Why invest in the best paint sprayers for kitchen cabinets
- They are available in different types and sizes that can be customized to your specific painting needs and budget.
- They minimize wastage of paint through precise spraying at flow rate, thickness, and pressure of your choice, and produce smooth and consistent finish without bristle marks, providing your furniture and fences with a quick facelift.
- You spend less time and effort because most airless paint sprayers for cabinets can spray vast amounts of paint at a high pressure to speed up completion of the task.
- You can paint your project from a distance of several feet because the long cords and hoses extend the range.
- They are compact to fit in confined spaces and access awkward angles.
- The best DIY paint sprayers for cabinets and exterior fixtures work with several types of stains and paint.
What else a paint sprayer can be used for
In addition to painting kitchen cabinets, the best DIY paint sprayers are used for crown molding, sealing wood, staining touchups, coating uneven surfaces, and creating graffiti, fine art and interesting patterns on furniture, doors, walls, automotive, and other aesthetic items and objects such as rocks.
Features to consider when choosing a paint sprayer
Below are the most important features to consider when choosing the best handheld paint sprayer for fences and furniture like cabinets.
Spray system type
Paint sprayers are classified in three categories according to their type of spray system: airless, compressed and HVLP.
Airless sprayers: They feature a powerful motor that pumps air fast at a high pressure for thick application of paint in a short time. They are the best for large-scale such as fences, shutters, and decks, or multiple projects. Some of the best airless paint sprayers for cabinets include the Graco 17C310 and the Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus with pressure output of 3,300 PSI and 2,800 PSI respectively.
Compressed sprayers: They use an air compressor to spray paint which makes them prone to overspray and use more paint for even coverage. However, they make the most budget-friendly handheld paint sprayer for cabinets and feature customizable settings for thickness, flow rate, patterns, and pressure. The Astro Pneumatic Tool Spray Gun with Cup which works with 7-12CFM/3HP compressor is a great handheld paint sprayer for cabinets.
High Volume, Low Pressure (HVLP) models like the Devilbiss Finishline 4 FLG-670, the HomeRight C800766, and the Wagner Opti Stain Handheld Sprayer have the slowest flow rate which results in a smooth, consistent finish. They are also more precise with less overspray, which makes them the best type for small applications such as drawers and kitchen cabinets. Their downside is their relatively higher price.
Working air pressure/operation air pressure
Pressure affects the flow rate, thickness, and pattern of paint. The best airless paint sprayers for cabinets and walls feature multiple adjustable settings, including air valves and gauges, which customize the output to the specific project. Painting cabinets, stools, and other smaller surfaces will definitely require a lower amount of pressure to slow down the flow for smooth results and to avoid over-spraying.
The
Earlex HV5500 minimizes paint wastage and avoids overspray by operating at pressure of 2.2 PSI. On the other hand, painting walls, decks and fences will be favored by higher pressures such as the 3,300 PSI of the
Graco 17C310 that yields more volume and faster flow.
Feed cup capacity
The capacity of the paint cup or canister will determine the amount of paint a specific sprayer will hold and how often you will need to refill. The Scuddles Paint Sprayer, the Astro Pneumatic Tool Spray Gun with Cup and the Earlex HV5500 all have a capacity of one quart of paint which is the most common capacity for regular paintwork at home while both the Devilbiss Finishline 4 FLG-670 and the Wagner Opti Stain Handheld Sprayer have a 20-ounce capacity for paint.
Keep in mind that the size of the paint container will influence the weight, so you will need to factor in both size and weight for easy maneuverability and portability.
Hose/power cord length
The best handheld paint sprayer for cabinets come with long paint hoses and power cords to optimize range for distant projects and maneuverability around large objects. This will also prevent you from having to change electrical outlets each time.
For power cords, a minimum length of six feet like the one available with the HomeRight C800766 would suffice for minor painting, staining, and top coating tasks. Models with ideal long hoses include the Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus which has a 50-ft hose while the hose that comes with the Graco 17C310 extends to a maximum range of up to 300 feet!
Nozzles included
The best small paint sprayers for cabinets come with multiple nozzles for different spray patterns. For example, the Scuddles Paint Sprayer has three different nozzle sizes of 1.8mm, 2.2 mm and 2.6mm for creating vertical, circular and horizontal spray patterns. Comparatively, the Astro Pneumatic Tool Spray Gun with Cup is available with a 1.8 mm nozzle for primers, tops coats, acrylics, cement, picket fences, and doors.
