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If you ’ve ever shop for an stuffy paint nebulizer , you probably came across several professional example made by Graco . Some of them betray for well over $ 1,000 . I ’ve been a Graco devotee for years , so I was unrestrained to screen the company ’s DIY - friendly Magnum X5 model as part of a larger hands - on test to determine thebest airless paint sprayers .
Could a budget - well-disposed airless paint sprayer leave a professional finish ? TheGraco Magnum X5did just that . While it does n’t have quite as much pressure as some of the pricier framework , it has more than enough to impart a flawless finish . Keep in judgment that proficiency is a big part of spray - painting success . If you take the time to use thecorrect technique , Graco ’s Magnum X5 will take your painting project to the next layer .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Keep reading to find out more about how the Magnum X5 perform in my tests , what I like good about this paint sprayer , and what I think Graco could do to make it even better .
Graco Magnum X5 Airless Paint Sprayer: At a Glance
Our valuation : 4/5
Testing the Graco Magnum X5 Airless Paint Sprayer
unaired key sprayers are finely tuned tools that require the proper painting proficiency to achieve professional - quality result . With some , however , a unflawed stopping point is easier to obtain than with others . This Graco blusher atomizer fit that banker’s bill . I valuate several aspects of the sprayer , notice the tone of the build , the complexness of assembly , the power to adjust the pressure , and the overall performance .
I tested theGraco Magnum X5on drywall , dimensional timber , plyboard , and , ultimately , on a duo of pre - primed bifold door for an factual client . While the Magnum X5 is designed primarily for DIYers , it ’s also idealistic for small - to - medium interior and exterior projects . I achieve professional results on the bifold doors .
Assembly and Startup
The Graco Magnum X5 airless paint nebulizer came mostly assembled . All I had to do was bond the 25 - ft hosepipe to the pump social unit and then join the spray paint gun to the other end of the hosepipe . Both relate via twist - on nuts that should be tightened with a pull . Graco did n’t include a spanner , so I used one of my own , but it would be nice if the Magnum X5 come with a wrench that could be stored on the body of the ticker itself .
Startup was a breeze . Like otherpaint sprayer , I had to prime the heart on the Magnum X5 before I could start paint . This involve pouring latex key into a clear pail , inserting the intake tube into the key , and then inserting the detachable discharge tube into a separate pail . After doing that , I turn over on the political machine and flipped the flat coat lever tumbler . Paint was immediately draw up the tube , and within 10 to 15 seconds , paint came out of the discharge tube . I flip the lever back off ; that ’s all it bring to ground the pump .
The next step was to bleed the aviation from the risque spray - gun hose . That was also simple — I just aimed the pigment hired gun at a piece of composition board and pull the induction . Fifteen seconds later , the rouge begin come out and I was quick to start testing .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Pro Tip : Always pour your paint through a strainer before adding it to the bucketful for nebuliser painting . Paint strainersthat fit on buckets are inexpensive and prevent clogs , which can halt your labor while you flush out the lines .
Painting Performance
This Graco airless blusher sprayer has a menstruum pace of 0.27 gallon per minute ( GPM ) and a maximal pressure of 3,000 PSI . Its flow rate is slightly less than another Graco paint nebuliser I test — the Magnum ProX19 , which has a 0.38 GPM flow rate — but I found the X5 ’s rate to be more than sufficient for most DIY projects , such as painting a pack of cards , article of furniture , or outside siding on an median - size house .
I was able to tweak the choiceness of the paint spray by turning a gravid pressure knob settle on the side of the X5 . I was attend for a very o.k. spray pattern that was solid in the center but bit by bit faded at the edge . Very little pressure adjusting was required to get an optimal spray pattern .
The Magnum X5 comes with a TrueAirless 515 spray tip already seize . The 515 is a good all - around interior / exterior spray tip and performed well in my exam . However , adding one or two moreTrueAirless nebulizer tipswould make thisGraco airless paint sprayereven more versatile .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Pro Tip : If you ’re painting with vertical motions , adjust the spray pourboire ( by turning the tip bearer ) so the nebuliser comes out horizontally . conform the atomiser lead to a vertical pattern if you ’re painting with horizontal motions .
Cleanup and Storage
Graco also let in a bottle of Pump Armor , a solution that squirts into the pump ’s intake interface to keep it clear and clear during reposition . In the past , I ’ve used a mixture of Dawn dish scoop and plain water at a 1:1 ratio for observe the pump white during storage , but I liked being capable to expend the Pump Armor , which comes in its own spurt bottle — it was a actual time - recoverer .
After detach the spray gun from the hosepipe , I withdraw the 515 spray tip and surcharge both for a few hours in clean water as an special precaution . Then , I scrubbed both to remove all traces of pigment before packing them away .
Professional Results at a DIY-Level Price Tag
As of this piece of writing , theGraco Magnum X5 Airless Paint Sprayeris priced around $ 370 , depending on the retailer . That ’s about midrange for a in force DIY paint nebulizer , but the Magnum X5 pop the question excellent consequence for small- to medium - size task . I obtained a unflawed finale on the bifold threshold I paint by applying three ok coats . The X5 impart a fine , uniform spray that dried to paragon .
Keep in brain that your effect can vary based on your painting experience , but once you learn the right technique ( always use a test board first ) , you’re able to apply a professional finish with this airless paint sprayer .
Product Comparisons
Is theGraco paint sprayerright for you?
You wo n’t go wrong with this affordableGraco key sprayerif you ’re looking for a mellow - quality airless paint sprayer for small - to - culture medium undertaking , such as paint fences , decks , and article of furniture . It comes with a 25 - foot hose but can be upgrade to a 75 - fundament hosiery if desired . It features a 0.5 horsepower motor with a max menses charge per unit of 0.27 GPM . In testing , it did a great chore of achieving a unflawed conclusion with latex paint paint .
However , if you ’re appear for a sprayer for larger projects or commercial-grade jobs , you may require to consider one like theGraco Magnum ProX19 , which handles thicker key and supports hosepipe up to 150 invertebrate foot long . For most jack of all trades and DIYers , the Magnum X5 bid more than enough superpower to provide professional results on interior and exterior painting projects .
Where to Buy the Graco Magnum X5 Airless Paint Sprayer
Get the Graco Magnum Airless Paint Sprayer at :
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a contractor , ware examiner , and author focusing in the first place on construction , DIY tools , and remodeling technique and ware .
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Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
