The summer is fast approaching and the glorious weather is rolling in, so what better time is there to get out in the garden and give your fence a fresh lick of paint? We know you’ve been putting it off for months, or even years, but perhaps that was due to the dreaded thought of having to get the rollers and brushes out.
Granted, they’re excellent tools for smaller jobs, but when it comes to the mighty task of the garden fence, you’re going to want something bigger to get the job done.
That is where a fence sprayer will come in and save the day! They take much less time and a high-quality model will distribute the paint evenly into all the nooks and crannies that a roller wouldn’t be able to reach.
Moreover, fence sprayers will often give you an airbrushed finish, freeing you of the dreaded dried drip marks that you often see on handpainted fences.
Fence sprayers tend to use less paint and therefore money than other painting tools, so high-quality models are well worth the investment. Having said that, how do you distinguish between the good choices and the bad ones?
Lucky for you, we have actually done all the hard work for you and have shown below the top five fence sprayers that you can find on the market right now. Let’s dive in, shall we?
In a hurry? This is our winner!
- 5 Litre capacity with easy pump action
- Built in pressure gauge
- Brass wand and nozzle with adjustable angled head
You’ve waited long enough, so let’s get right to the point so you can get to painting that fence in time for the family barbecues.
Our favourite paint sprayer has to be the Spear & Jackson Pressure Sprayer, thanks to the many benefits it offers the user.
A few examples of these are:
- You can use it for many different purposes, making it very versatile.
- Very quick and easy to use.
- The instructions are written on the sprayer so you never have to worry about losing the instruction manual.
Best Fence Sprayer – Comparison Table
Best Fence Sprayer – Reviews
Spear & Jackson 5 Litre Pump Action Pressure for Wood Stain
First up is a manual fence sprayer that can hold 5 litres of paint and features a brass wand and nozzle for extra durability. Although it is designed for wood stain, you can use it for paint as long as you thin the consistency slightly or use a thinner paint, to begin with.
The pressure gauge tells you exactly how much is within the vessel so you know when it’s ready to use. There is a carrying strap to go over your shoulder so you can move it around effortlessly. Since this model has been specifically designed for wood, you can rest assured that you’ll get the best finish possible while using the Spear & Jackson Pressure Sprayer.
- Instructions are printed on the model.
- Versatile.
- Quick and easy to use.
- Plastic isn’t the most durable.
- You may have to use a thinner paint.
WAGNER Fence & Decking paint sprayer for fences, sheds, decking or garden furniture, covers 5 m² in 9 min, 1400 ml capacity, 460 W, 1.8 m hose
Wagner’s paint sprayer can be used for a number of different paints, stains and varnishes, so it is very versatile for all your needs. There are three jet settings depending on how you’re painting your fence, and you can adjust the paint flow for the desired overall result.
Using this sprayer will ensure you get an even layer of paint with consistent coverage and a high-quality finish. You can hold 1.4 litres of paint with this sprayer, so you don’t have to continuously stop and refill the vessel while you’re painting. Moreover, you’ll save time, money and paint with this professional-quality paint sprayer.
- Large capacity.
- Three settings to choose from.
- Fully adjustable nozzle.
- You may need an extension cord to work around alongside the 1.8 metre cord.
- Messier than rollers or brushes.
GLORIA Prima 5 Pressure Sprayer | Garden Sprayer/Sprayer for Plant Protection | 5 Litre Filling Capacity | Brass Nozzle
Next up is this 5 litre pressure sprayer from Gloria. Sure, it is designed for watering plants, however, many users have stated that they have successfully used it to paint their fences with this model, as long as the paint is of a thinner consistency. The nozzle is equipped with a pressure gauge to ensure a strong spray to get an even consistency.
The wrist strap allows you to hold this sprayer on your arm to keep it close to you. It is a manual sprayer with a durable handle to pump up to your desired pressure. Overall, this portable and simple model gives you consistent coverage, and can double up as a garden sprayer once you’re finished with the fence.
