Deck Sprayers, What really works well?

[DaveH]

I was wanting to hear from those of you who are using sprayers to apply stain. I brush most everything. I have used a pump-up sprayer on occasion. Usually it results in lots of overspray. I use Ready Seal and would love to find a quicker way to apply than brushing. What about High Volume Low Pressure sprayers? I am not even sure what they are, I assume they are different from airless sprayers. I am curious about the deck sprayers like the Deckmate. Are they different from the others I mentioned. any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I would love to find a quicker way to do a good job.

 

[Sunny1]

I use a Deckster

Low pressure - high volume sprayers are different from airless sprayers. airless tend to atomize the sealer too much and tend not to get enough product down. At least this is my experience. I too, use Ready Seal. Also, the viscosity of what you are spraying tends to make a difference to what sprayer you should be using. Sprayers like the "Deckster" are not made for thick materials like paints. That's when you should be using an airless. Ready Seal can be put down useing larger droplets because of the way the product works. You can't do that with paints because you'll get runs and drip marks. Also be sure and find a sprayer that can adjust the flow rate. This will make your overspray problem much more tolerable. If you'ld like to discuss this more, e-mail me personaly and we can get into more details. Sunny1

 

[ron]

www.pdsweb.net if you have a air compressor.
just use this as an idea, they are way too much money at this site.
The stainless steel containers are called "soda kegs".
there is a guy on ebay that sells just the keg for about $15. Then buy the parts from pds.
they are no-pump, pump ups. You need a regulater on the out line.
just a idea.

 

[reedsterstl]

Dave,

I use a deckster and vary the nozzles and pressure either on the gun or at the piston pump. Works great for me and also use a backsaver pump up from wolman. Though the pump ups are primarily used for applying strippers/cleaner/brightners and mildew killers.

Reed

 

[TCRSJUAN]

Reed

I use a blue max for some of my wood jobs, it has a bypass valve that mix your product. it can load up the surface or you can change the tip for find mist. as far as control grayco sealer airless works great for me it is fast and i can control amount of product, even look, and can get right up to a house without overspray.

 

[DaveH]

Thanks guys for the info. I am leaning towards looking into the "Deckster". No matter what spray method used, the challenge seems to be trapping or blocking unwanted overspray.

I have a horror story about overspray. Last year, about my eighth deck, I was trying to figure out a way to stain cedar shingles on the "turret" of a gazebo. It was a steep, high roof that couldn't be laddered. I was having good luck using a pump up sprayer with my prior jobs, so that seemed to be my best option. Standing on My 10' ladder, I carefully sprayed the Ready Seal onto the shingles. Everything appeared to be fine. The shingles were looking great and overspray seemed to be minimal.
Or so I thought.

Little did I know, that the homeowner had moved his brand new Chevy Silverado from the garage out to his driveway. I was in the backyard and did not realize this...but I also didn't think I had an overspray problem. The homeowner brought to my attention a few hours later, that there was overspray on his truck. An understatement! Bumper to bumper was covered with needle point size drops of stain. I just about had a heart attack!!! Quickly We started waxing the truck, and it worked to remove the stain. The truck had to be hand waxed twice but it removed everything. I was lucky. The owner and his wife helped with the waxing. They were very cool about the whole thing.

The job ended up being one of my best jobs. I tried to take $200 off the bill for the inconvenience. The owner said no. I finally managed to get him to agree to at least take off $100. I said at least use it to take your wife out to dinner for the trouble.

I have hardly sprayed since then...I am a little gunshy. So many people on this bulletin board are doing it with success. I am ready to give it a try again. I will be very aware of potential overspray. By the way, when I was spraying the shingles I checked for overspray all around the area I was working. Somehow the wind carried it over the house and onto the truck.

If anyone does get oil based stain on a vehicle, try using car wax ASAP. Moral of the story: Beware overspray.

 

[johny]

Ready seal and overspray goes hand in hand.I have seen it fly very far.
Good story about the truck,i will remember your advice about waxing.I got a little once on a motorcycle trailer,got it right off with a rag and laundry det,but it was in the shade and hadnt been long.
Today i got some on painted wood siding,or i guess is some kind of imitation of wood siding,its not real wood.Couldnt get it off for nothing.Any suggestions??
I used to use MEK on vinyl ,worked well,but it smells too bad,it works so much easier with a little gasoline on a rag.Cleaned up even after a week easy,
Johny

 

[ron]

ron p

Johny use some deck stripper on a rag. Gas can damage some plastics.

 

[peevo74]

what about???

What about using mineral spirits on vinyl?

 

[charlie]

I don't spray the deck or handrails. The only thing I will spray is laddis. If the products gets on the home we use goof off quickly on it also works well on concrete. One thing I forgot to mention I only use water base products.


Charlie

 

[reedsterstl]

Mineral spirits will work if you get the stain while it is wet. Otherwise, SOL when dry. Had a bad rain storm last year right after doing a deck floor. Homeowner called me 5 days later to tell me it was 3 feet up his siding. Had to replace the siding, but carpenters steel wool took it out of the J channels just fine.

Reed

 

[Sunny1]

Clean it up!!!

Hi Guys,
When spraying Ready Seal one does need to remember is doesn't dry in the air like a paint and therefore can drift quite far. If you experience overspray on cars or windows, Denatured Alchohol works real well without harm. Use a clean, dry, cloth to buff any streaking or film left. Mineral spirits (paint thinner) works good on siding and pouring a little on the conrete in the area your working (i.e. bases of post, ect....) BEFORE sealing will allow drips to wash right away with another splash of thinner. Pour on and leave alone. It will work. If you get a drip on dry concrete, splash some thinner on as soon as possible and leave alone. Wetting your concrete before hand will creat a good barrier too, just don't get the wood wet and on hot days, be sure to keep wet. Always be careful on vinal siding as some will wipe right off, while others soak it up and won't let go. Goof off can usaully take it out though. Hope these comments help. all the guy above me have great advice as well, so read, ponder, then decide what works best for you. Happy spraying!