- 5.4 GPH flow rate
- WideShot tip
- 6 foot remote suction set
- Convenient carry case
- Replacement atomizer valve and cleaning brush
I own an air compressor and was toying with the idea of buying a spray gun for it. But several factors made me decide against it. (Mainly 1) paint projects must be nearby the compressor 2) major major paint clouds)
So I was recommended the Wagner 305 by the Home Depot paint guy. It works better than I expected. But I do agree with other people who have written reviews.
1) there is quite a bit of cleanup time, but take this with a grain of salt--I usually don't clean up paint brushes and rollers, I just through them out and buy new (really! hehe)
2) It's noisy yet not extremely loud. It quiets down once the paint starts flowing into the compressor. The gun would be no problem outdoors at all. But in confined spaces the echoing might get to you.
3) Overspray. It's going to happen. Get tarps. This was expected and should be expected.
4) Some wasted paint. If you have a large job buy the paint in 5 gallon buckets and consider cutting a 1/2" hole in the lid. Then put the 1/2" tubing through the hole, attach the filter. Then draw enough 1/2" tubing into the bucket so that it reaches the bottom. Use a clip on the hose to KEEP IT AT THE BOTTOM. This will *prevent* all globbing.
For small projects use the quart attachment and pour the paint into there. Then just run hot water through it. Voila. Cleaned.
Benefits. TIME. This this moves Soooo fast. Very very fast. Entire rooms can be painted in a heartbeat. But like everyone always says, things go smoother when you prepare correctly. (i.e. use tarps, mask off needed areas, etc.)
Never had to thin my paint. Don't know what type of paint others are using but mine flows perfectly. No problems there.
HTH,
-Ed.
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I originally picked up my Wagner Power Painter used from a garage sale. I find them often being sold after very limited use. Why do people get rid of them? Well, often they don't properly take care of them so they are upset with the results. I find that usually about 20mins cleaning the used gun yeilds an almost brand new gun that operates properly.
Apparently by reading the reviews, people also don't know what to realistically expect. First, you WILL get overspray from every sprayer airless or not. You should wear appropriate clothing to avoid being drizzled upon. Second, it is heavy for many people. You have an electric spayer with a container of fluid that needs to be held up for relatively long durations. Your arms are likely to get tired. Third, if you use latex paint, you will need to thin it a bit. A little experimentation is involved with a scrap piece of cardboard to get the mix and setting right. Do this before you start your project. Fourth, I agree with a previous reviewer. It is noisy but no more so than most electric tools. My skill saw or grinder are no less noisy. Finally, when the paint container gets about 3/4 empty, it very well may start spitting paint instead of spraying it. Just get used to refilling before your almost empty.
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I was in the process of ordering a Wagner painter and noticed the bad reviews. So rather than buy one just yet, I borrowed my boss' sprayer which is the above model. Here's my objective opinion, BS free.
If you think it's loud, you don't work around power tools much. Spend a few minutes with a router, table saw, sander, whatever.
I needed a sprayer because I had to paint louvered doors --a guaranteed mess with a brush. I used alkyd enamel --I don't know how this thing sprays latex. (What does?) I have never used an airless sprayer before and the job came out perfect. I have used compressed air sprayers on signs and a car before and to me there is no difference in technique or coverage. There will be overspray and there will be wasting of paint with any sprayer, right? It's a tragic fact of life. The other tragic fact is that cleanup is intensive. That's a small concern, overshadowed by the splendid results. Certainly, with practice and experience, one could, no doubt, shorten the process. Same as with all sprayers. Use rubber gloves.
Packing all the stuff away can be a problem but it all fits easily away if you remove the spray jar and invert it into the case. No problem after that.
Unless you want to fork over money for a compressor and gun, this thing will do just fine with oil based enamel and stains. Sure it's a little heavier than a spray gun. Use two hands if you are doing a big job.
By the way, I felt the warning of injection hazard, resulting in possible amputation was sort of scary. But then it occurred to me: what power tool doesn't offer the promise of possible amputation?
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I just got off the phone with the Wagner folks who informed me that the piston is rated for ONLY 7-10 gallons of paint before needing replacement... They also told me I shouldn't be using Behr of Kilz paint with it. Those will wear it out faster.
If I knew this information before, I wouldn't have bought this product. Perhaps they should put it on the box.
I was faced with painting 500 square feet of 6 inch wide siding. This would be a daunting task in that I suffered a rotator cuff injury 6 weeks before.
The 2 speed Wagner 305 was the answer. Not counting the masking of windows and an 8 inch cut in with a brush around the trim, the 500 squre feet of irregular surface was covered in 50 minutes. A third of this time was moving the ladder.
The weight of the 305 was not a problem even for my injured arm.
The slower speed allowed me to work within a foot of the trim with no overspray and within 8 inches with a wet wipe of the trim for clean up.
There was no dripping as others have claimed. Clean up was no more time consuming than cleaning a good brush. (Clean up with oil base would be more problematic; stick with latex if you can.)
The only down side was thinning the primer enough to get a good spray and still get coverage. Applying a modest coat and then returning in 10 minutes was the answer to prevent sagging.
For outdoor wide surface projects, particularly with irregular surfaces, this tool can't be beat.
