Color Swatch LabGear · CSL–G08
Paint sprayers for DIY
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Sprayers give a smooth, brush-mark-free finish and can cover large areas quickly, but they need more prep than rollers. Paint mist travels, so you must mask everything you do not want painted, and you must clean the machine thoroughly afterwards. If you have never sprayed, practice on cardboard before touching a wall.
Always wear a proper respirator when spraying and ventilate the space; see our safety gear page. Read the sprayer manual for what paints it can handle, and thin paint only as the manufacturer recommends. Compare options in brushes vs rollers vs sprayers before deciding to buy.
HVLP and small handheld sprayers
Who it is for: furniture, doors, cabinets and small rooms.
These use lower pressure and a smaller spray pattern, giving more control and less overspray.
- Handheld HVLP paint sprayer for furniture and small roomsa handheld HVLP sprayer for furniture and small rooms. (Search on Amazon)
- Small HVLP sprayer for trim, doors and furniturea small HVLP sprayer for trim, doors and furniture. (Search on Amazon)
Airless sprayers
Who it is for: whole rooms, fences and exteriors, with careful masking.
Airless sprayers push thicker paint at higher pressure. They are fast and unforgiving.
- Corded airless paint sprayer for DIY jobsa corded airless sprayer for DIY jobs. (Search on Amazon)
- Larger airless paint sprayer for whole-room jobsa larger airless sprayer for whole-room jobs. (Search on Amazon)
- Wagner Control Pro 130 power tank airless paint sprayeran airless sprayer positioned for DIY room painting. (View on Amazon)
- Cordless airless paint sprayera cordless sprayer for jobs without outlets nearby. (Search on Amazon)
Spray accessories
Who it is for: anyone using aerosol or handheld spray equipment.
A shelter or grip helps with small aerosol jobs, and a cleaning kit extends sprayer life.
- Comfort-grip trigger handle for aerosol spray cansa comfortable grip for aerosol primers and enamels. (View on Amazon)
- Wagner SprayTech portable spray shelter and DIY paint boothcontains overspray for small items. (View on Amazon)
- Spray gun cleaning kit with brushes and wire (22 pcs)cleans nozzles and filters after spraying. (View on Amazon)
- Paint strainer bags for 5-gallon buckets, fine mesh (100-pack)strain old or lumpy paint. (View on Amazon)
Masking and protection
Who it is for: every sprayer user.
Mask everything you do not want painted, then double-check windows, floors and fixtures.
- Tangibay pre-taped masking film, 70 in. x 66 ft (3 rolls)masks windows, cabinets and trim in one pass. (View on Amazon)
- Trimaco Easy Mask Cling Cover plastic sheeting, 9 ft x 400 ftcovers furniture and keeps splatter off pieces you cannot move. (View on Amazon)
- ScotchBlue Original Multi-Surface Painter's Tape, 2 in. x 60 yd (2090-48NC)hangs samples and masks trim without lifting paint. (View on Amazon)
- 3M Hand-Masker pre-loaded masking film and tape dispenser kit (M3000-PAK)speeds up masking long edges. (View on Amazon)
Safety and cleanup
Who it is for: everyone spraying.
A properly fitted respirator, eye protection and coveralls reduce exposure.
- Reusable half-facepiece respiratorreusable respirator body for solvent paints and sanding. (Search on Amazon)
- 3M 60921 organic vapor/P100 filter cartridges (pair)replacement cartridges for the half-mask. (View on Amazon)
- Clear safety glasseseye protection when scraping, sanding or spraying. (Search on Amazon)
- Disposable paint suit coverallkeeps paint and dust off clothes. (View on Amazon)
FAQ
- Do I need to thin paint for a sprayer?
- Some sprayers handle paint straight from the can; others need thinning. Follow the sprayer manual and the paint can instructions.
- Is a sprayer worth it for one room?
- Usually not, because masking and cleanup take as long as rolling. It can be worth it for furniture, cabinets or large surfaces.
- What do I wear when spraying?
- At a minimum, a respirator rated for paint, eye protection and clothes you do not mind ruining. Ventilate the space.
- How do I clean a paint sprayer?
- Flush it with water for latex paint (or the appropriate solvent for oil-based paint) as the manual directs, and clean filters and the nozzle.
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