving a rental unit a tryout, even if it's a bit costly, will save me some headaches down the road.