Staining a fence is important for decorative purposes because it colors the wood and highlights the grain patterns.
This process also offers a layer of protection because the stain saturates the wood, preventing additional absorption of water, which might damage the wood.
Even though wood stains are usually thinner than paints, they are still somewhat thick and therefore, you need a powerful sprayer for application.
To help you pick the most suitable, the review below covers 10 of the best sprayers for staining a fence that you should consider buying.
In this post:
- Best Sprayers for Staining a Fence Buying Guide
- How to Stain a Fence?
- 10 Best Sprayers for Staining a Fence Reviewed
- 1. Graco Magnum X5 (Best Overall)
- 2. Scuddles Paint Sprayer (Best Budget)
- 3. Fuji Spray 2203G Semi-PRO 2 (Best HVLP)
- 4. Chapin International 30600 (Best Hand Pump)
- 5. Wagner Spraytech 0529010 (Best for Detailed Finishing)
- 6. Goplus Paint Sprayer (Best for Beginners)
- 7. Wagner Spraytech 0518080 (2 Paint Cups)
- 8. HomeRight C800971.A (All-in-One)
- 9. Neu Master N3140 (Wide Application)
- 10. Rexbeti Ultimate-750 (With a Cleaning Kit)
- Conclusion
Best Sprayers for Staining a Fence Buying Guide
Important things to check before buying sprayers for staining a fence:
1. Power
Given in voltage units, power, in this case, is meant to show the compatibility of the sprayer. In the US and most countries in the American region, 110-120V is used and therefore, the sprayers above are ideal for that market.
What separates them though is the wattage factor, in which products like Fuji Spray’s 2203G is ideal because it features a powerful 1400-watt turbine that delivers a higher air pressure as compared to HomeRight’s C800971.A 450-watt turbine.
2. Pressure
Pressure goes hand-in-hand with power and since fences are usually long, high-pressure sprayers are better because they paint at a faster rate.
That said, Graco’s Magnum X5 takes the top spot in this because it has a maximum pressure output of 3000 PSI.
3. Flow Rate
A high-pressure output usually increases the flow rate, which creates a more intense spray that allows you to spray quickly and usually complete the job by applying a single coat.
However, with a fast flow rate, you don’t get a lot of control, especially when dealing with narrow surfaces or high-detail work.
Therefore, the best option is to have paint flow adjustment settings such as in Scuddles’ Paint Sprayer, which also gives you pressure adjustment settings for more control.
4. Container Size
Another important factor to consider is the paint cup size and as a general rule of thumb, the larger the cup, the better.
Once filled, you will spray for a long time uninterrupted. However, large cups can make the spray gun quite heavy when filled to capacity.
Therefore, you should fill according to the project size or get a unit with 2 different container sizes such as Wagner Spraytech’s 0518080, which has 1 and 1.5 qt. cups for small and large projects respectively.
Alternatively, Graco’s Magnum X5 offers the option of painting directly from a paint can, using its flexible suction tube to reach into the can. This is very convenient.
5. Hose Length
For maximum flexibility, a sprayer with a long hose length is recommended because this allows you to move along the length of the fence while the pump/turbine is stationary.
That said, the 25 ft. hose in Graco’s Magnum X5 and Fuji Spray’s 2203G make them stand out but the former’s ability to support up to a 75ft hose makes it the best option to consider.
How to Stain a Fence?
Before getting into the actual spraying, there are some preparatory steps that you need to do. These include:
- Check the fence for any defects and repair if any.
- Clean the fence using a wood cleaner to remove watermarks and mildew. If persistent, use a brush to scrub the wood then rinse it and leave to dry for a few days.
- Cover any grass, flowers, walls or outdoor furniture close to the fence with a plastic sheet/cover. This will prevent the sprayer’s mist from coating them – After these, it is time to get into the stain spraying process.
- Thin the stain or use it un-thinned, depending on your sprayer’s abilities. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on this.
- Fill the sprayer’s container with the stain then screw it back to the gun.
- With the tip removed, press the trigger until paint is pushed to the nozzle. Put back the tip and adjust it for horizontal, vertical or round spraying while testing on a test board.
- Spray the fence while holding the gun straight at the wood at a distance of about 12 inches. Ensure the overlap does not exceed 50%.
- Let the stain dry for 24-48 hours then remove the plastic sheets from the covered surfaces.
