Does the thought of painting your fence panels or revamping your weather-beaten shed feel like a Herculean task? You’re not alone! We understand your predicament and are here to introduce an effortless solution – a fence sprayer, not just any fence sprayer, we take a look at what makes up the best fence sprayer! Specifically designed to pressurize and spray your chosen paint directly onto your fence panels, deck, or shed, these tools bypass the labour-intensive process of hand-painting. Many manufacturers even claim that their fence sprayers can halve the time it takes to rejuvenate your fencing!
Selecting the perfect fence sprayer is crucial, however. Without due diligence, you could end up with a model prone to clogging, or one that fails to build enough pressure to effectively spray the paint. To save you from such pitfalls, we’ve curated this comprehensive guide featuring the best fence sprayers and essential features to look for. Immerse yourself in this article and discover the fence sprayer that transforms this chore into a breeze!
Best Pick -Wagner Fence & Decking Paint Sprayer
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We found this really useful video which details how to set up our best pick paint sprayer – the Wager Fence Sprayer. It tells you everything that you need to know about our best product so click here for more information.
In A Hurry?
If you can’t stand the sight of your moss covered, dull fence panels any longer then this is the part of the article that you need to be reading! We have filled it with all the essential information that you need to consider before purchasing your fence sprayer!
Power
Most fence sprayers are going to be powered by electricity, which is great because you know that whatever the situation or position you are in, you will be able to get the suction to spray your fence panels. Some are going to be corded, which is great as you don’t need to worry about running out of charge, however you do need to make sure that your cord is going to be long enough to get you to the mains electric. Cordless models will save this hassle – so may be better for anyone with a particularly large or long garden – but you need to make sure that they have a decent battery life so you aren’t stuck painting one fence panel at a time. If you do opt for an electric fence sprayer then be sure to check how much wattage is on offer! The more power the better, as this will increase both the speed and the coverage you can achieve with your paint sprayer. We found that anything around 250W or more should be sufficient to get the job done to a decent quality.
There are still manual options available on the market if this is more what you are looking for. You do have the disadvantage of having to pump the tank occasionally to increase the pressure – which takes valuable effort and time – but manual models are going to be cheaper and a lot easier to use. Plus they are as portable as you are, so can go wherever you need!
TOP TIP: The average cord length that we found is around 2m, so it is worth testing in your garden how far this is going to stretch as otherwise you may need an extension lead to get the job done!
Flow Rate
The flow rate is massively going to be affected by the power that your fence sprayer is able to offer. If you go for a manual fence sprayer then you are going to be rather limited in terms of flow rate – plus you will often find that the flow rate diminishes as the fence sprayer is used, so you could find yourself starting out with a decent flow and ending up with a trickle!
Electric powered models are going to be much more consistent in their power, which is great in terms of saving you time and the quality of job that you will be able to achieve! Obviously as a general rule, the amount of power is going to impact on the flow rate, however it is also important to check the quality of the parts, such as the nozzle and the pipework, as this will also impact on the flow.
Flow rates varied from between around 70ml/min up to around 700ml/min depending on the model and power available. One thing you don’t need to worry about is the flow being TOO fast for you, as most of the best fence sprayers will have adjustable nozzles allowing for varying speed, or sometimes this is achieved using the trigger. This is fantastic as it allows you to match the flow rate perfectly to the job that you are completing and also to your ability with a fence sprayer!
Tank Size
The tank size is going to impact on how much paint you can hold at one time. If you have a large number of fence panels that need painting then possibly having a bigger tank will be a better option. This will save you a lot of time as you won’t have to refill and mix your paint nearly as often. However, the larger your tank the heavier and bulkier your paint sprayer is going to be, which can impact on its usability – particularly if you have some harder places to reach!
If you are looking for a model with a portable tank then we would recommend looking between around 700ml and 1500ml capacity, this should be enough for you to not have to keep stopping to refill but also not so much that it becomes too heavy. If you are looking for a separate tank that is going to be stationary then the bigger the better as far as we are concerned – but on average we would recommend around 3L capacity.
Weight
The weight of your fence sprayer is going to be vitally important – particularly if you have a number of fence panels to work on or you suffer with back/neck problems. Electric models with pumps attached are obviously going to be heavier than manual models, but should still be light enough to be portable. If you are wanting a particularly large fence sprayer then these usually have stationary pumps for the ground and a separate nozzle which will then make the weight you are having to hold a lot lighter.
