Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus vs Graco Magnum X5: Which One is Right for You? Earlier this year, I decided to embark on a personal painting project. I wanted to change the color of multiple rooms inside the house. And to do that, I needed an affordable, durable, and high-quality paint sprayer.
Since I didn’t want to hire a person to paint the rooms and I wanted to make the job as easy as possible, I made sure to do my research. That’s how I concluded that it would either be the Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus vs the Graco Magnum X5 helping me recolor the rooms.
These are two great paint sprayers that are relatively affordable and can get the job done for you, which is why I had such a hard time choosing between the two. If you’re anything like me and having a tough time choosing, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we put the Graco magnum x5 vs Project painter plus in this head to head comparison. Read on to find out more.
The Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus vs Graco Magnum X5
Before we take a deep dive into the features of these sprayers, we first have to look at their pros and cons.
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Graco Project Painter Plus
The Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus Paint Sprayer System is a versatile paint sprayer that can handle several tasks. With its wide range of spray pattern options, the Graco Magnum project painter plus paint sprayer system can get any job done.
The Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus Paint Sprayer System has an adjustable air pressure control with five different settings to allow you to get the perfect speed and coverage for any task.
The unit also comes with a fan shape and a round shape for your convenience, and it includes one each of these nozzles: round (0º), medium (15º), angle (25º), and shower; all of which will help you on various jobs around the house or workplace including painting, staining or even spraying grout on tiles.
The sprayer also has an internal mix piston that provides improved performance for latex paints.
The Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus Paint Sprayer System is lightweight, weighing only 16 pounds, yet it can be used on any size job since its maximum pressure reaches an impressive 3000psi.
With the Graco Magnum project painter plus paint sprayer system, you can reach ceilings up to 20 feet high, and no ladder will be needed! This paint sprayer also holds up to 5 gallons of your favorite paint, so there’s no need to pause or stop to refill your reservoir or container.
Feature:
- Adjusts from zero to 3,000 psi for any project
- Internal piston mixes air and paints for improved efficiency
- Convenient carry handle makes transportation easy
- Paint flow control is easy, thanks to the RAC IV adapter.
- Allows spraying directly from the paint can.
Pros:
- Available at an affordable price
- Lightweight and easy to move around
- Great for interior painting projects
- Works with a variety of paints
- Give off a good finish
Cons:
- The build quality could be better
- Tough to paint small areas with
- Not suitable for large outdoor projects
Graco Magnum X5
The Graco Magnum 262800 X5 Stand Airless Paint Sprayer, also known as the #26280 by Graco, is a paint gun that allows you to lay down quality finishes with ease.
The airless sprayer comes equipped with five separate tips, which are conveniently stored in holes located on the side of the device. The tips are easily changed out when it’s time for a different size or style of finish.
This saves you from buying multiple guns if your job requires more than one type of finish. Whether you need to apply latex paints, stains, varnishes, or clear coats, this tool has got you covered for all kinds of applications.
The Graco Magnum 262800 X5 Stand Airless Paint Sprayer is built with quality in mind, so it will last you for years to come.
The airless sprayer can be used on vertical surfaces because of its wide stance and sturdy aluminum tripod base.
Leg levelers also allow the user to compensate for uneven surfaces or surfaces that may have slight hills or dips.
The paint gun itself has an ergonomically designed handle that features a rubber grip that reduces vibrations and makes it comfortable to hold for several hours.
This is important when working long days on larger projects since fatigue can set in quickly if you don’t use a comfortable tool: not only does this result in loss of productivity, but it can also lead to safety issues.
Comfort and productivity go hand in hand, and the Magnum Airless Spray Gun gives you the best of both worlds.
The Graco Magnum 262800 X5 Stand Airless Paint Sprayer is a versatile airless spray gun that should be part of every contractor’s arsenal: its durability will ensure years of high-quality finishes.
Feature:
- The reverse nozzle helps you avoid clogging when spraying.
- Supports paint tubes up to 75 ft
- Allows pouring directly from the paint can.
