no

I keep thinking about buying an HVLP setup, but the time to set up and time to clean up afterwards always seems like it would consume any time saved. Nor do I have space for a dedicated spray booth. Decent systems can be had for under $1000. I've applied finishes long enough that I get a pretty nice finish right off the brush

For things like house painting I've seen crews work efficiently where one guy sprays and 2-3 guys follow to brush or roll it out, but for me working alone it's more effective to just use the brush or roller to get the paint onto the wall in the first place than go back and forth.

What about the sprayer that they guy on the Kitchen forum used recently to paint the cabinets for his beach house? HERE is the thread and he has a link to his blog where he talks about the sprayer. He seems pleased with it. I was thinking about getting one myself ...

I did an article in JLC about this years ago. You will NOT find a homeowner-quality sprayer that gives you professional quality results. Period. My sprayers (both airless and HVLP), cost about 2K each. You'd be better off carefully looking at what project you're doing, and either hand-painting it, hiring it out to a pro, or renting the equipment. You really have to know what you're doing to get good quality out of them. That being said, what EXACTLY are you thinking of doing?

If you're repainting cabinet doors, for instance, Glidden makes a kit specifically for that which will save you a thousand bucks over a sprayer, and probably give you better results.

Not sure what the OP expects, but I wouldn't expect to get professional results from a homeowner-quality sprayer, but would hope to get something better than homeowner-with-a-brush-quality. Is that possible with a cheap-ish sprayer?

Perhaps. A great sprayer, with inferior equipment, can get great results. A bad sprayer, with great equipment, can get bad results. Think Ansel Adams. In our minds, cheap, inferior equipment compared to what you can buy today. Greatest pics ever.

The question remains; WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO. What is your end goal?

As the guy from Sleepy Hollow say's,it all depend's on what you are painting. Interior walls and exterior sideing,no they require expensive equipment and user training. Shutters,louvered doors,crafts and items normally painted with rattle can paint,yes,a little hvlp rig will do it better,faster and cheaper than hand tools.

My house

I commend you Troy,I've seen some real messes created by airless rigs while operators learned to use them. It appears you took to it better than the average. I'm always reluctant to advise people self teach airless. They are capiable of injecting through the skin and needles to say,do serious eye damage. This remind's me of the sucess two young ladies had with one of those cups with a slinger on top. They quickly worked out the perfect viscosity and did a good job on some doors and cabinets.

Klem1 - thanks, I appreciate your kind words. Yes, you have to invest the time to learn and be careful.

Thank you for taking the time to post about your sprayer, Troy. You don't appear to be the average DIYer, but you give hope to the rest of us!

Graco is the best sprayer out there. I come from a family of painters and been painting since middle school! Like your home there Troy Farwell! Tips make all the difference!

Ken

Yes as don't point the gun towards you! Adjust pressure and tips will give you the look needed with no prob!

Ken

Nice work Troy! going to take a look at the sprayer.

Thanks for all the feedback! I took a break from painting, to battle over tile installation problems.

Our interior doors in the house desperately need painting, and I just dread the thought of brushing them.

On the other hand, I don't have the crazy skills Troy does!!