If you are in the midst of a new DIY project you might be at the point where you are preparing to bring out the paint materials. That also means you may be searching for other options that will work more efficiently for you besides the traditional brush technique. 

This brings us to paint sprayers. How do we know which paint sprayer will do the best job for our projects - and how do we properly operate them? Let’s find out!

What is a Paint Sprayer?

A Paint Sprayer is a painting device that helps you paint objects and areas with hard to reach corners and grooves. The device cuts down your painting time by a significant amount and covers more surface area than a regular paintbrush. Not to mention it requires much less effort and won’t leave you with a sore arm the next day. But, hiring a commercial professional spray painter is typical in the UK, especially if you need the job done quickly.

However, it is important to know which paint sprayer is the best for your situation. There are three types: 

1. Airless Paint Sprayer 

An Airless Paint Sprayer releases paint by using levels of very high pressure which allows it to cover big surface areas with an even layer of paint. These airless paint sprayers are generally used for painting large areas that don't necessarily have finer details to them. Some of these surfaces include: 

• Doors

• Fences

• Walls 

• Decks 

• Shutters 

These sprayers are also able to work many different types of paints from thick to thin stains. 

An Airless Sprayer is generally easy to use but there are some tips and tricks to follow to make sure your experience is perfect: 

• Mask Up! You don’t want to be inhaling any spray paint particles in the air 

• Leave 12 inches of Space. Try to spray the paint about 12 inches away from your target to get an ideal result 

• Wear Proper Attire. On top of your mask, make sure to wear clothing you don’t mind getting ruined as it is very likely you will be staining them with paint. 

There is also a type of air sprayer called a cup sprayer that is more compact and efficient for smaller projects around the house that you can also look into.  

2. Pneumatic Air Sprayer 

Pneumatic Air Sprayers used compressed air to bring you results. This painting tool comes with a high-pressure hose and compressor that work together to give you your desired results quickly. 

They are typically used on projects like: 

• Furniture 

• Cabinets

• Car Paint Jobs

• Home Appliances 

These compressed air sprayers are also the recommended tool for beginners since they require little to no setup and are generally easy to get going. However, this air sprayer can run your bill a little high because they do use up quite a bit of paint at a quick rate. 

Some general tips and tricks for using Pneumatic Air Sprayers are: 

• Always Wear a Mask. Because of the compressed air, a large volume of paint is released consistently 

• Leave a 12-inch Gap. Just like an airless paint sprayer, the recommended distance to spray from is 12 inches. 

• Perform a Test Run. Test out the pressure levels of your sprayer to get a level you are satisfied with 

3. HVLP Sprayer 

The final Paint Sprayer we’ll be going over today is the HVLP Sprayer. This sprayer uses high volumes of paint and lowers the air pressure in order to deposit larger portions of paints on your projects. The end result is usually a project with a smooth finish. 

HVLP Sprayers are commonly used for things like: 

• Cabinets

• Crown Moulding 

• Trim

• Doors

• Crafting

• Various Interior Home Projects 

These sprayers are the more expensive ones out of the bunch, but the investment is a good one especially if you are a professional who uses it often. They are also known to be the most efficient sprayer when it comes to getting the job done properly.

Some handy tips for using an HVLP Sprayer include: 

• Wear a Mask. Just like its fellow counterpart wearing a mask is still important

• Spraying distance of 6 inches. You will want to cut the spraying distance down from 12 inches to 6 inches for HVLP. 

HVLP Sprayers come in a variety of sizes to meet your liking and they even offer handheld versions for projects where you may need to move around. 

Not that you know what type of resources are out there for your next paint job, it is time to make the decision which paint sprayer is best for you. Remember to do your research and understand your options before buying. Happy Painting!