Graco Truecoat 360 VSP Airless Paint Sprayer Review
Editor Rating: 4.0/5
Great Product
Graco Truecoat 360 VSP Airless Paint Sprayer
Reviewed by: Timothy Henderson
Last modified:
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Graco 17D889 Truecoat 360 VSP Review Summary:
The TrueCoat 360VSP airless paint sprayer is part of Graco’s Project Series. This line is geared towards meeting the needs of DIYers and homeowners with up to medium-sized projects to tackle — fast. It’s straightforward to set up, use and clean for a number of home improvement projects, including doors, interior walls, trims, ceilings, shutters, arbors, or outdoor furniture.
One difference between the 360 VSP and its Truecoat cousins (Graco 360 and 360DS) is that it incorporates a variable speed control. This lets you dial in the precise amount of pressure you want — so you can take it as fast or slow as you are comfortable with. It will even work when the gun is inverted with the VacuValve technology — handy for getting under eaves, or any hard to reach places.
The lightweight unit weighs less than four pounds, so your arms and hands won’t suffer fatigue when you paint for any length of time. A patented Reverse-a-Clean system helps prevent paint clogs and provides you with precision atomization in a spray pattern of between 4 and 12-inches.
Completing the package are four 42-ounce reusable, recyclable Flexliner paint bags, two 0.015-inch paint spray tips, plus a durable case for stowing away.
US-based company Graco has been operating since the mid-1920s. Respected in the painting industry, they manufacture their practical commodities for professionals and DIYers on home soil. As well as paint sprayers, they make many additional products such as pressure washers, sealants, and more.
Graco 360 VSP Pros:
Great price-to-quality ratio and cost efficiency
Cons:
Features and Benefits of the Graco TrueCoat VSP 360 Airless Paint Sprayer
Variable Speed
The operating pressure of the Graco 360 VSP Airless paint sprayer can be varied between 500 psi up to 1500 psi. This gives you complete control over the pace you want to work at.
When applying thinner mediums, a lower setting will reduce overspray and wastage — making smaller or more intricate projects easier to tackle. Furthermore, if you’re a newbie, starting out slow and increasing the speed as you become more competent is the way forward.
In contrast, cranking up the speed allows you to become the Schumacher of the painting world. If you have a larger area to cover or if you’re hoping to get finished in time to catch the game — this end of the scale is where you want to be.
With a recommended usage of 25 gallons per year, this unit is not intended for professional use. However, for those of you wanting to complete paint jobs on the weekend, it should more than suffice.
Comfortable and Versatile
The handle on this spray gun is designed to be held with minimal effort — reducing tired arms and hands. It also weighs a little under four pounds, making it reasonably lightweight.
You can attach spare spray tips for use when you need them — a 4-inch narrow tip and 12-inch wide tip are supplied. The on-board storage facility allows you to keep the tip not in use in a dedicated port on the base of the handle. This reduces downtime and makes switching between them a breeze.
Once fitted, if the spray tip clogs the Reverse-A-Clean feature permits you to turn it around and clear it with a burst of air, then spin it back and carry on painting.
This combined with the controls — all within the reach of your fingertips — makes it a versatile unit.
Patented Airless Spraying Technology
With airless spray painting technology, the paint is delivered via a piston pump under high pressure and is released from the small 0.015 inch opening in the tip. This diffuses the paint into an atomized spray, which you can apply to the project you are working on.
It promises to reduce the time spent on these tasks by about a half compared to using traditional paint application methods.
However, wastage is one of the downsides of using airless sprayers. A lot of paint can end up in the atmosphere around you, dropping and landing on places you don’t want it. Therefore, before you begin, make sure you cover any areas you don’t plan to spray.
Larger FlexLiner Container
With the Graco VSP paint sprayer, you’re kitted out with four 42-ounce “bags” — in comparison to its 360 counterparts they’re more generous in size. Graco states this reduces refill pit stops by 25 percent — meaning you can finish your project faster.
Thanks to the VacuValve technology, the FlexLiner Paint system is also designed to dispense paint in any direction — hence the 360. All you need to do is squeeze the bag to expel excess air.
The bag can be turned inside out for a second use, but will then need to be changed for a new one.