10 Best Sprayers for Staining a Fence Reviewed
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Graco Magnum X5 (Best Overall) |
|
 | 2. Scuddles Paint Sprayer (Best Budget) |
|
 | 3. Fuji Spray 2203G Semi-PRO 2 (Best HVLP Sprayer) |
|
 | 4. Chapin International 30600 (Best Hand Pump) |
|
 | 5. Wagner Spraytech 0529010 (Best for Detailed Finishing) |
|
 | 6. Goplus Paint Sprayer (Best for Beginners) |
|
 | 7. Wagner Spraytech 0518080 (With 2 Paint Cups) |
|
 | 8. HomeRight C800971.A (All-in-One) |
|
 | 9. Neu Master N3140 (Wide Application) |
|
 | 10. Rexbeti Ultimate-750 (With Cleaning Kit) |
|
1. Graco Magnum X5 (Best Overall)
Photo: Graco
- Power: Corded, 110V
- Max. Pressure: 3000 PSI
- Hose Length: 25 ft.
Since stains are quite thick, this powerful Magnum X5 is the ideal choice because it has a powerful stainless-steel piston pump that can spray the unthinned solution at a very high pressure of 3000 PSI.
This high pressure is advantageous because it gives you quick coverage. Considering that most fences are long and wide, you will be done in no time when using this sprayer.
Included in the pack is a 25 ft. hose, which allows you to move around for a long distance while the pump is stationary. The sprayer can actually support up to 75 feet in hose length, which means you can buy more flexibility by extending the included hose by 50 feet.
You get a flexible suction tube that allows you to spray directly from a 1- or 5-gallon paint bucket, a reversible tip for easy unclogging, a power flush adapter for connecting to a garden hose when cleaning and pressure adjustment settings for more control.
The only problem is that this sprayer is quite costly.
More Detailed: Graco Magnum X5 Review
Pros:
- Powerful pump with a high-pressure output
- Long 25 ft. hose
- Flexible suction tube; sprays directly from a paint bucket
- Reversible tip for undoing clogs
- Adjustable pressure settings
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
2. Scuddles Paint Sprayer (Best Budget)
Photo: Scuddles
- Power: Corded, 120V
- Max. Pressure: 2.9 PSI
- Cup Size: 1.1 qt.
If you are on a tight budget, Scuddles paint sprayer is an affordable piece to consider. The product is actually an HVLP sprayer that applies paint with little overspray and has a compact all-in-one design that combines the turbine and spray-gun into one piece.
That said, the mounted turbine is a powerful 1200-watt air pump, which delivers a smooth and clean spray pattern for high-quality finishing. The turbine’s speed is adjustable for pressure control and you also get a knob for adjusting the paint flow and spray pattern.
Other features include 1.8, 2.2 and three 2.6mm nozzles for spraying different types of paints, 3 straws and a brush for cleaning, a paint funnel for mess-free refilling of the 1-liter (1.1 qt.) paint cup and a 6.6 ft. power cord for flexibility.
However, the sprayer’s all-in-one design makes it bulky and therefore, it might not fit in tight spaces.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Powerful 1200-watt turbine
- Adjustable pressure, paint flow and spray pattern
- Includes 5 nozzles, a cleaning kit, and a paint funnel
Cons:
- Bulky design
3. Fuji Spray 2203G Semi-PRO 2 (Best HVLP)
Photo: Fuji Spray
- Power: Corded, 120V
- Max. Pressure: 5 PSI
- Cup Size: 0.4 qt.
- Hose Length: 25 ft.
For an HVLP paint sprayer, Fuji Spray’s 2203G stands out because it features a powerful 1400-watt 2-stage turbine that pumps out air at a maximum pressure of 5 PSI for high atomization and quick coverage.
You get a professional non-bleed gun with a pattern adjustment knob for vertical, horizontal circular spraying applications. With this, you can adjust the spray fan from a circular 1-inch size to a 12-inch wide oval shape.
This spray gun also has a gravity-feed cup that requires significantly less pressure to atomize the paint as compared to a siphon-feed container, but this cup is very small, with only a 400 cc (0.4 qt.) capacity.
Other features include a 25 ft. hose for maximum flexibility, a metal turbine case with a gun holder for hanging the spray gun when not in use, quick-change turbine filters and stainless-steel fluid passages, nozzles, and needles. On the downside, this unit is very expensive.
