Best Stain Sprayer — Buyers Guide, Review, and Comparison
A stain sprayer is an essential tool in any home-improvers do-it-yourself kit. It will help you apply the necessary coverage you need to protect your outdoor wooden furniture, fixtures, and fittings — as well as come into its own for updating your indoor staining tasks. Correct tip size is key to make sure the stain covers your surface and not the surrounding area. Power output also plays an important role and must be considered.
- Gravity-feed spray gun.
- Best air sprayer for stain.
- Small compressor compatible.
- Lightweight aluminum unit.
Stain Paint Sprayer Comparison Table
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Best Gravity-Fed Air Sprayer for Stain
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Best Gravity-Fed Air Sprayer for Stain
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Features
|
Check Price at Amazon Campbell DH580000AV Review Campbell DH580000AV Review | |
|
Best HVLP Paint Sprayer for Stain
|
Best HVLP Paint Sprayer for Stain
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon Control Spray 250 Review Control Spray 250 Review | |
|
Best Airless Sprayer for Stain
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Best Airless Sprayer for Stain
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon Wagner Control Pro 150 Review Wagner Control Pro 150 Review | |
|
Best for Learner DIYers
|
Best for Learner DIYers
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon HomeRight Quick Finish Review HomeRight Quick Finish Review | |
|
Best for Fine Finishing Work
|
Best for Fine Finishing Work
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon Wagner 518080 Review Wagner 518080 Review | |
|
Best Handheld
|
Best Handheld
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon Wagner Opti Stain Plus Review Wagner Opti Stain Plus Review | |
|
Best for Accessories
|
Best for Accessories
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon Scuddles Paint Sprayer Review Scuddles Paint Sprayer Review |
Best Stain Sprayer Buying Guide
Granted, you could complete this necessary maintenance using the standard paintbrush or roller approach, but it will take you considerably longer to achieve the same finish.
When it comes to working with stains, there are a few crucial differences that need to be taken into account.
Stains are usually less viscous than other mediums, so you need to ensure that you have the appropriate nozzle size. It’s also likely that you’ll be working on things like your garden shed, fencing, or decking — so your sprayer needs to suit outdoor use. For example, it should feature a lengthy power cord, be convenient to move, and provide minimal overspray.
How to Choose the Best Sprayer for Stain?
Hence, I’ve put in some lengthy research for you, making this the ultimate paint and stain sprayer review — where the key features have been laid out in plain, easy to understand English.
Nozzle Size
You’ll also need to match the spray tip to your project size and make sure that the nozzle provides an appropriate pattern and width. Many sprayers will support a range of tip sizes aside from the one that is included. Hence, if you’re looking to spray a variety of stains, check the manufacturer’s guidelines to see which nozzles are supported.
Power Output and Adjustment
Look for a machine that provides enough grunt for you to complete the job rapidly but not so much that it obliterates your projects or sprays too much paint around. As I’ve already mentioned, stain is at the lower end of the viscosity scale — meaning that it doesn’t require too much pressure for it to be atomized.
Based on this, the best stain power sprayer will drive out a pressure of between 15 to 45 PSI. This allows you to adapt to different speeds of spraying — going faster over larger surface areas such as fence panels and vice versa when it comes to smaller table legs. Of course, you can use a sprayer that pushes out more pressure, just make sure it can be tamed to suit your staining needs.
Portability and Weight
To aid outdoor work, a handheld unit is fantastic, it will allow you to move freely around your project without the hassle of maneuvering a larger unit. That said, if you decide to go with a floor-based turbine sprayer, then a relatively long, kink-proof hose is a must to gain maximum reach.
Also, don’t forget to take into account the length of the sprayer’s power cord. Unless you have many electrical outlets in your workspace, a lengthy cable will prevent tripping over a long extension lead.
Cup Size
If your stain spray gun includes a paint cup, check that the size is sufficient. You don’t want a cup that is so large the heaviness of the paint adds unnecessary weight to your arm and causes fatigue. Conversely, it shouldn’t be so small that you have to stop working every few minutes to refill.