Pros:
- Ideal for large outdoor painting projects
- Perfect for exterior paint jobs
- Great finish on wood
- Sturdy build
- Has a stainless steel piston pump
Cons:
- Cleanup can be a hassle
- On the more expensive side
- Can be tough to move around
Feature Comparisons
In this Magnum 257025 vs X5 matchup, we take a look at their key features and see how they stack up against one another.
Design
Let’s start with the design of the Graco 257025 . It’s a fairly small sprayer, measuring in at only 13 inches in height and it only weighs 10 lbs! So you can easily store it in a corner when spraying a room and you can also carry it with you as you go.
On the other hand, the X5 is around 17 inches in height and weighs 13 lbs. So it’s a bit heavier. That being said, the X5 has a sturdier build than the Magnum 257025 , so you can stand it in a safe space while spraying.
The graco magnum X5 has a longer maximum hose length (75 feet) compared to the Magnum 257025 (50 feet), so you won’t have to worry about moving it around too much while painting.
Pump
Both of these models have a stainless steel pump built-in. This is a great feature, considering how inexpensive both these products are. However, the Graco X5 (262800) has a stronger pump.
The maximum output of the graco magnum X5 is 0.5 HP while the Magnum 257025 only has a maximum power of 0.35 HP.
This gives the Graco X5 the ability to pump up to 0.3 gallons per minute as compared to 0.24 gallons per minute of the Magnum 257025.
Because the X5 is a more heavy and expensive paint sprayer, it should come as no surprise that it has a stronger pump.
Usability
Both of these paint sprayers were built for different purposes. The Magnum 257025 is a very entry-level model made for relatively small indoor projects while the Graco X5 was designed for big outdoor paint jobs, which is why these models perform so differently.
The Magnum 257025 is a great choice for those who aren’t too experienced with paint sprayers. It’s easy to use, relatively inexpensive and can do interior jobs incredibly well.
But if you’re more experienced with paint sprayers and want to work on bigger projects such as painting the outside of a house, then the X5 will serve you well, just be ready to pay a bit more for a more premium product.
The Magnum 257025 allows you to spray directly from 1 gallon and 5-gallon containers, which can help when you want to get the job done fast. With this sprayer, you can also do ceilings, sheds, decks, fences, and other home improvement projects.
With the X5, you can do all the interior home improvement projects you want and even paint a small house. This is to be expected from a more expensive and more heavy-duty sprayer,
It’s also a bit more durable than the Magnum 257025 so if you’re looking to do a lot of paint jobs, this is the best pick for you.
Graco Magnum 257025 vs Graco Magnum X5 – What Are Other Customers Verdicts?
Aside from doing my research, I needed to see what other customers thought of these products. I found that the Magnum 257025 was able to serve a lot of people very well and help them get their paint jobs done.
However, they did have some complaints about the build quality and wouldn’t recommend it for people who do big projects frequently.
The X5 on the other hand, received reviews from people more experienced with paint sprayers. They commended how well-made it was for the price. This model is great for those who do a lot of paintwork at home, but it still isn’t recommended for professional use.
Which one would be better for me, graco project painter plus vs x5?
The Project Painter Plus/Graco is a decent sprayer for the price. It’s simple to use and has minimal maintenance requirements. However, it does not have an air control valve – so air pressure must be set manually at all times (or else the paint will come out too fast).
I used one for about six months before upgrading to an X5. Here are some of my thoughts:
- The X5 is much faster than the Graco because you can adjust the air pressure electronically to get different spraying speeds. You can also turn off air pressure entirely so that there is zero force on the paint when you pull the trigger – this makes for broader, smoother strokes while painting.
- The X5 is also much better for priming because it has an adjustable air pressure dial to control paint flow. This means you have total control over your strokes – making any color easy to apply as you want it for a smooth finish.
- The X5 is more of a professional-quality machine vs the Graco, which feels almost toyish. This shouldn’t matter too much if you’re looking for something simple to use, but keep in mind that the gun weighs about 3x as much as the Graco, so extended painting sessions can be tiring on your arms.
