Advice on purchasing paint sprayer for home, airless? HVLP?

[Westside88]

I used an airless paint sprayer for interior painting when I built my house close to 20 years ago. I'd say it went pretty well, but I haven't needed one since. While discussing some projects my wife would like to do (built in shelving units for a small "Library", as well as several other upcoming projects, it occurred to me that I could save myself a lot of time and effort, not to mention get better results if I pick up a sprayer. I'm looking for any advice on what to get. I started looking at the HVLP units, but I don't really want to deal with thinning and using the small reservoir. They look like maybe they are more for making furniture and small projects. I like the idea of an airless in the medium size, medium duty range, I'm just wondering if that would be a good choice for laying down smooth paint on shelving units, cabinets and doors. Additionally, I believe they would work well for staining a fence etc. So far I'm kind of drawn to a Graco that Home depot has for about $500-550. I like the idea of drawing right out of 1 or 5 gallon cans. I appreciate any advice in selecting one.

[Boss .300 winmag]

🤔

[TheSkyBuster]

 Generally speaking airless is better for big jobs and HVLP is better for smaller jobs.  Gravity fed HVLP's require some skill to operate.  Mixing paint is the easy part.  You will need to adjust the gun everytime you use it, plus when you atomize your paint you have to deal with over spray.   With practice HVLP's will give you more control on your paint application and usually a better and more consistent coating. .  Professional auto painters use HVLP's ,and an experienced painter can produce really good results with even a cheap (sub $50) unit.   If you want to learn (and master) a new skill go HVLP.   If you want to knock out a couple projects a year for the wife the airless will be more user friendly.  3M makes a plastic HVLP that is very forgiving for new users, that might be worth a look also.

[baldopepper]

I've had o e graco magnum spray painter for 5-6 years now. Painted two house with it and stained a big section of fence. Works great, with no problems.  Key is to make you sure you follow the cleaning instructions completely when done using.  Messy job cleaning up, but if you don't do it as soon as you're done it'll be useless in a hurry.

[Westside88]

Thanks guys, good info

[Tinmaniac]

The material you put through whatever gun you choose makes a huge difference in finish quality.Check out Renner wood coatings on YouTube.

[link]

The Graco homeowner models work just fine unless you're using them every day, all day. For trim, cabinet type projects, pick up a fflp tip. There are different sizes. They're meant for more detailed jobs and work great.

[Nmarth88]

I would go airless. I own a titan 440 and 640.  I also own a graco 695 magnum xt that I use for spraying head of wall fire spray. The nice thing about it being airless is that you do not have to clean right away and it won’t cause problems. It’s preferable but not required. I had to clean up pumps behind guys that left them on job sites and Ben sitting for 6 weeks before I have gotten to them. The Home Depot graco home pump is worth the money if you only plan on a few projects a year. The 440 I have for side jobs has lasted a little over 10 years and I just rebuilt it after putting 1500 gallons through it this last summer at our new church project. As mentioned above the HVLP are good for small projects or spraying a conversion varnish or toner, but not preferable. Hope this helps

[Westside88]

More great info thank you.  I really appreciate hearing real world experiences