BiggersJunior

I am interested in purchasing an entry level commercial paint sprayer. I will use it for some of my jobs and for rental properties that I own. I'd like to spend between $500 to $1,000. I have a local Graco dealer that swears by them.

I rented a Graco 395 I believe and liked the machine, however, it put out so much paint I couldn't believe it. I moved my hand as fast as I could, but the paint STILL ran down the walls. I adjusted the volume down from 100% to about 25% and still had the issue. My partner said the sprayer was putting out a lot of paint on the far outside of the spray, and hardly any paint in the middle. This was my first time using a paint sprayer in about 15 years. Do you think the tip was bad or did I need to adjust something else?

Other questions...should I buy the "high boy" stand (I think that's what they call it)? I'm not sure if the Graco 395 will hold more than 1 hose, but should I consider a machine with this capibilty also? Are there other paint sprayers that I should consider? Any other input is much appreciated. Thanks!

Al Truistic

The 395 is a good machine, more than adequate for what you intend to do with it. Another consideration would be the Titan 440i which can usually be found for about $700-$800 complete.

As far as the 395 putting out too much paint, it sounds like your tip was way too big for the application. Try a something between a 413 and a 517. I have never seen a fan that put out more paint on the outside of the pattern (unless the tip was clogged) when they wear, they generally get a smaller fan.

There have been several good suggestions to buy a good used machine, and that is a route worth investigating.

The 395 will push a lot more than 50" of hose, and I recommend at least 100".

I personally like the "stand" model because it is easier to transport.

Just my 2 cents,
Al

BiggersJunior

Thanks Al. I have read a lot of your comments on other posts and appreciate your comments.

First, I mis-stated the machine I was looking at. I meant the Graco 390. Isn't this most comparable to the Titan 440i? What is a fair price for the Graco 390? I found one on spraymall.com for $765 with $100 free accessories (in the box) and $150 Graco bucks. I would probably buy the machine local for service reasons. Is there a big difference between the 390 and the 395? Any additional comments are much appreciated. Thanks.

HowWeRoll

Yeah it sounds like the tip was either past it's prime and had it's day, or it was too big for the type of job you were doing.

Like Al said, try a smaller tip and there is nothing wrong with a Graco 390, it will definitely work for what your trying to do and then some!

Might I suggest that when you spray, you start moving your hand before you actually pull the trigger so there isn't a build up of paint in one area and be sure to use swift movements fanning it out as you go along. And regardless... you should backroll =)

Cheers & Good Luck!

Al Truistic

Graco changes the numbers about every other year, but they are basically the same pump.

The price sounds about right, I have not owed the Titan, but I know my Graco's can take the abuse. You literally can get 12-20 years out of them. The motors never die, and other than the regular pump replacement parts you should be set for many years.

If you get either machine, do yourself a favor and add 50' of 1/8th id hose. Just Google 1/8th airless hose - there are a few suppliers - it is the only thing that all my painters insisted on having.

As far as tips go go ahead and use the ones you get with the machine, but I have found if you keep your paint clean, that "flat" tips work just fine, and are a lot cheaper.

Let me know if you need anythig else.

Al

Workaholic

The 395 is a slightly larger pump, a little more gpms. The biggest difference is that the 390 does not have a manifold filter. Personally i am a graco man and run a couple 695's, i also have a 390 that i use for stain work. With that being said i would pick the 440i over the 390. You get a little bit more bang for your buck. I am also partial to having a manifold filter on pumps.
As stated you can run a couple hundred feet of hose with the 390.
I also agree that you were probably using a worn out tip.

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Sean

BiggersJunior

I have heard and read so many good things about the Graco, I think I will pay a little extra for it. I went to SW today and the manager said the 395 was better than the 390, and worth the extra money. I learned more about tips today too. I am excited about buying one of these soon! If I get 3 tips with my purchase, which ones would you recommend? I don't see myself painting exteriors quite yet, so I need drywall, trim, and cabinet tips. And which gun would you recommend? One comes with the FTX and not sure about the other..........Thanks for your help!

Workaholic

Good choice. I did not know the 395 was one of your options. Good rig that will last you for many years if you take care of her.
I use a 517 for my ceilings and closet walls. I use a Graco 310 Fine Finish tip for trim. I also like to run a 211 for some trim. For cabinets i would go with like a 210 FF.
As far as a gun goes if you buy the 395 it usually comes with a contractor2 gun. The main difference between the Contractor2 gun and the FTX is the later is a 4 finger gun.

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Sean

BiggersJunior

Ok guys..........I need to make a decision tonight. I can buy a 395 for around $950 and get $100 worth of goodies and $150 in Graco bucks. Is this a decent deal? Anything else I should know or be aware of?

Al Truistic

The 395 is a super machine, and will serve you well for years. The price looks about as good as it gets right now. It has been a few years since i bought a new machine, but going over the specs at Graco's website, the 390 is a slightly smaller pump, but insignificantly so, it does have a manifold filter, and is 10 lbs. lighter.

It too is a good machine, the major difference in price is the 395 is an "Ultra" with electronic pump control, a nice feature but I run both a 390 and a 495 ultra, and when I am spraying there is no perceptible difference i the output.

So the 390's advantage is price and weight, and the 395's is more power and the electronic box. The choice is yours.

Depending on how much you will be using them, the $125 pump option might be a good choice. To put it in perspective, if I am spraying an average of 50 gallons a week the packings will last 6 moths give or take. The piston can usually hold up for perhaps 2 or 3 repacks, and the cylinder maybe a few more. If you are only painting occasionally it might not be worth having the spare pump around, but on the other side, being able to replace the pump on the fly with no down time is a big plus. The piston alone is about $90 plus whatever your mechanic decides to charge to install (if you don't do it your self) Plus if you are not real tight with your mechanic, being told it will take 2 weeks to get your machine fixed is ot fun.