Pros:
- Powerful 1400-watt 2-stage turbine
- Non-bleed gun with spray fan adjustment
- Gravity-feed cup; requires less air pressure for atomization
- Long 25 ft. hose
- Quick-change turbine filters
Cons:
- Expensive
- Small paint cup
4. Chapin International 30600 (Best Hand Pump)
Photo: Chapin International
- Power: Hand Pump
- Max. Pressure: 60 PSI
- Cup Size: 8 qt.
- Hose Length: 5 ft.
Chapin International’s 30600 is a hand pump fence staining sprayer that is fitted with an ergonomic handle for comfortable pumping and easy carrying. This design makes the product easily portable because it does not require to be connected to a power outlet.
Another benefit you get with this unit is a large 2-gallon (8 qt.) tank that holds enough paint to cover a very large painting surface. This tank has a durable design that consists of a steel construction lined with tri-poxy for rust, corrosion and dent resistance.
More features include 3 poly fan nozzles for producing fine, medium and coarse spray patterns, a 1 ft. wand for getting to the fence top, a wide 3-inch funnel top for easy refilling and cleaning, a durable reinforced 5 ft. hose and a maximum pressure of 60 PSI for quick spraying.
However, this hose is relatively short and the sprayer can be quite heavy to carry when filled to capacity.
Pros:
- Portable hand-pump design; can be used anywhere
- Large paint tank
- Rust, corrosion, and dent-resistant construction
- 1 ft. extension wand for getting into tight spaces
- Wide 3-inch funnel top
Cons:
- Relatively short hose
- Heavy when completely full
5. Wagner Spraytech 0529010 (Best for Detailed Finishing)
Photo: Wagner Spraytech
- Cup Size: 1.5 qt.
Wagner Spraytech’s 0529010 is quite unique because it comes as a set containing 2 front-end nozzles: an iSpray nozzle for large volume jobs and a detail finish nozzle for fine finishing.
This makes the product very versatile and especially very useful for detailed wood staining if you want to add in some decorative work.
The unit is run by an X-boost turbine, which provides enough power to spray unthinned paints and stains. This engine is adjustable to 10 different speed settings for air pressure control, and you get paint flow, pattern width and horizontal or vertical fan adjustment for full control.
You also get a protective carrying case, but the biggest issue is the sprayer’s bulky all-in-one design, which makes it a bit difficult to paint in tight spaces.
Pros:
- 2 nozzle set
- X-boost turbine; can spray unthinned paints and stains
- 10-speed adjustment settings
- Paint flow, pattern width, and vertical/horizontal fan adjustment
- Comes with a protective carrying case
Cons:
- Bulky design
6. Goplus Paint Sprayer (Best for Beginners)
Photo: Goplus
- Power: Corded, 110V
- Cup Size: 1.1 qt.
- Hose Length: 5.1 ft.
With its simple yet effective design that keeps the turbine stationary and the spray gun mobile via a 5.1 ft. hose, this product is very user-friendly and ideal for beginners. Additionally, it is very lightweight and has a carrying handle for easy transportation.
All the parts of the sprayer are detachable and this helps to simplify the cleaning process after use, making the unit more user-friendly and suitable for beginners.
Other than that, you get a 650-watt turbine to run the spray gun and this makes it possible to spray up to 160 sq. ft. in 10 minutes. On the gun side, you get adjustable airflow for pressure control and spray pattern adjustment for circular, vertical or horizontal spraying.
More features include a 1-liter (1.1 qt.) metallic paint cup, a viscosity measuring cup, and a cleaning clip. The only issue though is that the air hose is quite short and this limits flexibility.
Pros:
- Lightweight design with a stationary turbine for easy use
- Detachable parts for easy cleaning
- Adjustable airflow and spray pattern
- Includes a viscosity cup and cleaning clip
Cons:
- Short air hose
7. Wagner Spraytech 0518080 (2 Paint Cups)
Photo: Wagner Spraytech
- Power: Corded, 110V
- Max. Pressure: 2.63 PSI
- Cup Size: 1, 1.5 qt.
- Hose Length: 20 ft.
