Paint a shed in less time than it takes to make a batch of cookies. Paint a section of fence in seconds. Chairs in minutes. Nope, it's not a dream world, or delusional. It's my prized tool. A Wagner paint sprayer.
This post is sponsored by Wagner SprayTech. A product I love and have used for YEARS.
I am on my third paint sprayer. Not because they keep breaking. Not because they don't work as well as I would like so I keep trying new ones. Nope. Quite the opposite in fact. I'm on my third paint sprayer from Wagner because I keep letting them know how much I like them and they keep sending me new ones.
It all started a few years ago when I bought a Wagner paint sprayer from Home Depot to paint my picket fence. I don't know if you've ever tried to paint a picket fence but it isn't easy. There are approximately 742 sides to a picket fence. Just when you think you've got them all covered, you discover another side to it. It's like painting a rhombicosidodecahedron. Google it.
So I bought a paint sprayer thinking it would make the job faster and it did. Faster and easier. The model I bought was whichever Wagner was the cheapest. I think it was around $70 or $80. It was powered by a garden hose which still doesn't make sense to me but it worked.
In fact I liked it so much I contacted the company to tell them how much I liked it. That's something people don't do enough of. Everyone is quick to call a company to complain about products they don't like but people rarely make the same sort of call when they are impressed with something.
They were so happy I liked their sprayer they said WAIT'LL YOU TRY THIS ONE. And they promptly sent me the Wagner FLEXiO 890. A sprayer that comes with a compressor so there's no garden hose.
In the past 3 years I have used that sprayer to paint the interior shutters I made (you can click here to see them and learn how to make the yourself), my potting shed, my front porch, my picket fence (again), my wicker chairs and a very small portion of my cat.
Again, this summer I told them how much I loved it and how many times I used it. Again - they sent me a new one. ( I should probably consider letting Volvo know how much I like my S60. )
Allow me to introduce all you painting geeks to - The Wagner FLEXiO 3000.
O.K. the last machine they sent me got rid of the garden hose. THIS machine gets rid of the compressor. I don't have any idea how they do it but basically it's the size of a hair dryer. There's no garden hose, no compressor, no nothing.
Just a hand nozzle and a power cord. It really is like a hairdryer that spews out paint.
Since I've sprayed pretty much everything in my house already I carried it over to my mother's house to spray her two wicker chairs for her.
SPRAY GUN PAINTING USES LESS PAINT.
It took 1 quart of paint to do 2 coats on 2 wicker chairs, with paint left over.
They're plain white wicker chairs and Betty isn't a plain white person. She's a colour person. We're very different Betty and I.
This is a picture of me pretending to carefully read the instructions. I did glance at them.
HOW DOES A PAINT SPRAYER WORK?
It's pretty easy. In fact it's way easier than painting with a brush or roller. You fill the container with paint, screw it onto the spraying handle and point it at whatever it is you're painting.
The FLEXiO 3000 comes with 2 nozzles. One for finer, detail work and one for bigger work. For these outdoor chairs the bigger nozzle is the one I chose.
HOW TO SET UP THE WAGNER SPRAYER. (FLEXiO 3000)
Steps
There are 3 settings to pay attention to. The air flow, the paint flow and the paint width.
- Set the red dial on top to between 1 and 8. Setting it to 1 provides the least amount of air flow, setting it to 8 provides the strongest air flow. There's a handy chart with a picture of a chair on it right on the gun, so I decided that was probably the right setting to choose. Between 3 and 4.
2. Adjust your material flow rate on the red dial around the neck of the spray gun. 1 for the least amount of paint to come out, higher for more. (so 1 gives a very thin coating of paint, 10 would give a mammoth amount of paint and you'd run out of paint faster)
3. Adjust how wide you want the spray to be. If you're doing the side of a house you'd want a side spray. If you're doing a table, you'd want it to be less wide.
That's it. Now that the 3 adjustments are made you just need to plug it in and start spraying.