Straightforward to Clean
How To Use Stain in a Paint Sprayer
What You Will Need to Follow This Tutorial
To spray items with stain using this step-by-step guide, make sure you have a few vital supplies to hand.
- Paint stain sprayer.
- Your chosen stain.
- Appropriately sized fluid nozzles.
- Separate containers for priming and clean up of your sprayer.
- Stir sticks.
- Plastic sheeting or tarps.
- Masking tape.
- Cleaning cloths.
- Paintbrush for touch-ups.
- Personal protection equipment — dust mask, safety goggles, and spray sock hood.
How To Use a Stain Sprayer — Step by Step Instructions
Step 1 — Preparing Your Workplace and Spraying Item
- Allow yourself plenty of space. Ensure that what you intend to spray isn’t surrounded by any other furniture or objects.
If you’re staining a fence on top of a wall, place your tarps on all surfaces that you don’t wish to coat and tape in place.
When working outdoors, try to avoid windy weather.
- Wash your chosen item down either with cloths or a pressure washer to remove all dirt and debris. Allow the item to dry completely. Once dry, don your protective equipment.
Step 2 — Start Spraying
- Now you’re all set to start spraying. Select the most appropriate nozzle size for your chosen stain and (depending on which type of unit you’re using) fill your coating cup or place the suction tube directly in your container.
- Adjust the output of the machine using the flow dial — following the manufacturer’s instruction manual. Start with the lowest setting possible — it will give you better control.
- Start working from the top of your project down. Remain at a distance of 12-inches from your item and spray with the grain if possible. Remember to use strokes that are long and even, overlapping every previous pass by 50 percent — this will ensure an all-over finish. You may need to angle your gun somewhat to reach any undersides or inside surfaces if you’re not able to move the item around.
- Follow the directions on the stain canister for how many coats to apply and for drying time. Also, repeat step three as necessary.
Step 3 — Cleaning and Tidy Up
- Once you have applied all the required coats, remove the plastic sheet or tarp and masking tape from the surrounding areas.
- Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning your unit and allow it to dry fully before storing.
Best Paint Sprayer for Stain — The Top Seven
An HVLP (high-volume, low-pressure) stain sprayer such as the Campbell Hausfeld DH580000AV spray gun is an ideal choice for your staining projects — it reduces overspray and puts your coating exactly where you want it.
This is a gravity-fed air spray gun for stain, which means that less pressure is demanded from your small home compressor — in comparison to its pressure-powered and siphon-fed brothers. As only four CFM is required, it’s a fantastic unit for keen home-improvers.
Spray width is fully adjustable between 1.5 to 9-inches, allowing you to stain both larger garden fence panels and smaller fence posts. The 0.055-inch nozzle delivers precise atomization, which results in even coverage on even the most textured surface.
A substantial 0.63-quart acrylic paint cup is just the right size for the majority of staining projects — not too small that you have to interrupt your spraying and not too large that it makes the 8-ounce stain gun overweight when the cup is full.
Campbell Hausfeld boasts over 180 years of experience in making work easier. The main focus of this US-based company is developing compressed air products for DIYers that are backed by knowledgeable customer service.
- Sleek aluminum design.
- Minimal overspray.
- 0.63-quart paint container.
- Gravity-fed — only requires a small compressor.
- Extremely attractive price point.
- The best overall power stain sprayer.
- 0.055-inch fluid tip.
- Not suitable for super-sized staining jobs.
- Lacks compatibility with heavy-duty density coatings.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
he Wagner Control Spray 250 stain sprayer is a nifty tool to help you avoid brush strokes and accomplish the job three times faster than with a paintbrush. This stylish, compact turbine-driven unit operates with HVLP technology — removing the need for an external compressor and reducing overspray.
Pushing out 1.25 liters per minute, it allows for even coverage when working with stain and other coatings utilizing an adjustable medium flow dial. The Control Finish nozzle can take charge of your fan pattern — simply twist the front end. You also have the choice of circular, vertical, and horizontal outputs.
