Photo: Shutterstock.com
Stains are quite different from paints. They penetrate wood instead of coating it and by doing so, they highlight the grains while also offering a protective layer. Stains are thinner than paints but still require a powerful sprayer for even application across the surface.
That said, there is quite a wide variety of sprayers that are available in the market but this article narrows it down to 10 of the best stain sprayers that you should consider for your project.
In this post:
- 10 Best Stain Sprayers – Review
- 1. Fuji Spray 2894-T75G Q4 Platinum – Best HVLP Stain Sprayer
- 2. Graco Magnum X5 – Best Airless Stain Sprayer
- 3. Chapin International 30600 – Best Hand-Pumped Stain Sprayer
- 4. Rexbeti Ultimate-750 – Best Budget Stain Sprayer
- 5. HomeRight C800766 – Best Stain Sprayer for Beginners
- 6. Wagner Spraytech Flexio 890 – Best Adjustable Stain Sprayer
- 7. Earlex HV5500 – Best Portable Stain Sprayer
- 8. Graco Magnum 257025 – Easy-to-Clean Stain Sprayer
- 9. Fuji Spray 2203G Semi-PRO 2 – Stain Sprayer with a Gravity Cup
- 10. Wagner Spraytech 0518080 – Stain Sprayer with 2 Cups
- How to Buy the Best Stain Sprayer
- How to Use Your Paint Sprayer for Staining
- Conclusion
10 Best Stain Sprayers – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Fuji Spray 2894-T75G Q4 Platinum (Best HVLP Sprayer) |
| |
 | 2. Graco Magnum X5 (Best Airless Sprayer) |
| |
 | 3. Chapin International 30600 (Best Hand-Pumped Design) |
| |
 | 4. Rexbeti Ultimate-750 (Best Budget) |
| |
 | 5. HomeRight C800766 (Best for Beginners) |
| |
 | 6. Wagner Spraytech Flexio 890 (Best Adjustable) |
| |
 | 7. Earlex HV5500 (Best Portable) |
| |
 | 8. Graco Magnum 257025 (Easy-to-Clean) |
| |
 | 9. Fuji Spray 2203G Semi-PRO 2 (Has Gravity Cup) |
| |
 | 10. Wagner Spraytech 0518080 (With 2 Cups) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Fuji Spray 2894-T75G Q4 Platinum (Best HVLP Sprayer)
|
2. Graco Magnum X5 (Best Airless Sprayer)
|
3. Chapin International 30600 (Best Hand-Pumped Design)
|
4. Rexbeti Ultimate-750 (Best Budget)
|
5. HomeRight C800766 (Best for Beginners)
|
6. Wagner Spraytech Flexio 890 (Best Adjustable)
|
7. Earlex HV5500 (Best Portable)
|
8. Graco Magnum 257025 (Easy-to-Clean)
|
9. Fuji Spray 2203G Semi-PRO 2 (Has Gravity Cup)
|
10. Wagner Spraytech 0518080 (With 2 Cups)
|
1. Fuji Spray 2894-T75G Q4 Platinum – Best HVLP Stain Sprayer
Photo: Fuji Spray
- Max. Pressure: 9 PSI
- Hose Length: 25 ft.
- Cup Size: 600cc
HVLP sprayers are known for their high-quality finishing and if you are looking for the best one, Fuji Spray’s Q4 Platinum is your best bet. This is because it has a powerful 4-stage turbine, which pumps out air at 9 PSI for superior atomization.
This air is fed to a professional non-bleed spray gun, which has a side pattern control knob that allows you to adjust the fan size for more control. Additionally, you also get a 25-ft hose that has an air control valve for adjusting the pressure to control overspray and bounce back.
Other features include a heat dissipation chamber for cool running, noise reduction covers for quiet running, a 600cc gravity cup, a 1.3mm air cap that gives fine finishes, a metal turbine case with a gun holder and an ergonomic stay-cool handle on the spray gun.
The only problem is that this product is very costly.
Pros:
- Powerful 4-stage turbine with an output of 9 PSI
- Non-bleed spray gun with an ergonomic stay-cool handle
- Fan pattern and pressure control settings
- Heat dissipation chamber and noise reduction covers
- Sturdy metal turbine case with a gun holder
Cons:
- Very expensive
2. Graco Magnum X5 – Best Airless Stain Sprayer
Photo: Graco
- Max. Pressure: 3000 PSI
- Max. Flow Rate: 0.27 GPM
- Hose Length: 25 ft.
