People stain their fences for various reasons. First, to restore the beauty of an old and rusty fence.
Others do it to enhance beauty with colors that blend well with their home, whereas some people stain their walls to prolong their lifespan—excessive sun and moisture can crack and split a wooden fence.
Irrespective of your reasons for fence painting or staining, finding the right sprayer can make the work more enjoyable and less painful. This article explores the best sprayers you can use to stain your fence, but first, let’s look at key considerations when shopping for a sprayer.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Sprayers For Staining A Fence
- OUR TOP PICK: Graco Magnum 262800 X5
- RUNNER-UP: Wagner Spraytech 0518080
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: HomeRight C800971
Comparison of the Best Sprayers for Staining a Fence
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Considerations When Choosing a Sprayer for Staining a Fence
A good tool can make a difficult task seem lighter and more enjoyable. That also applies to your choice of fence sprayer. Below are important considerations to note when shopping for a sprayer for your fence.
Type of Sprayer
Different sprayers work differently under various applications. Fence staining can be a long project, which requires a sprayer that can dispense a lot of stain without compromising the quality of the spray job.
Choose wisely between pneumatic, electric, and HVLP sprayers, depending on the nature of your project.
Type of Paint
Which paint do you intend to use more on your projects? Some sprayers will spray thicker paints more easily. Others may require thinning before use. Decide if your projects will need oil-based or water-based mediums.
Check the voltage for portable sprayers to see if they’ll produce enough pressure to support a thicker paint.
Nozzle Size and Durability
The choice of your sprayer nozzle dramatically impacts the quality of your painting.
Sprayers require a solid and durable nozzle that can withstand intense pressure, especially when fanning unthinned paints. Choose nozzles made from metal, copper, or brass instead of plastic.
The size of your nozzle also determines the amount of paint dispensed at a time. A nozzle with a wide spray pattern is your best bet for large projects such as garden-fence staining.
Paint Volume
Shop for a sprayer with a larger stain container if you intend to work on larger jobs like garden fence staining or other industrial projects.
You’ll save a lot of time from the constant need to take a break every time to refill the paint container. Aim for at least a one-liter spray container. Better yet, go for a sprayer that sucks the paint directly from a separate bucket.
Ease of Cleaning
It’s a good practice for any painter to clean a sprayer immediately after completing a task. Cleaning a sprayer with wet paint is much easier. Dry stain can easily clog your sprayer, making it a tedious job to clean and unclog.
A paint sprayer with more detachable parts is a lot easier to clean. Better still, you could opt for a self-cleaning sprayer that only requires you to hook it to a garden hose and switch on the trigger to flush it.
Adjustable Flow
Too little pressure will not fan enough paint to the surface. You’ll therefore take longer to complete a task. On the other hand, too much pressure will apply thick and uneven stains. To strike a balance, shop for a sprayer with adjustable pressure and stain flow.
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.
- Type of Sprayer: This tells you the method the unit uses to spray paint. (ie; HVLP, LVLP, airless, compressor, handheld, etc)
- Capacity: The amount of paint the sprayer can contain at a time. Measured in CCs, gallons, quarts, milliliters, or cups.
- Included Tips: Included tip sizes for the sprayer’s optimal usage.
- Adjustable Speed Settings: Whether the unit offers adjustable speeds and the number of settings it features.
- Weight: The actual weight of the sprayer.
- Dimensions: The length, width, height of the sprayer.
- Hose or Cord Length: The length of the sprayer hose or cord.
Review of the Best Sprayers For Fence Staining
Below is a comprehensive review of some of the best fence sprayers you can choose from for your next fence staining project.
Best Overall
Graco Magnum 262800 X5
Specifications
Type: Airless
Capacity: 1 or 5 gals
Included Tips: 0.015”
Adjustable Speed Settings: Yes, variable
Weight: 19.73 lbs
Dimensions: 14.5 x 12.75 x 19″
Hose Length: 75 ft
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The Graco Magnum 262800 has almost all the qualities you’d look for in an outdoor project, like fence staining.
The pressure control guarantees an even spray on all surfaces. You don’t risk spraying too much or too little.
It features a stainless steel piston pump that allows you to spray thick paints at high pressure through its long and flexible suction tube.
Power flush makes cleaning Graco Magnum 262800 an effortless task. Connect your paint sprayer to the garden hose for fast and easy cleaning.
The sprayer comes with a 25 feet suction hose, which can be used directly from the paint bucket. It supports up to 75 feet of hose, making it the perfect choice for an expansive outdoor fence staining project.
Bottom Line
The Graco Magnum 262800 wraps all the important considerations when choosing a fence staining pump. These include; a power flush system for effortless cleaning, a longer suction tube that minimizes your movements, a larger 1-5 gallon paint capacity bucket for use with the suction tube, adjustable pressure control, the ability to spray up to 125 paint gallons in a year, and a reversible RAC IV Switch Tip for continuous spraying in case of a clog.
