Paint sprayers may be used for a variety of household jobs, from painting your walls to applying stains and wood sealers. A wide selection of products is available, ranging in size, capabilities and price. For protection from paint fumes, always wear a dust mask or respirator when working with any kind of paint sprayer.

Hand-held airless paint sprayers are good for staining and for outdoor work, such as painting a fencepost or sealing a deck. You can use only oil-based paint or stain in such a sprayer unless it is rated at 45 watts or more.

HVLP (high-volume low-pressure) sprayers are designed for professional finishing jobs, where control of the spray is important VLP sprayers are good for painting interior walls, exterior jobs and crown or dentil molding. They come with various nozzles that can be used to create special designs. HVLP sprayers can handle oil- or latex-based paint.

Paint-Sprayer Cleanup
After using latex paint, run water through the sprayer until it's clear. After using oil-based paint, pour paint thinner into the sprayer. It's important to clean the sprayer and nozzles thoroughly because any leftover paint can ruin the machine.