Wagner Control Spray Double Duty Review
Editor Rating: 4.6/5
Great Product
Wagner Control Spray Double Duty
Reviewed by: Timothy Henderson
Last modified:
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Wagner 0518050 Review Summary:
Variable flow control enables you to tailor the liquid medium delivery dependent on the coating thickness you require. And, with a spraying rate of 4.9 fluid ounces per minute — it permits rapid yet even coverage.
Its trademarked Control Finish Nozzle promises a smooth finish, and a quick turn of the end cap allows you to select between a choice of three spray patterns.
The unit comes complete with two material containers — one quart (946 ml) for small indoor staining projects and 1.5-quarts (1419 ml) for larger outdoor jobs. Unusually for a handheld HVLP machine, the Wagner Control Spray package includes a viscosity measuring cup — empowering you to decide whether your chosen medium requires thinning.
Furthermore, the rear of the unit houses a replaceable air filter — preventing dirt ingress from ruining your paint coats and protecting the valuable internal turbine from detritus damage.
The Double Duty is a mid-range unit in Wagner SprayTech’s Control series — a product line renowned for delivering faster-than-a-brush coverage with a precise finish. Interestingly, after Wagner’s takeover of the HomeRight brand in 2018 — they released a virtually identical machine under that marque — the HomeRight Quick Finish.
It replaces the now-discontinued Wagner 0417005D Control Spray Power Paint sprayer — featuring a larger paint cup than its predecessor, and an improved Control Finish nozzle.
Pros:
Cons:
Features and Benefits of the Wagner Spraytech 0518050 Control Spray Double Duty
Two-Stage Turbine
The boffins in the Wagner design lab have created an internal powerhouse featuring a two-stage turbine — promising more efficient and consistent medium address than those of its competitors.
Furthermore, it’s rated for both indoor and outdoor use (hence double-duty), meaning it’s equally at home refinishing your cabinets as it is staining your garden gate. Providing rapid delivery, you can cover an eight-by-ten-foot area in less than five minutes.
Lock N Go Design
Wagner’s proprietary Lock N Go feature enables you to straightforwardly split the gun into its component parts. This allows for rapid cleaning post-project and also allows you to switch paint colors or cup sizes without the hassle associated with lower-end machines.
Two Cups
The Wagner Control Spray 0518050 arrives with two interchangeable material cups — one quart and 1.5 quarts.
The smaller container is perfectly suited to small in-home jobs that don’t require masses of paint. Using the larger container for these little projects would be something of overkill — a little like taking a suitcase to the grocery store to buy a Twinkie.
The 1.5-quart container is the consummate outdoor vessel — allowing you to cover an area of 120 square feet without refilling — suitable for staining border fencing.
Replaceable Air Filter
A simple press of a button on the rear of the machine releases the back-housing — permitting you to effortlessly replace or clean the internal air filter.
This crucial longevity-boosting feature protects detritus ingress into the turbine — which could otherwise cause degradation or damage. Additionally, it lowers the risk of dust or hairs making their way through the spray gun and onto your project material.
Control Finish Nozzle
The bespoke Control Finish Nozzle has been designed to provide precise and smooth finishes with stains, sealers, and varnishes. And, while it does indeed deliver a better-than-brush style finish — it will struggle with denser mediums.
Using oil, chalk, or latex-based paints will require serious thinning — and it may still be too viscous — making this unit less than ideal for painting walls or ceilings.
That said, the machine comes complete with a viscosity cup and associated chart — allowing you to test the density of your painting medium before filling the main container and decide whether it needs dilution.
Furthermore, a quick-turn of the nozzle-end enables you to switch between a choice of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal spray patterns.
Material Flow Control
Like people — some paints are thicker than others.
A dense paint will generally necessitate a thinner coat than less viscous mediums. This can be problematic with low-end HVLP (high-volume low-pressure) sprayers as they have only one flow setting.
Therefore, it’s pleasing to see that the Wagner Double Duty incorporates adjustable volume control. Meaning, with a simple turn of a dial, you can alter the amount of paint leaving the gun — dependent on its density.
This can also be a bonus when you’re trying to cover a dark-colored base material with a lighter hue — giving you the power to increase the thickness of the coat. Bear in mind, though, that over-drenching your project may lead to drips and pooling.
Rubber-Coated Handle
The plastic handle of the Wagner Double Duty includes a treaded rubber outer. This nice feature elevates grip and should reduce perspiration. By increasing the traction in the hand — it requires less strength to wield — therefore reducing fatigue.
Furthermore, it should lower the risk of accidental slippage — ensuring your door-painting project doesn’t suddenly include the walls and floors too.
What Users Say About The Wagner Control Spray Double Duty
For me, the Wagner Control Double Duty is a reliable and robust unit that will satisfyingly cope with small to medium staining, sealing, and finishing projects.
But does the experienced paint spraying fraternity agree?
In an effort to discover what my home-improvement brothers thought of this machine — I delved into the numerous genuine Wagner Control Spray Double Duty reviews online.
