The Essential Guide to Buying a Paint Spray Gun

There’s a time and a place for every type of tool – and the humble paintbrush is no exception. For example, if you’re only covering a very small space, or you’re cutting in along skirting boards or plug sockets, the convenience and precision of a brush might be preferable. Or, if you’re painting a feature wall or patching up, a roller might be all it takes to get the job done.

But, when it comes to bigger, more difficult, or time-sensitive jobs, brushes and rollers might not be enough – which is where a paint spray gun comes in. In this handy guide from The Hosemaster, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about paint sprayers and how to choose the best one for you.

What is a paint spray gun?

First things first, what is a paint gun? As the name suggests, a paint sprayer is a hand-operated tool with a trigger that allows you to spray paint (and other products) through a nozzle in a fine, even mist across a variety of different surfaces.

To show you an example, we’ve provided a labelled diagram of a cup paint sprayer below. However, you should keep in mind that designs may vary according to type, even while some parts will be found across the range of paint spray guns (like the trigger or nozzle).

The benefits of using a paint spray gun

Here at The Hosemaster, we aren’t here to twist your arm into buying a paint gun you might not need. However, using a paint sprayer when the task calls for it really does have its advantages. In fact, here are some of the main reasons why using a paint gun is so appealing for professional decorators and DIY enthusiasts alike:

• A paint spray gun applies a controlled, consistent layer of material so you can be sure of a smooth, even finish.
  
  
• A paint gun covers an area quickly, making it a faster, more efficient way to apply paint to larger surfaces.
  
  
• It’s easier to reach higher surfaces with a paint gun than it is with a brush or roller.
  
  
• Pulling the trigger on a paint sprayer requires far less effort than it does to go back and forth with a brush or roller, saving you energy and allowing you to work comfortably.
  
  
• Paint spray guns can be used on a variety of different surfaces and textures, including walls, furniture, vehicles, and intricate architectural details.
  
  
• A paint gun makes covering ceilings and vertical surfaces far easier and safer.
  
  
• Using a paint sprayer allows you to have better control of how much paint you’re applying, so you waste less in over-application.

So, if you think you’ve got a project coming up that would benefit from a paint sprayer gun, keep scrolling because we’re here to help you pick the perfect product for you. We’ll take you through the different types of paint guns on the market and reveal some important considerations to keep in mind when you’re shopping around.

Different types of paint gun

Believe it or not, there are a number of different paint sprayer guns out there for you to choose from – so we’ll start by familiarising you with the most common types. Each type of paint gun has its own unique features and benefits so it’s important to figure out which one you think will work best for you.

Cup sprayers

Cup sprayers offer the most basic and cost-effective type of paint spray guns, making them ideal for small or first-time DIY projects. They are the smallest type of paint gun, which means they’re easy to hold and move around as you work. However, their size also means they need refilling more often than bigger paint sprayers. 

Additionally, within the cup paint sprayer category, there are two different types to choose from according to how the fluid is loaded into the gun.

Gravity paint spray gun

A gravity-fed cup sprayer positions the paint cup on top of the gun. This means the paint enters the gun using gravity, so it doesn’t need to be syphoned like it would in a suction sprayer. 

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A benefit of this type of paint gun is that the cup is commonly made of plastic so it’s easy to see and monitor the paint/fluid level. Plus, gravity sprayers are usually more efficient with air supply because they don’t need to syphon the fluid upward.

Suction paint spray gun

These are sometimes also referred to as syphon paint sprayers because they have a cup at the bottom of the gun, which means the paint needs to be sucked up to come out of the nozzle. 

The main benefit of a suction spray gun over gravity-fed is that typically the cup is larger – which allows it to hold more paint (and reduce the number of times you’ll need to refill your paint gun whilst working). Plus, the cup on suction paint sprayers tends to be made of metal, making it more durable, as well as making it easier to stand your paint sprayer when not in use.

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High-volume low-pressure (HVLP) sprayer

High-volume low-pressure (HVLP) paint sprayers use air volume rather than pressure to ‘atomise’ the paint as it leaves the nozzle. Because of this method, this type of paint gun is particularly great for those looking for precision and accuracy because it offers good control over airflow and paint volume.

You should consider a HVLP paint gun if you are painting furniture or other standalone items – but not if you are looking to paint the exterior of a building, for example, as a HVLP’s low output and low pressure lends itself to control and precision, but not speed and efficiency. 

Top tip: HVLP sprayers are best used with thinner paints – as thicker liquids can clog the nozzle. 

HVLP paint guns typically come as a choice of cup or cart sprayer. These work in the same way just on different scales – the latter type is on wheels, while the former isn’t. 

