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Hiding imperfections in ceilings, dry walls, or masonry could make an enormous difference to the style and finish of a home. Achieving a perfectly smooth plaster finish is often time consuming and costly. For this reason many householders choose to use textured finishes to conceal unsightly blemishes on the walls and ceilings of their homes.
Manual application of a textured coat is a slow and messy process, and achieving a uniform finish is not easy. Producing a flawless textured finish requires a little practice and a good texture sprayer
In this article we examine the types of texture sprayers available, we discuss the important aspects to consider before purchasing the sprayer, and we review the best texture sprayers currently on offer.
Applications
Texture sprayers are designed for the application of heavy wall and ceiling coatings. These coatings include drywall mud and the high viscosity materials used to spray orange peel, knockdown, or popcorn textured surfaces.
A texture sprayer can be used to spray on drywall compound, waterproofing or textured paint.
Types of Texture Sprayers
Conventional Texture Sprayers
Most texture sprayers are equipped with funnel shaped hoppers that use gravity to feed the material into the pump. The pump forces the material through the gun and introduces air into the mixture, aerating it to create texture. Most texture spray guns are air powered so if you don’t already have a compressor, you will have to rent or buy one. Before doing so make sure that it is compatible with the sprayer.
Airless Texture Sprayers
An airless texture sprayer has an on board source of compressed air. These sprayers employ high pressure to atomise the material, thus forming textured patterns. The guns will not operate when aggregates are added to the mixture.
Airless texture sprayers are generally faster than conventional sprayers and they are designed to minimise over spray. They deliver paint coverage that is more consistent, since they easily fill crevices. Usually fewer coats of paint are required to achieve the finished surface. As a rule the coatings applied by texture sprayers do not require the addition of thinners. This reduces the amount of solvent released into the environment. It also reduces the drying time of the paint.
The Best Texture Sprayers – Important Features
Important features to look for when choosing a texture sprayer
- Lightweight spray guns reduce operator fatigue
- Smaller, shorter sprayers can fit into hard to reach places
- Durable and robust components will last longer
- Bigger hoppers require less frequent filling
- A hopper adaptor may be required for ceilings
- One piece removable hoppers are less likely to clog and are easier to clean
- A sprayer stand makes it easier to fill the hopper
- A longer trigger is easier to control
- Air pressure control valves and air shut off valves afford more control at the sprayer
- Does it have an air shut off valve?
- The number of nozzles or aperture settings help to refine the texture patterns
- Standard compressor connectors
Personal considerations
- Size of the project
- What material do you plan to use?
- What surface do you plan to paint? Some guns handle ceilings better than others
Getting Started
It is difficult to remove a textured surface so make sure you like the finish before you proceed. Run a trial on a loose piece of ply board or drywall. The combination of nozzle size and shape, air pressure, and paint consistency determines the final textured finish. The trial will allow you to experiment so that you can find the combination that offers you the best end result.
- The lower the air pressure, the heavier the spray and the thicker the finish. More pressure creates a finer spray but can be more difficult to control. A thicker finish will cover more imperfections.
- Nozzles come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The most common are hollow cone, full cone and flat stream. They play an important role in determining the texture that you achieve.
- The mixture should have the consistency of a thin batter and must be lump free
Our Picks for the Top 5 Texture Sprayers – Reviewed
Wallboard Tool 55-049 The Original Spraying Mantis Hopper Gun
The body of this spray gun is aluminum die-cast, which is equipped with corrosion resistant brass connectors. Pattern selection is through a triple changeable aperture setting. There is a manual air shutoff at the base of the gun. The gun comes with a flexible connector and a hopper with a two-inch outlet. The product is kitted with a bipod stand making it easier to load the hopper.
This is a light and durable spray gun with a simple and robust design. It has a long and comfortable steel trigger that is easy to pull and hold. The hopper holds two gallons of material. The spray gun requires a compressor with a minimum CFM rating of seven and a PSI rating of at least twenty-five.
