Interior walls, ceiling, etc.: spraying instead of painting?

As a professionally unskilled painter who knows how badly he can paint ceilings with a roller, I treated myself to a paint spray device last year to whitewash our walls and ceilings. After some research about the devices, my choice fell on one from Wagner, where the compressor is separated from the spray gun (Wagner flexio W some number). Both are connected by a hose, so you only hold the gun in your hand while the compressor stays on the floor. That was important to me, as it brings a significant weight advantage. Initially, it is important to read the instructions to know how the paint must be mixed, because it does not go in with the same consistency as it goes onto the roller. For me, one liter of water as a thinner was specified for 10 liters of paint, which was only a starting point and can then be adjusted individually. So, more or less water; for me, it ended up being about 1.2 liters. (There are also ready-to-spray paints, but at that time not at the price of regular wall paint and not available in my area). I started in a secondary room, the utility room, to practice and get a feel for spraying (speed when pulling, distance, etc.). After a few square meters, it got better and better, and I managed it without any problems (runs, spots). Therefore, I recommend a practice surface / practice room. I finished our entire house (130 sqm), including ceilings and taping off windows and doors, in about a week. If it hadn't been so hot that week, it would surely have gone faster, but with 28-30°C outside and then closed windows, the pace slows down. However, taping is an important point when spraying, as the paint mist gets into every tiny crack, so you have to work very precisely here. Good tape should also be used; cheap tape is often blown away by the air pressure. For this reason, I would only use such a device if the room is completely cleared out; taping furniture cleanly so that nothing gets paint on it is too time-consuming. As for the result, I can only say that my wife and I are satisfied and that we have already been asked which company did it. Two colleagues had also borrowed the device and found it great. In summary, I can say: - For a whole house or a whole room, it is worth it - With some practice, usable even for inexperienced people (contrary to statements by the uninformed) - It depends on the consistency / correct thinning; then no runs or clogged nozzles - Taping is extremely important - I was faster with it than with the roller, but that depends on the user - In my opinion, not suitable for partial areas - I am satisfied with the result and would get the device again (or borrow it if available nearby) Before the question arises: Yes, you can see a difference between rolled and sprayed surfaces.

May I ask what you paid for the device? I think, out of fear of surprises, we'll stick with the traditional rolling for this renovation, but as new homeowners, this topic will surely accompany us more often... maybe we'll invest in it after all.

And how do you do it now: evenly, as evenly as possible, rolling from top to bottom or rather spreading the paint on one strip with up-down-right-left movements?

Plenty of paint on the roller, it must make a smacking sound when rolling. Track by track. Cut the edges first with a brush. The be-all and end-all is good paint, which also forgives irregularities. Either get it from a painter, or if from a hardware store, then Hagebau Renovo Kristall or Polarweiss. It's from Brillux. For hardware store paint, it's very good. Karsten

I had paid 130€ as per the offer. The device is, as mentioned above and in my opinion, only to be used in completely emptied rooms, because the paint mist finds its way around, always keep that in mind, otherwise you might end up ruining your furniture. As Nordlys already wrote, use a proper amount of paint on the roller. Definitely not crisscross! Always only one rolling direction. Friends of ours asked the painter from the neighboring construction site if he could get them some. That way he earned a little extra income and our friends got decent painter's paint at a good price (according to them, cheaper than Alpenfarbe). Alternatively, try looking for painter's supplies in your area; if you ask in person, they often give some to private individuals.

If it should be good and inexpensive, try looking for Herbol, many painting companies use that.

Both herbol and sto, as well as other professional paints, are freely available for purchase online. However, you need to know what you are looking for. For this, you inform yourself on the manufacturers' websites. You can find the appropriate information at sto, herbol, or maleco. Yes, these professional paints are not necessarily extremely expensive; they are worth their money. But as I said, the only really good hardware store alternative I know of is Renovo/Hagebau. My brother, who himself is a master painter, told me that Brillux is certainly behind it, and he has used Renovo several times; it is okay to good. The polar white is particularly well covering. However, it is also quite expensive. Karsten