Wagner Paint Crew? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

RobertF · 04-17-2006, 01:12 AM

I saw at Lowes today the Wagner Paint crew is down to $129. I don't do much painting but I'd love to have a sprayer for some of my jobs as they'd certainly go faster.

Anyone here used one of these? I know they're marketed at homeowners but I can't really justify the $800 professional model.

One thing I am worried about is cleanup as it's a hopper unit. The units I've rented have been suction and clean up was a breeze.

Redman · 04-17-2006, 02:15 AM

im sure you get what you pay for, there is now way it was turn out as nice as a 800 sprayer, but if you not worried too much about quality it might be ok.

**slickshift** · 04-17-2006, 10:07 AM

Yes
They're crap

Like most Wagner products they are good for one-time H/O use (they don't clean-up well, they don't have to...most H/Os just use them for one job only) and a messy one at that (H/Os don't know any better...they think those gobs of splatter are normal)

I have not used, but in your position(I'm guessing at how much you paint here...once or twice a month? 5-10 gal. a month?) would consider the de-spec'd H/O "pro" (lol) starter lines from the big names (Graco et al)...the kind you find @ HD or L for around $300-$400
They are still really H/O models (maybe a hundred or two gallons a year tops), but they've got to be better than the Wagners

If you are not used to spraying, it does not go any faster
The prep is so intense (compared to rolling) that it takes up any time "saved" by spraying

If you get a system down, and do new construction or empty repaints you may save some time
It'll take more than a few a year to work those kinks out though

If you are at the point where it make sense to buy any sprayer, you are really at the point where you should consider a good one

RobertF · 04-17-2006, 11:44 AM

Thanks guys, that's pretty much what I figured being that it's a Wagner. I've used a sprayer many times before, I've just rented them so I'm ok with the technique. It's gotten to the point where I've spent more on rentals this last year than I would've cost me to buy a $400 unit. I'm not adverse to spending $400 on it if it will hold up to my maximum of 200 gallons a year. I think last year I maybe painted 60 gallons? I build a number of sheds and patios so a sprayer would be much easier on me for the plywood than rolling them.

I'd rather the 5 gallon suction type anyways just for cleanup sakes anyways.

Thanks again!

**slickshift** · 04-17-2006, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertF

...It's gotten to the point where I've spent more on rentals this last year than I would've cost me to buy a $400 unit. I'm not adverse to spending $400 on it if it will hold up to my maximum of 200 gallons a year. I think last year I maybe painted 60 gallons? I build a number of sheds and patios so a sprayer would be much easier on me for the plywood than rolling them.

It does sound like a sprayer may be a worthwhile investment it for you
I have not used, but did look at Graco's Magnum line
It's a fancy H/O or maybe a "handyman" type line
The XR7 was like a 300 gal a year model around for under $500
The XR5 was a hundred less, but was listed as a max of 175 gal
It also wasn't on a stand/wheels

Might be worth a look seeing as where your at right now
It'll take a little while to pay for itself (I tend not to fall for the $500 tool that "pays for it's self with one $500 job" ha ha...doesn't work that way) but with the decks and sheds needing much less prep (taping) than inside work, and you having some experience with a sprayer, it'll start saving you a chunk of time right off the bat

If you spent $400 in rental fees last year, regardless of ROI, I see your point...hey for another 100 you could be free of that expense
Not needing to rent a sprayer, you may find you can take some jobs you normally wouldn't consider (because you'd have to rent a sprayer)

camaroman2125 · 04-17-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

The XR7 was like a 300 gal a year model around for under $500

This is the sprayer that I use to go in and blow out a new construction. I haven't had a problem with it yet. I have had it for probably about 2 or 3 years now.

AAPaint · 04-17-2006, 05:38 PM

...And I have the Graco XR-9 I've been using for two years without a single hiccup. It's the top of the lower line if that makes any sense, but it's done me right....I was hoping if it fails, it will do it before the 3 year extended warranty I bought, lol....but the daggon thing runs like a champ. If you take care of it, it'll last a long time.

lxdollarsxl · 04-17-2006, 07:28 PM

I have a Wagner spray trac 7.2 gph, bought for one purpose only - i use it for spraying popcorn ceilings, it works great on them and no risk of pulling off the popcorn. Maybe half the ceilings i get to do havent had any paint on them in a very very long time and so rolling is not an option. To use it for anything else

quicker to roll.

Also they are cheap so not great outlay for tool.

RobertF · 04-17-2006, 08:41 PM

Thanks guys! Great info!

slickshift, That Graco XR7 looks like a good deal for me. A little more than I wanted to spend but look like it'd be in the right direction. There have been a few things I've turned down since I didn't have a sprayer and between the time to go get the rental and the cost of the rental it would've been barely worth it but if I owned my own it'd be much easier/profitable for me.

Thanks for all the advice guys!

Mick M · 04-17-2006, 10:23 PM

I fell for buying the Paint crew and it is the worst investment I have ever made in equipment. We thought we could use it for touch up in our rentals and things like closet resprays. Our two experianced guys could not get it to run right, even our paint salesman who says he can run any sprayer failed. Tried to return it to lowe's but got the run around (waited too long, had to be spotlessly clean) even they don't want one.Lots of good one's in the $400 range in the pawnshops here, that seems to be the way for us to go.

hauoli63 · 04-18-2006, 04:34 AM

My husband bought one when he was finishing our basement .... was okay with the first gallon and then it kept clogging up. He took it back to Lowe's and got his money back. What a frustrating pos!!