There is NO ON BUTTON on this thing. When you squeeze the spray handle to start spraying, it automatically engages and turns on.
To make things fun and interesting I made it a race. I wanted to time exactly how long it took to paint 2 coats on 2 wicker chairs.
Set your timer ...
AND SPRAY.
Every once in a while, while you're spraying you need to check the nozzle of the machine to make sure it isn't getting clogged up. Just keep a paper towel or rag with you and wipe it off.
This, much like not doing laundry until literally everyone in your house is out of underwear, is totally normal.
The paint builds up around the nozzle as you spray. Just wipe it every once in a while.
The time it took you to read this post so far is approximately how long it took to spray my mother's wicker chairs 2 coats. Depending on how fast a reader you are of course and whether you were interrupted by a husband, child or dog.
2 Chairs, 2 Coats in 15 Minutes.
In 15 minutes both chairs were done 2 coats. That includes the extra dry time in between coats.
If you've ever painted wicker you know it's a PAIN. It's almost impossible to get into each crack and crevice. With a spray gun nothing goes untouched. Every bit is painted.
It makes painting fun. I mean, the kind of fun that an adult has. Adult fun. Like waking up in the middle of the night and realizing you still have 5 hours to sleep.
I do have a few tips that I've learned through years of using various models of these sprayers.
Wagner Paint Sprayer Tips
- The hole.
Last spring I was trying to spray something and it just WOULD not spray. I checked everything and couldn't figure it out. Finally I discovered this tiny air hole on the underside of the spray tube. It was clogged with a bit of dry paint. And that was all it took to stop the sprayer from working.
If your Wagner spray gun stops spraying check to make sure this air hole isn't blocked.
(it's entirely possible there are entire write ups about this in the instructions but ... )
2. Paint straining.
The instructions DO say you need to strain your paint to make sure nothing clogs the nozzle. I don't do this. I shouldn't tell you I don't do this, but I don't. I NEVER strain my paint. I haven't had the nozzle clog up once, but I'm also probably always using brand new paint that isn't likely to have any contaminants or bits of guck in it. This is not an endorsement and Wagner advises you absolutely DO strain your paint before pouring it into the paint container. I just don't.
3. Thinning paint.
If your paint is too thick it can also clog the nozzle, but for this project I used Benjamin Moore's Aura line of paint which is thicker than most paints and it sprayed perfectly without thinning.
4. Clean your sprayer as soon as you're finished using it. It's a much faster cleanup job to spray out wet paint than scrape out dried paint.
Wanna see it in action?
The things I noticed that were improved on this, the FLEXiO 3000 model over my last model, the FLEXiO 890.
- The "big nozzle" of the FLEXiO 3000 has a finer spray that's less splattery than that of the FLEXiO 890.
- It's easier to move around and maneuver since there's no exterior compressor or hose.
- It packs back into its case PERFECTLY. The FLEXiO 890 is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle to get back into its case.
You don't have to believe me about how great these sprayers are. You can ask my neighbour who bought one 3 days after seeing me paint my picket fence with one this spring. You can ask my friend Stephanie who bought one a day after seeing me paint my porch with it this spring. Or my niece who borrowed mine to paint her shed. Or my mother's neighbour who saw me painting these chairs and couldn't believe it. Really. Ask any of them.
As I've mentioned before, I don't do a lot of sponsored posts and when I do I make sure they're for products I genuinely love and use.
I genuinely love and use Wagner spray guns.
And Volvos. ;)
→Follow me on Instagram where I often make a fool of myself←
Kim in MN
Karen, I read your posts with interest and occasionally with a few eye rolls for diy things I know I will NEVER contemplate. This post made me sit up and read thoroughly. I followed the link to Wagner and saw the pics of nicely dressed users spraying their interior walls. I am working up the gumption to completely paint my interior rooms before the bitter Minnesota winter descends upon us, possibly in mere weeks. My question is, and I didn’t see anything in the previous comments; can this actually be used on interior walls without the overspray completely painting everything else in sight? A sprayer I borrowed from my dad 40 years ago, did just that. Not an experience I want to repeat! And ceilings...really? I am hopeful.
