Peter Halle said:
I was talking to another Fogger yesterday and these sprayers came up. I told him that I didn't have much interest in them because of the limited number of times they could be used before needing to be rebuilt and the fact that I seemed to remember that at least on the very original models they couldn't be rebuilt.
Anyone have info on how rebuildable they are and also how many times they can be rebuilt. I went to the Graco website and found the info to be lacking.
Thanks.
Peter
Peter
The ProShot is a very handy convenience tool. It is easy to use and very user friendly.
It has been around since 2010, and we have been using each model as they come out. The most recent is the ProShot 2. It is the best all around unit to date, in my opinion, because it is capable of 2000 psi, with pressure control and good tip variety. This means it can spray anything from low viscosity clears at low pressures with small tips and also heavier bodied latex primers and paints at full pressure with larger orifice tips.
I don't think Graco is putting a lifespan on the tool in their literature at this point. They did on the original models, and it was a bit of a boondoggle with the variables of what type of product people sprayed through them, and how well they took care of the sprayer. Some guys killed them in 5 gallons (total operator error/abuse) and other guys got 100+ gallons out of them.
The new versions come with a repack kit which is easy to do, and I believe they recommend doing it at 50 gallons. In theory, it should be good for another 50 at that point. Again that is all theory, with the product types and maintenance habits driving the reality of its lifespan.
In testing, we have definitely gotten 50-100 gallons out of handhelds. We do push them pretty hard in a variety of sometimes unfriendly product and conditions.
They are a different type of technology than traditional airless or HVLP sprayers because the pump, power supply, fluid cup and everything are condensed into the palm of your hand in a tool about the size of a cordless nailer. There is alot going on there.
IF the average person got 75 gallons out of a Proshot, that means they would be filling the quart cup 300 times. Many small spray tasks average about a quart of material, so that would be 300 uses at a cost of $400-ish. So that's just over a buck per use, and of course you weigh that against how much you would have to brush a quart to get an equivalent finish, and the time that takes. The variety of tasks it can do, and the ability to be mobile is a pretty big deal. We have used it everything from cabinet parts and pieces, to exterior trim (both pre and post installation), lattice work, bulkheads, deck rail systems, doors...all those small tasks we don't want to set up a larger pump for or burden an HVLP with.
I think it is an ideal entry level tool for guys who do some finishing but don't own airless or HVLP gear yet, and also as a convenience option for those who do.
Edit: Maintenance and cleaning habits are especially critical to getting maximum performance and lifespan out of a ProShot. Thorough pump flushing and use of pump armor during storage are essential practices. The new kits come with a pump armor injection set up that makes it pretty simple.
