Spraying masonry paint instead of rolling

Nowadays, the exterior paint for buildings needs to be more than just a visual enhancement. Masonry paints as a minimum need to be: weather resistant, breathable and protect against mould and growth. The range of exterior masonry paints is vast - which gives rise to the question: Can masonry paints be applied using paint sprayers and what are the advantages? All this, as well as instructions for spraying masonry paint with the airless paint sprayers, can be found in this guide.

Can you spray masonry paint?

There is a wide variety of paints used by painters and decorators in order to achieve the optimum paint application on exterior surfaces. In the case of masonry paint, the classic distinction is made according to the binder used. Here are some examples of the most common types of masonry paint.

Organically bonded masonry paints:

Masonry paints with organic binders include silicone resin paints, dispersion paints and silicate dispersion paints. All these materials are ideally suited for application with an airless paint sprayer. The latest silicone resin paints, have advanced product properties. They offer several advantages such as extreme water resistance combined with high durability. Dispersion paint also has many advantages, they can be dyed in any colour and are available in various types (matt, gloss, silk matt). They can be painted over as often as desired.

Applying paint with an airless sprayer:

Substrates: Mineral plaster, brick, concrete, fibre cement, rigid PVC, masonry, lightweight building boards and all load-bearing old coatings.
Dispersion paint can be diluted with water and therefore is suitable for spraying with tips sizes: 519 to 525, depending on the material properties. Usually two layers of paint are applied.
Tip: Some material manufacturers offer special masonry paints that are optimised for processing with airless sprayers and offer numerous advantages, such as mist-free or low-mist spraying!

Mineral-bound paints:

Binding agents such as cement, lime or silicate are used for mineral-bound exterior paints. All these materials are also suitable for spraying. Silicate paints or dispersion silicate paints when drying form a firm and durable bond with the substrate. The main advantages are extreme light and weather resistance, highly water resistant ty and low susceptibility to algae and mould growth. Often silicate paints are not thought to be able to be applied using airless sprayers but this is not the case

Processing with the airless device:

Substrates: Suitable for mineral substrates such as concrete, fibre cement, lime and cement plaster, natural stone and brick
Silicate paint can only be applied with spraying equipment suitable for use with large tip sizes e,g, 535 to 543. The sprayer delivery volume should therefore be at least 2.5 litres per minute. Silicate-based exterior paint is not suitable for painting over.
Tip: Please be careful when using silicate paints. Due to the highly alkaline pH value they are very corrosive and should not come into contact with skin or eyes.

Tip:

If you want to know the right setting for spraying masonry paint then take a look at our Sprayguide. There you will find the optimum sprayer settings for common paint materials.

How to spray masonry paint on a detached house?

The challenge seems simple: the exterior of a detached house needs a new coat of paint. So the painter picks up a roller and brush. Or perhaps it can be done faster, with less effort and using less paint by spraying. This is why spraying masonry paint not only saves time but also money.

A paint sprayer is also ideal for painting a wooden exterior, because it works easily with weather protection stain, varnish or stain and the paint gets effortlessly into hard-to-reach places.

Step 1: Preparation

Before the actual renovation of the façade can begin, all surfaces must first be thoroughly prepared by cleaning the façade and professionally filling holes and cracks. Subsequently, areas not to be coated are well covered and masked.

Step 2: Adjust the sprayer

Prepare the paint spray gun. Here it is important that the airless device is optimally adjusted to the material used. To do this, simply carry out a small spray test - e.g. on a piece of cardboard.

Step 3: Spray the masonry paint

The airless spraying of the masonry paint begins! If necessary, a primer is sprayed first before the actual painting can begin. The paint is effortlessly applied quickly and efficiently in one operation. Especially practical compared to rollering is the fact that the paint is always transported directly to the surface through the long hose and does not have to be constantly and laboriously picked up by the roller.

Step 4: Clean up

Remove the masking material and clean the device. While the masking materials are being removed, the airless device can already be rinsed using the self-cleaning function, which saves even more time.

The proof

235 m² exterior surface

2 work stages

2 people

1 sprayer

Duration: 28 hours

21 hours for surface preparation and masking
7 hours for coating (including sprayer preparation)

21 hours for surface preparation and masking
7 hours for coating (including sprayer preparation)

Consumption: 60 litres of masonry paint

Saving compared to painting with a brush and roller: 3 days' working time 33 % paint

3 days working time
33 % paint

3 days working time
33 % paint

Would you like to see for yourself? Then take a look at our video showing the painting of a detached house with our SuperFinish 23Plus.

Is spraying masonry paint with an airless paint sprayer really more efficient for large exterior walls?

It is not only for detached houses that it is worth spraying rather than rolling the exterior walls. With even larger properties more time and paint is saved. Working hours and paint are cost factors that can be reduced very quickly and effectively by using an airless paint sprayer to spray masonry paint.

Everything looks good, but...

... when spraying paint on exterior walls the spray mist can reach neighbour's cars.

With new technologies such as HEA (High Efficiency Airless), the spray mist is significantly reduced and the paint lands exactly where it should: on the exterior wall and not on the neighbour's car. Anyone who wants to be on the safe side can also use masonry paints that have been specially developed for spraying with airless technology.

...at cool temperatures, the viscosity of the paint is not ideal for spraying.

This is not only a problem when spraying, but also when rolling. But we have developed a solution. With our TempSpray heated hoses, the paint is heated to the perfect temperature for spraying and can therefore be applied perfectly even at cooler temperatures. The heated paint also sticks instantly to the exterior walls which minimising any spray mist.

Spraying masonry paint vs. rolling - the advantages at a glance

The ideal combination of masonry paint and a spray gun allows almost mist-free spraying.
Due to the direct suction from the original paint container and the large working range from the long hose, the paint does not need to be laboriously manoeuvred onto the scaffolding, but can firmly remain in the bucket on the floor.
Effortless application of the exterior paint and perfect coverage even on rough, textured surfaces, like pebble dash.
Spraying technology is also worthwhile for small exterior surfaces of houses.
For larger surfaces, the time savings with airless sprayers is enormous - up to three times faster even when taking into consideration the extra masking time that is required. Painters and decorators not only save time but also energy and paint when spraying masonry paints.

WAGNER SF23 Plus HEA Spraying House Exterior 2

Which airless devices are best suited for coating exterior surfaces?

You can easily spray façade paint with the following airless devices from WAGNER: