Painting With An Inexpensive Handheld Paint Sprayer
A review of what it was like painting furniture with an inexpensive handheld paint sprayer you can find anywhere – completely honest and unbiased (spoiler – it worked!). Plus, get my tips I learned for easy application and the best finish.
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Both Brian and I had always heard that an inexpensive handheld paint sprayer wouldn’t work well and wasn’t worth the money. We’ve borrowed airless paint sprayers from a former contractor a couple of times to paint the entire inside of our house and thenĀ the outside, so we know what they can do and how well they work.
However, as a serial DIY-er, I’ve always got a number of small painting projects in the pipeline that are too small for the hassle of a big sprayer. Which means I inevitably put them off because of the time involved in brushing on paint.
Using cans of spray paint to paint the curved base of our dining room table last year was way easier than a brush and covered it smoothly. But at $5+ bucks a can, one project can easily get to $15 or more just for the paint – and more important, you’re limited in color choices (not to mention all the little cans that go in the trash).
When it came time to paint our new dining room chairs (or past time, since we’d had them about 9 months…) I started with a can of spray paint. When I realized it was going to take two cans for each chair that would be close to $40 for four chairs, plus a cramped finger (unless I also bought a spray can trigger, which always seem to break after about one can of use…), I started researching electric handheld sprayers.
Inexpensive Handheld Paint Sprayer
Which turned out to be very interesting. While reading reviews, I found there were a lot of critics out there, which I kind of expected: “Don’t waste your money,” and “clogs and spits paint,” and even “tricked into buying!” The best one was, “This is a great sprayer…for me to POOP on!”
Goodness – who writes these kind of things?
Then I zeroed in on this Wagner HVLP Control Sprayer:
What I DID’NT expect were all the people who said things like, “worked great for me,” or “very pleasantly surprised,” and “great gun for the price and saved me a ton of time.”
Oh, they’re talking my language here. And when I read the most recent reviews – “Great product- don’t be fooled by the bad reviews” and “Be patient and don’t listen to the naysayers,” I began to see that it seemed people either loved it or hated it (there are very few in-between reviews) – and the reasons for the hating seemed to be in the way the sprayer was used (or not used).
So I decided I would take a chance and try out the paint sprayer to see for myself which camp I would fall into.
And I’m so glad I did! Even though Brian was firmly on the side of “you’re going to be disappointed.”
The reason I went for it is because I knew what painting with a big, expensive sprayer was like – there’s always a lot of overspray (I could barely see Brian when he was painting the interior), drips are an issue, and clean-up is a hassle. These seemed to be the main complaints, but I would expect these things with any sized sprayer.
In other words, my expectations were low. I just wanted something for small jobs, like chairs, bi-fold doors, and cabinet doors.
UPDATE: since I wrote this review, Wagner has come out with a Control Spray Double Duty Paint Sprayer that says it’s good for indoors OR out, and comes with two easy-to-change paint holders for about $20 more, which might work better for interior doors.
Using the Handheld Paint Sprayer + Tips
I actually got some good information from the reviews about how to get the paint sprayer to work the best.
Here are the tips I followed:
- I bought the Wagner paint conditioner called “Paint Easy” to thin the latex paint we were using. I followed the directions and it worked great.
- I didn’t hesitate to use it with latex paint because so many reviewers had used it with good results- even though water-based latex is not mentioned in the materials that come with the sprayer.
- I followed all the directions meticulously, thinning the paint as directed on the conditioner bottle.
- I used a large piece of cardboard to start spraying on, so that if the paint spit some at the beginning, it would be on the cardboard (though it really didn’t spit much).
- I practiced first on the cardboard, getting the feel of the trigger and how the paint came out.
- I set the chairs in an old three-sided shed, making a “spray booth” of sorts.
- I applied thin coats in order to avoid drips.
The last tip was actually the hardest – painting really thin coats just seemed like I wasn’t putting enough on. But everyone was right, I’d get drips if I tried to apply more (which is the same with a spray can, actually).
