Buying the best HVLP lacquer spray gun for lacquer for your next project can be a daunting task, given the high number of models available.
However, choosing a good HVLP spray gun for lacquer doesn’t have to be a chore when you are well armed with the right information.
This guide discusses the best paint sprayer guns for lacquer, the types of projects you can use an HVLP spray gun to apply lacquer, and crucial factors to consider when choosing your spray gun.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for HVLP Spray Guns For Lacquer
- OUR TOP PICK: Graco UltraMAX
- RUNNER-UP: Wagner Control Pro 130
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Wagner PaintReady Station
Comparison of the Best HVLP Spray Guns For Lacquer
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How Do I Choose a HVLP Spray Gun For Lacquer?
Choosing the best HVLP lacquer sprayer calls for considering some crucial factors. Here are some key factors to consider.
Feed Type
You can choose between gravity feed and siphon feed HVLP spray guns. A gravity feed system features the paint cup on top, while the cup is on the bottom in a siphon feed sprayer.
Gravity-fed HVLP lacquer spray guns are very prominent among both DIY enthusiasts and professional painters for lacquering. They are more suitable for larger jobs. However, they are quite expensive.
Siphon feed HVLP spray guns, also called conventional feed spray guns, are cheaper and ideal for smaller spraying jobs.
Capacity
Most HVLP sprayers have a moderately sized paint cup that holds the material to be sprayed. A one-liter paint cup is ideal as it reduces time wasted doing frequent refills.
Some HVLP spray guns come with a hose for drawing spraying material from a separate or detached bucket, thus saving you the trouble of frequent refills.
Adjustability
A good HVLP spray gun should allow for as much adjustability as possible to enable you to spray with less trouble managing overspray.
The main adjustability options in HVLP paint sprayer guns are varying tip and nozzle sizes, spray patterns, pressure, and flow control.
Controlling the flow rate regulates the amount of material leaving the tip, which helps reduce overspray.
You should also go for a gun that allows switching between round, vertical, and horizontal spray patterns.
Adjusting the tip size or nozzle size helps you spray materials with different thicknesses. In the case of lacquer, you want a tip size suitable for the thin lacquer, preferably 1.5mm.
Key Terms to Know
To help compare products in this review, we have included a few key specifications for each. Here is a quick summary of what they mean.
- Spray Pattern(s): The pattern the tip can spray. This includes wider and narrower circular patterns, as well as horizontal and vertical.
- Tip Size: Also referred to as the nozzle, this is where the pressurized paint exits the sprayer and impacts the object to be painted. Different projects and paint types will determine the tip size you require.
- Capacity: The amount of paint the sprayer can hold at a time. Typically measured in gallons, quarts, CCs, milliliters, or ounces.
- Hose Length: The length of the sprayer hose.
- Flow Rate: This indicates the maximum delivery flow rate of the paint based on the unit’s horsepower and recommended tip size.
- Motor Size: The wattage the motor produces.
- Dimensions: The length, width, height of the sprayer.
- Weight: The actual weight of the sprayer.
- Style: This refers to the type of sprayer and whether it is corded or cordless.
- Feed System: The way the paint feeds into the sprayer. This includes bottom feed, top feed, siphon feed, and gravity feed methods.
Review of the Best HVLP Spray Guns For Lacquer
There are hundreds of HVLP spray guns, but not each gun is the most suitable for your lacquering project. We have thus compiled a list of handy HVLP spray guns you can choose from.
Best Overall
Graco UltraMAX
Specifications
Tip Size: 0.010″ and 0.014″
Capacity: 32 oz
Dimensions: 17.4 x 13 x 7.2″
Weight: 6 lbs
Style: Handheld, Cordless
Feed System: Siphon
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Review
Handheld sprayers are a great choice because of their ease of portability, making the handheld Graco UltraMAX an ideal sprayer for people who often lacquer items away from mains power sources.
The sprayer has a battery that eliminates the need for power cords, further enhancing portability and maneuverability as you can move around easily as much as the project demands.
The Graco UltraMAX handheld sprayer is easy to clean and even ships in from the manufacturer with some test spray material in the system. You can use this material for priming and cleaning the sprayer.
Bottom Line
The Graco UltraMAX sprayer for lacquer is an excellent choice if you are looking for a device that allows optimal maneuverability and portability. It’s even lightweight to help reduce hand fatigue.
The sprayer is easy to unclog since it uses RAC tips that turn 180 degrees to enable you to continue spraying and save time.
Pros
Comes with a charger for the DeWalt lithium-ion battery
Easy to unclog Reverse-A Cleaning spray tips to maximize spraying time
Compact spray gun with three major parts for easy repair to boost longevity
Lightweight spray gun ideal for both small and large projects with less fatigue
Cordless model with battery hence suitable for projects far removed from a mains power source
Cons
Small paint cup necessitates regular refills that can be time-consuming and often messy
Runner-up
Wagner Control Pro 130
Specifications
Spray Pattern(s): 10″ circular
Tip Size: 0.015″
Capacity: 1.5 gal
Hose Length: 25 ft
Motor: 2500 watts
Dimensions: 8 x 7 x 11″
Weight: 11 lbs
Style: Stationary
Feed System: Gravity
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Review
One of the major upsides of the Wagner Control Pro 130 sprayer is its high volume tank that holds up to 1.5 gallons.