- The Graco has only one tip/needle size, whereas the X5 has five different sized tips plus an additional needle for applying thicker coatings.
- The Graco has a shorter hose and smaller paint cup, so you have to refill it more often – but this wasn’t too much of an inconvenience for me since I mostly used the sprayer in my garage. The X5 has a larger paint cup, longer hose, and nozzles that you can switch out if needed.
- On the plus side, the Graco is a little cheaper than the X5 (~$115 vs. ~$135). So if your budget is very tight, you may want to consider going with one of these instead. However, keep in mind that while it works fine right away, it also requires quite a bit more maintenance (see below) which probably negates any savings over time.
FAQs about Graco project painter plus vs x5
How much does it cost to maintain this machine?
Well, you have to clean the tip after every time you use it. And the air tubes need a periodic cleaning too. Plus, you have to oil everything, so they don’t rust or seize up from lack of lubrication!
I ended up buying all new replacement parts from Graco just because it was cheaper than sending my sprayer in for repairs when stuff broke down/corroded – but then again, I probably over-maintained mine compared to most people!
In any case, these are some of the things that will likely require maintenance around once a year.
- Remove and clean paint tips + needle
- Unscrew and remove the top nozzle from gun
- Open paint cup lid and empty any residual paint
- Wipe off the exterior of the sprayer with a damp cloth
- Clean air tube by unscrewing black plastic end piece from the bottom of the gun
- Unscrew top nozzle from end piece and remove foam cover inside
- Rinse out foam with water, dry parts, and reassemble
Which sprayer would you recommend – Graco project painter plus vs X5?
That’s a tricky question because they’re both pretty similar machines overall. I would say go with whichever has the features that you need.
Honestly, unless your budget is meager, I would go with the X5 because it’s not that much more expensive, and you can get replacement parts if need be.
Will this sprayer work well for spraying furniture?
As mentioned above, both machines seem pretty similar overall, which means they should work fine for general purpose priming/painting.
That said, you probably want to avoid applying thick coatings with either machine since the sprayer may not atomize/cover evenly if you go too fast or use too much paint.
I’m taller than 6 feet. Do you think the Graco would be comfortable for me?
Well, my X5 is mounted on a tripod to adjust the gun’s height, which is nice – but most people don’t need that feature. As far as comfort goes, they both have similar pistol grips and trigger mechanisms ergonomically designed for your hand size and grip type.
And they’re about 3-4 inches wide at their widest point, depending on where you measure – which makes them relatively easy.
Is there anything else I should know before using this machine?
For me, the most important thing was to make sure the paint’s consistency and viscosity were on the thinner side. And while it’s not a big deal if you get some over-spray on nearby surfaces, try to avoid getting too much on furniture or carpeting since these things can soak up a lot of paint and cause runs/drips!
Other than that, make sure everything is assembled correctly and follow the steps in the manual. Oh – and ALWAYS wear a mask and protective coat when spraying paint!
Conclusion about graco project painter plus vs x5
While I do admit that the Graco X5 is the superior sprayer, the Magnum 257025 suited my needs more. Since I only wanted to paint a few rooms in the house, I didn’t want to shell out more money for a stronger sprayer.
But if I was to do bigger projects more frequently, I would have invested in the X5. At the end of the day, it all depends on your needs.
So if you want to do a small project inside the house, the Project Painter Plus is the way to go (it was for me), but if you need more juice and power and you’re willing to spend a bit more, then I would recommend you get the X5 instead.
Hopefully, this has helped answer some of your questions about using these types of paint sprayers. It really isn’t that difficult to use them – but there are multiple steps you have to follow, so make sure you read the manual first!
On a side note, if you think this type of indoor paint sprayer would be helpful for other projects or around the home, then I would recommend reading this post because it goes into more detail on what to look for when buying one!
And as always, let me know in the comments section below if you have any other specific questions about magnum project painter plus vs x5! Thanks!