You can see in the photo above of the chair front that it does spray with “droplets” of paint (not sure what to call them…). The first coats did not look smooth at all, and I was a bit worried at this point.
This picture of a part of the bench Brian made out of a couple of our broken chairs shows better how the coats look as they are applied.
You can even see at the top where I had to brush a drip when I got overzealous with the spray gun. The first coats should be so thin you can still see the original finish.Ā By the third coat, though, it will be covered.
Since I was using a water-based latex, the thin coats didn’t take long to dry and I could easily finish a project in a couple hours (depending on how distracted I got between coats, a-hem).
What do you do with the paint in the sprayer between coats?
I needed to wait overnight to finish since I couldn’t fit all the chairs and bench at once in the shed, so I took one of the reviewers suggestions to let the sprayer sit without moving so the bit of paint would dry on the nozzle to create an air-tight environment for the paint in the sprayer.
In the morning I took a thumbtack and gently pricked off the dried paint on the nozzle – it pulled right off – and started spraying on the cardboard. It took about 30 seconds to start again, but then sprayed like normal!
I actually did this every time I needed to leave it for a few hours for the coats to dry, too – it’s a great tip!
What about cleaning?
I only cleaned the paint sprayer when I was done with all the projects I had planned. I took my time cleaning and followed all the directions to make sure I got all the paint off wherever I could see it. And I found that it cleaned up really well.
What were the results?
I was pleasantly surprised that after all the coats were applied and the paint had dried, the finish on the furniture appeared smooth!
This is much, MUCH better than a brush! They aren’t quite as smooth as the finish from a can of spray paint – but you can only tell if you rub your hands over them (and it’s still pretty subtle).
My verdict? I LOVE it! It’s exactly what I need to help me paint chairs, my kitchen cabinet doors, our closet bi-fold doors (think about how easy the louvers are going to be now!), and our 6-panel interiorĀ doors.
I’ll have to remove them and take them out to my “spray booth” but I will save HOURS of work, so I’m totally OK with that.
Have you had experience with one of these inexpensive handheld paint sprayers? Which camp do you fall into?
Note: This was originally published in September of 2011, born out of my excitement over finding a “cheap” sprayer that made painting things like chairs easier (this was NOT a sponsored post). I continue to get Google traffic from it, probably for the same reasons I tried it in the first place – you all want to know if it really works and to wade through the noise of the love-it-or-hate-it reviews on sites like Amazon. And doing it yourself in the simplest way possible? Just another AOC core value.
Disclosure: affiliate links in this article will earn commission based on sales, but it doesn’t change your price. Click here to read my full disclaimer and advertising disclosure.
Thanks for your post, I stumbled across it. Was looking at sprayers today at my local store and decided to do some research before buying. Glad I did and thanks for the advice. Am looking to pain a small cabinet and didnāt want brush strokes. Will be buying the sprayer tomorrow and hoping for the best. Thanks.
So thankful to have found this post Jami! We just primed the inside of our trailer with a Titan 440i airless sprayer that we rented for $70 a day. My husband said it was like digging your flower bed with an excavator! Used 3 x times the primer we expected, drips and thick coating of primer everywhere. So here we are at the end of the 1st day asking ourselves what are we going to do?? No way are we going to try and finish the job with that tank! You have restored our hope! Going to Home Depot tonight to buy one – thank you so much!!
Oh, yeah Shawna! That does sound awful – I think you’ll be really pleased with the smaller paint sprayer for that application. š
How long did it take you to clean it? I’m weighing the cost savings for cans of spray paint (2, 3 cans) versus clean up time. Altho, like you, I hate the waste of cans in the trash.
Maybe 15-20 minutes, Terry? I can’t remember exactly, but it didn’t seem excessive. If I wasn’t going to be doing more painting, I’d probably just go with paint cans if I were you – but if painting is something you do often, like me, this has been a good investment for me.
I am so glad you wrote this article…Talking about confused!!