At a minimum, consider at least an adjustable nozzle that can regulate pressure and flow of paint, and a switch that allow you to reverse tips when they are clogged for continuous operation. For instance, the
Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus features a Reverse-A-Clean IV Switch Tip that lets you reverse the 515 RAC IV Spray Tip by twisting it when it is clogged.
Knowing the type of nozzle included will also let you know the tip sizes that are compatible with your specific product. The cordless Graco 17M363 comes with a Reverse-a-Clean (RAC) X FFLP 514 tip that is compatible with all Graco airless sprayers.
Weight
Most of the small paint sprayers for cabinets we have recommended in this review are light in weight and compact in design. Portable models include the HomeRight C800766 with a weight of 2.76 pounds, the Astro Pneumatic Tool Spray Gun with Cup at three pounds, and the Scuddles Paint Sprayer which weighs 4.5 pounds. Heavier models utilize stands such as the Graco 17C310 with a 4-leg stand to support the 45-pound weight, or the handle in the Wagner Opti Stain Handheld Sprayer to make the ten pounds portable and easy to maneuver.
Warranty
This could range from one year to five years for majority of the products in the market. Paint sprayers may also have different coverage for various components, with some parts coming with a lifetime warranty. Researching reviews and customer feedback will shed more insight about the protection in place in case of unforeseen damages and the conditions that may void it.
Speaking of voiding warranty, you also need to confirm the compatible materials that are recommended for your intended model. Products designed for thin materials and lightweight tasks may require prior thinning of thick paint, although doing that might automatically void the warranty of some of those models.
Extra features
Patterns available: Most handheld paint sprayers for cabinets support at least three patterns for diverse looks and creativity. The most common patterns are round, horizontal, and vertical spray patterns.
Housing: As with any investment you would want to last, you should check the construction of the paint sprayer for kitchen cabinets for sturdiness and durability. This is more important for sprayers intended to be used outside where natural elements are rampant. The Devilbiss Finishline 4 FLG-670 is made of high-grade stainless steel while the Neiko 31216A features heavy-duty construction consisting of an all-steel gun, an aluminum cup, metal air gauge, a nozzle made of rust-proof stainless steel, and a solid brass cap.
If it’s cordless: Some models are powered by batteries instead of electricity, so you need to confirm the charge time and estimated runtime of such products to ensure they can operate long enough for you to complete your paintwork. For example, the Graco 17M363 is a cordless paint sprayer that comes with a 3-LED battery indicator, a charger, and two DEWALT 20V Max Compact 2.0 Ah XR lithium-ion batteries that take 35 minutes to charge fully and yield up to one gallon of sprayed paint on a single charge. In addition to the quick charge time, a
Easy cleanup: Paint, stains, varnish are already messy without adding the spraying part and the overspray that is common with first-time DIY projects, and you can see why easy cleaning to prevent clogging and dry paint and limited performance should be a priority before buying the best small paint sprayers for cabinets. The Graco Magnum Project Painter comes with a convenient PowerFlush adapter that connects to a garden hose for quick cleaning allows for quick cleaning and Reverse-A-Clean IV Switch Tip that allows you to reverse the included 515 RAC IV Spray Tip by twisting it when it is clogged. For the Scuddles Paint Sprayer, the cleaning attachments are a clogging needle and a thick brush. The Graco 17C310 eases cleaning with a pump filter to reduce clogging.
Versatile applications: While some products can only be used for staining and top coat jobs, and may require thinning of thick paint before spraying it, versatile paint sprayers for kitchen cabinets are also able to work with primers, latex, stains, lacquers, varnishes, sealers, oils, urethanes, shellacs, acrylics, chalk paint, and enamels, making them the best DIY paint sprayers for automotive, furniture, fences, decks and walls as well as small cabinets.
Storage bag/compartment: The Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus and the Earlex HV5500 come with built-in space-saving storage compartments for the gun, hose, power cord, and tips whereas the Graco 17M363 utilizes a storage bag for convenient portability.
Safety tips
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- Read all the instructions for features, maintenance tips, and other guidelines of your product, including the compatible solvents and accessories and information on warranty.
- Do a trial test on cardboard before applying the paint on your project so you can adjust to the ideal flow, thickness, and pressure.
- Ensure proper ventilation, especially when applying oil-based products, to avoid the accumulation of toxic fumes. A respirator, gloves, and safety glasses would offer you more protection.
- Store spray painting and staining materials in safe storage away from fire since they are flammable.