Pros
Flexible suction tube allows you to paint from any angle
Power flush system for speedy and effortless cleaning
Instant reversible RAC IV Switch Tip ensures no time wastage in case of a clog
Adjustable paint flow gives you more control over the amount of stain dispensed
Comes with a 25-feet hose and supports up to 75 feet suction hose, making it suitable for expensive outdoor projects
Cons
More overspray than other low-pressure models
Runner-up
Wagner Spraytech 0518080
Specifications
Type: HVLP
Capacity: 1.5 qt and 1 qt-professional grade metal cup
Included Tips: 1.8mm
Adjustable Speed Settings: Yes, variable
Weight: 9.8 lbs
Dimensions: 18.5 x 12 x 12″
Hose Length: 25 ft
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Wagner Spraytech 0518080 features a control Finish Nozzle that minimizes overspray and creates a smooth and even finish.
The sprayer has a paint and pressure adjuster that allows you to customize spray patterns and speed. Up to three spray patterns—horizontal, vertical, and round make it a suitable choice for multiple applications.
The machine has a long hose of up to 20 feet. You’ll not need to move the device every time.
The sprayer also features two cups. A 1-1/2-quart cup for larger projects and a one-quart professional grade metal cup for detailed applications.
The one major downside to Wagner Spraytech 0518080 is the short power cord. You may need an extra adaptor when working on projects far away from the power source.
Bottom Line
Wagner Spraytech 0518080 uses high volume, low-pressure technology that atomizes materials into smaller particles for a more refined paint finish. The machine has many detachable parts for easy cleaning.
It also features a 20-feet long hose and an adjustable paint flow system. The sprayer has a control finish nozzle to reduce overspray and mess on your working surface.
Up to three different spray patterns allow you to work on multiple projects efficiently.
Pros
More detachable parts for easy cleaning
Control finish nozzle minimizes overspray
One-year warranty against factory defects
Customizable paint flow makes it ideal for different projects
Up to three spray patterns, making it suitable for more applications
Cons
Short power cord limits movements
Best for the Money
HomeRight C800971
Specifications
Type: HVLP
Capacity: 39 oz
Included Tips: 4.0mm, 2.0mm, and 1.5mm
Adjustable Speed Settings: Yes, 2
Weight: 3.3 lbs
Dimensions: 9.5 x 6 x 12.5″
Cord Length: 20 in
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At 3.3 pounds, HomeRight C800971 fence stain sprayer is a perfect portable sprayer to use on projects that last for long hours without feeling fatigued.
The simple, compact, and detachable design makes it easier to clean than other industrial sprayers.
It features an adjustable paint flow, three paint designs—horizontal, vertical, and round making it suitable for multiple projects.
The sprayer has three brass spray tips for superior performance and durability.
However, HomeRight C800971 has a low paint cup capacity. At only 1.2 quarts, this sprayer is only suited for small DIY applications.
Bottom Line
Fence staining can take longer to complete than most spraying tasks. HomeRight C800971 is a lightweight, portable option that will take you for several hours without feeling fatigued.
The sprayer has up to 450 watts of power, making it suitable for spraying unthinned paints with less struggle.
The detachable smaller parts also make cleaning the machine a straightforward process.
Unfortunately, the sprayer has a paltry 39 ounces of paint container capacity, making it only suitable for medium to small DIY projects.
Pros
Two-year warranty
Compact and portable design
Adjustable paint flow and spray designs
More versatile with up to three brass spray tips
Suitable for multiple projects like fences, desks, cabinets, furniture, and more
Cons
Small paint cup, making it only suitable for minor DIY projects
Editor’s Pick
Graco TrueCoat 360 DS
Specifications
Type: Airless
Capacity: 32 oz
Included Tips: 0.015”
Adjustable Speed Settings: Yes, 2
Weight: 4.5 lbs
Dimensions: 5.2 x 12.5 x 9.8″
Cord Length: 18 in
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Graco TrueCoat 360 DS comes in dual-speed spray adjustments. High speed for completing larger projects faster and low speed for fine finishes on detailed jobs.
The stainless steel piston pump can spray unthinned paint when operating at both low and high-speed settings.
Graco TrueCoat 360 DS is made with VacuValve technology that creates an airtight system and allows spraying in any direction, including upside down.
The sprayer features a reversible tip that enables you to spray continuously in case of a clog.
Bottom Line
Graco TrueCoat 360 DS is an ideal choice if you want to work on a multi-color project. The sprayer features a reusable FlexLiner bag that replaces the traditional paint cups.
Unfortunately, this sprayer is designed for extremely light DIY tasks. The manufacturer recommends an annual use of only 25 gallons.