- Nozzle can be adjusted for different types of sprays.
- The pressure does not leak.
- Easy to pump which won’t hurt your arms.
- May take longer than an electric alternative.
- You may have to thin your paint.
VonHaus Paint Sprayer 800W – Electric Spray Gun for Outdoor & Indoor Jobs Ideal for Decorating, Painting Fences, Walls, Ceilings, Floors & More – Shoulder Strap, 1200ml Cup, Adjustable Spray Pattern
This paint sprayer comes with four nozzles to choose from and three spray modes, giving you full control over the finish of your fence. As this model is made specifically for paint, you can use it with all types, and don’t feel limited to just your fence. Just don’t blame us if you find yourself painting everything in sight!
The capacity is 0.9 litres, which may not sound like much, but a little can go a long way with paint sprayers. It is easy to clean with the included cleaning needle and brush, and you actually get quite a few accessories along with this model.
- Three spray patterns.
- Four nozzles to choose from.
- Very simple to clean.
- Rather small capacity.
- 1.8 metre cord may not be long enough for everyone’s garden.
Cuprinol MPSB 2-in-1 Shed and Fence Paint Sprayer, 6133940 , Green
Cuprinol’s spray and brush is an interesting manual model that gives you the quickness of a paint sprayer with the coverage of a brush, making this a happy medium in between the two. In fact, you can paint a complete one fence panel in only three minutes, and the fence will now be protected from the elements for at least five years.
This sprayer can hold up to 4 litres of paint and a pressure gauge to tell you once you’ve accumulated enough pressure to start painting your fence. To fully pressurize this model, you’ll only have to pump the handle around 15-20 times, so it doesn’t take much time at all.
- Large capacity.
- 2-in-1 head gives a better performance.
- Quick and simple to use.
- The valve may leak some of the pressure.
- Difficult to clean.
Best Fence Sprayer – Buyer’s Guide
Type of fence sprayer
There are different types of fence sprayers for you to choose from – corded and manual. Both variations have their advantages and disadvantages, so we’re going to be looking at all three of them so you can determine which is the best option for you.
Corded sprayers
Corded fence sprayers are excellent models as you don’t have to worry about recharging batteries or the model running flat halfway through the job so that you have to stop for hours to get the batteries up and running again. Having said that, the obvious drawback is the cord itself, as you’ll need to ensure it is long enough to reach from the mains socket to the far edge of the wall. The last thing you need when painting your fence is to not be able to complete the last section thanks to the strain on the cord becoming too much and breaking it.
Manual sprayers
Out of the three types of sprayers, manual models are by far the least expensive and most portable. They’re lightweight and versatile, so if you have a small fence this could be an ideal option for you. However, you have to pump them up by hand in between sprays, which will get tiresome very quickly if you have a large fence to cover. Having said that, if you’re looking for an inexpensive option and your arms are up for a challenge, perhaps a manual sprayer is the best option for you.
Portability
As we mentioned earlier, the size of your fence will affect how portable your fence sprayer needs to be. If you have just a few panels near the house that need a fresh coat, then the portability of your model will not phase you as much. However, if you need to cover the complete fence that lines the whole of your garden, then you’re going to want to take into consideration the portability factor.
Cordless models, either electrical or manual, are much more portable than corded alternatives as there are no limitations as to where you can take your sprayer. This means that you don’t have to measure how long you need the cord to be before buying, instead, you can just carry the sprayer around the whole fence.
Also, consider the weight of the model as this will affect the portability. Remember, you’re already going to be carrying around a container full of paint that is going to hike up the weight of the sprayer, so you don’t want to choose a model that is too heavy, to begin with. This is why manual models are the most portable ones to choose from as they don’t have any electronical mechanisms weighing them down.
Size
The necessary size of the fence sprayer is another factor to consider before choosing your new model. To determine which size you should get, consider how large the area you need to paint is. You don’t want to keep being interrupted by your model running out of paint so that you have to keep refilling it, so you want a large enough sprayer to hold enough paint so you only have to refill it once or twice, or rather, not at all.
