Graco 17A466 TrueCoat 360DS Review

Graco 360DS

Editor Rating: 4.2/5

Great Product

Graco 17A466 Paint Sprayer

Reviewed by: Timothy Henderson

Last modified: Dec 7, 2023 @ 2:10 pm

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Graco 17A466 Review Summary:

Sitting in the rather niche category of airless handheld sprayers — the Graco TrueCoat 360DS pledges to provide a fast and professional finish to medium-scale painting jobs.

Incorporating Dual-Speed control — it gives you the option of slow and precise spraying for smaller, more intricate jobs or rapid coverage for larger work such as addressing fencing and railings. And, if that’s your bag, check out my How to Paint a Fence with a Sprayer guide.

An integrated stainless steel hydraulic pump should provide sufficient grunt to expel most painting mediums without thinning — while a choice of two nozzle tips enables you to switch between wide and narrow spray patterns.

The one-quart paint cup (946 ml) utilizes bag liners (four included) to eliminate container cleaning requirements and allow for rapid paint color changes. Furthermore, the unit permits you to spray in any direction — vertical, horizontal, or inverted — making it ideal for overhead work such as ceilings — and hence giving the machine its ‘360’ moniker.

This sprayer knocks out 1500 PSI on high power, delivers around 12 gallons of medium per hour, and comes complete with an 18-inch power cord. And, should talk of PSI and pressure leave you a little confused, take a look at my Pressure Guide.

The 360 DS is a step-up from Graco’s standard 360 model. While offering identical power output, capacity, and spray widths — the upgraded DS offers a choice of two speeds that aren’t a feature of its more basic sibling. This machine is one of three airless handhelds in Graco’s DIY Series — a power tool range aimed at complete novices, fixer-uppers, and hobbyists.

Pros:

N
360-degree spraying capability.
N
Choice of two spraying nozzles.
N
Adjustable pattern.
N
Includes four FlexLiner paint bags.
N
Two speed settings.
N
Reverse power tip to remove clogs.
N
Stainless steel pump for longevity.
N

Great price-to-quality ratio and cost efficiency

Cons:

N
A premium price point for a handheld DIY sprayer.
N
Challenging to clean bags.
N
Short power cord.
Graco TrueCoat 360DS.
Graco 17A466 TrueCoat Paint Sprayer.

Features and Benefits of the Graco 17A466 TrueCoat 360 DS Paint Sprayer


It’s packed with innovative features — yet does this machine yield an impressive finish and is it as unchallenging to operate as the manufacturer claims?

Time to examine the Graco TrueCoat 360DS electric handheld airless paint sprayer in greater detail.

Dual Speed


Unlike the standard Graco 360 model — the 360DS boasts twin pump speeds.

It’s like this.

You wouldn’t use a Zippo lighter to weld metal — nor would you use a blowtorch to light your cigarette (well, unless you’re Chuck Norris). It’s all about the most appropriate power for the job-in-hand.

By means of a case-mounted switch — you can alter the pump speed to either a LOW or HIGH setting. Hence, for applications where precision and finesse are critical, such as corner-work or addressing moldings — keep the sprayer on LOW for increased control.

Conversely, when you’re tackling a larger project where a showroom finish isn’t crucial but you need to crack on with some gusto — flick the unit into HIGH mode.

FlexLiner Paint System


If you’re a seasoned paint sprayer — you know that cleaning the container cup post-project is both demanding, time-consuming, and to be honest — a pain in the ass.

Graco has attempted to eliminate this headache by utilizing FlexLiner bags — basically, pouches that sit within the ‘cup’ frame. This means that when your job is finished — you can remove the bag and safely dispose of it — then replace it with a fresh one for your next project.

Therefore, no cleaning of the container (although, you still need to rinse the nozzle, tip, and suction hose).

While the machine does come complete with four liners — eventually you’ll have the added expense of buying more when these have been used.

Admittedly, Graco indicates that these bags are durable enough to clean for reuse — but that kind of defeats their intended purpose and many owners indicate they’re tougher to rinse thoroughly than an acrylic cup. For tips on post-project maintenance, check out my How to Clean a Paint Sprayer article.

Furthermore, throwing away paint-covered bags isn’t great for the environment.

Two Spray Tips


The Graco 360DS comes with two interchangeable tips — one for a wide spray and another for narrow.

Initially, this appears beneficial — allowing you to have a larger breadth for areas like fences and walls, and the narrower for jobs such as painting railings or varnishing picture frames.

However, some handheld machines, such as the Wagner FLEXiO 3000, incorporate a width lever to control the size of the spray — making the requirement and mess of replacing tips redundant.

And, while the Graco 360DS has a handle-mounted clip to store the alternative nozzle-end — I can almost guarantee that at some point you’re going to lose these two tips — meaning having to buy a replacement(s).

360-Degree Spraying


Power paint spraying is straightforward if you have a vertical wall to address — but unfortunately, not all your base surfaces will be standing parallel to your body.

Some sprayers can struggle with non-vertical surfaces like ceilings or decking — but not the 360 DS. Its pump-centric design allows you to spray in any direction, without loss of power or dripping from the machine.

That said, as the FlexLiners become depleted, many owners indicate that the suction hose struggles to utilize the last remnants of paint — requiring the user to squeeze and manipulate the bags to access the remaining covering medium.

Reversible Spray


Clogging is an unfortunate but common problem in sprayers — dirt, debris, dried paint, or too viscous a painting medium can all lead to blockage in the spray tip.

Unlike many machines that require you to dismantle the unit head to address the problem — the 360 DS instead incorporates a reversible spray tip to clear the obstruction.

