Painting Kitchen Cabinets? Discover the Best Paint Sprayers for a Perfect Finish

If your kitchen could use a facelift but you don't want to splurge on new cabinetry, a fresh coat of paint can make a big difference. Painting cabinets with a high-quality sprayer allows you to achieve a smooth, professional-looking finish in a fraction of the time of hand painting. But with so many paint sprayer options on the market, how do you choose the right one for your kitchen cabinet painting project?

Whether you're a DIY novice or experienced renovator, we'll cover what you need to know to get flawless results spray painting your kitchen cabinets.

Types of Paint Sprayers for Kitchen Cabinet Projects

When researching paint sprayers, you'll encounter two main technologies: airless sprayers and HVLP (high volume, low pressure) sprayers. You'll also find more portable handheld paint sprayers or cup guns. Here's an overview of how each sprayer works along with the benefits of each type.

Airless Paint Sprayers

Airless paint sprayers use an electric or gas-powered motor to push paint at extremely high pressure (up to 3,000 PSI) through a narrow tip or nozzle. This high pressure atomizes the paint into a fine spray pattern without requiring compressed air. Since the paint is less diluted, airless sprayers allow you to cover large surface areas quickly with excellent control over the amount of paint being applied.

Airless sprayers are suitable for spraying all types of paints and coatings on a wide range of surfaces. Models from trusted brands like Graco, Wagner, and Titan offer versatility for both small DIY jobs or large professional projects. Airless sprayers also provide a high level of overspray control, minimizing misting and paint drift.

HVLP Paint Sprayers

In an HVLP (high volume, low pressure) paint sprayer, compressed air combines with paint at a lower pressure and higher air volume compared to airless models. Turbine HVLP sprayers use an internal turbine motor unit while compressor HVLP sprayers require an external air compressor. The atomizer separates the paint into small droplets, providing a softer, more controlled spray pattern.

Since HVLP spraying results in less overspray and waste, it's ideal for applying thin, fine finishing coats on projects like cabinets and furniture. Leading HVLP brands include Fuji, Earlex, and Apollo. While HVLP doesn't have the same high-speed coverage capabilities as airless, it allows precise application control for detail work.

Handheld Paint Sprayers/Cup Guns

For small DIY projects, handheld paint sprayers, also called cup guns, offer portability and ease of use. Most feature a compressed air feed and siphon cup to hold a small amount of paint. While you'll need to refill the paint cup frequently, cup guns provide maneuverability for spray painting cabinets in place.

Look for lightweight cup guns that still offer some customization like adjustable spray patterns and interchangeable tips. Top brands for handheld paint sprayers include Wagner, HomeRight, and Critter Spray Pro.

Key Features to Look for in a Cabinet Paint Sprayer

To achieve a smooth, professional cabinet paint job, your sprayer needs to provide fine finish capability, low overspray, easy cleaning, and flexibility. Here are the must-have features for kitchen cabinet spray painting.

Adjustable Spray Patterns and Tips

Having control over your sprayer's fan width allows you to optimize for different surfaces. For broad, flat cabinet door panels, a 6 to 12 inch spray pattern saves time. But for cabinet frames, adjustable tips down to 1 or 2 inches let you finesse the finish.

Look for reversible tips sized from .011" to .021” for fine finish work. Fan sizes around .015" are ideal for preventing paint runs on vertical cabinet surfaces. Interchangeable tips help limit overspray by providing width adjustability for each coating type and project stage.

Low Overspray

Overspray occurs when wind or an improper spray technique causes paint to drift, resulting in a messy finish and waste. HVLP sprayers inherently produce less overspray due to lower pressure. Some airless models offer reversible tips and shaper settings to tightly control the edges of the spray pattern.

Keeping your sprayer perpendicular to the cabinet surface and maintaining the ideal spray distance also prevents overspray. Carefully masking nearby walls and appliances helps too. But the right sprayer technology minimizes misting at the source.

Easy to Clean and Maintain

Paint sprayers require thorough cleaning after each use to prevent clogs, spitters, and finish flaws down the line. Convenient features that make cleanup easier include:

• Filter screens to prevent debris from entering the spray hose/tip
• Detachable paint cups/reservoirs that can be cleaned separately
• Tips/nozzles that can be fully disassembled
• Brass/stainless steel components that won't corrode from solvents

Follow your sprayer manufacturer's instructions to properly clean all components and avoid dried paint residue buildup over time.