A 0.85-quart coating cup holds enough stain to allow coverage of an eight by 8-foot surface area in under two minutes. And, for the end of the day clean up, Wagner’s patented Lock-N-Go system enables you to disassemble the unit without hassle. This guarantees that all your coating is removed before you store the unit away.
Wagner SprayTech is the creator of the Control Spray 250. It sits midway in a line that focuses on stain sprayers for experienced and newbie DIYers. It’s a brand backed by over 70 years of experience and offers exemplary customer service — making it one of the preferred manufacturers for many users who demand durability and reliability.
- Straightforward to clean.
- Reduced overspray.
- Three spray pattern capability.
- Adjustable medium flow.
- Control Finish nozzle.
- Part of the purpose-built Wagner range for handling stains.
- Somewhat noisy.
- Unsuitable for large projects.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
The 0.55 horsepower motor features five pressure options. This means that not only will it spray stain, but it can also handle thicker mediums such as latex-based coatings. Furthermore, the pump boasts a completely rebuildable fluid section — substantially increasing the lifetime of this paint and stain sprayer by up to three times in comparison to competitor products.
As it’s one of the more powerful machines in this stain sprayer review, it can handle larger coating projects with ease — such as entire garden sheds or boundary fencing.
However, in all honestly, the Pro 150 is a sprayer that may be overkill for inexperienced sprayers and part-time DIYers — Wagner’s HEA range is more suited to pros, contractors, and hardcore home improvers. Wagner SprayTech is one of the global giants in the spray painting world and is well known for innovative technology that’s integrated into straightforward sprayers.
- Allows spraying directly from the coating canister.
- Maximum operating pressure of 1500 PSI.
- Airless sprayer for stain.
- Five material flow options.
- Prosumer unit ideal for expansive staining projects.
- Positive paint and stain sprayer reviews.
- HEA technology offers up to 55 percent less overspray.
- 25-foot hose.
- Better suited to more experienced sprayers.
- Loud operation.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
You have complete control over the volume of material pumped out via an uncomplicated dial. And, the 0.85-quart paint cup holds enough stain for most small and medium tasks — no stopping to refill.
Through a simple twist of the nozzle ears, you can spray in three different patterns — circular, vertical, and horizontal. Furthermore, you can rapidly complete the end-of-job cleaning in less than ten minutes. This is courtesy of the Lock-N-Go technology, which permits a simple parts breakdown — allowing for easy rinsing.
This is HomeRight’s entry-level stain and paint sprayer, hence, it may not provide enough grunt for pro-users or hardcore DIYers — but it’s ideal as a startup unit.
US-based HomeRight is a subsidiary of the well-known Wagner conglomerate. This merging of minds produces a variety of power tools for occasional fixer-uppers and dedicated professionals.
- Ideal for newbies to paint spraying.
- Material control dial.
- Three spray patterns.
- 0.85-quart paint cup.
- Straightforward to clean.
- Cord protector included.
- Not the best stain sprayer for larger projects.
- Solid stains may require some thinning.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
This unit includes a ground-based two-stage turbine, which places the weightiest part of the sprayer on the floor and not in your hand. Furthermore, there is enough power to handle stains and thinned latex. If you wish to change your fan pattern, you have the choice of round, vertical, and horizontal just by a simple turn of the nozzle.
Wagner prides itself on manufacturing durable power tools for pro contractors and DIYers alike for over seventy years. It has developed the Control Series for users that demand straightforward quality HVLP sprayers that deliver quality results.
- Floor-standing base.
- Delivers minimum overspray.
- The option of three spray patterns.
- Ideal for inexperienced sprayers.
- Two different-size paint cups included.
- Not suitable for larger projects.
- Some mediums may require thinning.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Less overspray is produced with this handheld HVLP, while a dual-fan turbine offers enough power for use on outdoor projects. At the business end, the Control Finish nozzle permits blemish-free finishes in three patterns — round, vertical and horizontal.
Importantly, you have 360-degree spraying capability thanks to the flexible uptake tube — permitting you to work at any angle you desire, even upside down. The paint cup will hold up to 0.88-quart (28-ounces) of liquid — which should be more than adequate for many smallish and moderate staining projects.
