Best Spray Gun For Lacquer 2024 [Updated]

Lacquer paint always gets you that smooth, professional finish on every painting project. When refinishing your furniture or backyard fence, most experts will advise lacquer paint. However, which is the best spray gun for lacquer?

Due to the many choices in the market, it can be quite tricky to choose the right spray gun for your lacquer painting project. To make everything easy, I have put together the best options available in the market. Below is a detailed review of the six best spray guns to use with lacquer paint.

Budget pick	Top pick	overall pick
Fuji Spray-5175G Gravity Spray Gun	Fuji 2203G Semi-Pro 2	DeVilbiss 802342

Top 6 Best Spray Guns For Lacquer – Reviewed

1. Fuji 2203G Semi-PRO 2

When you need a semi-pro spray gun for lacquer paint, you need to consider the Fuji 2203G Semi-PRO 2. You get a complete HVLP turbine system at an affordable price for all your DIY projects. It is a versatile paint sprayer that will get you clear coats and excellent lacquer colors.

The metal-encased turbine unit and non-bleed feature ensure that you get quality services. The whole machine is small and compact, making it ideal for DIY tasks. The turbine includes a holder built-in, thus ensuring that storage is made relatively easy.

The powerful 2-stage motor with a rating of 1400 watts ensures that your paint is atomized effectively, thus getting you a professional finish. It also gives you the flexibility to work with thicker coatings, including latex paints and lacquer materials.

The sturdy metal casing gives you a long-lasting and durable design spray gun. The case protects all the internal components and motor to provide you with professional services for a long duration. You also get a gun holder and carrying holder to help you work faster and effectively.

The 25-inch hose ensures that you can get to the hard to reach areas easily. You can quickly move about while painting, thus ensuring that you always complete problems on time. The machine is also relatively lightweight, and you can quickly move it around during your project.

The Fuji 2203G Semi-PRO 2 gets you a professional lacquer finish without the expensive price tag. You get a versatile machine for all your DIY projects.

 Pros

• Powerful
• Good quality
• Professional grade finish
• Compact and lightweight

 Cons

• Lack of smart features and amenities

2. Campbell Hausfeld Spray Gun (CHK005CCAV)

The Campbell Hausfeld Spray Gun (CHK005CCAV) is an excellent choice for DIYer’s and entry-level folks on a budget. You get an all-purpose spray gun that works perfectly with lacquers and other coatings. All you need to get a professional finish with this spray gun is a high-quality air compressor.

What I found rather interesting about the Campbell Hausfeld Spray Gun (CHK005CCAV) are the included tools and accessories. The package gets you two powerful guns and everything needed to maintain it, making it worth your money.

The first gun, referred to as the coverage tool, is slightly smaller than the professional-grade spray gun. It is fully-equipped with a 550ml paint cup, which gets you sufficient coverage with clear and color coats.

The other gun is smaller in size and perfect for small spaces such as touching up old lacquer furniture. It is the ideal tool when you don’t want to refinish or strip down a project altogether. With a 120ml cup, this gun can effortlessly complete the small projects around your home.

Both of the above guns come fitted with an all-purpose spray tip, each sized at 1.4mm. This tip gun is ideal for lacquers, although you might have to perform a little thinning. Note that other tip sizes are cheaply available at the local stores.

The Campbell Hausfeld spray gun (CHK005CCAV) features two guns that are constructed from durable metal. They also feel quite sturdy during use, making them ideal for entry-level folks. Most of the adjustment knobs are equally made of metal, thus ensuring you get long-lasting services.

 Pros

• Gravity-fed gun making it perfect for lacquer
• Lightweight and durable design
• Two included guns
• Comes with several tools and accessories

 Cons

• Several plastic components, including cups

3. Graco Magnum 257025

When you need a spray gun that can comfortably spray up to 5 gallons of lacquer, the Graco Magnum 257025 is an excellent choice. This sprayer features a 25-foot hose with a tip guard to ensure you get a professional-grade finish.

What I loved about this model is the fact that it comes with a detailed tutorial and a quick guide. When you are new to spray painting, you can quickly get started thanks to the easy-to-read tutorial. You also get a few pointers to help you get a good quality finish.

