Any recommendations for a sprayer for stains

[sincere01]

I did not see section for tools so hopefully this is a good place for it.

I have most all the tools I will need to build my teardrop, but don't have a sprayer for applying stains. I'm looking at getting one for a reasonable price for this project and would greatly appreciate any recommendations on one. I don't mind spending money on good tools, but I wont have a whole lot of use for one after this project so I'd rather keep it slightly cheaper.

[halfdome, Danny]

I did not see section for tools so hopefully this is a good place for it.

I have most all the tools I will need to build my teardrop, but don't have a sprayer for applying stains. I'm looking at getting one for a reasonable price for this project and would greatly appreciate any recommendations on one. I don't mind spending money on good tools, but I wont have a whole lot of use for one after this project so I'd rather keep it slightly cheaper.

Spraying stain can have it's pitfalls.
I've had great success with just wiping stain on with an old sox or whatever.
I keep the used rags in a sealed gallon can for the next time I use the same color.
You really don't need to spray stain, so save your money for the things that matter.
Danny

[sincere01]

Spraying stain can have it's pitfalls.
I've had great success with just wiping stain on with an old sox or whatever.
I keep the used rags in a sealed gallon can for the next time I use the same color.
You really don't need to spray stain, so save your money for the things that matter.
Danny

Can you describe what pitfalls?

I've had issues getting an even stain when wiping it on with a rag previously when its a large surface area. I was hoping that spraying might give a more even coat. While I am all for saving money, I also want to make sure it turns out how I want it to.

[halfdome, Danny]

Spraying stain can have it's pitfalls.
I've had great success with just wiping stain on with an old sox or whatever.
I keep the used rags in a sealed gallon can for the next time I use the same color.
You really don't need to spray stain, so save your money for the things that matter.
Danny

Can you describe what pitfalls?

I've had issues getting an even stain when wiping it on with a rag previously when its a large surface area. I was hoping that spraying might give a more even coat. While I am all for saving money, I also want to make sure it turns out how I want it to.

In my experience it can go on too wet or too dry and you end up wiping it anyway because of overlapping.
It's not like spraying lacquer where it will flow and settle out evenly.
You'll use less stain by wiping it on and won't have a cloud of stain in the air like spraying would.

Maybe you're wiping too dry.

Usually a good stain job requires some evening out of the stain by hand no matter what method is used to put the product on the wood.
Practice your technique on scrap wood until you get an acceptable stain job.
I've had good luck with a stain something like this.
It dries fast and you can clear coat with lacquer, spar, poly or whatever you choose, the same day.
Danny

[noseoil]

I just use a gel stain & wipe by hand. It's not like you're having to cover an acre of wall or anything very large. Biggest problem I have where I live is drying too fast, even with an oil base stain. On a teardrop which is really small anyway, I really don't think you need to spray the stain. Just brush it on and wipe it off with a soft cloth, that's it. I usually try to finish with things laying flat, not standing up. It's quicker & easier, no runs and you can cover a lot of ground fast.

[KCStudly]

I was surprised that I didn't have a hard time getting even coverage, especially with the darker color I used. Maybe it was the species of wood that I used?

The biggest issue I always seem to have is errant glue spots that don't take the stain. I hate that, so I always use extra care to mask all of my glue joints before hand in order to minimize the amount of sanding that needs to be done before staining. I had a big streak of glue show up on my ceiling panel when I stained it and I just about had to sand the whole thing back to get it to come out even. It was worth it though. I think I actually got a better finish by sanding the stain back and then restaining.

[dales133]

I'd just wipe the stain on but if you want a decent electric spray gun I can recommend wagners .
I used one a customer of mine got yesterday to spray his rough sawn pine fences and had barely any over spray