Fine finishing work is what takes a good DIY project and turns it into something fantastic. Using the best lacquer sprayer ensures you get the results you want.

Certain tasks are virtually impossible to complete by hand, with one of them being the application of lacquer.

If you don’t use the right sprayer, then there’s a good chance that you’ll just want to toss your project into the trash heap and start over from scratch.

Here is how you can find the best lacquer sprayer today.

Best Lacquer Sprayer Comparison Chart

There’s a saying when it comes to the best lacquer sprayer: cheap sprayers give you cheap-looking results.

We’ve taken a look at the makes and models, which are available right now, so you can quickly compare and contrast these spray guns to find the one that best works for your needs.

Picture	Name	Our Rating	Price
Picture	Name	Our Rating	Price
	Graco Magnum Pro X19 Cart Paint Sprayer	4.8	$$$$$+
	Earlex HV3500 Spray Station	4.2	$$$
	Wagner Control Spray Max HVLP Sprayer	4.2	$$$$
	Ingersoll Rand 270G Edge Series HVLP Gravity Feed Spray Gun	4.0	$$$
	Apollo Model Atomizer Turbine Spray Gun	5.0	$$$$$+
	PaintWiz Max Paint Sprayer	4.9	$$$$
	Graco Magnum X5 Stand Airless Paint Sprayer	4.3	$$$$$+
	Ingersoll Rand 201G Edge Series Gravity Feed Spray Gun	4.5	$$

How to Find the Best Lacquer Sprayer

Lacquer can be fed through a majority of spray guns that are available on the market today.

With that being said, not every type of spray gun will give you the type of finish that you’re going to want to see when it comes to lacquer.

We’ve narrowed down the number of spray gun types to 5 when it comes the best sprayers for lacquer.

• AAA guns. Known as air assisted airless sprayers, this is a good option for large application needs. You have more consistency through less work per piece, which increases your overall productivity.
• Pressured guns. This is your traditional application method. Different forms of pressure allow for consistent lacquer application. These are also the best option for those users who like to experiment with different materials and finishes.
• Gravity feed guns. These guns have a smaller reserve than the others, but also tend to be easier to clean. They are also much easier to use if you’re not used to using spray guns already. This is often the best DIY option.
• Suction feed guns. Although not usually recommended for lacquer, they can still be used by those who have perfected their spraying techniques over time.
• HVLP guns. These are also a good choice for the DIY specialist when it comes to lacquer. When spraying lacquer with HVLP, one must just be careful about the setup of the spray gun itself to make sure it can apply the lacquer as desired in a consistent manner. 

Once you’ve determined which type of spray gun you’ll want to use to apply the lacquer, it is equally important to know what tip should be used for the application.

HVLP gravity feed guns, for example, require a 1.6mm or greater tip size to apply lacquers and similar enamels.

Pressure feed spray guns, however, only require 1.2mm tip for an effective application. 

How to Avoid Common Problems with Spray Lacquer 

If you’re using the best lacquer sprayer, then it is important to make sure any stains you’ve applied have completely dried before applying the sealant.

Remember that 3 or 4 light coats of lacquer tend to work better than one very thick coat.

A 320 fine grit sandpaper in-between the second and third coat will help the upper coats adhere better for a better overall finish.

If a run should occur, shave it down with a razor blade after drying and then re-spray to fix.

Make sure to use a completely horizontal movement when spraying lacquer.

An arcing motion is a common beginner’s error and will result in a surface that is not uniform.

Always keep your spray gun 8-14 inches away from the surface based on your manufacturer’s instructions.

Humidity and Your Lacquer Sprayer

It is best to apply lacquer in an environment that has relatively low humidity.

Anything above 65% humidity can result in blushing, which makes the lacquer look hazy once it dries.

Early morning spraying tends to provide the best results when you live in a high humidity environment.

Tips for Spray Painting Lacquer

It is also important to keep the spray gun moving at all times. A constant flow of lacquer is critical to an even finish.

Having some lacquer overlap on the finished surface is expected. It takes a little practice to move at a pace that is steady, but still quick.

How to Clean Up After Applying Lacquer 

You have two lacquer options: nitrocellulose or water-base.

With nitrocellulose lacquer spray, you can spray throughout the day, taking breaks in-between each application, and only clean your spray gun when finished.

Detach the gun from the air hose, pull the trigger so the lacquer in the gun drips back into your cup, and then follow the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning instructions.

For water-base lacquers, you’ll need to completely flush the spray gun with water. Any leftover lacquer should be returned to the can.

Make sure to wipe off the parts to prevent lacquer buildup within the gun that could affect future results.

Lacquer thinner is a very strong solvent that has advantages and disadvantages over paint thinner.  It is stronger than most solvents and can ruin oil paints, surface and fabrics.  

While paint thinner is milder and safer to use, it is advised to use on wood, metal and concrete.

Be sure to test a hidden area before using lacquer thinner.  It is also more flammable than paint thinner.

