Airless Paint Sprayers

Airless paint sprayers use a pumping action to force paint through a nozzle at the end of the gun. They produce a misty fog that settles fast when it comes into contact with air. These sprayers come in various designs and are made by different companies, examples would be the Graco paint sprayers, Wagner paint sprayers, Campbell Hausfeld and of course the Fuji sprayers. They are usually made for outdoor applications and a consumer usually has a choice for either using a large or a small pump.

The airless paint sprayers offer a good finish on wood siding, wood fences, sheds and garages, metal, stucco, lawn furniture, lattice among other outdoor surfaces. It would also be important to note here that these sprayers come in three types i.e. the diaphragm pump; which is very hardy for 'do it yourself' home enthusiasts, piston pump; for professional sprayers, and the Double stroke piston pumps for construction work.

These sprayers come with different price ranges and they can cost anywhere between $150 to $3,000 depending on the type of project to be undertaken and the amount of horse power required. All said and done, before settling for a particular spray gun one should check the air and fluid controls to make sure that they work perfectly.

You should also ensure that the gun is easy to clean. I would go for a gun that makes spraying a pleasure all the time. After you are done with the job of painting it is usually advisable to unplug the gun and release the pressure trapped inside. These is done to avoid accidents that might happen if it is unplugged by someone else. As a precaution it would also be advisable to keep it out of the reach of children all the time. The damage it can do to your child cannot be overlooked.
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Experience has taught me that just about any job can be made easier by using the proper tools. And the straightforward task of cleaning and repainting your wood siding or clapboard is no different.

To begin, let me dispel a myth. Painting does not have to be done in warm weather. True, most paints are designed to be applied in temperatures of around ten to fifteen degrees Celsius, but nowadays you can buy cold weather paint that can be safely applied right around the zero degree mark. So if you're brave enough to face the weather, it can be done. Just remember that if the temperature drops much below zero then you run the risk of your paint blistering as it dries.

Now, while it's true that painting can be done in cold weather, it doesn't come highly recommended by yours truly. The reason for this is that I would suggest cleaning your siding first with a pressure washer, and the likelihood of getting wet and cold and feeling miserable is just too high. So unless you're in dire need of a paint job at an inopportune time, it's best to wait for reasonably warm weather.

As I said, cleaning your siding is the first step. To do this I would recommend using a pressure washer. You don't absolutely need one, but as is the case with any job, using the proper tools makes life much easier. Besides, a pressure washer has many uses, such as cleaning your car, deck, etc. So it's a handy machine to have.

I personally prefer gasoline powered pressure washers. This way I don't have to run extension cords everywhere and I can get more PSI.

A decent gasoline powered pressure washer in the range of 2000 PSI, 2 GPM, and with a 5-6 HP motor, will cost you around $400-500 on average and is a good all around investment.

You want to apply your paint to a dry surface that's free from any debris. So the idea of going over your exterior walls with a pressure washer is that the high pressure stream will dislodge any loose debris or stuck on dirt. Pests such as spiders and the like will also be taken care of. And of course let's not forget the fact that using a pressure washer is far quicker and easier than going up and down a ladder with a pail and a scrub brush. Also, if you'd like to use a cleaning product, don't fret. Many pressure washers come with the ability to add some sort of detergent to the mix.

When you're done cleaning the siding you want to wait an hour or two for it to dry. Then it's time for the primer. It should be noted though, that as a general rule of thumb a primer is only used on unpainted or relatively soiled surfaces. If a surface has been painted in the last five years or so, you probably don't need a coat of primer.

Either way, the best way to apply it, as well as with your regular paint, is with a paint sprayer. Being a product that you will only use intermittently, I would recommend purchasing a handheld electric sprayer. You should be able to pick one up for around $100. It's been my experience that these little beauties are faster than rollers and if used properly, create very few runs in the paint. They also eliminate the need to brush the underside of each row of siding, although you should still keep a brush on hand to deal with any potential runs.