I also want to buy a hand held sprayer and i don’t know what to believe…You will read get so many different reviews with pissed off reviewers and then you get a perfect review…What to do-What to do?
Here is my dilemma-Should i just buy the Walmart Wager cheaper 50 buck sprayer since they are so inconsistent(so not be out of lots of money and i can take it back to the store) Or should i pay a bit more hoping to get a better one?
The next problem is staining and painting…It seems hard to even find one that is suppose to be used to paint the walls inside of your home.The item descriptionalways talks about using it for staining-So should you have 1 hand sprayer for staining and 1 for interior painting or can 1 machine do both well? IDK?
After reading tons of reviews i do know that it is important to buy the bottle of paint conditioner and proper clean up is a must.
One thing that everyone agrees on with any of these hand held machines-STAY AWAY FROM CEILINGS.
I’m glad you’ve found this helpful, Marie! I did just purchase the $55 Wagner sprayer, (though when I visited the post, I saw the link was broken, so you couldn’t tell what I had bought! It’s fixed now, along with an update). As you read, it worked great for me. It does say it’s for stains, though, which is why I reviewed it with paint to share – it does work with paint, as long as its thinned with a conditioner or water.
As for painting inside with it – I didn’t try it. I’ve included a new Wagner sprayer in the post now that is supposed to work both inside and out for just $20-25 more – that might be an option for you, as it comes with 2 painting reservoirs.
Hello, I am new to this site and reading this review has given me some great ideas. I was wondering if you have tried this sprayer with any un-thinned latex paints. I have been thinking about buying a flexio 570 or 590. I am a carpenter by trade but do a lot of painting as well and have a lot of stuff in, on, and around the house that needs painted. I have been reading reviews on the flexio line and like you say people either hate it or love it. Don’t really have a lot of money to spare right now as I just had a baby a few days ago and was maybe just going to buy this one if it works with un-thinned latex.
Thank you for your time and your great review.
I haven’t used it with un-thinned paint, Jed – the comments I read didn’t support that, so I’ve always thinned it. Some paint is really thick and it might clog. Sorry I can’t be of more help!
Hi Jami,
I noticed the sprayer you recommended is for stain. Am I correct in reading that you bought the stain one, but just thinned your paint? And it works?
Thanks for your help.
Yes, it works for both. I read in the reviews that a number of people used it for paint, too. š
Just ordered! I have 4 or 5 pieces of patio furniture to paint. Also a deck and some railings. Hope I am lucky with this. Thanks for your review.
Great! I hope you like it as much as we do – it’s a lifesaver for all our bi-fold doors with shutter-like tops!!
Loved this! I decide to buy a spray painter after finishing reading this post.
Hi Jami! I, too, am so glad I found this post. I desperately need a paint sprayer as I paint furniture all the time – for myself and for others as a small business. Right now, I have 6 adirondack chairs and a lounge chair that need paint. I can use this sprayer for those, right? I also would probably use this outdoors or in the garage when spraying furniture. I’m guessing an “exterior” sprayer is purposed for painting houses, etc.
Yes, this works great for furniture and it made repainting our doors last summer go quickly, too. We always use it outside to not worry about spray, but I’ve seen some people set up a ‘tent’ in their garage to be able to spray in inclement weather. I’d have to look at the sprayer labeled ‘exterior’ but I would guess like you did that it’s for painting houses (and it would be more expensive, too, right?).
Thanks so much! You are good getting back to me so quickly. I think for the fairly low price (compared with the speed of the results) it is worth a try. Let you know how I make out. Thanks for a post full of good information.
Thanks for your post, I stumbled across it. Was looking at sprayers today at my local store and decided to do some research before buying. Glad I did and thanks for the advice. Am looking to pain a small cabinet and didn’t want brush strokes. Will be buying the sprayer tomorrow and hoping for the best. Thanks.
Jami, so glad I was surfering the web and found your blog. I have been wanting a paint sprayer for the same reason many have stated. Now I am off to purchase one this weekend let the ptrojects begin I have about 8 to 10 right now thank you for the input. I will let you how that turn out.
