We're getting ready to start painting a lot of rooms in our house. We're going to be doing it over the next year so speed isn't a factor, but we'd like to paint our popcorn celing which it sounds like the only way to do a good job is with a sprayer. We figured we'd do some research and see if they make some consumer level paint sprayer that we could buy and use on the celing and the walls instead of renting one just for the celing.

Costco, Sears, HomeDepot all offer paint sprayer for $50 and up. I'm guessing buying the cheapest will get you...well, the cheapest. How much do I need to spend to get a decent paint sprayer?

And, what should I look for when buying one?

Thanks!

 

You must be talking about cup guns[hand held wagner type] which are no good for what you want. At a minimum you need a wagner paint crew,but I would opt for the cheapest gracco they had. maybe second cheapest. These are rated by how many gals. you intend to spray in a year. you are the lowest which is coincidently the cheapest.

This is just my opinion. I would never reccomend that anybody spend a lot of money on a sprayer for waht is really 1 job.

Don't forget the Floetrol

 

Popcorn is never fun to paint. I've always rolled popcorn in occupied homes. I own 2 commercial type airless's but spraying requires more cover up prep than I care to do in a home that is lived in.

A 1" nap is good for painting popcorn. Never over roll the ceiling. Getting the popcorn too wet is where most run into trouble. If you miss a spot or two they can easily be touched up later after the paint has dried.

 

Check Gleempaint.com and see what they have in the Wagner line. You'll want a pump with adjustable pressure. The Wagner Paint Crew does not have adjustable pressure and will produce a lot of overspray with interior house paint.

The Magnum DX from Home Depot @ $300 will handle interior paints and primers just fine. If you're planning some exterior painting in the future you'll want to step up a notch or two from the DX.

By the way you can get extensions for airless guns which make painting ceilings a lot easier.

 

Like Mark said, spraying requires way too much cover-up prep. You absolutely need to mask off EVERYTHING you do not want painted. No matter how careful you are or what sprayer you get, there will be overspray.