I figure a bunch of you will have experience with these machines, so...

I'm looking for something that won't break the bank, but is functional for a few things I need to get done.

I need to paint a shed. Nothing elaborate, just need easy coverage. Also, some interior walls at my house, and spraying some sealant on the logs at my cabin.

I believe I'd prefer one that siphons out of the paint can rather than an integrated tank.

Renting one doesn't seem to make sense for my needs because the projects will happen over a period of a few weeks.

Is there a sweet spot for function and price that you all have found.

Thanks in advance for sharing your opinions.

Following. I have a bunch of wood fence and deck needing stained

Titan or Graco

Both have units in the $300 range that would be more than adequate for what you need

Pay attention to the products requirements to spray. Many of these units ship with a 100 mesh or fine screen in the gun and a 011 or 013 tip

Most premium products state to use a coarse or 60 mesh and 015-019 tip

I've had a Wagner 404 for about 25? years. Literally have hundreds of gallons of paint thru it. It never lets me down, will spray a layer as smooth as glass even with latex, (2500 psi). Maybe find a good used one.

Outdoor spraying is problematic due to overspray. Even on our huge liquid petroleum storage tanks we've almost universally switched to using rollers due to the frequency of overspray carrying into some expensive areas (e.g. employee parking lot).

Lowest winds are typically in the morning, but the dew point is highest in the morning. Your paint will have a dew point performance range for application so while you're waiting for the dew point to drop everything is getting hotter and thermals/winds are picking up. It's kind of a catch 22. Just saw that the OP is in Las Vegas so dew point is likely not an issue.

In other words, I'm urging rolling the shed. Assuming your cabin is remote then the spray will likely get in nooks and crannies better.

Pro Tip: wood sealant will kill landscaping better than Round Up so it's a great opportunity to kill a hated bush or two. As a teen, I was banned from spraying sealant on our deck due to waterproofing the landscaping with overspray. "Accidentally" killed the bush that made it hard to sneak out my bedroom window.

Thanks guys. The shed is up at the cabin too, so no concerns with overspray.

When another pump is not handy, we always changed out the hose from the one used to paint to one previously used to spray stains or clear coatings.
Different gun and tip also. Unless you know how to flush out the pump and lines well, really well.

Rent what you need from a paint store to spray, stored pumps require some prep to use some time later. Roll the shed, prime with oil primer if bare wood, the job will last much longer.

quote:

Originally posted by 08 Cayenne:
I've had a Wagner 404 for about 25? years. Literally have hundreds of gallons of paint thru it. It never lets me down, will spray a layer as smooth as glass even with latex, (2500 psi). Maybe find a good used one.

Longtime Wagner Spraytec user here too.
I got one of the better to middle units years ago - paid somewhere around $400~450 as I recall.
Works GREAT with Latex and low viscosity paints, never tried it with high viscosity stains as I would use my HVLP unit for that.
Now days I would look at GRACO units too.
Painted the outside of the house, inside and worked great with the extension pole for my 18 foot ceilings.
You do have to consider the size of the job and overspray.
Better served with med - large jobs due to cleanup and setup but actual paint time is dramatically reduced.
Don't buy too cheap of a unit - buy once - cry once.
Paint ON!

Get a well known model HVLP. High Volume Low Production or some such. Tape off things you don't want painted and don't use it on windy days.

I have a Graco 395Pro. It’s been a great unit. I don’t know how the “prosumer” Graco’s at Home Depot compare to a genuine pro unit. I know they lack a main filter, so it would be a problem if your paint wasn’t strained well. Mine has a Rac V gun. My favorite all around tip is a 515. That’s a 10” pattern with a .015 orafice.

Check pawn shops. My brother and I bought our first pump at a pawn shop, a pro grade Spraytec. It is a great unit, and was a bargain. He still has it to this day.

quote:

Originally posted by jimb888:
Get a well known model HVLP. High Volume Low Production or some such. Tape off things you don't want painted and don't use it on windy days.

HVLP struggles with high viscosity Latex paint but great for just about everything else.
Great for just about everything else though.

I've been using a 'commercial' graco since I started painting for money more than 50 years ago. reliable and decent parts availability. That's what I would buy. But for the kind of simple one time projects you describe I can't see buying anything but a few brushes and rollers.

Rent?

I’ve got a graco one, it shipped with a good latex spray “needle” tip doo-dad, I got a smaller numbered one for spraying a dozen indoor doors, the smaller tip makes it easier to spray a smaller area and delivers less paint.. I couldn’t be happier with it, totally paid for itself for spraying those doors, versus paying someone to do it.

I think it was the spray-pro.

quote:

Originally posted by jigray3:
Rent?

From the OP:

“Renting one doesn't seem to make sense for my needs because the projects will happen over a period of a few weeks. “

I visited the local sprayer repair guy and picked up a great Graco unit that pulls paint out of a 5 gal bucket and have used it for my new house spraying primer and finish coat, my sons new house, again primer and finish on interior and exterior and all we needed to do was change the sprayer tip as the latex primer and finish eat up the tips quickly. Just watch your pattern and when it starts funky change the tip and keep going. I got my used Graco for 175 bucks and it is still going after 10 years.