Airless paint sprayer

This type of paint gun can apply product to surfaces without any need for compressed air. So, instead of using air pressure to atomise and eject the paint, an airless sprayer uses a high-pressure pump to push the paint through the nozzle.

Airless paint guns are ideal for interior and exterior walls, decks, fences, and other larger-scale surfaces – particularly those outdoors that require high and wide application. However, whilst airless paint spray guns are brilliant for applying a lot of product quickly, if you’re looking for precision, you should consider an alternative paint gun.

Pneumatic air paint sprayer

This type of paint sprayer combines a long hose and an air compressor, which forces air through the nozzle using pressure. If you already own an air compressor, buying a pneumatic spray gun hose attachment could be a reasonable investment to your overall stock of equipment.

Top tip: it’s worth noting that this type of paint gun is far more suited to industrial and commercial applications.

Pneumatic spray guns operate at a much higher pressure than airless spray guns or HVLPs. They’re also the hardest to control and messiest in this category of machine so they require an experienced handler who knows what they’re doing.

Things to consider when choosing a paint spray gun

If you want to make the most of your new paint sprayer, you shouldn’t just pick the first one you see. Instead, you need to think carefully about the following factors before making your final purchasing decision.

Capacity

Larger and industrial paint sprayer guns have bigger vessels to hold more fluid; some can even syphon paint straight from the container. These types of paint guns are often referred to as ‘cart sprayers’.

Cup sprayers, on the other hand, have a cup-like container attached to the gun which you can decant paint (or another type of fluid) into – as we explained above.

Before you buy a new paint spray gun, consider how high and/or wide the area you need to cover is, and how much in total there is to paint. This will inform the size (and capacity) of the paint gun you choose.

Top tip: even with capacity in mind, it’s vital that you choose a paint gun you can use comfortably. If your paint sprayer is too big or heavy you won’t be able to work effectively, which will cost you in time and effort – and may even result in an injury.

Nozzle size

You might see a paint gun’s nozzle referred to as the ‘fluid tip’. Regardless of name, this area describes the part of the tool where the paint is ejected from, and the required size will depend on the viscosity of the paint (i.e. how thick or thin the fluid is).

Top tip: nozzle size is typically measured in mm, and you can find it on the product specification online, or in the manufacturer’s information.

As a general rule of thumb, the thicker the viscosity of the paint, the larger the nozzle needs to be. To help you out, we’ve provided some general guidelines below (but it’s always worth checking your specific requirements before committing to a purchase).

• Nozzle size: 1.0mm to 1.4mm – good for thin fluids like stains, lacquers, and varnishes.
• Nozzle size: 1.4mm to 1.8mm – good for fluids with mid-viscosity like primers, oil-based paints, and enamels.
• Nozzle size: 1.8mm to 2.2mm – good for more viscous fluids like latex paints, thick primers, and high-build coatings.
• Nozzle size: 2.2mm or more – good for industrial coatings and textured paints.

Picking a fluid tip or nozzle of the right size is essential for a clear flow and even application with no clogging.

Top tip: some paint sprayers will require paint (or another fluid) to be thinned before it can be passed through the gun.

Adjustable settings

Some paint sprayers come with settings you can customise such as:

• F​low rate.
• Spray speed.
• Spray pattern.
• Air pressure.

If you think you’d like to be able to control the tool in these ways, look out for a model that allows you to make these adjustments for yourself. 

Other features to weigh up are wheels and/or backpack straps to make your paint sprayer easier to manoeuvre, and a cordless model if you’re going to be spraying somewhere at an inconvenient distance from an electrical outlet.

Cost

Another key thing to consider is your budget and how much you’re looking to spend on a new paint sprayer gun. Prices can vary from less than £50 all the way into the thousands depending on the type of paint gun you choose. 

Cup sprayers tend to be the cheapest option, whilst pneumatic paint sprayers usually sit at the most expensive end of the scale. Cart sprayers, airless sprayers, and HVLP sprayers all fall somewhere in between. 

Top tip: the more convenient a spray gun is and the more features it offers, the more pricey it will be.

Get a professional finish with a paint sprayer from The Hosemaster

If you want to achieve a polished, professional finish on whatever surface you’re painting, using good quality products from reputable brands is the way to go. Where your paint gun is concerned, we’ve got you covered. Plus, our wealth of experience means we’re able to pass on the best deals from our suppliers directly to our customers.

Hopefully you’re able to find everything you need on the website – but if you have any questions or need further guidance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at any point during your buying journey.

Shop high-quality paint spray guns at The Hosemaster today

For more news, information, and plenty of product advice, check out The Hosemaster blog…

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