How to Pick the Right Paint Sprayer

Assess the paint job ahead of you. If you're painting something that mandates a flawless, glossy finish, an HVLP or conventional sprayer may be your best choice. These sprayers produce a very fine finish on trim, cabinets and cars. HVLP sprayers also produce little overspray, making them ideal for interior painting, according to the Paint Quality Institute.

Choose an airless sprayer for painting or staining a house. Rent a professional-quality airless instead of purchasing one for a single job because they can be expensive. Look for a sprayer that has 50 feet of hose and will pump at least 1/3 gallon per minute.

Buy a small hand-held (cup-gun) sprayer if your jobs are mostly small. They are inexpensive and fine for painting or staining decks, fences, and furniture.

Look for a powerful piston-pump airless sprayer for high-volume work and to have the option of spraying thick materials, such as waterproofing or block-fill masonry paint. They have either gas-powered or electric motors; a gas motor may not be the best choice for interior painting because of the fumes.

Look for versatility and the ability to choose accessories. Some paint sprayers can be fitted with extension wands for spraying high areas from the ground. They may also have attachments for power-rollers or even allow you to hook up two guns and hoses for higher production.

Make sure you can fit a variety of different tips to the gun. Inexpensive sprayers may limit your options. With a higher quality sprayer you will be able to use tips that allow you to adjust the fan width and spray thin material like stain and lacquer or heavier materials like masonry paint.