Portability

While you'll do your main spraying in the driveway or backyard, some touch up work will likely be needed on installed cabinets. A paint sprayer for cabinets should have:

• A lightweight design (under 15 lbs)
• A 20+ foot hose for maneuverability
• Optional wheeled carts for larger models

Look for sprayers with the option to separate the painter's gun from the paint reservoir for extended reach. The easier a sprayer is to transport and manipulate, the better your final cabinet finish will look.

How to Use a Paint Sprayer on Kitchen Cabinets

Once you've selected the right paint sprayer for your cabinets, proper setup, spraying technique, and cleanup are key to achieving a flawless finish. Here are some best practices for spray painting kitchen cabinets.

Proper Surface Preparation

Any coating is only as good as the surface underneath. For the best paint adhesion:

• Clean cabinets thoroughly with a degreaser to remove grime and oils
• Lightly sand glossy cabinet surfaces to rough up the finish
• Fill any cracks, holes, and joints with caulk
• Apply high-bonding primer formulated for the cabinet material

Priming ensures paint bonds tightly for maximum durability. Sanding between coats of primer fills any grain.

Setting Up the Paint Sprayer

Refer to your paint sprayer manual for model-specific instructions. In general, you'll need to:

• Thin latex paints appropriately for spraying
• Adjust the spray pattern nozzle/tip and flow rate knobs
• Set compressor PSI for HVLP models
• Strain paint through a mesh filter into the sprayer cup

Test your settings on cardboard to ensure you get an even coat without runs before spraying the cabinets.

Spray Technique

Your spray technique greatly impacts the final finish. Follow these tips when spraying:

• Keep sprayer 6-10 inches from the surface
• Use horizontal strokes followed by vertical strokes
• Overlap strokes 30-50% to ensure even coverage
• Maintain a straight arm with wrist locked to keep the sprayer perpendicular
• Apply multiple thin coats allowing proper drying between coats

Take care not to hold the sprayer too close or exceed the recommended PSI/airflow as this can lead to paint runs. Adequate ventilation and an appropriate respirator mask are essential too.

Cleaning the Sprayer

Cleaning your paint sprayer thoroughly after every use prevents paint from drying in the hose, tip, and pump. To clean:

• Empty and rinse the paint cup/reservoir
• Pump solvent through the sprayer, then leave it to soak
• Disassemble the tip/nozzle to scrub clean
• Rinse all components with water
• Reassemble sprayer and test after cleaning is complete

Refer to your owner's manual for the best solvents and lubricants to use. Proper sprayer maintenance extends the life of your paint sprayer.

Final Considerations in Choosing a Cabinet Paint Sprayer

Before selecting a paint sprayer for your DIY kitchen cabinet paint job, factor in the paint you'll use, your skill level, and the scope of your project.

Paint Type

The viscosity of latex vs. oil-based paint impacts sprayer function. Latex requires dilution with water, while oil-based may require solvent dilution. Check your sprayer specs to ensure it can handle the paint you choose.

Pay attention to the paint tip size recommendation too, as smaller tips complement lower viscosity latex paints. Buying the right sprayer for your coating eliminates frustrations and rework down the road.

Your Skill Level

If you're new to paint spraying, opt for an HVLP or handheld sprayer that offers more control. Airless sprayers have more power but also a steeper learning curve. For novices, use lower pressure and practice spraying scrap materials first.

Whichever sprayer you choose, reviewing online technique videos can help refine your method. Patience and perseverance lead to the best results as you hone your skills.

Project Size and Scope

Smaller DIY painting jobs around the house may only require a compact handheld sprayer. Their portability and ease of use balances out lower paint capacity.

For larger kitchen makeovers, higher volume airless sprayers provide faster coverage on multiple cabinet sets. Don't overbuy if you're only refinishing a cabinet or two. Evaluate how much you'll realistically spray initially and in the future.

From advanced airless models to versatile HVLP sprayers, today's paint sprayers make DIY kitchen cabinet transformations achievable. Focus on adjustable spray patterns, overspray reduction, and fine finish capabilities when researching options. Setting up the sprayer properly and practicing technique leads to professional-looking results.

Overall, the Graco Magnum 262800 airless paint sprayer is our top recommendation for flawless finishes on kitchen cabinet projects. With reversible tips, stainless steel components, and a flexible suction tube, it durably tackles both small jobs and entire kitchen overhauls. Investing in the right paint sprayer saves time and frustration while yielding beautiful sprayed cabinets.