Oil based primers seem to be the most popular as they are generally understood to adhere better to most surfaces.

As a quick tip, the purpose of a primer is to provide a surface that paint itself will more easily adhere to. It also provides an even undercoat so that paint will not absorb at different rates and thus create spots where the original surface will show through.

I usually paint top to bottom so that any runs will drip down to areas that I have yet to cover. This way I can easily deal with the runs as I move down the wall.

One coat of primer should be sufficient. When you're done you need to clean out the sprayer. I simply rinse out the holding basin and then run water through the gun itself.

Next you must wait the recommended amount of time for the primer to dry. This varies depending on the product. But like the labels say, please follow instructions for best results!

You're next step is the actual painting. Typically you go with two coats. But if you can get away with one or if you want three, then that's perfectly fine. Keep in mind however that if you didn't use a primer it's entirely possible that you might end up applying more coats than should be necessary in order to get a finish that completely filled in. Just remember the general guidelines for applying primer and you should be fine.

Okay, so we've just painted your siding. But no job is complete without the trim. When using a paint sprayer it's advisable to leave the trim until last because you'll usually get an overspray that hits the trim and leaves it speckled.

At this point it's time to give the sprayer a final cleaning and to put it away. Your weapons at this stage of the game will be a roller and a brush. I prefer foam rollers over the other types as I find them less messy. Simply roll your trim, using primer first if necessary, and then do the hard to reach places with your brush. It's as simple as that.

SOURCES:

Pressure Washers & Accessories, Home Depot

Airless Paint Sprayers for Handyman - DIY, Melspray Equipment

Tips and Precautions Related to Airless Paint Sprayers

Airless paint sprayers are mainly used for surface preparation. With their help, you can expect to get the paint job done faster and easier. These is the reason why they have been well received by professional paint contractors.

These are some of the features that you should always look for when selecting the paint sprayers in order to have a successful paint job.

1.) How safe are the sprayers that you are using? Since these sprayers function in high temperatures, they can corrode or burn your skin if they come into contact with it.

2.) How is your masking and paint preparation? All items that are not supposed to be painted should always be covered, if you are painting walls you will have to cover light fixtures, doorknobs, light switches and even the floors. This is because the Airless paint sprayers produce such fine sprays that it forms a misty fog that can settle anywhere.

You should never forget to mask yourself also by putting on a safety cover which should include
synthetic overalls, spray hood, safety glasses and a respirator.

3.) The airless paint sprayer can be used to spray many different types of paints but not ones that have textures and grit in them. These sprayers can be used effectively for both spray oil and water based paints. One thing that you should remember is that they apply too much paint too quickly, making them only applicable on exterior surfaces like building walls, fences, billboards etc.

The actual operation of an airless paint sprayer involves pumping spray through a tiny hole at the end of the gun. The spraying should be done while keeping your hand moving horizontally back and forth.
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Choosing the Right Airless Paint Sprayer For the Job

When choosing an airless paint sprayer, make sure that you look at all of the options that are available to you before making your final decision. A number of things that need to be looked at can make a large difference in whether you are able to do a professional looking job, even if you are just painting a small item. You have choices to make, such as the type of sprayer that you are going to use. Many people choose a smaller sprayer, such as the Wagner Procoat for jobs around the house, well they may use a larger compressor from Campbell Hausfeld whenever they have a larger job to do. Regardless of which one they choose, however, making the right decision when it comes to the airless paint sprayer that you are going to use can make all the difference in the world.

One of the first decisions that you need to make when choosing a paint sprayer has to do with the size job that you are going to be doing. If you're just going to be doing smaller jobs around the house, you can generally pick up a smaller airless paint sprayer at one of the local hardware stores. The Wagner Procoat is one of the more popular of these, and they can certainly handle small to medium-size jobs around the home. For larger jobs, you may want to have a dedicated unit, such as a compressor that is available from Campbell Hausfeld. You can purchase these new or used, depending on your needs and budget.

