Questions & Answers for airless sprayer

We have gathered together the most frequently asked questions about airless sprayer for you. To help you find the answer you can filter for product name or work steps. If you don't find the answer you're looking for, contact our hotline. You will also find further information on the subject of "Airless" on the following page: Airless sprayers for do-it-yourselfers.

Product name

Work step

With the Control 150 M airless paint sprayer and the Control Pro series, it is possible to spray interior wall paints, wood and metal paints either undiluted or slightly diluted.

For detailed information, please refer to the paint manufacturer’s technical data sheet (available online).

Stir the material thoroughly and dilute it in the package according to the recommendation on the paint manufacturer’s technical data sheet. We recommend a mixer for stirring. You can use the following values as a guide:

  • Wood & Metal: undiluted
  • Solvent base or water-based wood preservatives, stains, oils, disinfection agents, plant protection products: undiluted
  • Solvent or water-based varnishes, primers, car top coats or thick paints: dilute by 5-10%
  • Interior wall paint (emulsion and latex paints): dilute by 0-10%

Stir the material in the original container. A mixer is recommended for interior wall paints. Be sure to use the paint at room temperature. You may need to dilute the paint.

Cover all surfaces and objects that are not to be sprayed or remove them from the working area.

We recommend the Universal Extra Masking Kit for this.

Detailed instructions on how to clean your paint sprayer properly can be found in the operating instructions or in the Control Pro M Series example video. If you lose your instructions, you can find them in our Download Centre.

  • Materials containing strong abrasive components.
  • Masonry paint, alkalis and acidic coating materials.
  • Combustible coating materials and materials containing acetone or nitro thinner.

In the event of doubt, please contact the WAGNER Service department on 0180 / 1000 227.

  • For fluid, thin materials: Nozzle 311, red filter
  • For viscous, thick materials: Nozzle 515/517, white filter

See the Control Pro M Series example video for more information.

  1. Release the trigger guard and lock the gun. Turn the reversible nozzle 180° so that the arrowhead points towards the back of the gun. When the nozzle is under pressure, it may be difficult to rotate. Turn the selector switch to the PRIME position (vertical) and pull the trigger guard. This will reduce the pressure and make it easier to rotate the nozzle.
  2. Turn the selector switch to the SPRAY position (horizontal).
  3. Unlock the spray gun and pull the trigger guard while aiming the gun, for instance, at a cardboard box. This causes the blockage to be pushed out with the pressure in the spray hose. When the nozzle is clean, the paint is once again emitted in a straight high-pressure jet.
  4. Release the trigger guard and lock the gun. Turn the nozzle around so that the arrow points forward again. Unlock the gun and continue the spraying process.

Lower quality paints often contain larger particles or impurities. Dirt or dried paint from the outside can also cause the nozzle to become blocked. The blocking of the nozzle can be minimised by using the HEA filter set.

To prevent the hose from becoming kinked during storage, disconnect the hose from the paint sprayer and gun.

Always wear respiratory protection when spraying paint: Paint mist and solvent vapours are harmful to your health. Work only in well-ventilated rooms or with artificial ventilation. We recommend wearing work clothing, safety goggles, hearing protection and gloves.

  • Uniform paint application
  • Smooth, more resistant surface
  • Fast working speed
  • High covering capacity
  • Easy coverage of corners and edges
  • Hard-to-reach areas
  • Textured surfaces

We recommend spraying in a vertical spray direction. Move the device at a constant distance of 10-30 cm (depending on the spray attachment and material) and at a constant speed. Make sure that the spray overlaps the previous spray slightly in order to achieve a uniform paint coverage. You can also achieve this by “cross-coat” spraying, in which you apply the paint first vertically and then horizontally.

Work away from the light. Start with the ceiling. Then do the window recesses and the corners and edges of the area that you want to spray. Next, spray the area with a spray jet adjusted to suit your preferred working direction.

  1. Remove old, loose paint or varnish with a scraper and sandpaper and fill in any holes with a suitable filler. Remove any dirt and moss from any old paint. Then evenly sand the surface with fine sandpaper.
  2. Always apply several coats of the material (see the manufacturer’s instructions). The paint must be suitable for use with the surface/old paint. Prime untreated wood or plastics with a protective primer to improve adhesion and metal with a rustproofing product.
  3. The “Wood&Metal” spray attachment is suitable for the application of primers, varnish, wood and metal paints. At the start of spraying, set the material volume to low and increase if necessary depending on your working speed. Spray as thinly as possible to avoid “streaks” and reduce drying times.
  4. Start spraying before reaching the edge of the object and carry on spraying beyond it. Keep a distance of 10-15 cm from the object and work at a consistent speed. Spray the non-visible parts of the chairs, tables, hinged shutters, etc., first, then move on to the legs, sides and edges and finish with the most prominent sides.