With the Graco Magnum 257025, you don’t have to worry about cleaning the container. Note that the hose goes straight into the lacquer paint. Users, therefore, get to save a lot of time since cleaning is unnecessary. You can focus on getting a professional finish while working on a strenuous job.

However, the Graco Magnum 257025 is an airless sprayer. Now, most people have become quite used to HVLP sprayers and tend to ignore the airless sprayers. Contrary to what you may think, this sprayer gets you a professional-grade finish every time.

On the bright side, you get a lightweight spray gun for lacquer at an affordable price. The included power flush adapter helps you clean up the machine after a task. All you need to do is attach the hose and run it for a few minutes.

 Pros

• Professional-grade finish
• Power flush adapter
• Compact and lightweight
• Ideal for large surfaces

 Cons

• Causes overspray

4. Fuji Spray 5175G-T75G

If you have an excellent turbine system already in the home, then the Fuji Spray 5175G-T75G is an ideal choice. It is an ergonomic spray gun that works beautifully with lacquer paint to get you a good quality finish.

The Fuji Spray 5175G-T75G is built like a tank to get you a precision finish. What I found most interesting is the control that you get with different spray patterns. If you are the type of person who needs a consistent finish when dealing with lacquer paint, then this spray gun is a great choice.

This spray gun works with all the different coatings that you can think about. The good news is that it is a professional-grade spray gun at a pocket-friendly price. The convenient side knob lets you control the spray pattern without contorting your arms.

Since the Fuji Spray 5175G-T75G features a non-bleed design, nothing comes out unless the trigger is pulled. Casual users might not see the advantage of non-bleed spray guns, but regular DIYers and professionals will appreciate this feature.

All fluid components of the Fuji Spray 5175G-T75G are constructed from stainless steel. You, therefore, get a long-lasting spray gun that will handle everyday use without any glitches. The included 1.33mm spray cap also works seamlessly with lacquer paint. However, note that the finish will depend on the range and power of your HVLP turbine.

 Pros

• Affordable price
• Versatile design
• Sturdy construction for long-lasting use
• Lightweight and compact

 Cons

• You need to have a turbine system already

5. Fuji 2904-T70 Mini-Mite 4 PLATINUM

The Fuji 2904-T70 is an excellent choice for individuals looking for a midrange complete HVLP system. It is a 4-stage turbine system that gives you a professional-grade finish when dealing with Lacquer paint. Yes, this paint sprayer isn’t as powerful as other models in this review, but it comes at a pocket-friendly price.

The Fuji 2904-T70 gets you up to 9 psi, which is quite impressive considering its small and compact size. You will also get adequate atomization when dealing with thinner coatings. However, note that you can use this spray gun with thicker material without compromising on performance.

What I found rather interesting about the Fuji 2904-T70 is its quiet operation. You will notice that it works without making loud noises, although there are no specific noise reduction features installed. The thick casing and mufflers ensure that you can use this machine without excessive noise.

The Fuji 2904-T70 also features a proprietary heat dissipation box. All the heat is redirected away from the motor, thus ensuring you can work for longer hours. The motor life is also significantly increased, making it an ideal choice for professionals.

The nylon stay-cool grip gives you enough comfort to work for long hours at a time. The light, well-balanced feel of the Fuji 2904-T70 ensures that you can quickly get a good quality finish. The different adjustment settings will also get you more control, which is ideal for large projects.

 Pros

• Ergonomic design
• Lightweight construction
• Affordable price
• Pattern adjustment knob
• Sturdy metal casing

 Cons

• Lack of master speed control

6. DeVilbiss 802342

The DeVilbiss 802342 spray gun is designed for entry-level users who want to handle various tasks. You get to quickly paint everything from an individual part to an entire car. When you are new to spray painting and working with lacquer, then the DeVilbiss 802342 is an excellent choice.

However, note that this spray gun is equally adequate for a seasoned professional. It gets you a good-quality finish considering you don’t have to spend a fortune during purchase. If you are a professional looking for the perfect machine to handle side jobs, this spray gun is quite adequate.

Using this spray gun is relatively simple since all you need to do is connect the air compressor and fill it with paint. Yes, it doesn’t feature a lot of adjustment options, as you will come to notice. However, it doesn’t use too much air pressure, thus making it easier to get a good quality finish.