A simple turn of a lever on the top of the machine rotates the spray-end through 180 degrees — crank the machine up to HIGH and blast the unit for a few seconds to unblock (obviously pointing away from your project). Then, return the level to its original position and you’re ready to crack on.

What Users Say About The 17A466


Enough of my feelings about the Graco 360DS, it’s time to hear direct from the horses’ mouth. And by horses, I mean owners, obviously — not actual equines. Horses can’t use paint sprayers — their hooves struggle with the trigger.

Hence, I sourced the opinions of those guys who use this machine on a regular basis — to fully gauge how user-friendly the 360DS is and whether it provides satisfying results.

Speaking in general, the feedback was positive. Owners of this unit appreciated the twin pump speed, lauded its reversible spray feature, welcomed the choice of vertical and horizontal spray patterns, and praised the machine’s ability to cope with unthinned latex paints.

However, that’s not to say there weren’t some issues.

Common noises of disapproval mentioned the difficult-to-clean liners, short mains cord, and the hassle of replacing tips. That said, even these critics admitted that the 360DS provided swift coverage and a rewarding finish.

Graco 360 paint sprayer.
Graco 17A466 TrueCoat 360DS.

Alternatives to Graco 17A466 Truecoat 360 DS 


Maybe you don’t need all the bells and whistles featured on the 360DS (there aren’t any actual bells nor whistles — although they’ve included everything else so it wouldn’t be a surprise). Or, perhaps this machine lacks the capabilities to tackle your specific spraying projects.

So, if you’re not thrilled by the Graco 360DS — don’t give up yet. I’ve sourced some similar machines that may whet your spraying appetite.

Graco 16Y385 TrueCoat 360


Graco 360

If you’re loving the 360 DS machine — but just wish it was a little more straightforward to operate — I’ve found the perfect solution.

The TrueCoat 360 offers an identical 1500 PSI output, FlexLiner bags, and reversible spray tip — but doesn’t feature the dual speed option. Therefore, allowing you to simply switch on the machine and spray.

  • Lighter on the pocket than the 360 DS.
  • Includes only two Flexliners, the DS comes with four.
  • Like the 360DS offers both vertical and horizontal spray patterns.

Wagner Spraytech Wagner 0525027 Power Painter Plus


Wagner Power Painter Plus
Should your heart be set on a handheld airless sprayer — but, like many DIYers are discouraged by the 360 DS’s FlexLiners — this may be a more beneficial option.

The Power Painter Plus incorporates a one-quart acrylic paint container — meaning you don’t have to purchase replacement bags and prevents you from sending your used FlexLiners to landfill.

  • Easier on the wallet than the 360 DS.
  • An EZ-Tilt feature allows for spraying at any angle, like the DS.
  • Similar to the 360DS it has two pump speeds.

Himalaya Airless Sprayer


Himalaya Airless

Loving the idea of an airless sprayer but want something a little more heavy-duty to address more substantial jobs? If that sounds like you, this machine could tickle your painting fancy.

The powerful Himalaya unit boasts a ground-standing hydraulic pump — keeping the spray gun lightweight and unlikely to cause fatigue. Additionally, featuring a suction pump, it allows you to draw your paint from an original can — negating the use of either FlexLiners or cups.

  • Similar price to the 360DS — for a more pro-grade unit.
  • 3000 PSI compared to the 1500 PSI of the 360 DS.
  • A lengthy 25-foot hose as opposed to the 18-inch cord of the 360DS.

Conclusion


The 360DS is a powerful handheld airless unit that’s ideal for projects which may necessitate spraying from unusual or awkward angles.

Its twin-speed capability allows you to step down the intensity for those jobs that require finesse — or conversely crank it up to go hell-for-leather on larger work. A choice of two spray nozzles enables either wide or narrow coverage — and a novel reversible tip lever permits blockage clearance without dismantling.

Admittedly, some DIYers may consider the machine over-designed — interchangeable width tips when a simple lever would suffice, and environmentally-unfriendly paint bags when the majority of the market opts for reusable containers or cup-negating suction hoses.

However, if you’re chasing a premium-branded sprayer that will deliver a rewarding finish from any spraying position — check out the robust, albeit tough on the pocket, Graco TrueCoat 360DS.

Graco 17A466 FAQs

Graco TrueCoat 360 DSP Airless Paint Sprayer vs 360 DS Sprayer Difference?
The TrueCoat 360 DSP airless paint sprayer is identical to the 360 DS in respect of size, weight, and power output. However, the DSP differs in that it comes with seven FlexLiners instead of four, and also arrives with a storage case — not included with the 360 DS model.
How Can I Fix My Graco 360 DS?

As a robust unit, the Graci DS 360 is a reliable unit — but from time to time issues can occur that impede use. For solutions, take a look at my Graco Troubleshooting guide.

How Much Does the Graco 360 DS TrueCoat Cost?

The 360DS from Graco is a premium-brand sprayer that has the ability to spray in any orientation and features twin pump speeds. You can check out the Graco 360DS current price here.

What Are the 360DS TrueCoat Uses?
As a powerful 1500 PSI machine, the 360DS is suited to a wide spectrum of small to medium household spraying projects — such as addressing furniture, fences, walls, cabinets, and decking.

However, with its 360-degree angle capability, it’s ideal for more awkward projects such as spraying:

  • Ceilings.
  • Corners.
  • Underneath sinks.
  • Overhangs.
  • Soffits.
Where Can I Find the Graco 360DS Manual?

The user guide for operating the 360 DS Graco TrueCoat is available from the official Graco website. You can access it by clicking here Graco 360 DS Manual.

Where Can I Buy Replacement FlexLiners for the Graco 360 DS?
You can purchase additional FlexLiner paint bags from the official Graco website. The part number is #17A226.