Click here for a more recent update from the field on the 395 Ultra
As we continue to explore dedicated tools for specific repetitive aspects of the painting process, one of the easiest components that requires spreading the largest quantity of materials is walls and ceilings – drywall or otherwise – which necessitates finding a good, reliable airless sprayer for latex. We are looking at the Graco Ultra 395 to see if it delivers the desired experience.
We have been running the 395 Finish Pro air assisted unit for years in alot of shop and field based applications, but the idea of bringing such a fine tuned finish rig out to do abrasive volume work on sheetrock has just never felt right. The Finish Pro can do it, but in our opinion is overqualified and we hesitate to put those hard miles on the same pump that drives our cabinet grade finishing program. To us, it would be like running studded snow tires in the summer. At the same time, running a tired fleet of outdated airless machines for volume work is losing its appeal.
The Rock Rig
The Graco Ultra 395 packs the .5 gpm airless pump whallop of the Finish Pro, but minus the air compressor, G40 gun and digital controls. We are looking for the same effortless chug of the Finish Pro pump, with more compact maneuverability and just downright low maintenance, wide open “move material in the field” attitude – and we will pump dozens of gallons of primer and paint through it in the field right up front during the “feel each other out” phase.
We did the initial set up and dial in back in 2011, and quickly commenced to throwing the Graco Ultra 395 off the deep end in one of the largest, most aggressive and detailed new construction interiors we have ever taken on. Our advances with new tool technology implementation have us motoring away from the complacency of a “stick with what works” mindset. As always, the 395 Ultra experience comes with the usual raw field footage and sharing of discoveries with what we are referring to as “the rock rig.”
Any Graco Ultra 395 operators reading today? Please leave a comment!
The post Tool of the Week: Graco Ultra 395 Airless Sprayer appeared first on Topcoat Review.