Pros
Compact and easy to store
Generous one-year warranty
Adjustable speed for varied projects
Reversible spray tip allows continuous spraying in case of a clog
Vacuvalve technology allows you to spray in any direction more easily
Cons
Low use recommendation at only 25 gallons per year
Short power cord that makes maneuverability difficult
Honorable Mention
Wagner FLEXiO 590
Specifications
Type: HVLP
Capacity: 1.5 qt
Included Tips: 1.8mm and 2.5mm
Adjustable Speed Settings: Yes, 10
Weight: 2.11 lbs
Dimensions: 15.9 x 6.7 x 13.9″
Hose or Cord Length: 25 ft
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Wagner FLEXiO 590 has a wide coverage area of up to 8’ x 10’ in a minute and will stain the same surface with latex paint in 5 minutes. You’ll spray up to 8 gallons in under an hour.
The adjustable paint flow with up to 10 dial speed settings gives you much control over the material dispensed, thus achieving precise applications. The sprayer also offers up to three patterns–vertical, horizontal, and narrow spray pattern adjustments.
High pressure allows you to spray unthinned material more easily – thanks to its X-Boost turbine.
The sprayer is extremely easy to clean. The process will hardly last 5 minutes if you clean immediately after use.
The paint also features two nozzles – the bigger one suited for industrial applications and other large projects. In contrast, you can use the small nozzle for finer applications like indoor furniture and cabinet-staining.
Bottom Line
Wagner FLEXiO 590 offers you more control and less mess. With this sprayer, you’ll easily achieve a detailed finish for small projects and an iSpray for large jobs. The sprayer is ten times faster than a roller and a brush and is extremely easy to clean.
FLEXiO 590 is a multipurpose sprayer suitable for both outdoor and indoor applications. The major downside is its small paint cup. You may need to refill them constantly when working on expansive projects.
Pros
Detachable parts make it extremely easy to clean
Adjustable paint and pattern flow gives you more control over the machine
Wide surface coverage makes it up to 10 times faster than rollers and brushes
Two nozzles–one suited for finer detail applications and the other for larger stain jobs
Suitable for multiple applications, including fences, furniture, walls, cabinets, and more
Cons
Handheld sprayers can feel heavy in your hands when working on a long project
Types of Paint Sprayers for Staining a Fence
You can use three main types of sprayers for fence staining: pneumatic, electric, and HVLP, which means high volume, low pressure.
Each sprayer has its advantages and disadvantages and works best for different applications. Below is a review of how each sprayer works.
Pneumatic
These sprayers use compressed air to push the paint through the spray gun nozzle to the surface, leaving a smooth and uniform finish.
Electric
An electric airless sprayer works by pumping the paint through the nozzle at very high pressure and forcing it out in droplets for an even surface coating.
HVLP
High volume, low pressure (HVLP) sprayers work almost the same as pneumatic sprayers. They rely on air to eject a high volume of paint out through the nozzle at low pressure onto the surface.
Price Points of Paint Sprayers
Sprayers are categorized by type, application, and quality. Different sprayers have different price ranges as well. Below are three categories of paint sprayers according to their prices.
$50 – $150
Sprayers under this price range are mostly handheld spray guns with about a one-quart paint cup. They are designed for small DIY projects and are mostly recommended for light indoor tasks such as furniture and cabinet painting.
Such sprayers may include models such as HomeRight Finish Max and Wagner Spraytech 0529011 FLEXiO 570.
$150 – $300
These sprayers are great for both interior and exterior applications. They possess all paint and pressure adjustable settings and have many detachable parts making them extremely easy to clean.
These sprayers include Titan Tool 0524093 FlexSpray from Wagner Spraytech and Hausse Electric Airless Paint Sprayer from Hausse.
$300+
These are majorly industrial sprayers. They have a longer annual use recommendation of more than 100 gallons per year. Some models also include smart motor speed control and extremely high torque.
Sprayers under this category mostly use long suction tubes to draw paint directly from large paint buckets of about 5 gallons. You’ll find Graco Magnum 262800 X5 and Graco Ultra Max II 490 in this price range.
Conclusion
The many types of available sprayers to choose from can be confusing. Proper knowledge of what to look for when shopping for a sprayer to stain your fence can make the task less stressful.
Here are key features you should pay close attention to when shopping for a fence sprayer.
- Adjustable paint and pressure control
- A good nozzle size, depending on the task. Choose a metal, brass, or copper construction for durability
- A lengthy hose of about 20 feet or more
- A sprayer with more detachable parts for easy cleaning
- A good paint cup capacity to save your time from constant refilling. Better yet, get a long suction hose and a separate paint bucket if you plan to work on expansive projects.
People Also Ask
There’s so much to consider when choosing a fence-staining sprayer. The choice can be particularly confusing for first-time users. Below are common questions about fence staining.
Fencing staining can work with different types of sprayers. While an HVLP is the most recommended for larger projects such as fence staining, other types such as low-volume low-pressure sprayers, among other compressed air models, can as well do the job.
The choice boils down to individual needs such as the size of the project or other factors like the type of paint you intend to use.
The number of paint gallons required for fence staining depends on your wall size. Most paint sprayers offer between 1-5 gallon paint buckets. You could use more for a bigger project.
A small fence staining project of about 700 sq. ft. will require about one gallon, while a 700 sq. ft. fence will require 3-4 gallons of stain.
