Affordable Paint Sprayers for Contractors in South Africa

One paint sprayer is not the same as another. Spray machines differ in the technologies they use and the applications they support. They can also differ significantly in price.
Most contractors need a unit that will do what’s needed, without fuss, frustration or unnecessary expense.
Below, we offer guidance on how to find the best, most affordable paint sprayers for contractors in South Africa. Read on or jump to a section of interest:
- why it’s not always best to go with the cheapest paint spray system
- general tips on what to look out for
- three affordable spray systems we recommend for contractors.
Why not buy the cheapest, off-the-shelf sprayer you can find?
You could be lucky. The cheapest sprayer you can find at a hardware store might just work for your needs. More often, those who opt for budget, off-the-shelf units are back before long to enquire about upgrades.
Investing in a paint sprayer made by a trusted manufacturer can help you avoid issues like these:
- excessive overspray, resulting in wasted paint and higher exposure to fumes
- susceptibility to clogging and difficulty in cleaning the unit
- poor ergonomics, making spray work unnecessarily difficult
- inconsistent results
- very limited support for thinner or thicker paints and finishes.
The best type of paint sprayer for contractors
Among the factors to consider when choosing a spray system are the type(s) of paint or other finishes you plan to use; the volume of spraying that’s required; how portable the unit must be; your budget; and whether you want a unit to support more than one operator at a time.
Overall, airless paint spray systems tend to be the most popular choice for contractors.
Not every situation requires an airless sprayer. But this type of sprayer is excellent for laying down a lot of paint quickly. This makes it suitable for efficient painting of comparatively large areas.
Airless units also tend to provide the most reliable, uniform coverage of surfaces (including irregular surfaces). Some units can, however, produce a lot of overspray.
Where speed is less of a priority, a modern air-atomising or air-assisted sprayer can provide excellent performance.
In the air-atomising category, a high-volume low-pressure (HVLP) sprayer offers the best transfer efficiency, for high-quality finishes. Also, units with so-called “compliant technology” offer better application speeds than conventional air-spray units.
For in-person advice on the best spray system given your specific needs, contact us at SCT. We’ll be happy to help.
Three affordable paint sprayers for contractors
At SCT, we offer a comprehensive range of spray guns and spray systems for contractors. Below we profile three spray systems recommended for contractors. These airless paint sprayers offer robust designs and achieve high-quality finishes, while being comparatively affordable.
The Graco GX21 stands out for its combination of a reasonable price tag, the trusted Graco name and features that make it exceptionally easy to use. It also has a highly durable, maintenance-free ProXChange pump.
This electric airless paint sprayer is an ideal choice if you need a readily portable system for regular but comparatively small painting and finishing jobs.
What we like:
- easy to transport, with the lightest weight in its class and an easy-carry handle
- simple operation – the system draws paint directly from buckets (up to 30 litres)
- a RAC X SwitchTip, which can simply be reversed to clear any blockages
- comes with an SG3 spray gun with a comfortable, four-finger trigger.
The Graco GX21 achieves excellent, smooth finishes and is straightforward to clean and maintain. It’s suitable for spraying most standard, low to medium-viscosity coatings. It isn’t suitable for textured or high-solids coatings.
Graco 390 PC Electric Airless Sprayer
The Graco 390 PC is a jump up in price from the Graco GX21, but is our recommendation for contractors in need of a reliable, everyday workhorse for residential paint jobs.
This unit offers excellent value for contractors. It is a reliable choice for high-volume spraying of acrylics, enamel, lacquer, latex and stains.
What we like:
- lightweight and readily portable, with a rugged four-leg steel frame
- variable pressure control, with a position indicator for repeatable settings
- a swivel inlet suction hose that easily reaches paint buckets
- an extremely durable Chromex piston pump and a drive with a lifetime warranty.
GX1192 Petrol-Operated Hydraulic Airless Sprayer
For busy contractors, it’s worth considering the advantages of a petrol-driven system.
This gives you freedom from dependence on power supply sources and extension cables. It also means you can keep on working during power outages
The Cosmostar SpeedCoat GX1192 is our most affordable petrol-operated hydraulic airless paint sprayer. It offers fast, effective coating, with an impressive flow rate of up to 14 litres per minute.
This is a solid and versatile choice for contractors with high volumes of painting or coating work.
What we like:
- a trusted Honda 9.0 HP engine
- support for spraying a broad range of fluids, from standard paints to putties and high-solids coatings
- a high pressure ratio, for high flows, longer lines and better atomisation
- zero reliance on electrical power supply.
For more information about affordable paint sprayers for contractors in South Africa, contact us online or in person. We’re happy to offer expert technical advice based on your needs and budget.