The high capacity means that your refills will be fewer in large projects, saving you time for continuous spraying.
The tank also has a handy lid that is resistant to spillage to ensure your lacquering projects remain mess-free. It also ensures your lacquer doesn’t get contaminated and ruined through the project.
Bottom Line
The Wagner Control Pro 130 sprayer ensures you have an easy time lacquering large surfaces and projects such as floors, decks, walls, and fences.
The sprayer’s ease of use is possible because of the high paint capacity and the 25-foot hose. These two ensure you can handle large projects without frequent refills or the need to move the sprayer too often.
If you have large lacquering projects at hand, this is the sprayer for you.
Pros
Spill-resistant lid for mess-free projects
Compact three-piece design for easy storage and usage
Gravity feed system that makes priming and cleaning easy
Has a 25-foot hose suitable for large lacquering projects or surfaces
Comes with a large paint tank for a higher holding capacity of up to 1.5 gallons
Cons
Might be a little heavier when the paint tank is full
Best for the Money
Wagner PaintReady Station
Specifications
Spray Pattern(s): Horizontal, narrow, vertical and wide
Tip Size: 1.8mm
Capacity: 1.5 quart
Hose Length: 15 ft
Motor: 540 watts
Dimensions: 15.5 x 14 x 11″
Weight: 10.4 lbs
Style: Stationary HVLP Sprayer
Feed System: Siphon
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Review
One key thing to note about the Wagner PaintReady sprayer is that it is a handy stationary model, which means that you can spray for a long time with less fatigue since most of the weight is grounded.
The stationary base remains on the ground, making spraying easy as you only have to hold the hose in your hand. The 15-foot hose also helps boost maneuverability around the project area.
The sprayer also allows for two adjustability options where you can adjust the material flow rate and spray patterns to suit your preferences and specific project needs.
Bottom Line
There are two major things to like about the Wagner PaintReady Station sprayer. First, you’ll have an easy time lacquering because the stationary base and long hose help you keep most of the weight on the ground.
Secondly, adjusting the spray pattern and flow rate is easy. You can use either vertical or horizontal patterns, with even further ability to switch between narrow and wide patterns.
If you are looking for a sprayer for lacquer with easy maneuverability and high adjustability, this sprayer is the right one for you.
Pros
Customizable paint flow to match project size and lacquering speed
High spraying speeds of up to 15 ounces per minute for faster lacquering
Allows for narrow or wide and vertical or horizontal spray patterns as per your preference
Has a robust turbine base that delivers enough spraying power for large lacquering projects
Comes with a 15-foot hose for easy maneuverability while keeping the base weight on the ground
Cons
Small siphon feed paint cup that necessitates frequent refills
Foam filters protecting the motor’s air input clog up easily, and the fibers disintegrate sooner
Honorable Mention
Wagner Control Spray Double Duty
Specifications
Spray Pattern(s): Horizontal, vertical or round
Tip Size: 1.8mm
Capacity: 1.5 quart
Cord Length: 6 ft
Motor: 300 watts
Dimensions: 11.00 x 6.50 x 11.20″
Weight: 4.13 lbs
Style: Corded electric
Feed System: Siphon
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Review
The Wagner Control Spray Double Duty sprayer is an excellent choice not only for lacquer application but also for sealers, stains, varnishes, and urethanes.
The corded sprayer is ideal for small interior lacquering projects, given that it is corded and requires connecting to a power outlet to function. You might need a power extension for exterior projects.
One good thing to note about the sprayer, despite the limitation of the power cord, is its lightweight nature. A light sprayer makes spraying easy as it reduces hand fatigue in extended working durations.
The sprayer is also likable because of the two paint cups it comes with. The 1-quart cup is suitable for smaller interior projects. The 1.5-quart cup is ideal for larger exterior projects like fences.
Bottom Line
The Wagner Double Duty sprayer offers easy lacquering options, given the option for switching between the two paint cups. However, the cups are still small and won’t hold much, meaning unavoidable frequent refills.
You also won’t like that the cord limits the sprayer only to areas where you must have mains power to connect the sprayer. If your project is far off, like a fence, you’ll have to get a power extension.
Pros
Lightweight sprayer for less hand fatigue during lacquering
Spraying adjustable between round, horizontal, and vertical patterns
Has a regulator for adjusting the material volume to reduce overspray
Ideal for various thin materials such as lacquer, stains, varnishes, and sealers
Comes with two paint cups with 1 and 1.5 quart capacity for smaller and larger projects
Cons
Limited in maneuverability and reach but the short power cord
Corded electric sprayer that requires power connection to work
Editor’s Pick
Fuji Semi-PRO 2
Specifications
Spray Pattern(s): Adjustable circular pattern
Tip Size: 1.3mm
Capacity: 400cc
Hose Length: 25 ft
Motor: 1400 watts
Dimensions: 16 x 9.5 x 12.5″
Weight: 28.2 lbs
Style: Stationary HVLP Sprayer
Feed System: Gravity
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Review
The Fuji Semi-PRO 2 sprayer is a handy choice for both small and large lacquering projects. It has a long hose suitable for large projects, while the 1.3mm air cap suits it for smaller projects.
