Photo: paintwithstyle.com
What We Like
- High-pressure output (3000 PSI)
- Adjustable pressure settings
- Cart mounted design
- Supports up to a 100-ft hose
- Flexible suction tube
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive but worth the price
- Produces overspray
Bottom Line
A high-performance airless paint sprayer that is ideal for indoor and outdoor spraying, especially in multi-story homes.
Introduction
Sprayers do a much better job at painting and do it at a faster rate as compared to rollers and brushes. This is especially true when considering airless sprayers and Graco’s Magnum X7 is the perfect example.
This sprayer offers high-performance spraying in terms of pressure output and flow rate. As such, it can cover a wide area in a very short time. Here’s more about this painting tool.
Graco Magnum 262805 X7 Review
Photo: Graco
Performance & Coverage: Quick Spraying with Minimized Overspray
Graco’s Magnum X7 is powered by a 5/8 HP stainless steel piston pump, which provides high-pressure power that is enough to atomize thick, unthinned paints.
This TrueAirless technology produces a maximum pressure output of 3000 PSI, which results in a flow rate of 0.31 gallons per minute. The result of this is very thick coats on each pass and the whole process is 12x as fast as brush painting and 5x as fast as roller painting.
While this high-pressure output can produce overspray, the X7 is equipped with pressure control settings, which allow you to lower the pressure output when working on narrow surfaces or when you want high precision spraying.
Additionally, the included spray tip has soft spray technology built-in, which gives you better control with reduced overspray when applying a wide range of coatings.
That said, the sprayer can be used to apply a wide variety of water and oil-based coatings, and this includes paints, primers, stains, acrylic, enamel, chalk paint, lacquer, and sealers, just to name a few.
The unit is fitted with a flexible suction tube, which enables you to spray any of these coatings directly from a 1- or 5-gallon bucket.
On the other end, the pump can push out the high-pressure paint jet in a hose that is up to 100-ft. This is very practical because it enables you to reach walls on the second and third stories on the interior or exterior of buildings while the sprayer is on the ground floor.
However, only a 25-ft hose is included, and therefore, to utilize its full potential, you should consider getting the Graco 223771 100-ft hose or two Graco 247340 50-ft hoses, which are cumulatively cheaper than the one-piece 100-ft hose.
These can be easily joined together because they come with their own 1/4 x 1/4-inch connectors.
Note: The annual recommended usage for this Magnum X7 is spraying up to 125 gallons per year.
Setup: Quick Procedure
After unpacking or after long term storage, the setup procedure is quick and easy. You should begin assembling the unit by connecting the airless hose to the pump’s outlet valve, then tighten the joint firmly using a wrench.
Next, connect the other end of the hose to the spray gun and remember to tighten this joint as well. However, this time, use two wrenches, one to hold and the other to tighten.
Engage the trigger lock to prevent accidental spraying then turn the pressure control knob to the lowest setting.
This should take you a few minutes and you’ll be done. Detailed setup instructions are included in the user manual to guide you during this process.
Operation: Uninterrupted Spraying
One key feature that this sprayer has is a reversible RAC IV switch tip. Incase clogging occurs, this tip can be twisted easily to let out the clog so that you can continue spraying with very minimal interruptions. This eliminates the hassle of dismantling the spray gun when the tip clogs.
That said, the unit supports up to a 0.017-inch tip size but comes with a 515 RAC IV, which has a 0.015-inch orifice diameter. This size is ideal for spraying medium thick materials such as latex paints, primers, solid stains, and enamels, and delivers a 10-12-inch spray fan.
For thinner materials, you can choose the Graco 221511, which has a smaller 0.011-inch tip, while for thicker paints, you can get the Graco 221517, which has a larger 0.017-inch orifice diameter.
All three have the same spray pattern size (10-12 inches) and therefore, the coverage is almost the same on every pass.
Other than that, the pump needs to be primed before use and for this, there is a dedicated push prime button that ensures reliable starts every time.
After use, the system needs to be depressurized before cleaning or servicing. Begin the process by putting the drain tube into a waste container then turn the spray valve into the prime position. Disengage the trigger lock then press the trigger to relieve the pressure.