Although a larger sprayer is preferred due to this, bear in mind that the more paint that it can hold, the heavier your model is going to become. This will affect the portability of your fence sprayer, so don’t choose a large model just for the sake of it. Try and find a happy medium between enough capacity to hold the right amount of paint and is lightweight enough to carry effortlessly around the garden.
Compatibility
It would prove rather redundant to choose a fence sprayer specifically for your garden fence to find out that it has a low viscosity rating and won’t work properly with the masonry paint you’d already picked out and bought, right? Most models will work with any kind of paint, varnish, and stains, however, some come with a lower viscosity rating which means they’ll only work with thinner products.
If you choose one that cannot work with thicker paints, you’ll have to thin the paint down correctly to ensure it is still effective once thinned. Some paints are less opaque once the consistency has been altered, so it is always worth noting the viscosity rating before choosing your new fence sprayer.
Power
The power of a fence sprayer determines how fast the paint is sprayed onto the fence. If you choose a model with less power, you may get an inconsistent coating and it will take much longer to cover the whole surface. What’s more is that you will more likely have to complete multiple layers to ensure a consistent result, which will take much more time than a faster-powered fence sprayer. Try and choose a model with a higher voltage output to avoid wasting your time due to this issue.
This problem is not only for electric models, however, as manual fence sprayers also need to fire out the paint quickly to get an even coverage rather than a splotchy one. For this, we’d check the customer reviews and make sure that people who have already used the model are happy with the result before purchasing one for yourself. This will save you from the disappointment of a feeble low powered model.
Nozzle
Fence sprayers often come with different nozzles and settings to give you more control on the overall finish of your fence. Some will come with the basic settings whereas others come with copious different settings and nozzles, so you have to decide whether you want more control over what the end product looks like, or whether you’re happy to choose from a limited range of outcomes. Many people prefer more options as it gives them more control over their garden, however, this is all down to your personal preference.
Durability
Outdoor fences withstand a lot of extreme weather conditions, whether it be hail, snow, or beaming sunshine. This means that they can become weathered and tired-looking rather quickly, and you may find yourself needing to re-paint or stain your fence every couple of years. Due to this, you don’t want a fence sprayer that is only going to last one year and force you to buy another the next time you have to paint it. You want to choose one that is going to last.
A good indicator of a long-lasting fence sprayer is the warranty that the manufacturer offers with the purchase. If they offer a long warranty of say over 5 years, you’re more inclined to think that that model is of a higher quality because the manufacturer believes that it is not going to falter for at least five years.
On the other hand, if the manufacturer offers a shorter warranty or no warranty at all, you may be wary to opt for that model as it doesn’t seem as though the manufacturer has any faith in it and doesn’t want you to be able to get your money back from them once it stops working. Try and choose a model that comes with a decent warranty to protect yourself and your money in case you happen to run into any falts while using your fence sprayer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to use a paint sprayer or a roller?
For indoor use, we would say that a paint roller is the better choice as there is less preparation to do for rollers and you have more control over the tool. Rollers also give you a thicker layer of paint which means you have to go over it with fewer coats to get an opaque finish.
However, for outside use, we would say that sprayers are the superior choice thanks to how much quicker they are. You can never be sure with traditional UK weather, so it is safer to get the fence painted quickly so it can dry before the rainclouds come in. Additionally, outside you can afford to be a little messier and there is less prep work to do than if you were to use a sprayer indoors.
When should I spray my fence?
Like with any method to paint your fence, you’re going to want to wait until you have a nice and warm week with no rain forecast. Wait for at least 24 to 48 hours after the last rainfall to ensure your fence is nice and dry, and make sure you have at least two days after the last coat without any rain to ensure it dries properly and is not washed away.
We would suggest summer to be the optimal time to do this, however, you can complete it in spring as long as you’ve got a full week of sun expected.