What I loved about the DeVilbiss 802342 is easy to read the instruction manual. As stated earlier, this spray gun is an ideal choice for entry-level users. The manual is well-structured with pointers to help you get a professional-grade finish.

Finally, DeVilbiss 802342 is straightforward to assemble and disassemble. Cleaning time is, therefore, significantly reduced, and you can focus on getting a perfect finish.

 Pros

• Gets you a consistently smooth finish
• Nice chrome finish
• Included instruction manual
• Easy to clean
• Parts are readily available in the market

 Cons

• Tips are too tight
• The cups are prone to leakages

How To choose The best lacquer spray guns

Did you know that not all sprayers work with lacquer? You, therefore, can’t just buy the first spray gun that comes your way. Without proper guidance, most people tend to purchase expensive sprayers to find out that they don’t work with lacquer.

To prevent spending a fortune on a paint sprayer that isn’t suitable for your project, I have put together an extensive buyer’s guide. Understand that you need to know what you are looking for before purchasing a lacquer sprayer.

Do not focus on picking a spray gun with a lot of features. What you need is a paint sprayer with the features that you need for your lacquer project. Below is a list of what to look for when buying the best spray gun for lacquer.

Sprayer type

Note that the best lacquer sprayers are HVLP types or those using similar technology. Yes, airless sprayers can get the job done, although you won’t get the best results. The airless sprayers tend to make a huge mess, especially when working with lacquer paint.

The HVLP paint sprayers will get you a good-quality finish when working on your project. The good news is that they don’t make a huge mess, which saves you a lot of time performing cleanup. You can, therefore, focus your efforts on the project.

We recommend that you find a cordless paint sprayer to get you an even better experience. Understand that cordless sprayers are easy to move with, which is excellent when you are working on hard-to-reach surfaces. These sprayers also don’t weigh a lot, thus ensuring you can complete your project quickly.

Price

When it comes to finding the best lacquer paint sprayer, you need to spend a little bit more than you would on a regular sprayer. This is because you need a sprayer that will get you better precision and features many adjustments.

You, therefore, need to consider your budget before making a purchase carefully. The worst nightmare is ending up with a low-quality spray gun that gets you a poor-quality finish when working with lacquer. However, note that this doesn’t necessarily mean that you should break the bank either.

You merely need to be smart about your budget when it comes to buying the best lacquer paint sprayer. Look for different models with similar features and consider the prices and quality. You don’t have to spend a significant amount when there could always be a cheaper option.

3. Tip size

Start by understanding that tips are an integral part of a paint sprayer, especially when dealing with lacquer. In case you are an entry-level painter, you need to know that different paints will need different spraying tips.

Thick materials will need a large paint tip, while thin material will need a much smaller tip. Also, note that the paint sprayer type will dictate the tip size. The airless sprayers have a smaller tip since due to their power capabilities.

Lacquer falls under the thin paint category, which means that you won’t need a large spray tip. An airless paint sprayer will need a 1.3mm tip when working with lacquer. The HVLP type, on the other hand, will need a 1.55mm spray tip.

Most sprayers will come with different tips, usually about three. In case you don’t want to spend extra amounts buying the required spray tips, then ensure you buy a model that comes with different tips in the accessory box.

Lacquers vs. Varnishes

Lacquer and varnish are quite similar in many ways, making them quite confusing even for a seasoned DIY enthusiast. Note that these two substances were designed to provide wood surfaces with a shiny, glossy finish.

Both the two substances provide a durable and hard finish. In this section, we will look at the difference between varnish and lacquer. By the end of it, you should clearly distinguish between the two and decide which best suits your project.

Difference between varnish and lacquer

For a start, lacquers can either come in colored or clear coatings depending on your needs. Varnish, on the other hand, is entirely transparent and not traditionally produced in any other color. Flatting agents used to create varnish provide you with the semi-gloss finish. However, lacquers will get you a wide range of different glossy levels.

Lacquers have a more durable finish when compared to varnish. The plasticizers used in the production of lacquer give your wood a tough finish. Lacquer is recommended when your property is subjected to harsh conditions.

