How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Paint Sprayer?

Painting with a paintbrush and roller is very time-consuming. So, a better alternative, given that you have the know-how, is to use a paint sprayer. Here comes the issue of cost. But the good news – you can rent it. So how much does it cost to rent a paint sprayer?

The average cost of renting a paint sprayer will be between 40-120 dollars a day. However, the cost can vary depending on the type of paint sprayer, the model, and even demand. Still, Renting will cost only a small portion of what it would cost to buy a new one. 

As you read this article, you will have a more comprehensive idea about these factors that drive the rent cost. We compared buying and renting so that you have all the information and  know exactly what to do. 

Types of Paint Sprayers

There are 3 types of paint sprayers in use. These are airless, pneumatic, and HVLP paint sprayers. So, which type of paint sprayer do you need?

This depends on what type of project you have and the types of paint you want to use. You will also have to change your budget depending on the paint sprayer you want to buy or rent. So let’s have a quick overview of each of these different types.

Airless Sprayer

Airless Sprayer is the primary choice of many when undertaking a large painting job. Such sprayers use a hydraulic pump. These pumps, with extreme pressure, carry the paint out of the bucket. Because of this immense pressure, the color comes out as tiny droplets, and you get a picture-perfect smooth finish.

Another essential advantage of an airless paint sprayer is that it can handle heavier paint like latex paints which other paint sprayers find difficult. However, an airless paint sprayer is not that beginner-friendly.

Pneumatic Sprayer

Pneumatic Sprayer, on the other hand, is much easier to use. It uses an air compressor to drag the paint out of the container at very high pressure and mix it with air. So, it looks a lot like mist. Unfortunately, these sprayers waste the most amount of paint.

Pneumatic sprays do not work well with thick paints, and it’s best to use only oil-based colors. People generally use pneumatic jets when painting furniture to get a smooth finish.

HVLP Sprayer

The complete form of HVLP is High Volume and Low Pressure. The paint comes out of the container because of the steady and high air volume. Unlike the pneumatic sprayer, this uses less pressure and is even easier to use. Furthermore, it creates much less waste.

So if you paint indoors and don’t have much experience with spray paint, we recommend using an HVLP sprayer. However, avoid using thick colors in HVLP.

Cost Comparison: Renting vs. Buying a Paint Sprayer

If we state the obvious, buying will be more expensive than just renting for a day or two. This cost, however, will vary depending on the type of paint sprayer you are looking into.

Prices at a Glance

Although the actual values will vary, this will give you a general idea about how much it might cost you to buy or rent a paint sprayer:

The range is based on the prices of professional mid-tier paint sprayers. You can definitely find all types of paint sprayers for way less, and some high-end professional paint sprayers might even reach up to 4 grand!

Cost and the Frequency of Use

This one-time view provides a relatively narrow idea. You should also consider the frequency of your use. Frequency is a significant determinant of how much it will cost you.

If you don’t see yourself painting anytime soon, renting will save money. But if you frequently paint your rooms or paint as a job, then the frequent renting will drive up the cost so much that it will surpass the cost of buying a new one.

Even if we assume that you can always rent a paint sprayer for 50 dollars a day, then assuming that the retail price for the sprayer is 1000 dollars, you can only rent it for 20 days before the advantages of renting expires.

Furthermore, in many cases, you will be able to buy a paint sprayer for less than 1000 dollars, whereas renting often costs more than $50.

So when comparing the cost between renting and buying a paint sprayer factor in this frequency of use, do the maths to determine which works for you. 

Pros and Cons of Renting a Paint Sprayer

Homeowners often find renting the better option. However, there are also some cons. Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of renting a paint sprayer.

Benefits of Renting

• The upfront cost is minimal compared to buying a paint sprayer.
• Returning the air-sprayer saves you from the trouble of storing it at home.
• You can try out the most advanced spray paints for very little money if you rent them. While renting will only cost a couple of hundred dollars, buying these advanced paint sprayers would definitely require a couple of grand.

Disadvantages of Renting

If you use a paint sprayer quite frequently, you will incur more costs by renting. Moreover, if you are a professional, renting will only be an obstacle to your growth. Renting would drain your pockets, while owning one will multiply your earnings.

Another problem is that renting restricts how much time you can keep the equipment, so you must schedule your work accordingly.

Pros and Cons of Buying a Paint Sprayer

Now, on the other side of the argument buying a paint sprayer just might be the more sensible decision for some.

Here you will find the pros and cons of buying a paint sprayer.

Advantages of Buying

• You don’t have to go to the market to rent a paint sprayer every time you need to paint something.
• There is no need to rush your work as you own the sprayer. You can schedule your work to your liking. To give an example, the end quality of the project depends heavily on the temperature. So, if the temperature is not suitable, you can just postpone.
• If you spray paint regularly, owning one can be more cost-efficient. With one paint sprayer, you can take care of all your painting needs in the years to come. Plus, if you are a professional painter, owning a sprayer will boost your income.
• In the off-period, you can even rent out your sprayer on sites like Fat Llama to earn some extra money.

Disadvantages of Buying

• If you rarely need to use a paint sprayer, buying one would only incur an additional cost without giving you any real return.
• If you don’t take proper care, the expensive sprayer might rust and lose its functionality over time.
• You cannot try out different models as you have already bought one. A single type of paint sprayer (For example, HVLP) is not suitable for all your painting needs (HVLP cannot handle thick paints). But as you already bought one, you forfeit the luxury of choosing a different type of paint sprayer every time such a need arises. 
• You need extra space to store your sprayer.

Things to Consider While Renting a Paint Sprayer

To ensure that you get the best deal every time you rent a paint sprayer, we have compiled this list of all the things you should be aware of. 

• Start by analyzing the type of paint job you have. Your paint selection will depend on the type of project you are undertaking. This in turn determines the type of paint sprayer you need.
• In some renting places, haggling is a must if you want t get your equipment at a reasonable price. So do proper research on the prices – look at amazon to know how much it might cost you to buy a new paint sprayer. This will give an idea of whether they are asking the right price.
• Search for customer reviews of the renting place. From looking at the reviews, you can understand a great deal about the service you will get.
• Be sure to read the service policy.
• Carefully plan your work schedule. Because you will have to pay extra the longer, you keep the sprayer.

FAQs

Is Spraying Cheaper than Painting?

No, if you are just talking about the cost of the materials, then spraying is more expensive than painting. First of all, even renting a cheap sprayer will cost you more than buying a paint roller. Furthermore, paint sprayers waste a lot of paint – about 30% more than rollers.

However, the answer might differ if you factor in the time cost. Spraying paint saves a significant amount of time.

Can You Use Any Paint in a Spray Gun?

Not all paints will give the best result in every spray gun. Oil-based paints are usable in almost all types of sprayers. However, avoid using water-based thick latex paints in HVLP. If you are using a pneumatic paint sprayer, you are also okay with using acrylic paint.

Do I Need to Follow Any Safety Measure when Spray Painting?

Yes. There are some toxic chemicals in almost all types of paints. Spray painting emits the paints at a very high speed so that the paint can go inside your skin and enter your bloodstream. Wear PPE – gloves, scrub, eye coverings, etc.

Furthermore, wrap the surrounding area of your paint station with plastic so that the paint cannot go to undesired places.  

Final Words

So, how much does it cost to rent a paint sprayer? 

As you have finished the article, you should have a solid idea. Remember the decision to buy or rent depends on how often you use it. Pro tip: rent it if you seldom feel the need to paint. On the other hand, if your need is frequent, buying a sprayer will serve you well.