That being said, if you only paint a few times a month and maintain your machine, you may be able to go years without having to replace major pump parts. In the meantime you could purchase a used backup machine from ebay or craig's list or a pawn shop for a few hundred bucks and be set.

One other word of advice, DO NOT LET THE MACHINE FREEZE!!! Running thinner through the lines is fine, but the pressure control can be damaged by a hard freeze, and they are about $400 to replace. So bring it somewhere warm for storage.

Anyway good luck with your purchase.

Al

Workaholic

AL makes some good points.
I say 395 .
As far as storage goes keep it out of the weather and store with paint thinner in the lines or pump armor.

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Sean

BiggersJunior

Ok guys..........I stopped at several pawn shops today and at my last stop......I found a machine! The owner let me buy it and take it home tonight, and will let me bring it back tomorrow if I don't like it. Let me know if I scored or not......and if I should return it tomorrow.......

I picked up a Graco 495 ST Pro with a 313 tip for $200.00. He was asking $400. The machine isn't covered in paint like most I have seen, and runs well. I am in the middle of painting the 2nd floor of a house now. I took it by the local service guy that also sells Graco, and he said the machine runs just fine and didn't see any problems with it. He also said he could resell it for $200-$250 all day long if I kept if for a month or two and wasn't happy with it. I will be using it for residential interiors, and maybe exteriors down the road. Let me know your thoughts about this purchase.

Also, they had a Graco 190ES for $400. He said he would take $200 for it. The repair guy and I tried to buy both machines for $300 but he wouldn't take it. I believe the 495 is a bigger, better machine than the 190. I also believe the 190 is a Home Depot version but I may be wrong.

Please let me know what you think about today's purchase. I can take it back tomorrow if I like. Thanks again.

Snow Man

1) Your too close to the wall , just fog it , then you MUST back roll.

2) A 395 will support 1 hose only. GREAT machine!

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DECOSnowRemoval&IceControl
Serving Delaware County & Philadelphia Pa
610 457-9721

Workaholic

The 495 is a excelent rig. I ran a 495 for a couple of years a real work horse if in good shape. If it runs great 2 bills was a steal. I used to deal with used airless stuff and used to sell a 495 for 5 bills.
Now your only worry is some pissed off painter telling you how that is his pump, stolen from his shop or truck.

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Sean

BiggersJunior

I assume the 495 is a much better machine than the 395 or 390. It runs well and I knocked out my project tonight. The 395 was going to run me around $1,050 with tax and everything, and I got the 495 for $214 including tax. A couple of other guys told me I stole it too. I'll just carry my receipt around with me if someone questions who owns it. I do! Is it a keeper?

Workaholic

The 495 is a good upgrade from the 395.
If you knocked your project out tonight, then i would say it already paid for its self. Sounds like a keeper to me.

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Sean

Al Truistic

As someone who usually pushes between 100' and 200" of hose, would you please only comment when you know what you are talking about?


Product Specifications
• Maximum Tip Size: 0.021
• Gallons per Minute: 0.47
• Working Pressure: 3300 psi max
• Endurance Pump: proven longer life
• Microprocessor: handles various pressures
• Motor: 5/8 HP DC Motor
• Hose Length: up to 300 ft max.
• Weight: 32 LBS
• Part #253958Complete sprayer
• Sprayer includes:1/4" x 50' BlueMax™II Hose
Contractor FTx™II Gun with RAC X™ 515 SwitchTip™

By the way Biggers, you stole that machine! Congratulations!!!!!

Kelly's

We have an unusual pawn shop here in Olympia, Washington. It's clean, prices are real, and they are fussy about their reputation. I've bought several tools through them, to include my Aircoat ($400.00) and my Spraytech 2305 ($600.00) with 100' of hose, gun and a couple tips. I even bought a good working Graco HVLP for $75.00.

Whoever sold the the 2305 thought they got one over, since it would only throw paint for about fifteen minutes then would just run on. A trip to Kelly Moore (they would repack units free for their contractors) revealed it had a 100 mesh screen, which restricted the flow of latex. At any rate, its been running strong for three years now and still has years left.

I just traded another contractor the Aircoat straight across for his new Accuspray HVLP, since I wanted a remote paint pot and he wanted a production machine, we both left as happy little clams.

In short, there are some good buy to be had.

Now, about caring for your machine - it isn't just about keeping it from freezing, though that ranks really high on the "care for your tools" scale.

Of course you clean the hell out of your sprayer each time you finish using it. Leaving it full of the solvent [for the paint you used] may be a problem. If it's water, it not only can freeze in the winter, but it also rusts in the summer. Stainless steel is not rust proof, its rust resistant.

I keep a gallon of thinned oil around just to fill my hoses and pump. I add a bit of denatured alcohol because it mixes with both water and oil. This helps keep things protected and can be replaced as necessary. If nothing else, put the used oil mix on an exterior wood you want to preserve, like an old wood trailer bed (as long as funny colors and tints wont upset your color scheme). You can use motor oil, just thin it about 25% and throw in a few ounces of alcohol.

Workaholic

Yep i imagine quite a few people are selling tools of there trade right now.

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Sean

BiggersJunior

My local service guy here in South Carolina told me to run hot water and liquid soap through the machine, priming it for about 5 minutes after use. He said to run the same through the line/gun until it was clear of paint. SC doesn't get as cold as you northern guys, we rarely have freezing weather. Will the water/liquid soap combo be sufficient and can I keep it in my garage with the doors down? Any other suggestions?