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