Another thing that needs to be taken into consideration is the different tips shapes and sizes that are available. Some are going to be well-suited for spraying smaller items, but you may need to get a larger tip in order to spray a larger area. For example, spraying a wall will require that you get a larger tip than if you were just spraying a chair. There are reviews available for these various sizes tips on the Internet that can act as a guide to help you choose one that is going to work well for you.

If you have an extremely big job that needs to be done, you may want to consider renting one of these paint sprayers instead of purchasing one. For example, we may want to use a sprayer in order to paint our home but we don't want to have to go through the expense of purchasing a large unit. Renting them from a hardware store is often an economical solution to this problem.

Choosing airless paint sprayers does take a little bit of looking into, but generally speaking, they are interchangeable for the most part. For example, a smaller paint sprayer, such as the Wagner Procoat may be able to handle a larger job, provided you don't do it on a regular basis. If you do happen to have a larger compressor from Campbell Hausfeld, you can also use these to do smaller jobs if you simply change the text size. If you're unsure of which sprayer to use, check the reviews on the Internet. They will generally be able to give you an idea.
After a succesful life in trading, importing and exports, Rupert now spends his time writing freelance articles for many well-known publications, as well as various educational institutions. For more of Rupert's articles regarding airless paint sprayers, please visit http://www.paint-sprayer-reviews.com/

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Lattice can look beautiful as an accent in your yard, as edging around your deck or porch or across the top of the fence. However, the holes and all the criss-crosses made by the slats can make painting lattice a real chore. Here are some tips to make the job of painting lattice a little bit easier that will give you great results that you can be proud of.

To begin painting the lattice you first need to find an area where you can lay it out and paint it. Spread newspaper on the ground where you want to paint the lattice to avoid any overspray from getting on the ground underneath. The wood used to make lattice often times can be a bit rough and full of splinters, so first prep the lattice for painting by using a sheet of fine grit sandpaper to lightly sand the lattice and remove any rough spots or splinters. When you are done sanding brush away any dust or debris.

Lattice can be painted with a paint brush however, because of all the holes and the edges of the slats it can be an extremely time consuming job if you try to tackle it by hand. A much better option is to rent and airless paint sprayer. These paint sprayers can be rented from your local home improvement store or rental shop and will make the job of painting lattice a breeze. Unlike forced air paint sprayers, airless paint sprayers don't require a compressor but instead use a pump to gently spray the paint out of the nozzle. Airless paint sprayers result in much less overspray and apply a nice, even coat or paint with minimal effort.

It is a good idea to prime the lattice before painting it to ensure that your paint will last longer and that it will hold up to the elements. You can buy primer in a spray can and spray a coat on the lattice to prime it. Be sure to do both sides of the lattice and allow the primer to dry before moving on to painting.

Choose and exterior latex paint in whatever color you prefer. Insert the dip tube from you airless paint sprayer into your paint and turn the knob on the paint sprayer to recirculate and allow the pump to run for a few minutes in order to prime the paint sprayer and force any trapped air out of it.

Next, take an old piece of cardboard and adjust the flow of the paint from the paint gun. You will want a nice fan shaped spray that is not darker on the edges than in the middle, but is a consistent color the whole way across. Many people set their paint sprayers to spray too much paint which can result in runs and heavy spots in the paint. Once you have adjusted the nozzle to deliver the right amount of paint you can begin painting your lattice.

Remember that as soon as you squeeze the trigger on the paint gun it will start spraying paint so you need to already have your hand in motion before you squeeze the trigger. Otherwise you can wind up with a thick spot that runs. Use long, overlapping spray strokes to cover your lattice with paint, making sure that you are getting all of the inside edges of the slats covered. Once you have finished one side of the lattice, allow it to dry then flip it and paint the other side.

After the lattice has dried thoroughly you are ready to use it in whatever project you need it for. To clean the airless paint spray rinse it off and run some water through it to remove any paint from inside then return it to the place you rented it from.

Airless Paint Sprayers Site