Love this thing! I did watch YT videos as well as Gracos videos. Had to clean out several times bec I didn’t want to clog the machine. I used 3M masker with tips form painters online to mask off door and trim. Even as a newbie I got a fantastic finish.
Recommend for new users-
Watch videos. Take the time to learn aspects of the machines. Settings. Tips and pressure needs. It doesn’t take long but is well worth it. Expect to use more paint than is normal. Sometimes a lot more if u dotn setup the machine correctly
Pay attention to temps before u plan to paint Takes longer to cure and your specialty paint may need a range to be applied best
Also use really good lighting. With the finish this gives u really need well lit area. Older eyes especially. I only painted during daylight hours and above 50 degrees ambient temp
Buy 2-
5 gallon pails with lids and devote them exclusively to paint jobs. Wash each out well after using.
Have hose ready with control valve or u will be walking back and forth too much.
I got the extension wand but really didn’t need it for jobs so far.
Prep, prep, prep WELL. No sprayer will help u if u don’t prep whatever u r painting well. I will post pics later but am working on metal exterior doors right now and I spent a LOT of time prepping. But the end result was worth it. Go to sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore or a specialty store who knows paint! Dont use cheap stuff. Use good primer and paint. It makes a difference. And make sure To use proper primer. Store can help. Big box stores r convenient but they usually don’t have all the expertise u need
Be prepared for mistakes and messes at first.
Use drop cloths on concrete or where u don’t want to have paint should it spill
But cheap plastic drop cloths and use on walls around your painting. Prevents overspray from clinging in the air and then onto surrounding areas.
Consider using a masker. 3M 3000 is well known and very very easy to use when u learn. I just watched YT videos and bought masking tape, Brown paper, paper blade or plastic blade. Practice. It’s EASY!
If u have compressor use air gun to air off dust or use a dusting brush just before u paint. That fine dust will mar ur beautiful finish if not
Get some help if u r short or not real strong. Moving ladders and buckets can be helpful with friend.
Use paint strainer bags. They r pretty cheap and will keep u from clogging your tips
If u leave your gun for a few min and then it won’t spray ur strainer is likely plugged. Uncouple the gun break it down (easy peasy) and wash throughly before trying again. It’s not worth the aggravation. After it happened to me I was careful with wash thru
Do washing outside. Who cares if some paint on grass better than inside your house
Suggest u get big spring clamps -CHEAP- at big lots or WM or any big store for cheap cheap and use them to hold lines to side of buckets. The suction and discharge lines from machine r rather inflexible and can pull bucket over or pop out of bucket. Use 2 on each but don’t crimp hose.
I put the whole deal on a table and it made it much easier.
Use light coats. Much better than glopping it on. 2-3 coats works great great great!
Watch YT videos on methods of application. Doors should be vertically up and down motion but other items are different. It does make a difference and practice with some plain old cheap latex paint first. U can spray on cardboard or ground. But u need to see the pattern and ensure that the paint is not ‘tailing’. Easy to adjust and easy to fix
Buy extra tips as u go along. There r differences. If u r just using general purpose walls in ur home or priming things the tip that comes with it is fine and easy to use. But if u need a fine finish like for doors or cabinets try a FFLP FINE FINISH LOW PRESSURE. I have been using a 315FFLP and it has given me truly incredible results Very proud of it Tip. Watch for the width of tip. Learn what the numbers mean and it’s easy easy. These tips r the latest and newest and allow u to use about half the pressure normal spraying would need They also produce an incredibly fine finish which looks utterly fantastic.
Wear PPE. ESP respirator with cartridges. U dont want to breathe in paint over and over, and this machine atomizes so well that it will float in the air
Wear clothing u r willing to throw away. And keep wearing it until u r done.
Be prepared for actually WANTING to do painting. can u believe it!
Lastly. Don’t expect to be painting the first day. Practice yes but not painting. Prep is far too long to be able to get all done. When I was about to do 5 exterior metal doors I spent majority of time using airplane remover to get the main paint off. It is the best for removing large searches instead of sanding etc. use respirator.
That took more a day. Then I had to sand all the remaining and then use Bondo to fix dents and holes etc. sanded that and re did the bondo again. I used TSP and washed each door throughly off. Extra water for removal of all residue. Waited for them to dry and after drying, I took all the weather strips out of jamb and masked it per videos from YT. I primed four exterior doors at once. Made it much easier for cleanup. Sanded lightly and re primed with second coat. Sanded and then went for the gusto. I am about to paint them all at once. Gotta tell ya the painting is the FUN part. It’s takes literally seconds to do a door with this thing. SECONDS ! Will update later with some photos of some projects.
| Manufacturer | Graco |
|---|---|
| Part Number | 262800 |
| Item Weight | 15 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 14.5 x 12.75 x 19 inches |
| Item model number | 262800 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Style | Magnum X5 Airless Paint Sprayer |
| Voltage | 110 volts |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Included Components | SG2 Metal Spray Gun, RAC IV 515 SwitchTip, 25 ft. Duraflex paint hose, Pump Armor storage fluid, PowerFlush adapter, Quick Start-Up Guide and Operation Manual |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Warranty | One year warranty against manufacturer defect |