Karen
Hi Kim. They can be used indoors, but I've never done it because interior painting with a roller doesn't bother me that much. But there would be overspray. It's not like you could just leave everything out in the room and spray round it. You'd have to put down drop cloths etc. ~ karen!
Tricia Hines
I'm wondering the same thing. I have been trying to get motivated to paint and a tool highly recommended by Karen would be helpful.
Katharine McEwen
Hi Karen. I love the green you used for the wicker chairs. What colour is it?
Karen
Hi Katherine - The colour is Benjamin Moore's 21345-30, (Brookside Moss). But keep in mind that by the time they pass through the sunlight, a camera and a computer screen, colours are very different than they are in real life. ~ karen!
Carswell
This is SUCH a timely post Karen. I've been procrastinating about repainting my kitchen cabinets for a while now. I've always done them with a sponge roller - and although they have turned out well I'm just dreading the job again.
You have me thinking about how much easier and faster the whole process would be with a sprayer...
Jeff
I hope Wagner has improved since I bought one quite a while ago. When nothing came out of the gun I discovered that the trigger just unclamped a hose inside the gun. The squeezed hose had developed a permanant pinch and did not open up when you pulled the trigger. A really crude setup. I returned it.
Karen
Well, I've had 3 and all have been great, so, that's all I can tell you. ~ karen!
Kaitlin
Realizing as I read this that I have absolutely no interest in buying a spray gun atm but your writing is so magical. Honestly, if you wrote it, I would probably read an article about pulling maggots out of a chicken bum. Crazy right?
Karen
Ha!!! ~ karen
Mary W
My daughter began painting my wicker rocker two months ago. It is still half done sitting out in the back shed. Summer is almost gone. I really appreciate her doing this but -----. This sprayer sounds like a great investment for my son-in-law. At least it would be done but I sure won't let him pick out the color. She picked light grey to go with our light green house but I love your Mom's color so much. I also love your commentors - you attract the best people! I don't mean to sound/read conceited.
Karen
LOL. Yes, I have some fun commenters. :) ~ karen!
Leisa
I bought a Wagner after your last post recommending the product. It is absolutely amazing...I painted a 16 x 20 shed in a morning, including cleanup. Incredible product!
A big part of choosing to buy it, is because you give honest reviews when you try something - sponsored or not. Thanks 👍🏻👍🏻
Karen
Thanks Leisa. That's my goal. ~ karen!
Annie
I'm facing painting my barn and shed and I'm seriously considering a sprayer. My husband has the pricey kind that need an air compressor. I was dreading trying to use that but after reading your story I just may go buy a Wagnor 3000! Thanks for your great articles. Annie
Karen
Have fun spraying Annie! Loved it for my shed. ~ karen!
Joyce
Honestly, we just bought one at HD this past week, while on our monthly trip to civilization. We have a new....picket fence, and, yes, I do cuss a lot. This seemed like a no brainer.
We have not used it yet as we bought a lot of stuff for repairs. But, soon, if it ever stops raining here.
Shawna in Charleston
Love this! I always wondered if these things were worth the money...now I know! Then I'll need to go shop for some wicker furniture at a a garage sale so I can play with a paint sprayer! (I'll try not to paint my cat.)
Laura Lee
Ohhh thanks...NOW you tell me! I just 2 days ago painted 14 miniature garden picket fences!!! Lots of cussing involved...and yes, there are angles and edges on the fence that just "appear" once you think you are done. Thanks for the article though....I was considering painting more outdoor furniture before the cuss fest, but now maybe I will get one of those handy dandy sprayers and do it without any foul language this time! :-)
Jules McShera
Rhombicosidodecahedron is my new favourite thing!
Yyz
I got nothing to add but wanted to subscribe to the comments. Is there a way to do this without actually commenting ?
Sorry for the non-comment.