This machine is encased in a durable ABS housing — ensuring protection from bumps and knocks that are possible when grafting. Furthermore, Wagner’s proprietary Lock-N-Go system allows for a rapid clean up as the unit breaks down into separate, easy-to-rinse-out components.
Wagner SprayTech’s Control Series is constructed with the sole purpose of delivering smooth finishes on small and midsize projects, when in use by a keen DIYer. The Opti Stain Plus is one of the junior models in this range but is still backed by tried and tested Wagner technology and experience.
- The best handheld sprayer for stain.
- Vertical, round, and horizontal spray patterns.
- Attractive price point.
- 360-degree spraying capability.
- Handheld unit with compact paint cup.
- Not suitable for larger projects.
- Turbine power can’t be adjusted.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Before we get to the extras — the unit itself is lightweight yet powerful and boasts a long power cord — allowing an increased reach when compared to some competitor machines. Both air volume and coating output are straightforward to adjust, which permits spraying not only with stain, but higher-density paints too.
Also included is a cleaning needle, cleaning brush, funnel, and two replacement suction straws — supplying you with pretty much everything you need to tackle the job.
Scuddles is one of the lesser-known brands in the paint spraying world and has only been around for a decade or so. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s an inferior company. The brand is becoming increasingly popular with DIYers and home improvers — who recognize the name from the camping, garden, and other home products it manufactures.
- Comprehensive accessories pack.
- 1200-watt motor.
- Lengthy 6-foot power cord.
- 1.05-quart (1000 ml) paint cup.
- Adjustable air and coating output.
- Operator’s manual could be more user-friendly.
- Prone to clogging.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Conclusion
Similarly, power output needs to be just right, or better yet, fully adjustable. This will allow you to crank up the force for those larger sized fence panels or shed sides, as well as soft-pedal the unit for more intricate, detail finishing work.
A lightweight, portable unit will promote indoor and outdoor use; as stain can be used on outside tasks, such as garden sheds — and inside on furniture items. You also need to take into account whether you want to invest in a handheld unit with a paint cup or a cart-mounted design that can spray directly from the coating canister.
Cleaning up must also be anticipated. It’s all very well owning the best all-singing and all-dancing stain sprayer, but if it’s difficult to clean, you won’t want to use it — and if you neglect the cleaning, the life of your machine may be shortened considerably.
To sum it up.
If you have a multitude of staining work to complete, a decent stain sprayer is worth considering to save yourself valuable time and money.
Stain Spray Gun Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can You Use Stain in a Paint Sprayer?
To answer the question, can you use a paint sprayer for stain? Yes, you can. You need to check that the operating pressure is suitable and ideally adjustable, plus that the nozzle size is appropriate — then you’re ready to go.
Q: Is It Better To Spray or Roll Stain on a Fence?
You can roll stain on a fence, but it will take you a lot longer than completing the job with an oil based stain sprayer. You also run the risk of not coating a slightly uneven surface sufficiently. This could result in you having to go over again with a touch-up brush to fill in the gaps.
Q: Is Semi-Transparent or Solid Stain Better?
It depends on what type of wood you’re spraying. If you plan to coat on older wood that’s been exposed to the elements — the grain may not be quite as pleasing to the eye as it once was — a solid stain will produce better effects.
However, if the wood is younger with a clearly defined grain, then a transparent stain will be best. The good news is that you can use a paint and stain sprayer for both applications.
Q: Can You Use a Backpack Stain Sprayer and Achieve Good Results?
To be honest, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a stain gun that’s mounted in a backpack style. The backpack sprayers tend to be geared for spraying pesticides and the like. What’s more, they don’t come with the features or pressure output found in an electric power stainer.
Q: Do I Have To Strip Stain Before Restaining?
To achieve the best results, you ideally want to remove any remaining stain on your item before you go ahead and respray it. If you don’t, then you risk the old stain peeling, which won’t allow your new stain coating the longest life — it will just peel off too.