Instead of a single paint cup, Wagner Spraytech’s 0518080 comes with two; a professional grade 1 qt. metal cup and a large 1.5 qt. cup for working on large volume jobs. Combined with its stationary base design and a 20 ft. hose for extended reach, this makes the unit very practical.
That said, you get a relatively powerful 2-stage turbine that can spray unthinned stains and it has variable airflow settings for adjusting the pressure between 1.5 and 2.63 PSI. You also get paint flow adjustment settings and spray pattern adjustment to a round, vertical or horizontal shape.
On the downside, you don’t get a cleaning kit for clearing out the internal pathways from, but 2 air filters are included for keeping out dirt from marring the finish.
Pros:
- Includes 2 paint cups
- Stationary turbine with a long 20 ft. hose
- Powerful 2-stage turbine
- Adjustable airflow, paint flow, and spray pattern
Cons:
- Lacks a cleaning kit
8. HomeRight C800971.A (All-in-One)
Photo: HomeRight
- Cup Size: 1.2 qt.
- Hose Length: 6 ft.
HomeRight’s C800971.A has an all-in-one design that combines the turbine and compressor into a single piece, which makes it very compact. That said, the included engine is a small 450-watt turbine, which is very lightweight.
Other than that, the sprayer comes with 2 color-coded air caps for adjusting the spray fan width and 3 differently-sized color-coded tips (1.5mm in blue, 2mm in green and 4mm in red) for spraying different materials.
More features include material flow and pattern adjustment settings to give you more control over the painting process and a 39-ounce (1.2 qt.) paint cup. On the downside, this unit’s turbine is not powerful enough to spray very thick paints and stains without thinning.
More Detailed: HomeRight C800971.A Review
Pros:
- Compact all-in-one design
- Includes 2 air caps and 3 differently-sized tips
- Paint flow and spray pattern adjustment
Cons:
- Less powerful 450-watt motor
9. Neu Master N3140 (Wide Application)
Photo: Neu Master
- Power: Corded, 120V
- Cup Size: 0.9 qt.
- Hose Length: 6 ft.
Apart from spraying stains, Neu Master’s N3140 can be used to apply a wide variety of paints, which include acrylic, automotive, chalk, deck, oil-based enamel, primer and vinyl paints among many others.
This is made possible by the inclusion of 2 nozzles (2.5mm and 3mm) but the catch is that the paints must flow through the included viscosity cup within 60 seconds. Therefore, some thick paints must be thinned before painting.
Other features include a 600-watt turbine, an easy-to-assemble and disassemble design for easy cleaning, paint flow control and spray fan adjustment for circular, horizontal or vertical painting.
However, the spray gun is attached to the turbine via a relatively short 6 ft. hose, but this is complemented by a 6.6 ft. power cord for extended reach.
Pros:
- Can be used to apply a wide variety of paints
- Includes 2 nozzles and a viscosity cup
- Paint flow and spray fan adjustment settings
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Relatively short 6 ft. air hose
10. Rexbeti Ultimate-750 (With a Cleaning Kit)
Photo: Rexbeti
- Power: Corded, 120V
- Cup Size: 1.1 qt.
Rounding up the list is Rexbeti’s Ultimate-750, which comes with cleaning attachments for easy cleaning. Additionally, it is easy to assemble and disassemble, allowing you to easily wash out any excess paint.
Other than that, this sprayer is very adjustable, featuring a knob for controlling the paint flow and a twisting air cap for adjusting the spray pattern to a vertical, horizontal or round shape. You also get 3 nozzles (2mm, 2.5mm, and 3mm) for spraying different types of paints.
More features include a soft-grip handle, a 1000ml (1.1 qt.) paint cup and a viscosity cup. The only problem is that this unit has a short 6.6 ft. power cord and therefore, an extension is required to extend its reach.
Pros:
- Includes cleaning attachments and 3 nozzles
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
- Adjustable paint flow and spray pattern
- Comfortable soft-grip handle
Cons:
- Short power cord
Conclusion
With all the products above being ideal options for fence spraying, we recommend Graco’s Magnum X5 as the overall best sprayer for staining a fence because it is very powerful and can support up to a 75 ft. hose for extended reach.
Though expensive, Fuji Spray’s 2203G is also a great option to consider if you are looking for the efficiency of HVLP paint sprayers but if you are on a tight budget, Scuddles’ Paint Sprayer is your best bet.