If you are looking for an airless sprayer for applying stain on large projects, the Magnum X5 is the best option. This is because it has a high-pressure output that reaches 3000 PSI, which gives a maximum flow rate of 0.27 GPM.
This pressure is fully adjustable by controlling the speed of the pump and you can spray unthinned stain at any pressure that you select.
You get a flexible suction tube that allows you to spray directly from a 1- or 5-gallon paint bucket, a power flush adapter on the suction tube that connects to a garden hose for easy cleaning and a reversible switch tip that is easy to unclog.
However, you don’t get spray fan adjustment settings on the spray gun.
More Detailed: Graco Magnum X5 Review
Pros:
- High-pressure output (3000 PSI) with adjustable settings
- Flexible suction tube. Sprays directly from a 1- or 5-gallon bucket
- Power flush adapter for easy cleaning
- Reversible tip for easy unclogging
Cons:
- Lacks fan adjustment settings
3. Chapin International 30600 – Best Hand-Pumped Stain Sprayer
Photo: Chapin International
- Max. Pressure: 60 PSI
- Max. Flow Rate: 0.5 GPM
- Hose Length: 5 ft.
- Cup Size: 7570cc
Chapin International’s 30600 gives a manual approach to stain spraying by having a hand-pumped piston pump to power the spray nozzle. That said, the tool is still very effective because it operates at 40-60 PSI and has a fast flow rate of 0.4-0.5 GPM for quick coverage.
The sprayer also comes with a set of 3 poly fan nozzles, which are color-coded and are ideal for creating fine, medium and coarse spray patterns respectively.
More features include a very large 2-gallon paint reservoir that is ideal for large projects, and it has a wide 4-inch funnel mouth for easy cleaning and refilling. You get an ergonomic handle and a 12-inch (1-foot) extension wand with a reinforced hose.
However, the included paint hose is quite short (5-ft) and this limits maneuverability when spraying over a wide surface.
Pros:
- Fast flow rate for quick coverage
- Includes 3 nozzles for creating fine, medium and coarse spray patterns
- Large paint tank with a wide mouth
- Ergonomic handle
Cons:
- Short paint hose
4. Rexbeti Ultimate-750 – Best Budget Stain Sprayer
Photo: Rexbeti
- Max. Flow Rate: 0.2 GPM
- Cup Size: 1000cc
If you are on a tight budget, Rexbeti’s Ultimate-750 is an affordable stain sprayer to consider buying. It is equipped with a 500-watt turbine that provides a smooth and consistent spray pattern, while a 1000cc cup holds enough paint to cover whole tables, chairs and the like.
The sprayer comes with 3 differently-sized nozzles, in which the 2 and 2.5mm nozzles are ideal for stains and thin paints while the large 3mm piece is ideal for thick paints such as latex coats. This makes it very versatile.
You also get a paint-flow knob that gives you more control over the paint output while the rotating air cap lets you adjust to vertical, horizontal or circular spraying when working on wide or narrow surfaces.
The only problem is that this unit has a bulky design because it houses the turbine and spray-gun in one piece. This makes it difficult to fit in tight spaces.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Comes with 3 differently-sized nozzles
- Adjustable paint flow and spray pattern
Cons:
- Bulky design
5. HomeRight C800766 – Best Stain Sprayer for Beginners
Photo: HomeRight
- Cup Size: 800cc
For beginners, HomeRight’s C800766 is the best choice because it has a simplified design with few parts, which makes it easy to clean and maintain. It is very lightweight (2.76 lbs.), which means reduced fatigue when spraying for long periods of time.
The sprayer is equipped with a paint flow knob to adjust the material output, as well as a rotating air cap for adjusting the fan to vertical, horizontal or circular spraying. These give you control over the spraying process for superior results.
Other features are a 2mm spray tip and needle, which are made using brass for maximum durability, a 27-oz (800cc) paint cup, a viscosity cup, and a cleaning brush.
However, this piece also combines the turbine and spray gun into one, making it a bit bulky.
Pros:
- Simplified design that is easy to clean and maintain
- Lightweight
- Paint flow and fan pattern adjustment settings
- Durable brass tip and needle
Cons:
- Bulky design
6. Wagner Spraytech Flexio 890 – Best Adjustable Stain Sprayer
Photo: Wagner Spraytech
- Hose Length: 11.5 ft.
- Cup Size: 1420cc
Wagner Spraytech’s Flexio 890 gives you complete control over the spraying process because it is adjustable in 4 ways. You can adjust the material flow, air pressure, spray pattern (horizontal and vertical) and fan width depending on the type of project.