For more information about varnishes click here and about wood and metal paints here.

HVLP is for: 

  • Small to large projects
  • Little spray mist
  • Quick and easy cleaning
  • Easy to use

Airless is for:

  • Fast working speed
  • High surface quality
  • Robustness
  • Versatility
  • Frequent use
Element 1
  • Reduce air volume
  • Reduce distance from the object
  • Always spray at constant and even distances

The Control 150 M is excluded from commercial use.

The stirring rod is useful when you want to dilute and stir the paint. Place the stirring rod against the base of the filled paint container. The distance between the notches represents a dilution of 10%. Add water and stir well. You can also use the tip of the stirring rod to remove dried-on paint from the nozzle.

HVLP stands for High Volume Low Pressure. The low material pressure with the high volume of air ensures slightly larger material droplets and therefore less spray mist.

Unlike air atomisation, airless atomisation technology atomises the air using the material pressure alone, i.e. without the use of any air. A pump pressurises the material and forces a defined quantity through a nozzle. During this process, the material is diffused into a finely atomised spray jet. Airless technology is particularly suitable for the application of emulsions.

HEA stands for High Efficiency Airless. An innovative nozzle technology is combined here with a highly efficient yet pressure-reduced pump. For more information, visit https://www.wagner-group.com/en/guide/what-is-airless-airless-technology-guide/airless-sprayers-for-do-it-yourselfers/.

No, always use the appropriate WAGNER accessories with the WAGNER paint sprayers, otherwise the guarantee becomes null and void.

Yes, you can spray deep ground with our WAGNER paint spray systems. Deep penetrating primer can be applied with Control Pro as well as with HVLP. The following must be observed during application:

  • Clean the unit immediately after use
  • Ideally use water-based materials
  • Observe the material data sheet

Further information is available on the technical data sheet of the paint manufacturer.

Yes, with our WAGNER paint spray systems you can spray dispersion paint. You need a WallSprayer paint spray system, e.g. W 450, Universal Sprayer, e.g. W 590 FLEXiO or Airless Sprayer Control Pro 250 M. Further information is available on the technical data sheet of the paint manufacturer and here.

No, with our WAGNER paint spray systems you cannot spray any facade paint. Façade paint contains abrasive components which would cause our equipment to wear out too quickly. In addition, especially with coarse surface structures, it cannot be guaranteed that the paint can penetrate into every angle during spraying. We recommend a WAGNER contractor spray system, such as the ProSpray 3.21 and rolling with the roller.

Yes, with our WAGNER paint spray systems you can spray primer. Further information is available on the technical data sheet of the paint manufacturer.

No, you cannot spray lime paint with our WAGNER paint spray systems.

Since there are different compositions of materials, different viscosities and also qualities of dispersion adhesive/non-woven adhesive, we cannot recommend it without reservation. In the worst case, the unit will stick together during processing and is irreparable afterwards. In this case the company WAGNER does not give any guarantee.

We would like to ask you to check whether the weather protection paint can be sprayed. The manufacturer refers to this on the container. If this is the case, the <link en do-it-yourself products-and-accessories product universal-sprayer-w-590-flexio>W 590 is suitable. Please note that the paint must be thinned if necessary. For further information, please refer to the technical data sheet of the paint manufacturer.

Silicate / mineral paints contain sanding components and therefore lead to faster wear of our airless DIY equipment, therefore we cannot recommend processing with our WAGNER paint spray systems from the airless range (Control / Control Pro). Wear and tear or even defects caused by these materials are excluded from the warranty.

For the application of silicate interior and exterior paints, we recommend a WAGNER hand sprayer (e.g. ProSpray 3.21 / SuperFinish 23 or larger). In addition, we recommend re-rolling with the roller, as with a very coarse surface structure it cannot be guaranteed that the paint will penetrate into every corner. For further information, please refer to the technical data sheet of the ink manufacturer.

In order to achieve the optimal coating of surfaces, they must be clean. All dirt, dust, oil, water, etc. should be removed.

  1. When you prepare a room for spraying, remove the ceiling rose, light switches and sockets. ATTENTION: Disconnect the power supply first. 
  2. To attach the cover to the ceiling, use masking tape, which you apply every few metres. 
  3. Protect the floor and skirting boards with plastic sheets and fix this in place with masking tape.
  4. Cover all doors, windows or radiators with a plastic sheet.
  5. Use masking tape to attach the sheet to both sides of the door or window.
  6. Spray the ceiling first, then the corners and finally the walls.
  7. Remove the tape before the paint dries completely (slowly peel off the tape). We recommend the Universal Extra Masking Kit for this.

You can generally store undiluted paint for a long time if you seal it in an airtight container. If the paint has been diluted with water then the presence of microorganisms may cause the paint to deteriorate (mould growth).

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