Almost a century after creating the first airless version in 1958, Graco has come to be associated with paint sprayers. While rebuilding a deck and building some garden planters, we put one of the brand’s entry-level products, the Magnum Project Painter Plus Paint Sprayer, to the test. Find out the benefits and drawbacks of using this tool, as well as how it helped us complete our projects.
Setup: Simpler than it Might Seem
The most reasonably priced sprayer in this class that can handle bigger projects is the Graco Pumps. It is intended for do-it-yourselfers who paint enough to warrant owning their sprayer rather than renting one when needed, but who aren’t doing it professionally and frequently. It is advised for painters who will use less than 50 gallons of paint annually.
It’s easier to get started than what the instructions suggest. You should have no trouble following the setup instructions if you just become familiar with the different switches and components. The system must first be flushed, either with water if using a water-based solution or with mineral spirits if using an oil-based one. We did not realize we would require so many mineral spirits. To finish the flushing process and the cleanup that follows (more on that later), two gallons of mineral spirits—roughly $30—will be required.
Before beginning your project, Graco advises testing your spray pattern and technique on a sizable piece of primed sheet wood. If you don’t have a lot of scrap wood, you can practice on any surface that can withstand some spraying by running water through the system. There is a learning curve to using the sprayer and getting good results, but we found the company’s instructional videos helpful, and the website has a good archive of information.
Performance: Outstanding
Even though it’s an entry-level model, the Magnum Project Painter Plus has features similar to larger consumer sprayers, but at a much lower cost and form factor. It can handle large painting tasks using either water- or oil-based paints and stains.
We bought a 20-inch extension rod for $45 because Graco’s instructional materials said that it was necessary for spraying decks. We were glad of the extra reach because it allowed us to spray while strolling normally. It would have been less than convenient to have to stoop over without it.
Again, getting the hang of this sprayer might take some time. You might need to go over your work with a brush if your technique is off to avoid paint or stain pooling or unevenness. The sprayer covers a large area quickly, so you’ll want to move faster than you think. You’ll quickly become accustomed to the sprayer’s flow, which is easily adjustable with the pressure dial. However, we generally found that the lowest setting yielded satisfactory results. The “515” spray tip that comes with the Project Painter Plus is excellent for painting larger surfaces with thicker paints. We spent an extra $20 at our neighborhood paint store on a smaller spray tip because our semi-transparent deck stain required one.
After mastering the fundamentals, the largest difficulty with the sprayer was managing overspray, particularly when cleaning the deck’s railings and posts—a problem that was exacerbated by the SoftSpray Technology on the tip. Use tarps and plastic as much as possible to keep paint and stains from getting where you don’t want them to.
Transportability: No Carriage
This sprayer unit doesn’t have a wheeled cart like some other models do, so you’ll have to lift the entire thing along with the paint-filled bucket, hose, and gun to move it when needed. ‘s a lot for one person to carry around, even though the unit itself only weighs 15 pounds, making it more awkward than heavy.
It’s necessary to run fresh mineral spirits through for the cleanup, so make sure you have extra and have a waste disposal strategy in place. You can either contact your local waste facility to find out the proper disposal method, or you can reuse it by letting it settle and straining it. It’s simpler to use water-based paints; just attach a regular garden hose to the intake valve and flush the paint into a bucket or slop sink. Graco advises filling the unit with the brand’s exclusive Pump Armor fluid ($10 per bottle) before storing it for longer than a few weeks.
The Fundamentals
With the Graco Magnum ProX19, painting projects will be simpler and more effective thanks to its powerful and adaptable paint sprayer. For do-it-yourselfers who want to paint their own homes, renovate, or rejuvenate furniture, the ProX19 is a favorite due to its outstanding performance and user-friendly features.
Reasons to Select the Magnum ProX19?
With its convenient cart configuration, easily serviceable ProXChange Pump, 15m of hose included, SG3 gun, and 19 thou max tip size, this is a great option for semi-pros who want to renovate for a long time.
Apply a Broad Range of Paints
Water-based interior and exterior acrylics, undercoats, primers, enamels, stains, varnishes, and lacquers are easily sprayed on without thinning.
Seamless Finishes with TrueAirless Technology
Even when spraying thicker materials, Graco’s engineered airless technology produces a smooth, even finish with little overspray. For a variety of tasks, such as painting siding, decks, and fences, this makes it perfect.
QuickStart Guide for GO
I’ve never sprayed before. For the three-part video series, scan the QR code on the QuickStart guide we’ve provided.
Conclusion
Almost a century after Graco invented the first airless version in 1958, paint sprayers have become synonymous with the brand. We tested the Magnum Project Painter Plus Paint Sprayer, one of the brand’s entry-level products, while rebuilding a deck and constructing some garden planters. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing this tool and how it assisted us in finishing our projects.