Accomplish the task of textured painting quickly and effectively with the Spraying Mantis Hopper Gun. The ergonomic design helps prevent fatigue.
Hiltex 31229 Pneumatic Air Texture Spray Gun, 1.2 Gallon Hopper
The Hiltex has an easy grip, metal handle with a lockable trigger for consistent application of the paint. The air regulating components are made from solid brass and are replaceable. The gun is equipped with four, six and eight millimeter nozzles that are interchangeable. It has a five-liter gravity fed hopper. The spray gun requires a compressor with a CFM of at least seven. It has a quarter inch pipe thread fitting.
This product is relatively inexpensive, and whilst it is adequate for home jobs, it may not be suitable for commercial applications. It has a simple design that is easy to use. It has no stand so filling the hopper can be difficult. There are also no instructions included in the kit, but this spray gun is not terribly complex so you should be able to work it out. Failing this, instructions can be found on the Internet.
For the price, this product is adequate for the task of texturing walls in a home environment. It does not have an adjustable hopper, so painting ceilings can be a little tricky.
MARSHALLTOWN The Premier Line SS20 SharpShooter 2.0 Hopper Gun
The Sharpshooter 2.0 can operate with a hopper or with a portable texture sprayer. The gun has a durable nylon body that is lighter than metal and doesn’t corrode. It has a flow control valve that allows you to control the flow of air at the gun rather than at the compressor. The soft grip ergonomic handle and trigger are equipped with a lock and flow control for even application. The gun has seven apertures covered by a plate on a threaded stud for a variety of patterns.
The long swing trigger is easy to control, making for simple, even application of material. The large two-gallon hopper has seamless sides that prevent the accumulation of sludge that can cause clogging. It is equipped with a forty-five degree adaptor to allow the hopper to remain level when ceilings are painted.
The Sharp Shooter 2.0 is light and durable and its seven pattern options, makes it easier to match existing textures. The trigger control feature allows for easier control of pattern conformity.
Wagner 0520000 PowerTex Texture Sprayer
This award-winning spray gun has a built-in air turbine so there is no need for a separate compressor or the air hoses that go with it. It has a comfortable and ergonomic armrest. The kit includes a stand for easy filling and a brush for cleaning the equipment. It comes with a one-gallon hopper, which is adjustable for ceilings or walls. Three spray nozzles allow for application of varying patterns. The trigger has variable flow control and is adjustable.
The gun has been designed for the application of various materials. It is heavier than some of the other products on offer and it is quite large so working in a small room such as a toilet can be a tight fit. This product should generally be effective in ceiling spray applications. The sprayer is easily dismantled, so cleaning it is simple. It has a one-year warranty.
For those who do not want to incur the expense or the inconvenience of renting a compressor, the Power Tex Texture Sprayer offers a handy alternative.
MARSHALLTOWN The Premier Line 693 SharpShooter I Hopper Gun with 45 Degree Angle Adapter
The body of the spray gun is a seamless nylon molding. With seven aperture sizes, it is capable of applying a variety of textures. The tubular design of the apertures helps to impede overspray. Easily adjusted the aperture plate with the control knob. The gun is equipped with an air control valve so that the flow of air can be controlled at the gun rather than at the pump. The shutoff is designed to prevent leaks.
The trigger is easy to handle and control, and it has a trigger stop that can be adjusted for a more consistent finish. The included plastic hopper can accommodate two gallons of textured paint. The hopper design prevents build-up of material, which can result in clogging. Employ the included forty-five degree adapter when painting ceilings.
Made from nylon, this product is lightweight, durable and strong. With seven apertures, it offers a range of different patterns and the comfortable trigger control and stop means that pattern conformity is more easily achieved.
Conclusion
With a little bit of preparation, the right set of tools and the best texture sprayer, you can achieve a surface finish that will add both style and value to your home.
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