So happy I found this page when I did. My husband was in the midst of building us a new bed and I was tasked with painting it, and not looking forward to it. After reading this, I bought the sprayer, much to the annoyance of hubby, who is in the camp of ” it won’t work, you will still have to back brush it, etc.” He has a bad history with the use of paint sprayers, for all of the reasons you cited. Well I followed your recommendations, and those of some of the commenters on the reviews, and could not be happier! Love it! The finish was awesome, and it was so quick once you got into using it. and I think I made a believer out of hubby. Can’t wait for warmer weather to paint more things. thank you!
SO glad it was helpful to you, Kathy! We are the same way and I just love how it makes painting things like louvered doors not such a problem now. Anything we can take outside to paint we use the sprayer with now. š
Jami,
I was also surprised on how well the Wagner Paint Sprayer gun works on interior items. My wife bugged me to get her something for her interior jobs for months and I finally gave in and I can say it was one of my best investments to date. She is now painting things that I had on my “to do” list because of the Wagner paint sprayer. Great post !!
Just bought one of these spray painters after reading this post. Did you spray on primer before the paint on these chairs?
I didn’t, Shannon, I just sprayed the light coats of paint. I’m sure real painters would advise it, but they’ve held up really well since I’ve painted them (and they’re used everyday) and I didn’t want to have to empty and clean out the sprayer, ha! Your choice. š
Thanks for the honest review. I am about to purchase a used kitchen table and chairs and have been debating in my head whether I want to leave it brown (which I hate) or to paint the set. I really want to paint it but dread the time and trouble of painting with a brush and I like how spray paint works but cannot afford the cost of painting the whole table and six chairs. I always do my research before making a purchase such as this, and I think you’ve got me sold. Should I be as successful as you, so many things in my house will now get painted! I am excited to get started.
Use chalk paint, then you don’t have to sand or prime!
I still wouldn’t want to use a brush around all the leg carvings, Lyn – do you think the chalk would make the paint too thick for the sprayer? I love chalk paint for pieces like tables and dressers – but 16 chair legs? Bring on the sprayer! š
I actually used chalk paint to paint my kitchen cabinets and half-way through I purchased the sprayer at my local Ace (not sure of specific model) It did indeed work BUT I’m a do first, read later kinda girl š So my first efforts were too thick and blotchy. I added water to thin mine out (which is safe with chalk paint) and got my technique down better. It did require some sanding in between coats to help even it out but light hand sanding. The cabinets I brushed indeed have a better finish but I think I’m the only one that points that out or notices! In the end, it was the right choice for this mama who was 6 months pregnant and decided to paint the kitchen cabinets while daddy was away on a work trip.
Good to know about chalk paint, Kristi, since I know lots of people are using that now. Thanks for letting us know how it works!
Hi Jami – just found you!! I’m heading out to purchase the Wagner sprayer to paint my louvered doors. The thought of brushing them is just too overwhelming and I’m willing to risk a new technique based on your advice!! So thanks …. how did your doors turn out, btw?
I also love the lazy susan idea from Brian.
Off I go ……
Ugh, my doors are still a dingy beige waiting to be painted! It’s so low on the to-do list, it’s not funny – even though they bug me every.single.day. Hmmm, maybe I should move them up? š Let me know how yours turn out!
I’m glad I found your post it’s just what I needed to hear to push me over the edge in buying a handheld airless sprayer.
I have a couple ideas from a small paint booth I built in the shop at work. I used a kitchen stove hood in the top of my paint booth to vent out the overspray. The one I found had a small squirrel cage blower so it was more powerful than one of those three blade fans. I also cut out 6×8 pieces of cheap furnace filters in place of the grease screen the hood originally had.
The most important item was a Lazy-Suzan from an old cabinet. Once you use one of those in your paint booth you wonder how you ever got along without it!
Great tips, Brian, for a diy paint booth – thanks!