Other than that, this unit comes with 2 nozzles, which include an iSpray nozzle for working on large projects and a detail-finish nozzle for small projects due to its fine finishing characteristics.
You get a relatively large 1.5-qt (1420cc) paint cup and a protective carrying case that permanently houses the turbine and can fit all the other pieces, including the spray gun for easy and convenient storage.
However, a relatively short 11.5-ft hose is provided to connect the turbine to the gun, which limits maneuverability.
Pros:
- Adjustable paint-flow, air pressure, spray pattern and fan width
- Includes 2 nozzles
- Comes in a protective carrying case for convenient storage
- Relatively large 1.5-qt paint cup
Cons:
- Relatively short air hose
7. Earlex HV5500 – Best Portable Stain Sprayer
Photo: Earlex
- Max. Pressure: 2.2 PSI
- Hose Length: 13 ft.
- Cup Size: 946cc
With its compact design, on-board storage for its hose and spray gun, and a long carrying handle, Earlex’s HV5500 has the best portable design that can be easily taken to any project site.
That said, the unit has a relatively powerful 650-watt 2-stage turbine, which supplies air at a maximum pressure of 2.2 PSI. This makes it ideal for small to medium-sized tasks such as spraying stains on doors, cabinets and most pieces of furniture in general.
The sprayer is also fitted with a fast push-and-click air cap for adjusting the spray pattern and a paint-flow adjustment knob for controlling the material output.
Other features include a 1-qt (946cc) metallic paint cup with a non-stick Teflon coating for easy cleaning, an angled pick-up tube that allows for spraying in any orientation and a durable 2mm stainless steel tip and needle.
However, the included hose is quite short (13-ft), which limits flexibility.
Pros:
- Portable compact design with onboard gun-and-hose storage
- Adjustable paint flow and spray pattern
- Non-stick Teflon coating on the paint cup for easy cleaning
- Angled pick-up tube allows for spraying at any angle
Cons:
- Relatively short air hose
8. Graco Magnum 257025 – Easy-to-Clean Stain Sprayer
Photo: Graco
- Max. Pressure: 2800 PSI
- Max. Flow Rate: 0.24 GPM
- Hose Length: 25 ft.
Graco’s Magnum 257025 is equipped with a power flush adapter, which connects to a garden hose for quick and easy cleaning after use. This adapter is fitted on the flexible suction tube and therefore, it allows you to pass water through the fluid passages easily.
That said, this flexible suction tube also gives you the convenience of spraying directly from a 1- or 5-gallon paint bucket. On the other end, the unit can support up to a 50-ft paint hose for extended reach over your entire project. However, only a 25-ft is included.
Other features are a stainless-steel piston pump that has the ability to pump unthinned at high pressure, 2800 PSI max pressure with adjustable settings, storage compartments for the power cord, spray gun and tips, and a reversible tip for easy unclogging.
However, you don’t get adjustable spray fan pattern settings for vertical, horizontal or circular spraying.
Pros:
- Power flush adapter for easy cleaning
- Flexible suction tube; allows for spraying directly from a paint bucket
- Adjustable pressure
- Built-in storage compartments
Cons:
- Lacks adjustable fan pattern settings
9. Fuji Spray 2203G Semi-PRO 2 – Stain Sprayer with a Gravity Cup
Photo: Fuji Spray
- Max. Pressure: 5 PSI
- Hose Length: 25 ft.
- Cup Size: 400cc
Fuji Spray’s 2203G is characterized by a gravity-feed cup, which is known to give better paint atomization since less pressure is required to produce the spray mist. Though small (400cc), this makes the spray gun compact and lightweight for easy portability.
Powering this gun is a 2-stage 1400-watt turbine, which churns out air at a maximum pressure of 5 PSI and supplies it via a 25-ft hose. This hose has an air control valve that helps to reduce overspray and bounce-back for control purposes.
You also get a sturdy metal turbine case with a gun holder, a 1.3mm air cap for fine finishing, fan pattern control settings and rustproof stainless-steel fluid passages that are highly durable.
Pros:
- Gravity-feed design; gives better paint atomization
- Long 25-ft hose with an air valve for pressure control
- Sturdy metal turbine case with a gun holder
- Rustproof stainless-steel fluid passages
Cons:
- Small paint cup
10. Wagner Spraytech 0518080 – Stain Sprayer with 2 Cups
Photo: Wagner Spraytech
- Max. Pressure: 2.63 PSI
- Hose Length: 20 ft.