This pressure relief procedure is laid out in the user manual and it should be followed to the letter.
Portability: Cart Design
Weighing in at 23 lbs., Graco’s Magnum X7 is not quite lightweight. However, it is mounted on a cart and this makes it easy to move around. This cart is fitted with two large wheels and a pulling handle at the top, which allows you to pull it even using one hand.
Apart from enhancing portability, this cart has two built-in stands that hold the cart and sprayer upright at all times. These can also hold a 5-gallon paint bucket, thereby allowing for hassle-free transportation of both components as you paint.
Other than that, the cart has onboard storage for the included 25-ft hose. It can also support longer hoses and stores them neatly when coiled close to the handle.
Cleanup: Very Easy
Cleaning this sprayer is very easy because it is equipped with a power flush adapter. This connects to a garden hose and allows you to flush water through the system and into a waste container.
This should take about 20 seconds to clear out all the paint. However, this process can only be used after spraying water-based paints because these can dissolve in water.
If dealing with oil-based paints, you need to use mineral spirits or compatible oil-based flushing solvents to clean the system.
Both processes are almost similar and are laid out in detail in the user manual for clearer guidance.
Other than that, you clean the gun by wiping its outer surface using a soft cloth moistened with water or flushing fluid. You should also clean the gun’s filter using a brush or replace it when worn out.
If you’ll be using the sprayer daily, this cleanup process is sufficient. However, for long term storage (more than two days), you have to flush the system using the included pump armor fluid to prevent freezing and corrosion.
All these instructions are explained in detail in the user manual for better guidance.
Note: These chemicals are not very safe for the environment and therefore, ensure you collect the flushed fluids in a waste pail for safe disposal.
Price: Worth the Price
With its high-performance capabilities, it is expected that this unit costs quite a lot and it does because it is priced at over $400. However, it is worth the price and apart from performance, it has other features (such as a cart) to show for it.
In comparison, the manufacturer produces a more affordable Magnum X5 but this one has a less powerful 1/2 HP pump, a slower flow rate of 0.27 GPM, and can support a maximum tip size of 0.015 inches, as well as a shorter hose length of 75-ft. Also, this model is not cart mounted.
On the other hand, there is the more expensive Magnum ProX17, which has a powerful 3/4 HP DC pump that delivers a maximum of 0.34 GPM and supports up to a 150-ft hose.
This pump is easily replaceable due to its tool-free ProXChange replacement system, which helps to minimize maintenance downtime. However, the sprayer is not mounted on a cart for easy movement.
Verdict
A high-performance airless paint sprayer that is ideal for high volume, multi-story paintwork in indoor/outdoor use.
With a relatively powerful 5/8 HP motor, Graco’s Magnum X7 can deliver a fast output of 0.31 GPM while producing a thick coat on every pass.
Additionally, it can support up to a 100-ft hose, which gives you enough allowance to reach the second and third stories on either the indoor or outdoor surfaces of a building.
Specs
- Product Name: Graco Magnum 262805 X7
- Product Brand: Graco
- Amperage: 9 Amps
- Pump: 5/8 HP
- Flow Rate: 0.31 GPM
- Maximum Pressure: 3000 PSI
- Maximum Tip Size: 0.017 inches
- Hose: 1/4-inch x 25 ft. DuraFlex
- Maximum Hose Length Capacity: 100 ft.
- Recommended Annual Usage: 125 gallons
- Inlet Paint Strainer: 35 mesh stainless steel screen
- Product Dimensions: 19.3 x 15.3 x 37 inches
- Weight: 23 lbs.
- Warranty: 1-year limited (against manufacturer defects)
Key Features
- Powerful stainless-steel piston pump.
- Flexible suction tube.
- Cart-mounted design for easy portability.
- Power flush adapter for easy cleaning.
- Reversible RAC IV switch tip with SoftSpray technology.
- Adjustable pressure settings.
- Includes an SG2 spray gun, a 25-ft hose, and pump armor storage fluid.