Best Paint Sprayer for Kitchen Cabinet

Dingy, dated kitchen cabinets can make the heart of your home feel old and dreary. Instead of investing in a full cabinet replacement, consider revitalizing them with a fresh coat of paint. Painting your cabinets is an affordable way to update the look of your kitchen in just a weekend. But be warned – rolling and brushing cabinet paint can leave streaks and an uneven finish. For truly professional-looking results, the secret is using the best paint sprayer for kitchen cabinets.

Painting with an HVLP or airless paint sprayer allows you to achieve a smooth, flawless finish. But with so many models on the market, how do you choose the right sprayer for transforming your tired cabinets? We’ll also cover sprayer settings and techniques to ensure you end up with an immaculate, seamless finish.

Overview of Paint Sprayers for Cabinets

There are two main categories of paint sprayers suitable for spraying cabinet paint – HVLP (high volume low pressure) and airless. Here’s an overview of how they work and their pros and cons.

Types of Paint Sprayers

Airless paint sprayers use an internal pump to push paint through the tip at extremely high pressure – up to 3,000 PSI. They atomize the paint into a fine mist that can be sprayed evenly onto surfaces. Airless sprayers can handle unthinned latex and oil-based paints.

Pros:

• Powerful and efficient at covering large surface areas quickly
• Can spray thick, unthinned paints
• Great for exterior house painting

Cons:

• Higher overspray compared to HVLP
• More difficult to get fine finishes

HVLP paint sprayers use lower pressure (around 10 PSI) and a high volume of air to atomize paint and propel it onto surfaces. Turbine air powered or compressor driven.

Pros:

• Excellent control for detailed, fine finishing work
• Less overspray and wasted paint
• Easier to use overall

Cons:

• Not suitable for spraying thick or unthinned paint
• Slower than airless sprayers
• More frequent thinning required

Key Features to Look For

When shopping for a paint sprayer for cabinets, look for these key features:

• Adjustable control of fluid pressure
• Multiple tip sizes for more or less paint flow
• Easy to clean with accessible parts
• Can spray unthinned latex cabinet paints
• Flexible suction hose for pulling paint from cans

Top Brands for DIY Cabinet Painting

Stick to proven brands like Graco, Wagner, and Fuji. Some popular models include:

• Wagner Flexio paint sprayers
• Graco TrueCoat airless sprayers
• Fuji Semi-PRO HVLP sprayers

How to Choose the Best Paint Sprayer for Your Cabinets

With all the options out there, here are the key factors to consider as you choose the right sprayer for your DIY cabinet painting project.

Spray Gun Types

For most homeowners, an HVLP spray gun offers the best balance of control versus power. HVLP models like the Fuji Semi-PRO 4 let you fine tune the pressure and get into cabinet nooks easily. Beginners may want to start here for the easiest learning curve.

Airless sprayers allow you to spray unthinned paint at higher pressure. This results in a faster paint job but with more potential for uneven finishes. Airless sprayers have more power but are tougher for amateurs to master.

Sprayer Power Source

Turbine-driven HVLP sprayers allow flexibility with no air compressor required. Air-powered HVLP models connect to your existing compressor but are noisy. Consider your workspace and noise tolerance.

Adjustable Pressure Control

Look for multiple pressure settings so you can fine-tune for the particular paint you’re spraying. For cabinets, start at lower pressure and increase only as needed for good atomization.

Spray Tips

The tip affects the width of the spray pattern and how much paint flows out. Look for reversible tips with multiple sizes like 1.4mm, 1.7mm, and 1.8mm for the best range. Fan and round patterns are useful too.

Easy Cleaning

Look for quick access to clean clogs fast. Removable filters also prevent debris from getting into your paint flow and ruining your finish.

Brand Reviews

We recommend the Fuji Semi-PRO 4 as the best for flawless cabinets. It offers variable pressure control in a compact turbine unit. The Earlex Spray Station is a top-rated air HVLP model good for detail work. Wagner Flexio sprayers provide flexibility at lower budgets.

How to Use a Paint Sprayer on Cabinets

Once you’ve selected the right sprayer for your project, proper set up and technique are key for avoiding drips and unsightly brush marks.

Prepare the Cabinets

• Clean cabinet surfaces thoroughly
• Lightly sand to scuff up the surface
• Remove all hardware
• Cover surrounding areas well with plastic sheeting

Set Up the Sprayer

• Thin paint if needed based on manufacturer directions
• Adjust pressure settings and tip size
• Adjust spray pattern width

Spray the Cabinets

• Keep a steady motion 6-10 inches from surface
• Overlap spray passes by 30-50%
• Apply multiple thin coats vs one thick coat
• Let dry fully between coats

Cleanup and Maintenance

• Follow all cleaning instructions
• Prevent clogs by filtering paint
• Store sprayer properly between uses

Choosing the best paint sprayer tailored for cabinets lets DIYers achieve results worthy of a professional. Key tips include selecting an HVLP sprayer for maximum control, properly preparing cabinet surfaces, adjusting sprayer settings, and applying thin coats. We recommend the Fuji Semi-PRO 4 as a top pick for first-time users wanting beautiful cabinets minus the brush marks.

Transforming your kitchen doesn’t require replacing your cabinets. With some mild sanding, primer, paint, and the right sprayer, you can take your existing cabinets from old and tired to looking brand new again. So grab a paint sprayer this weekend and get ready to revive your kitchen!