Oh, just thought of something: does the sprayer work with oil based stains? I spent a few days with a roller and brush on a not very big fence.
Karen
Hi Yyz. You'll only get notifications of comments left on your comments, as opposed to getting a notification of allll comments left on a post. Yes, you can use a Wagner Flexio with oil based paints. I suspect it would be harder to clean the painter gun after though. ~ karen!
Paula
I think I am going to spray paint my wicker sofa...a soft green :)
Lynn
We had one years ago , I don’t remember the model number... just like you we found it was a great time saver. We used it to do the ceilings first of all, then we took it out side and did 16 eight foot sections of 6 foot fencing. Which really showed how much time it saved . Instead of taking several weekends it took if I remember correctly one day to do all the fence. Needless to say we were impressed.
Ours needed to be attached to a hose that I remember, that was the unfun part of the job.
Glad you enjoy yours.
Karen
Yes, that's like the one I first bought. And I was impressed with that, lol! Now that I've tried the ones without the hose I'm really impressed. ~ karen!
Tracy
Hi Karen - would these work to spray stain on a privacy fence? Thinking about one of the new stains that has the primer/sealer built in. Thanks!! :)
Lohi Karhu
In answer to the previous two questions, for those who have not yet looked at Wagner's page, that Karen linked to, above:
"Best Used On:
Furniture, Small Fence/Deck, Cabinets & Trim, Large Fence/Deck, Interior Room, and Exterior House/Shed
Optimal For
Exterior Latex, Interior Latex, Wood Sealers, Chalk/Milk Paints, Lacquers / Urethanes, and Solid Stain"
Karen
I think so but I'm not *positive*. The thing with paints that have primer built in is they're sometimes thicker which is more difficult to spray so it might need to be watered down slightly. Having said that, I used Benjamin Moore's Aura paint which is thicker than most and it sprayed perfectly. ~ karen!
Susan Alexander
Looks good!
Can you use it to spray walls inside a house, or is it only for outside?
Thanks!
Catherine
I had the same thought! I need to paint the inside of the whole house and I’ve been putting it off. This might actually make it fun! Or, less of a hellish chore........
Sandi Remedios
yes it is great for inside walls, and kitchen cabinets
Nicole
Omg. Kitchen cabinets! Brilliant! I was trying to think of a reason to get one of these!
Catherine
Thanks Sandi!
Karen
It's for inside too! Although I've never been brave enough to try it. Also, I'm pretty comfortable with painting and cutting in so I just never think to use it. But I need to paint my bedroom soon so I'd love to try it! ~ karen
Sandi Remedios
I bought my Wagner this spring at Lowe's when it was on sale. And the only reason I bought one is because you painted your shed with one and I thought, hmmmm gotta get me one of those!
And the last two weekends I painted the front of my house, took down the shutters and painted them, replaced the railings on my porch and painted them, painted my mailbox and house letters.
Then I took the little detail guy inside and painted the inside of a couple of my kitchen cabinets, just to see if I could, and I can and now I am going to paint the entire freaking kitchen!
And Karen Bertelson, it's all your fault!
K
I have a picket fence. I have not been excited about the prospect of it needing to be painted AGAIN. So I am going to think really hard about it and then buy this paint sprayer.
Karen
Yup. I've painted my picket fence multiple times with sprayers. I've also painted it by hand. I definitely recommend a sprayer. People have NO idea what a pain a picket fence is to paint!! ~ karen
TucsonPatty
I want one. I’ve wanted one for a long time. You have sold me on this one. This chairs look awesome and I’m so jealous of Betty’s perfectly blue pool. Mine is a greenish icky color right now. Blech. : (
G B Chapman
a few years ago, I had a half dozen six panels doors that needed a good coat of gloss paint to keep grubby hand prints at bay. Not looking forward to an entire day of brushing it on, I buckled down and bought a sprayer. Yes, a Vagner (German pronunciation). Made quick work of it and no brush strokes too! ;-)