Reassuringly, it appears that I’m not wrong.
The overwhelming consensus was that this machine delivered. Owners welcomed its replaceable air filter, felt that the Control Finish Nozzle provided a pleasing coat and that its suitability for both indoor and outdoor use was a bonus.
Ok, some guys did have some moans. Most frequently mentioned was the fact that it couldn’t cope with latex paints — which is true — although these killjoys seemed to forget that it’s primarily designed for stains and sealers. Somewhat akin to me criticizing my gasoline-powered car for not running properly with diesel fuel.
However, generally speaking, users of this unit were impressed by its smooth coats and speedy coverage.
To get a taste of what I’m talking about in this Wagner Control Spray Double Duty Review — read the words of the home-improvement brethren below.
Alternatives to Wagner Control Spray Double Duty
Disappointed by the Control Spray Double Duty? Feel like a kid on Christmas morning excitedly ripping open a present to find it contains underwear instead of an action figure?
Stick with me.
Below are some alternative sprayers that may suit your needs and requirements more accurately.
HomeRight Quick Finish Sprayer
The HomeRight Quick Finish sprayer is virtually identical to the Double Duty — being built on the same chassis (as HomeRight is owned by Wagner) and possessing the same features such as flow control, replaceable filters, and a Lock N Go mechanism. Meaning, you obtain a machine with serious pedigree but without the expense.
- 0.85-quart container — the Double Duty has one-quart and 1.5-quarts.
- Omits the viscosity cup included with the Wagner model.
- Lacks the kudos of owning a Wagner machine.
Wagner FLEXiO 3000
The FLEXiO 3000 incorporates Wagner’s upgraded iSpray head — suitable for a plethora of spraying mediums generally without dilution. Furthermore, it comes complete with an interchangeable detail nozzle for more precise paint coating.
- Higher price point than the Double Duty.
- Only includes a 1.5-quart cup — the Control Spray comes with an additional one-quart.
- X-Boost dial allows you to alter turbine pressure, not a feature of the Double Duty.
Scuddles Paint Sprayer
The Scuddles sprayer arrives with five interchangeable nozzles — selectable for the density of your paint, and therefore reducing the need for thinning. Furthermore, it includes a viscosity cup and cleaning needles.
- Like the Control Spray, it includes three spray patterns.
- Includes a 1.05-quart cup, as opposed to the one and 1.5-quarts of the Wagner.
- Lacks the replaceable air filter featured in the Double Duty.
Conclusion
The Wagner Control Double Duty is a durable unit that will satisfy home-improvers looking for a machine to stain, seal, and finish small to medium jobs.
The inclusion of two material cups allows you to select the ideal vessel size for your current project. Furthermore, its indoor and outdoor rated turbine increases the work-scope of the sprayer.
Having a replaceable air filter means peace of mind — reducing the likelihood of turbine damage and ensuring your fresh coats remain debris-free. Additionally, three spray settings permit you to tailor your spray ‘strokes’ to your base material — and a flow control dial enables consummate paint volume delivery.
Sure, it struggles with latex paints — and it may be a little too weedy for expansive projects such as complete room redecoration.
But, if all you need is a reliable unit for stains, lacquers, and urethanes — I’d recommend checking out the Wagner Control Spray Double Duty.
Wagner Control Spray Double Duty FAQs
Q: Where Can I Buy a Replacement 1.5 Quart Cup for the Wagner Control Spray 0518050?
You can purchase a replacement container from the official Wagner SprayTech website — the part number is #0414336.
Q: How Much Does the Wagner Double Duty Sprayer Cost?
The Control Sprayer Double Duty is a robust unit that’s ideal for staining and finishing small to medium-scale projects. To check out the current cost of the Wagner Double Duty Sprayer.
Q: Can I Use the Wagner 0518050 With an Extension Cord?
Yes. However, ensure that it’s rated to 12 or 14 gauge. Furthermore, should you be using the extension cable outdoors — check that it’s suitable for outside work — it will have a ‘W’ suffix in the cord description.
Q: What Are the Uses of the Wagner Double Duty Control Sprayer?
The Wagner Double Duty works best with lacquers, stains, and urethanes. It’s ideal for staining and finishing:
- Dog kennels.
- Shelving.
- Patio chairs.
- Cabinets.
- Wooden toys.
- Small fences.
- Gates.
- Chests.
Q: What Is the Nozzle Size of the Control Spray Double Duty?
The Wagner Double Duty Sprayer comes with a Control Finish Nozzle that’s ideal for stains and sealers. The size of this nozzle is 1.8 mm.
Q: How Do I Fix My Wagner Double Duty Sprayer?
Although a robust and reliable unit, occasional rare problems may occur with your sprayer. To fix the issues, check out my Wagner Troubleshooting guide.
Q: Can You Use Oil Based Paints Like Rustoleum With The Double Duty Sprayer?
Yes. Although, you may need to thin the Rustoleum by around five percent for the best coverage.
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