What Users Say About The Graco 17D889
To find out whether the Graco 17D889 TrueCoat 360VSP handheld paint sprayer is the one for you — a good starting point is checking out real user’s experiences.
Time to see what they think.
From newbies through to experienced DIYers, this spray gun appears to be a hit. The ability to control the pressure and speed of paint delivery on a single dial appeals to many. Its uncomplicated design lends it to easy setup and cleaning, although it might take a little time to flush all the paint through the system post-use.
Unblocking clogs with the reversible spray tip is another well-received feature. However, the larger 42-ounce paint bag did prove to be a disappointment for some — having to refill more often than anticipated. Furthermore, purchasing additional FlexLiners will result in an added expense, but the convenience factor could outweigh this.
As with anything, practice makes perfect, and this spray gun is no exception to that rule. Test it out first until you get used to it, and make sure you either read the instructions fully or watch some of the many Graco tutorials.
If you would prefer to see the numerous user comments for yourself, click on the link below.
Alternatives to Graco Truecoat 360 VSP Airless Paint Sprayer
If you want an overall picture of how the Graco sizes up compared to other paint sprayers, check out these alternatives.
Wagner Spraytech FLEXiO 590
You receive two different spray tips, enabling you to tackle large or small projects. The delivery of paint can be altered via 10 different speed settings and there is the option of circular, vertical and horizontal spray patterns. Powered by a proprietary X-Boost turbine system, it packs plenty of punch.
- Adjustable paint delivery, similar to the 360 VSP.
- Also includes two nozzles — a Detail Finish nozzle for fine finishing and an iSpray for larger projects.
- Lower price point than the Graco and paint cups are not required.
Rexbeti Ultimate 750
With a 6.6-foot cable, the Rexbeti reduces the need for extension cords, unlike the 18-inch offering on the Graco. The paint tank is smaller at 34-ounces, but it can be cleaned after use and doesn’t require replacing. Three spray nozzles and cleaning tools are also included.
- Longer 6.6-foot power cord in contrast to the Graco.
- Smaller paint cup than the 360 VSP — but reusable rather than disposable.
- Lighter on the wallet than the Truecoat 360.
Titan ControlMax 1900 PRO HEA Paint Sprayer
If you are an avid DIYer or a professional looking for an entry-level paint sprayer, this powerful system could fit the bill. It offers speed, simplicity, and a flawless finish to your paintwork.
- Wider spray width — up to 16-inches — for larger projects.
- Pressure and pump are more powerful than the Graco TrueCoat 360 VSP.
- The hose is 50-feet in length, providing a much better reach than either the Graco, Rexbeti or Wagner.
Conclusion
It will cut down on painting time as opposed to using more traditional brushes and rollers, and is uncomplicated in its setup, use and cleaning. Patented features like the Flexliner paint bags, Reverse-a-Clean, and VacuValve technology are all intended to make your life easier.
Yes, you will have additional outlay for new paint bags, but this is easily offset by the time you can spend relaxing and admiring your handiwork.
Check out the Graco 17D889 TrueCoat 360 VSP Airless Paint Sprayer.
Graco 17D889 Truecoat 360 VSP FAQs
How Do You Clean a Graco Spray Gun?
Cleaning your Graco 360 VSP after use is imperative if you wish to prolong its life and ensure it’s ready for use when you need it again. You have the option of washing and reusing the FlexLiner or replacing it with a new one for your next project.
Once your unit is clean, you can help preserve it until you need it again by using Graco’s Pump Armor — as well as storing it upright in the carry bag provided.
What Kind of Paint Do I Use in an Airless Paint Sprayer?
Is the Graco 17D889 TrueCoat 360 Easy to Use?
Are Airless Paint Sprayers Better?
Can You Spray Automotive Paint With A Graco Airless Sprayer?
There is nothing to say you can’t — but you might not achieve the flawless finish that an automotive spray gun like the Wagner Spraytech 0529031 Black MotoCoat Complete Car & Truck Paint Sprayer offers. It could mean thinning down the paint excessively and applying multiple coats to achieve a satisfactory finish. It’s always better to choose a tool designed for the job in hand to get the best results.
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