You’ll like the compact nature of the sprayer, given that it only has three major parts that are easy to move around the spraying area.
The stationary base ensures most of the weight remains on the ground so you can spray with less hand fatigue. The gun itself is lightweight and can be held for a long time during lacquering.
The sprayer also allows you two switch between vertical, circular, and horizontal spray patterns to suit your preference and specific project needs.
Bottom Line
The high cost of the Fuji Semi-PRO 2 shouldn’t scare you away. You get a high-quality sprayer worth the price to help you complete your lacquering projects easily and fast because of the powerful 1400 watt 2-stage turbine.
The sprayer allows you to adjust the flow rate and spray patterns as per your project’s needs and preferences, making it ideal for users looking for a high-end lacquering sprayer with good adjustability.
Pros
Stationary base ensures most of the weight is grounded
Has a 25-foot hose for an easy reach around all surfaces
Compact three-piece sprayer for easy storage and movement
Comes with an air control valve that helps reduce bounce back and overspray
Fitted with a 1.3mm air cap suitable for small lacquering projects requiring lower output
Cons
Small gravity feed paint cup that necessitates regular refills
What Projects Can You Do Using an HVLP Spray Gun With Lacquer?
You are not limited in the types of projects you can do using an HVLP spray gun for lacquering. The secret to getting the best results for different projects is to use the correct tip or nozzle size.
With an HVLP spray gun, you can do any of the following lacquering projects whenever needed.
Furniture Finishing
Most people lacquer their metal or wooden furniture items using HVLP spray guns because they are ideal for spraying thin lacquer at high volume and low pressure.
Since lacquer is thin, you want a gun that will spray fine coats at the high output to save you time, even on smaller projects.
Car Restoration/Auto Refinishing
If you want to restore your car by establishing a hard protective layer with lacquer, you can use an HVLP spray gun.
Spraying lacquer on a car requires a small tip size to ensure a fine, thin coat is applied. The smaller tip also helps reduce overspray and offers more volume output control.
Lacquering General Surfaces/Objects
An HVLP spray gun is an excellent choice for lacquering various surfaces such as walls, cabinets, houses, fences, trims, ceilings, shutters, decks, sculptures, and doors.
The above surfaces can be categorized as relatively large and suitable for lacquering at high volume output using an HVLP spray gun.
Best HVLP Tip Sizes For Lacquer
As mentioned, the tip size of the HVLP sprayer you buy matters a lot during lacquering. Most guns have varying tip sizes that you can interchange to fit different projects and material thicknesses.
The following tip sizes are suitable for spraying lacquer with HVLP spray guns.
1.2mm to 1.4mm
Lacquer is thin and requires smaller tip sizes. With an HVLP gun, 1.2 to 1.4mm tips are suitable for smaller projects since the output will be lower. However, you might require more pressure.
1.2 to 1.4mm tips are ideal for waterborne lacquer.
1.5mm or 1.6mm
1.5 and 1.6mm HVLP tips are also suitable for thin lacquer, especially when the gun has a motor. With 1.5 and 1.6mm tips sizes, you will require less pressure than 1.3 and 1.4mm tips.
1.7mm or 1.8mm
1.7 and 1.8mm tips are ideal for pigmented lacquer and standard wood lacquers with medium to high thickness.
The larger tip sizes are ideal for larger projects where you want to spray more material faster and save time while at it.
Price Points of an HVLP Spray Gun
HVLP spray guns come at varying price points, depending on different factors such as the brand and features. Below are common price points of HVLP spray guns.
Under $100
Because of the limitation by the cord, most corded electric spray guns belong to this price category.
While they are great for interior projects, they will limit you badly in exterior projects where you need a power extension.
The Wagner Control Spray Double Duty sprayer falls within this category and is an excellent choice if you lacquer indoor surfaces or your items can be lacquered from inside the house.
$120 – $220
Most spray guns with a stationary base fall within this category, such as the Wagner Control Pro 130 and Wagner PaintReady Station.
Some unique aspects to enjoy with spray guns in this range include long hoses, better weight management because of the grounded base, and adjustability options for the flow rate and spray patterns.
$400+
Brands with high-end spray guns costing above $400 include Wagner and Fuji Spray.
The Graco UltraMAX is one of the most expensive handheld spray guns, followed by the gravity-fed Fuji Semi-PRO 2.
Some unique features for this price range include super lightweight nature, RAC tips for easy unclogging, easy portability, and adjustability options for spray patterns and material output.
Conclusion
We hope that our guide for the best HVLP spray guns makes your decision process easier to help you purchase one soon for your upcoming lacquering projects.
Each spray gun we have reviewed here will serve you well, but you have to ensure you pick the best for your needs. If you have larger projects, be sure to pick a gravity-fed gun.
Happy lacquering!
