Paint and Coatings Industry News

Main News Page

Cordless Sprayers Handle Heavy Coatings

Friday, August 24, 2012

More items for Coating Application

Graco Inc. has rolled out two new heavy-duty, cordless, handheld, airless sprayers designed for high-performance epoxies, polyurethanes and other protective coatings in industrial and marine applications.

The battery-powered, portable XForce HD and ProShot HD are built for the toughest coatings and allow fast application of a single-coat, high-quality airless finish virtually anywhere, the manufacturer says.

Graco Inc.

Cordless ProShot HD (left) and XForce HD (right) are both designed to spray the toughest protective coatings and corrosion-control materials.

Time-saving features on both models include ProConnect tool-less pump removal; Spray-N-Throw Material Cup System; and FastClean design, which allows complete cleanout of material in less than 30 seconds, using only ounces of solvent or water, according to Graco.

Both models also feature the company’s patented and patent-pending ProSpray technology.

Focus on Spot Repair, Touch-Ups

“The Graco HD handheld sprayers were designed based on input and research from protective coating professionals who needed a faster and better solution for spot repair, small jobs and touch-up,” said Graco Contractor Equipment Division Global Product Marketing Manager Bob Gundersen.

“Coating professionals told us they are tired of the hassle and expense with current small job methods such as brushing, rolling, cup guns, and that they were in need of a more innovative way to apply materials.”

He added, “This is especially true with the trend towards high-solids, low-VOC coatings in which a large airless unit is often required for even the smallest job. With the new Graco HD sprayers, jobs that used to require hours now require only minutes to complete.”

Features and Applications

ProShot HD (exclusively available at Sherwin-Williams for $2,300 MSRP) and XForce HD (available at U.S. distributors nationwide for $2,260 MSRP) are suitable for small jobs like weld seams, flanges, doors, nuts and bolts, electrical components, pipe, structural components, holiday repair, and punch-list items.

The sprayers can handle high-solids epoxy primers and coatings (up to 100% solids content), zinc-rich primers, plural-component coatings, and fire-retardant coatings, according to Graco.

Each unit includes one reversible tip, two 28V lithium-ion Power Pack batteries (ProShot HD includes one extra bonus battery), lithium-ion battery charger, six 48-ounce disposable liners and lids, and a heavy-duty storage case. 

More information:  www.graco.com/contractor.

Comment from Brian Chapman, (8/27/2012, 7:14 AM)

While this sprayer is a unique tool that fills a void in every painters toolbox, I will tell you from experience that Graco has a LONG way to go in building some forgiveness into these cordless airless sprayers. If you purchase one of these units, be warned......CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN when you're done using it. Put this thing away less than spotlessly clean throughout and you will be disappointed the next time you go to use it.

Comment from Robert Gundersen, (8/27/2012, 2:18 PM)

Hi Brian Thanks for commenting on your previous experience in cleaning cordless airless sprayers. I absolutely agree that is it important to properly clean your spray equipment prior to storage. Proper cleaning and maintenance of spray equipment is the key to long life and the highest performance possible. Your message truly highlights the importance of the FastClean Design on the New XForce HD and ProShot HD Sprayers. This innovative design allows fast and easy cleanout of even the toughest materials in seconds. This is an absolute must when dealing with short pot-life materials, and other high performance coatings that these sprayers are designed to spray. Bottom line is that FastClean makes it easy to properly clean the system to ensure you can spray tomorrow. Look for the new 4000psi XForce HD and ProShot HD Heavy-Duty cordless airless units to be available in the next couple weeks. I look forward to hearing what you think about the evolution of cleaning! Regards, Bob Gundersen Worldwide Product Marketing Manager Graco Inc.

Comment from Brian Chapman, (8/28/2012, 12:08 PM)

Ben, so what you're saying is that by developing this "FastClean" technology, Graco admits the previous generations of ProShots leave something to be desired? These are an amazing tool, and I do realize the importance of cleaning my equipment, but even my NXT45 is a nightmare to "properly" clean without disassembly. Pumping copious amounts of solvent through the thing regularly still requires the occasional tear-down to rectify a stuck primer ball or excessive build-up on the packings. My Graco pumps are top-quality tools that will withstand alot of abuse and still perform as needed, when needed. However, I stand by my assessment that the cordless have a ways to go to be considered an industrial painting tool. I would love to demo one of these new units, and maybe you can take my 2 junk ProShots in on trade.

Comment from John Fauth, (8/29/2012, 9:24 AM)

Brian, I can understand that you're underwhelmed with the product you purchased. But I think you're being unfair to Bob and Graco. Any new or improved product is, by inference, an admission that previous versions could be improved upon. But that doesn't mean they weren't state of the art at the time. If you set the bar at "perfect, cannot be improved upon" then you may have a pretty barren toolbox.

Comment from Brian Chapman, (8/30/2012, 9:01 AM)

John, Admittedly the ProShot was (and is) state of the art even in its earliest form. However, with the solvent restrictions that were in place on the first models it was a "difficult" tool to clean properly. My intention isn't to be hard on Graco (or Bob), it is only to point out what I found to be some of this things shortcomings. I just personally believe that with the cost of the "new and improved" units it remains to be seen the actual value of the unit as a truly industrial type tool. I have two units that are inop for different reasons, one is clearly my fault for apparently skimping on the clean-up, the other is as a result of a material failure in the product itself. Until I see convincing proof that the investment required with the new units is justified, I will continue to drag out my small electric units to perform the tasks this unit claims to excel at. BTW.....I still stand behind all my other Graco equipment as the finest stuff I own.

Comment from Tom Schwerdt, (8/30/2012, 9:35 AM)

I think that hearing about user experiences are very worthwhile. Thanks for sharing, Brian. Perhaps Graco can detail exactly what the cleanup improvements are. Just saying "fast and easy" or "innovative design" isn't the nuts-and-bolts answer users need. Specific, detailed information is needed. Perhaps Graco now allows a wider variety of solvents. Perhaps they reshaped around the primer ball to create turbulence when flush solvents come through to give a better scrubbing action. Could be a lot of things. What exactly is "innovative" about the new design? Why is it so much better? How many seconds should I expect to spend on cleanout? 60 seconds? 500 seconds? A range of 100-700 seconds, depending on the material?

Comment from John Fauth, (8/30/2012, 3:31 PM)

Brian, that sounds like a very reasoned description of the challenges inherent to using cordless airless sprayers, and reasonable expectation that it achieves performance requirements of their intended markets. I apologize if I misconstrued your earlier post.

Comment from Jerry Trevino, (9/10/2012, 10:50 AM)

What specific product(s) were used with this sprayer? I would assume a high solvent content product will work much better than a high solids product. Was it used for mostly touch up repairs and very small square foot areas? I think it a great idea, however, with any new technology, it will require new generations of it to make it better.

Comment from Robert Gundersen, (9/12/2012, 9:39 AM)

Hi Guys. I think there is a little confusion on the subject. The ProShot HD and the XForce HD are not the same units as you have had previous experience with. Previous models of cordless sprayers that had been released are primarily for water-based architectural coatings (although there is also an oil-based unit for Fine Finish architectural use). We still make these units, and in fact, have just released some great new models for the architectural painting contractor. The HD (Heavy-Duty) units are specifically designed for the Industrial contractor who uses Protective/ Marine Coatings and solvents. These HD units offer twice the psi (4000) of our water-based (architectural units), and have features specifically designed for high-performance coatings – including the FastClean Design. Per my previous message, the units will be shipping in a couple weeks. There is also a ton of information on our web page for the HD products. – Regards, Bob Gundersen, Graco inc.