paint sprayers

[asimon]

I’m deliberating with regards to purchasing a paint sprayer, have large amount of new plaster (well done a year ago), to paint started doing wet coat, about third of house done, then have to do the main colour coats, and I really just want to get the job done, been looking at ether hiring or buying a paint sprayer, most probably be better to buy one in the long run , see Earlex 3900 around £70-£90, trying to get fact on whether there ok with emulsion, has anyone had experience using paint sprayers, recommendations, especially if they more reasonably priced ones that I can use, have only looked on the B&Q and Argos sites so far.

 

[Pford75]

My experience has been very mixed.

It really depends on the paint and the situation of what you are painting. Modern emulsions (the thixotropic kinds) are often too thick and require watering down...this can then result in running if you are not experienced at using a sprayer. Limewashes and some thinner emulsions are usually ok....but it really can differ from paint to paint and sprayer to sprayer.

Don't forget that masking off properly will take some considerable time (and cannot be avoided unless you want a thin paint film everywhere). On interiors, I would suggest that on all but the very largest areas, this hassle outweighs the benefits of a sprayer.

Externally, sprayers can make good sense...but you are very much at the mercey of the weather and they can be challenging to use if neighbouring property etc is close by.

MIght be worth investigating Dulux's paint pod. The reviews seem polarised...I haven't used it myself, but our builder who describes himself as a total cynic, was genuinely surprised at how good it was (and he has a total disregard for anything he regards as 'DIY')

 

[Penners]

asimon - I shouldn't bother. As Pford75 says, spraying appears, on the face of it, to be a quick answer to painting large areas, but in point of fact it can be a pain in the glutius maximus. If you don't mask off everything that you don't want sprayed, the paint risks getting everywhere. If you do mask it all, the job won't be any quicker.

And you'll probably need to apply more coats, because of the necessity to thin sprayed paint. You've also got to give your spraygun a meticulous clean after every use, if you want to avoid clogged nozzles and tubes.

It's just not worth it.

I would opt for a good edging brush, plus a big roller. Bear in mind that you don't have to wash them out after every use, so long as (a) you'll be using the same paint the next day, and (b) you wrap the still-wet brush or roller tightly in clingfilm.

 

[Flyfisher]

I'd agree with all that. Unless you're painting a big ship, or similar, in the middle of nowhere, what you save on the painting time you'll probably waste on the masking and cleaning up.

I vote for Penners' edging brush and big roller approach. Indeed, with Mrs FF on the edging brush, I find I can usually roller the entire wall or ceiling in about the same time it takes to do the edging. Now that's togetherness. Ahh.

Speaking of rollers, has anyone tried those gizmos that feed paint to the roller under pressure? I've not, but have often wondered if they would speed up the painting process as, in my experience, a fair bit of time is spent re-loading the roller - not to mention the risks of spilling paint from the tray (or, in one memorable episode, dropping the tray completely :roll: ).

 

[Penners]

Speaking of rollers, has anyone tried those gizmos that feed paint to the roller under pressure?

I shall be interested to hear views on these, too. They claim to be self-cleaning, which seems to me to be critical to their usefullness. If the cleaning process is not 100% labour-free and effective, then you might as well not have saved the dipping-the-roller-in-the-tray time.

 

[Moo]

I saw one of them being demonstrated in *&* last year and was quite impressed, especially by the cleaning system. Of course, one wasn't able to see the condition of the roller a week later.....

and

... in one memorable episode, dropping the tray completely.

- on a fitted carpet in the middle of quite a large room, and then discovering that one's OH had prudently saved us about twenty-five quid by not including Accidental Damage on the insurance policy.

 

[Flyfisher]

Ouch! At least I only ruined a dustsheet . . . or curtains as they might otherwise have been known. :wink:

 

[Inspector John]

To much masking everything off etc but if you still wish to go that route take a tip from "Mr Bean"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9MAmWnOznI