Some argue that as paint sprayers are not always suitable for indoor use, they are pretty limited in terms of versatility. However, if you find yourself faced with a pretty sizable exterior painting project…well, let’s just say things are quite different!
For most people, making the switch to a paint sprayer for exterior home painting is the kind of switch from which there is no going back. Just as soon as you’ve experienced the advantages first hand, it’s almost impossible to imagine returning to your previously trusty paintbrush or roller. You might still need additional tools for the more precise bits and pieces, but you really won’t want to be without your paint sprayer.
Image source: http://www.paintquality.com
So focusing specifically on exterior surfaces, here’s a quick rundown of the main advantages of paint sprayers:
Speed and Accessibility
First of all, not to mention most obviously, you simply cannot compare a paint sprayer with any other approach to painting when it comes to speed. Paint sprayers are designed (unsurprisingly) to blast a very fine layer of paint out of the nozzle, covering a potentially wide area all at the same time. Not only this, but they are also able to ensure that the paint gets quickly, easily and evenly into various corners and awkward places where a standard brush or roller would not be able to reach. As such, when dealing with exterior surfaces that have a tendency to be rather large, a paint sprayer can help you get the job done exponentially quicker. You will also find the entire process vastly easier than if you were to attempt to tackle it the more ‘traditional’ way.
Even Coating
One of the biggest problems with paint rollers and brushes alike is that regardless of how meticulous and careful you are, you still sometimes find yourself looking at a completely uneven finish. Which can of course be particularly infuriating when dealing with a sizable and important exterior home painting job. Of course, it’s not to say that it is fundamentally impossible to produce uneven results when using a spray gun. Nevertheless, you are far more likely to come out with even results to be proud of with a paint sprayer. The reason being that the fine mist of paint these devices produce goes on to the surface so much more gently, gradually and evenly than simply lathering it in on the traditional way. The quality of the result will always come down to both your approach and the capability/suitability of the machine you use. Nevertheless, outstanding results are so much easier with a good paint sprayer.
Enjoyment?
Believe it or not, even if you find the idea of exterior home painting about as pleasant as torture, you might think differently when you arm yourself with a spray gun. There’s no two ways about it – some people take to these things like toddlers to toys. You could easily go from hating the job to finding it nothing less than enjoyable. Or if not enjoyable, then at least a thousand times less unpleasant than the alternative approach. Either way, you are guaranteed a much faster result, meaning more time to spend on whatever it is you would rather be doing.
Variety and Affordably
Last but not least, while it may once have been true to say that high quality paint sprayers weren’t exactly affordable, this is no longer the case. Right now, there are solid paint sprayers available to suit absolutely every purpose and pocket across the board, from one extreme to the other. There are simple lightweight devices for smaller jobs, industrial-size units for the more demanding jobs and entry-level options for those who would like to make the switch but really have no idea how the whole thing works. And then of course there are the ultra-convenient cordless units, which can be great for tackling trickier jobs.
As we always say, it’s perfectly possible to produce genuinely immaculate results with just about any approach to exterior painting whatsoever. So while there are definitely advantages to paint sprayers, it’s not to say that any specific option is right or wrong. It all comes down to your own personal preferences, how much you are willing to spend and what makes the job most enjoyable for you.
And if the answer is absolutely nothing, remember – there’s always the option of calling in the professionals, to take care of things on your behalf!