I have to say when I first read about this sprayer I really didn’t know what to think…( I LOVE your blog and have watched your videos on you tube..!!)..I did a Google reviews search and still couldn’t find out about this sprayer.Well I bought one and while waiting for my chalk paint to get mixed I started talking to a painter standing next to me..I told him what I was doing and he kinda shook his head..He asked..” You shooting latex..?” Yes I said..” That sprayer wouldn’t do the job..you will have to dilute paint to shoot it and once you do that,you change the color AND it’s properties..”..Hmm..he was right..I tried over 2 hours to get the sprayer to just get one good coat but it never came..diluting it changed the color..( the painter was right..)..I even called Dutch Boy and Behr and was told..” Buy a really good compressor and gun..” I also called Wagner and got about the same answer.I believe if your shooting an oil based paint it would work..but not something water based
Hmm, sorry to hear that Dave! I’ve used it numerous times with the diluting mixture I show and the color of my interior latex paint (not chalk) is the same as non-sprayed. Though I have only used white and not a darker color.
UPDATE..!!..LOL…Ok,so I went back and forth and kept trying to figure out what I was doing wrong…I even joined a painters website..( IT REALLY helped.!!..)WELL,I finally talked to a Wagner tech..( for over an hour ..!!!) and was finally was told what and how to do my spraying,the tech also told me that Wagner makes a paint thinner called “Easy Paint”There’s also one called Floetrol and another called X tender.I read the reviews on all 3 products and finally settled on Easy Paint by Wagner…Now I had to do a bit of experimenting but in the end it worked out for the best.Really thick paint..( with a primer added) usually takes between 4 and 6 oz.and other paint..( Pittsburgh ) took about 4 ounces.I bought the 590 Wagner model and LOVE it..It comes with 2 sprayers..a main sprayer and a smaller one for touch ups…( with price matching and rebates I paid just over 100.00 dollars..also has a power control and a flow control..)The thick Dutch boy I used ( after adding Easy Paint) sprayed on like butter.!! I was floored.!!!..I was so happy at the finish !!! But I MUST tell everyone..you REALLY need to practice ( even with the model you use Jami,) and learn how to thin paint and how to use the flow adjustment…!!! Now back to work…I have several different style benches that need spraying and have to get to the paint store to see what opps paint they have sitting around…LOL..Thanks a bunch for your blog .!!
Well I’m glad you got it working so that you like it, Dave! I’m sorry, though, that you didn’t see that I referred to Wagner’s Paint Easy in the post – it is what makes the paint spray nicely in my opinion, too. If you weren’t using this at first, I can see where the finish wouldn’t have been as good. š
Hi,
Do you need to use a spray booth or can i use my garage?
There is a bit of overspray and of course what falls to the ground, but nothing that some sheets of plastic wouldn’t fix. When we don’t have an available shed, I plan on taping plastic sheets to a corner of the garage, cover the floor with it and paint there, so yes, use your garage. Just be sure to prep and cover areas you don’t want overspray on (just like when using cans of spray paint).
Im making a paint booth out of a pop up canopy and use clamps to hold the paint drop cloth in place and wear a paper jumpsuit and booties,Im trying to find the right sprayer that i like
That’s a great idea for a paint booth, Patricia!
I have been looking into sprayers and was so excited to stumble over your post and your blog! I feel the same way, that if I get something for cheap, I don’t want to spend a small fortune on supplies! I also saw a really small sprayer at my local Ace hardware store, that would work for frames, and accessories – I’ll have to go back and get the name, but I think in the meantime, I’m going to check out the one you bought. Thanks for sharing and love your ideas!! Hugs & Smiles, T
Hey, Theresa, glad you found me! Hmmm, the small sprayer sounds interesting – it would be nice not to be limited by the colors of spray paint available. That would be great if it worked, that is. š
You can smooth the finish a little further by “sanding” it with a piece of brown paper bag. This works for between coat sanding, also.
Wow, I have not heard of that before – just regular brown paper smooths the finish? I’ll have to try it – thanks!
Such a great and informative post.