Best Lacquer Sprayer for 2019

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.

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.

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

Best Lacquer Sprayers: Editor’s Ratings and Reviews

Best Sprayer for Lacquer: HVLP

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.

Get yourself the specialized Earlex Spray Gun Cleaning Kit to get your unit super clean after use.

You receive the standard 3 spray pattern adjustments as well and overspray is not an issue with this tool. We really loved how effectively the Earlex HV3500 could apply lacquer – it also works pretty well with stains and some paints.

Best Professional Level Machine

If you do a lot of painting, then you need a durable and strong sprayer to get you through your workday.

This paint machine from Graco features all of the benefits that you’ve seen in the reviews above.

As an added benefit, the manufacturer recommends up to 500 gallons of annual use with this model for best results.

This commercial paint machine can support a paint hose of up to 150 feet for maximum movement. You’re going to get a lot of work done with this equipment by your side.

#3. 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 the Apollo.

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

#4. 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.

If you have a hard to reach areas, or you want to save your back when spraying your deck or ceilings, the Graco 20 inch Extension rod would make your job easier.

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.

For storage, use their Pump Armor.  It keeps your sprayer in tip top shape.

#5. Wagner Control Spray Max HVLP

When you have a surface that needs to be painted quickly, you’ll want to turn to a sprayer which is extremely reliable to get the job done. This sprayer 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.

#6. 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.

#7. Ingersoll Rand 270G

This HVLP gravity feed sprayer from Ingersoll Rand is awesome with lacquer, stains and other thinner fine finish materials.   

We don’t recommend spraying anything thicker with this gun, even thinned latex.  The tip is just too small for spraying heavier materials.   

The 33 ounce cup is big enough to get your jobs done without having to stop and constantly refill.

The Fluid adjustment knob will adjust the amount of paint going to the tip, instead of buying multiple gun nozzles/tips. 

The Spray pattern adjustment allows you to choose multiple patterns for more precision in your results.   

Weighs in at 2.7 lbs, this unit minimizes wrist fatigue, making this a great gun for novices. 

Purchase an air regulator to ensure consistent professional results.   

Comes with a 1.5mm nozzle and requires 8 CFMs to get going.   

We recommend starting off with 20 PSI to get the spray really started.  This will stop any sputtering and spitting.  Then dial it back and maintain at 10 PSI for optimal spray performance. 

Most Affordable Lacquer Sprayer

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 the Ingersoll.

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.

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.  Get all the details in our latest post on how to use paint thinner before you start your next DIY painting project.

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. 

Tip: use a natural bristle brush to apply poly.  This avoid bubbles in the coating. 

NEVER shake the can.  This introduces bubbles into the poly.  Always stir the product thoroughly with a paint stick.  If any imperfection appear in your coating, you can remove it with mineral spirits for about 20-30 minutes after application.

Always apply in a well ventilated area, and expect a waiting time of a day or two or more for it to cure/set.

Careful, if you use oil based products, as they can leave a slight color behind especially on lighter paints.

Best Lacquer Brands: Pro Results Fast

Deft 

Deft dries in about 30 minutes with a crystal clear finish that won;t yellow or darken with age.  Available in gloss finish, it covers approximately 400 sq feet per gallon.

Perfect for wood finishes and stains, Deft sprays awesome when you’ve got yourself one of our recommended spray guns for lacquer.

Rust-Oleum 

Watco by Rust-Oleum is a tried and trusted brand for over 80 years.  The finish is super clear and durable.  We found it dried in just under 1 hour and will cover about 290 square feet. Great for small batch jobs.

Promises to not yellow over time as some lacquer can do, especially if painted over an oil base paint. 

What Are the Prices for the Best Lacquer Sprayer? 

The price that you’ll pay for a lacquer spray gun that works well 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.

Conclusion

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.