- Cup Size: 946, 1420cc
Rounding up the list is Wagner Spraytech’s 0518080 and it comes with 2 cups: a 1-qt (946cc) professional-grade metal cup for low-volume jobs and a 1.5-qt (1420cc) plastic cup for large-volume tasks.
Power is provided by a 2-stage turbine, which gives a maximum pressure output of 2.63 PSI and this can be varied up to 1.5 PSI using a pressure control dial. This gives you more control over the spraying process to reduce overspray when working with thinned stains or paints.
You also get adjustable material flow control, adjustable spray pattern settings to vertical, horizontal or circular spraying, a long 20-ft hose, a viscosity cup and two air filters as accessories.
However, due to its low-pressure output, this sprayer is not recommended for large projects because it sprays at a slow rate.
Pros:
- Includes 2 paint cups
- Adjustable pressure and paint flow settings
- Relatively long 20-ft hose
- Viscosity cup and 2 air filters included as accessories
Cons:
- Not ideal for large projects
How to Buy the Best Stain Sprayer
1. Pressure
Pressure is an important factor to consider because it directly affects the stain flow. High-pressure sprayers such as Graco’s Magnum X5 are ideal for large projects such as staining decks and fences because they dispense faster. However, this also leads to excessive overspray.
On the other hand, low-pressure units such as Earlex’s HV5500 and Wagner Spraytech’s 0518080 are ideal for small projects such as spraying furniture due to their slow flow rate.
For more control though, adjustable pressure settings are recommended and these can be found in the Magnum X5 and Wagner Spraytech’s Flexio 890, just to name a few.
2. Flow and Pattern Control
Apart from adjustable pressure settings, paint flow, and pattern adjustment settings are also ideal so as to give you complete control over the spraying process.
That said, Wagner Spraytech’s Flexio 890 gives you the most adjustment options and adds on a fan width setting to the mix for total control.
3. Container Size
As a general rule of thumb, the larger the paint cup, the better because this allows you to paint larger surfaces with fewer refill interruptions. That said, Chapin International’s 30600 stands out due to its 2-gallon (7570cc) tank, which is very large.
An even better option though is to have a flexible suction tube, which allows for spraying directly from a 1- or 5-gallon bucket.
4. Hose Length
The length of the air or paint hose directly determines the flexibility or maneuverability that you get.
That said, the 25-ft hose in Fuji Spray’s Q4 Platinum makes them easier to use because you have an allowance of 50-ft to move around your project’s surface.
However, the Magnum X5 is slightly better because it can support up to a 75-ft hose, making it ideal for extremely large indoor or outdoor projects.
5. Maneuverability
Apart from a long hose, lightweight designs make the sprayers easily portable and allow you to stain while experiencing minimal fatigue.
HomeRight’s C800766 is quite lightweight and easy to move around with while Earlex’s HV5500 has a compact design that is also easily portable. These are worth checking out.
How to Use Your Paint Sprayer for Staining
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As you get ready to lay down the stain, here are some steps to follow so as to use your sprayer effectively.
1. Select the Proper Tip
For high-quality finishing, you must use the proper tip size. If using an airless sprayer, a small 0.013-inch (0.3mm) tip is recommended for stains due to the unit’s high-pressure output. This will give you more control. For HVLP sprayers, a 1.3mm nozzle is the best option.
2. Fill the Paint Cup
Fill the paint cup with the stain. However, if your sprayer model has a suction tube for spraying directly from a paint bucket, dip it into the bucket.
3. Set it to Low Pressure
Since stains are lighter than paint, it is recommended to spray at low pressure so that you can have more control. This will enable you to create a good spray pattern with a fine finish.
4. Prime and Test
HVLP sprayers usually don’t require priming but for airless and even hand-pumped sprayers, this is necessary so as to eliminate air from the system.
Once primed, spray the stain on a scrap piece of wood to check whether the pressure is right and if everything is working in order.
5. Clean After Use
After completing the job, dismantle the sprayer for cleaning purposes. Some airless sprayers have power flush adapters that make it easy to pass water through the fluid passages. Once clean and dried up, put it back to storage.
Conclusion
In summary, there are different types of stain sprayer designs that are suitable for different types of projects or users. Though expensive, Fuji Spray’s Q4 Platinum gives a professional, high-quality finish, which makes it ideal for commercial use.
On the other hand, Graco’s Magnum X5 has a high-pressure output, which makes it ideal for large projects such as decks and fences.
There is also an option for beginners in the form of HomeRight’s C800766, which has a simplified design but if you are tight on cash, Rexbeti’s Ultimate-750 is the best stain sprayer for you.