Paint Compatibility
It is important to check what paints your fence sprayer is going to work with. The style of nozzle and suction is going to impact on the paints that can be used, so it is important to check before purchasing. Many paint sprayers won’t be able to work with latex paint, particle paint or corrosive paint so you need to ensure you check the paint before you start working!
You also need to check the thickness of paint that your fence sprayer will be able spray. Less powerful models, or ones with thinner nozzles, will only be able to work with very watered down paint, which could leave you having to do ⅔ coats to achieve the same finish! You may prefer this if you are wanting a professional, perfect finish, but it isn’t ideal to have it as your only option.
TOP TIP: Look out for fence sprayers that are compatible with metal paint as this will massively increase the amount of jobs that you can use your fence sprayer for – making it better value for money!
Best Budget – Terratek Paint Sprayer
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Best Fence Sprayer Features
Now that you know the main things you need to look out for and weigh up before purchasing a fence sprayer, here are some of those additional features we think are worth considering. If you have a number of fence panels (or other areas of wood panelling) in your garden, or maybe just your time and energy is valued, then these are those features you need to be looking out for.
- Spray gun nozzle – Some of the best fence sprayers come with nozzles that can be adjusted. This is perfect for if you have different styles of fencing, panelling or decking to be painted as you can adjust the nozzle to suit the grooves that you are working with to make sure no bits are missed. Some can also adjust the width of spray projection which is perfect for those smaller, more intricate areas you may be painting.
- Cleaning – Fence sprayers are FAR from the easiest tools to clean. But some fence sprayers have taken this into consideration during the design process. They are designed to be able to pump water through after you have finished spraying your fence panels, so that you can make sure all the different parts of the sprayer have been cleaned – this is essential if you want your fence sprayer to have a long life!
- Stand or handheld – There are now some paint sprayers on the market that actually come with a stand (or at least have the option of purchasing an additional stand). These are a great option for anyone that is wanting a larger, heavier paint sprayer, but also doesn’t want to have to be lugging it around whilst they are painting!
- Comfort grips – If you are going to be painting for a while it makes sense to go for a spray gun that has padded comfort grips. This will not only make the gun easier to hold, but also reduce fatigue whilst you are working.
- Air jacket – The best fence sprayers will have an “”air jacket” around the spray jet to minimise the overspray and help you to achieve the perfect finish without covering all the rest of your garden in paint too!
- An airless paint sprayer is going to be quick and easy to use, these are the smaller version of the High Volume Low Pressure sprayers which are used for more professional jobs whilst minimising overspray.
- Refill – Look out for a fence sprayer that has taken into consideration how easy it is to refill! Ones that have the opening positioned on the top so that your fence sprayer can sit on the floor whilst filling, and with easy to open caps, are going to save you a lot of time and faff.
- Shoulder strap – For the heavier fence sprayers (or just to make your life easier) buy a fence sprayer that comes with a shoulder strap so you can focus your time and energy on the spray gun.
Best of the Rest
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to wear a mask when using a fence sprayer?
We would definitely recommend wearing a mask (and goggles if possible) when using a fence sprayer, purely because of the paint particles that are going to be blowing around whilst you are working. This will just help to avoid you inhaling any toxic particles or having them damage your eyes if the wind blows them your way.
What warranty does a fence sprayer come with?
The warranty on most fence sprayers is actually only around a year. We found some that go up to 3 years but this is definitely rarer and for the more professional models. However, providing you maintain your fence sprayer and ensure it is fully cleaned after use then you should find it lasts much longer than this.
How do you paint a fence with a fence sprayer?
Once you have diluted your paint in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines it is nice and easy to achieve. Most fence sprayers will recommend you standing around 30-60cms away from the fence with your nozzle. Then simply start at the top of your fence and make sweeping motions down to ensure the full fence is covered.
Do I need to buy special paint for using a fence sprayer?
Most fence sprayers will be able to work with most standard paints and staining products. Some manufacturers recommend that you dilute the paint so that the sprayer can spray effectively but if this is the case they will tell you exactly how much you need to dilute it – and this can be done really simply just with water!
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