Painting – Roller vs Sprayer?

paperclap

Hi all,

I’ve been painting the inside of my built-in MDF wardrobe. Like my alcove units (built the same way, same MDF, etc), I plan to do 2 primer/undercoats and 3 top coats. Water-based eggshell.

When you’re doing 5 coats total, and sanding / de-nibbing in between coats, painting and rolling… it takes its toll!

I’ve almost done the insides of the wardrobe.

But, do still need to fully paint 6 wardrobe doors, and 6 “normal” house doors.

I’m tempted to get this cheapo paint sprayer. Currently on sale too.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/energer-enb769srg-700w-electric-spray-gun-240v/497KJ?tc=WC1

But, naturally with everything cheap, mixed reviews. Am I wasting my time with a cheap spray like this? Do I stick with my sash brush and foam roller? Have had very good results… but man, it takes time.

The video does show it is suitable for internal use (e.g. walls)… but I wonder whether it would only really be useful on textures surfaces where the surface itself would mask the sub-par spray finish (fences, external walls, etc).

Anyone used this sprayer? Or used cheapo sprayers?

FreeBear

I've spray painted before, both with an air gun, and an industrial airless spray. With an air gun, you get a lot of overspray settling on all surfaces, so you don't really want to do it in a room that has recently decorated.

Bookworm105

as above, the overspray when used indoors for a "cheapo" sprayer like that would result in you spending as much, or more, time masking and cleaning up 

I have one at that price range, it is great for doing fences and sheds (but more costly to use because of the amount of paint lost to overspray).

I would never use it on "proper" woodwork as the quality of spray pattern reflects its low price: very coarse spray "mist" (big droplets), vague boundary/edge to the spray, easy to get too much paint applied on the piece or from its overspray,  no ability to control air volume and therefore it is either full on or full off.

The jet to control amount of paint sucked into the spray is very far from the fine pointed jet you would get with a proper spray gun. But hey, I restore vehicles so expect much higher performance standards from a spray gun.
 

Albermarle

I’ve been painting the inside of my built-in MDF wardrobe. Like my alcove units (built the same way, same MDF, etc), I plan to do 2 primer/undercoats and 3 top coats

Seems a bit OTT for the inside of a wardrobe !

paperclap

Well, I would take the doors outside and spray them flat on the ground – not inside.

But yeah, I figured the finish wouldn't be all that great (course spray).

Albermarle – Needs must! Though, pretty sure 2 primer/undercoat and 2-3 top coats is pretty standard? Especially when painting MDF.

I think I'm just going to stick with what I know and have used so far then! Good ole brush and roller.

travis-powers

I personally think that a sprayed finish is superior to a brush/ roller finish however you are not going to achieve the results you are hoping for with a cheap sprayer.
 Looking at the reviews people are struggling to spray fencing with it!
 Unfortunately the words cheap and good are rearly used in the same sentence

FreeBear

paperclap said: Well, I would take the doors outside and spray them flat on the ground – not inside.

The bugs will make a beeline for the fresh paint. You'll be picking out insects and other bits of floating debris for months.

paperclap

That's the thing, travis-powers! I'd probably agree in that a spray finish is superior. But like you say, you need a superior sprayer to get that superior finish.

Haha, that's right FreeBear! 

travis-powers

paperclap said:

That's the thing, travis-powers! I'd probably agree in that a spray finish is superior. But like you say, you need a superior sprayer to get that superior finish.

Haha, that's right FreeBear! 

The thing is you ideally need a spray shop set up with extraction, I’ve tried with plastic down in my garage but it’s like a magnet for any airborne dust and as FreeBear mentioned insects!

Kiran

I own a good few sprayers, from el cheapo, to reasonable HVLP and airless sprayers. With the entry level cheaper sprayers you need to water down so much to get it through the tip that you end up with shed loads of coats. You can get a brilliant finish with the right bit of kit though. If you want to spray then you can rent a better piece of kit. Make sure you get the correct tip size/needle for the material you are spraying too and that will determine the quality of your finish. 

If you do decide to spray, get some cardboard/scrap sheet and practice with your flows and spray patterns. Time taken in practicing more than pays for itself in the finishing