Lacquer also dries much faster than varnish. Note that the application process is quite similar with a slight difference. The varnish is generally applied using a brush, while the lacquer is applied using a sprayer. One coat of lacquer is usually sufficient for a project, while you may need more coats of varnish for the same project.

The varnish is significantly less-flammable when compared to lacquer. Understand that lacquer is processed by dissolving inflammable solvents such as xylene and toluene. Lacquer is, therefore, sprayed on surfaces rather than brushed to lower chances of overspray.

Note that varnish is only used for woof finishes, while lacquer has several other uses. For example, lacquers can also be used for metal finishing projects. You will notice that the inside of the drink and food cans is usually baked in lacquer.

Which type of lacquers should you use?

Most experts will tell you that lacquers provide the best finish for wood projects. However, did you know that there are different types of lacquers available in the market? Getting to know the characteristics of these different types will help you pick the right one.

Nitrocellulose

Nitrocellulose lacquers are affordable and dry relatively quickly. They feature cured resin that gives you an excellent protective layer for your wood. The slightly amber color of these lacquers also gets you a more enhanced color.

However, this type of lacquer has a significant disadvantage. The protective film starts turning yellow as it ages and may even cause cracks when it starts shrinking. Note that some versions allow you to use a brush during applications.

Acrylic lacquers

To avoid the yellowing problem states earlier, manufacturers started the production of acrylic lacquers. The acrylic resins stay crystal-clear over time, making them quite long-lasting. These lacquers are less bristle, thus giving you a durable finish when compared to nitrocellulose lacquer.

However, note that acrylic lacquers are slightly more expensive. You will also need to use a spray gun to get the best results when working with this type of lacquer. Most manufacturers recommend diluting acrylic lacquers with regular lacquers to bring you a more professional finish.

Catalyzed lacquers

The catalyzed lacquers are a hybrid version of nitrocellulose lacquers since they use the same resin. However, the catalyzed lacquers have additional urea resins that make them more durable. The chemical cure process starts when the acid catalyst is introduced in the mixture.

Tips to help you avoid issues with lacquer

Working with lacquers is not as simple as it seems, especially when you are an entry-level individual. Below are a few pointers to help you avoid issues with lacquer during your project. Note that these tips will help you get a professional-grade finish.

1. Sanding is essential

You need to properly sand your wood before applying lacquer if you want a smooth finish. Ensure that you sand your wood properly between different lacquer coats. Sand the wood between the colored and clear coats every time you are working on a project.

2. Work in dry areas

Understand that lacquer is designed to dry quickly, making it vital to work in a dry area with relatively low humidity. Failure to this will get you a hazy look that may require you to repeat the entire project.

3. Proper ventilation

Lacquers are constructed from flammable material, making it critical for you to work in a well-ventilated environment. You also need to ensure that there are no spark or heat hazards around the workshop. This also means that you need to wear a mask the entire time.

4. Don’t respray

When dealing with lacquers, you should be very careful not to respray an area multiple times. It is much better to keep on working if you want a professional finish. Understand those small imperfections will look better once you spray the final coat.

BEST LACQUER SPRAYER – FAQS

Do I need a spray gun for lacquer?

First, spray guns will save you a lot of time when compared to the traditional paint rollers. The finish quality when using a spray gun is smoother and better. The mess is also significantly small, which means you won’t spend a lot of time on cleanup.

Note that you need to get nothing but good results when dealing with lacquers. Using a spray gun will ensure that you get a good quality finish.

When should I clean the air filter?

Cleaning your air filter will help you get a professional-grade finish. If you are continually using your spray gun, then you should clean the air filter at least twice every week. The HVLP paint sprayers need to have their air filter cleaned more often than the airless sprayers. The good news, however, is that cleaning doesn’t take a lot of time.

Final verdict

The Fuji 2203G Semi-PRO 2 is the best choice when dealing with lacquer paint. Understand that this paint sprayer works well both outdoors and indoors while producing little overspray. You also get multiple tips included in the package at an affordable price. The tip size is perfect for lacquers making it worth every penny you spend.

Our in-depth review has provided you with the six best spray guns for lacquer. Look for the right model that suits your needs. Ensure that you consider your budget and level of experience when making a choice. Going through the customer reviews will also help you make the right choice for you.