Each brand of lacquer thinner is made of different ratios of solvents: what might work for one project, may wreck another.

Read and follow the directions to the letter for best results.

What is Polyurethane?

Polyurethane is not the same as lacquer.  According to DIY Network, it is a plastic in the form of a liquid  until it dries.

When painting kitchen cabinets, I used polyurethane to provide a clear, solid plastic type seal and protective coating.  It dried shiny and was perfect to brighten up a white kitchen even more. Careful, if you use oil based products, as they can leave a slight color behind especially on lighter paints.

What Are the Prices for the Best Lacquer Sprayer? 

The price that you’ll pay for a spray gun that works well with lacquer depends on the type and features that you’ll need for your next project.

Some basic entry-level models retail for between $25-$50. The average user can find a great spray gun for around $100 and often a bit less.

Premium products for high capacity use can run as high as $300 for a professional grade tool.

Our Reviews

Wagner Max Control

When you have a large surface that needs to be painted quickly, you’ll want to turn to a sprayer which is extremely reliable to get the job done. You also want to turn to a sprayer that isn’t going to break your budget.

No matter what type of paint or stain you choose to spray, the Wagner Control Spray Max HVLP Sprayer gives you the option to spray a pattern of ½-inch in size to 1 foot in size with the same optimal levels of control.

With this Wagner Spray Gun, you can thin latex paint by 10% to 20% to achieve the finish that you want. We found that for some latex paint options, you may need to thin it by up to 40%.

That means you’ve got to pay close attention to your spray to avoid clogging issues. Going beyond that level of usefulness is difficult.

Painting a bedroom wall, for example, would not be feasible with this equipment. You wouldn’t want to take it outside to paint a fence. Painting the exterior of a home? Forget about it.

Click here to find the best price on Amazon.

Apollo

This spray gun is at the top of its class. It offers a 1mm needle and a “B” gold air cap with purchase, plus users receive a carrying case and a spare parts kit for the investment.

The weight of the gun is just over 1 pound and it comes ready to use with virtually any pressure pot or cup accessory you may already have.

We’ve tried out a lot of spray guns and have never encountered one that is as easy to use or provides consistent results time after time like this one can.

Pound for pound, even with a premium price point, this is going to be the best product for your money.

Click here to look at prices on Amazon and find a great deal.

PaintWIZ

With 20 feet of high flex air hose and a strong enough quality that you can use this tool indoors or outdoors, this is your perfect solution for lacquer.

You receive an additional nozzle and a 1.3L cup in addition to your standard items, giving you some extra versatility with the equipment.

A viscosity measurement cup is also included should you decide to spray paint products with this machine as well.

You might not be able to paint or apply lacquer 4x faster than other models as PaintWIZ claims, but we found you can come awfully close after just a couple uses of this great tool.

Click here to look at prices on Amazon and find a great deal.

Earlex HV3500

With a 500 watt motor turbine and spray volume controls, this spray station can produce up to 43 CFM and a DIN/sec of 160.

You receive a 9 foot hose with purchase, but it’s easy enough to swap that out for a longer hose if needed. As an added benefit, however, the standard hose and the gun both store right on the machine.

You receive the standard 3 spray pattern adjustments as well and overspray is not an issue with this tool. We really loved how effectively it could apply lacquer – it also works pretty well with stains and some paints.

Click here to look at prices on Amazon and find a great deal.

Graco X5 Stand Airless Paint Sprayer

It all begins with a redesign of the sprayer base. You’re given a working stand that allows the sprayer to be stable, but still portable, as you work.

The SwitchTip design is a tremendous advantage with this sprayer. Let’s say that the paint gets clogged in the nozzle for some reason. Instead of using a cleaning needle to remove the clog, Graco allows users to take advantage of a reversible tip. If it gets clogged, you reverse the tip and it’s instantly removed. Then put it back into place and start painting once again.

Users are also given full control over the amount of pressure that is used for the paint flow at all times. You can work on any project, at any speed, and receive the same results every single time.

The automatic priming helps users clean out missed items from the last cleaning session and any debris, yet the PowerFlush adaptor lets you wash out your machine with just a garden hose if you prefer.

Click here to find the best price on Amazon.

Ingersoll Rand 201G

With a non-drip cup and a suspension hook, the basics are covered with this gravity feed spray gun. Users also receive filtered spray and pattern adjustments that are easy to access with a side dial on the left. An air adjustment valve is easy to access on the rear of the sprayer as well.

It can spray paint for you fairly well, but we found more success in using stains and other finishes with this particular unit. It requires a high CFM at 10.5 at 50 PSI and the cup size is just 20 ounces; so keep this in mind before making a final decision.

Click here to look at prices on Amazon and find a great deal.

The best spray gun for lacquer is going to give your project the perfect finish.

If you want amazing results that can be achieved quickly and easily, then the professional looks that these sprayers can provide are going to impress you.

Find yours today and let your creativity start to flow.