If you have ever owned a home, you know that painting projects can be intimidating. Sometimes a budget doesn’t allow for a team of professionals to come in and complete the job either. Often, homeowners turn to brands like Wagner to come up with a middle ground that will allow them to expedite the otherwise labor-intensive painting projects that come up. Today we are going to check out a model from Wagner that is designed to blend professional features with homeowner needed value. Let’s look a little deeper in the Wagner Flexio 3000 Review.
Wagner Flexio 3000 Review Overview
Wagner is a brand well regarded for their professional paint sprayers. In general, there are a few different designs of sprayers, high volume low pressure also known as HVLP, airless, and simple compressed air paint sprayers. Professional paint sprayers generally fall into the airless category, and while they are a great sprayer for the professional, for the bulk of homeowners the maintenance and cost isn’t usually an option.
This paint sprayer is an HVLP sprayer, meaning it falls in a great category that most users find the sweet spot of a sprayer’s price point and performance. HVLP’s have a pretty big range of pricing and applications as well, but Wagner features a lot of options that homeowners love. There are high-end options in this category that usually cater to the woodworking community looking for a very smooth finish.
Overally HVLP’s are easy to use, economical and are much quicker than the alternative of brushing and rolling paint. Additionally, there is less overspray and a smoother finish than a compressed air sprayer. HVLP’s like this Wagner though are ideal for small projects like painting garage doors, sheds, fences and the like.
Wagner Flexio 3000 Review Features
Wagner includes two nozzles in this set as well as the X-Boost Turbine and accessories in a hard case for secure storage.
The X-Boost Turbine is the portion of the sprayer that houses the motor and is powered using a cord.
The X-Boost Power Dial allows the user to largely adjust the air power coming from the turbine. There are 12 speeds to provide optimum customization based on the material being used.
The iSpray nozzle is larger and is designed to provide a roller like finish for projects like siding, fences or walls. This nozzle is designed to be able to use interior and exterior latex paint un-thinned for the best coverage.
Material flow can be adjusted on the iSpray nozzle using the collar on the top of the gun.
There is a spray width adjustment located in front of the nozzle to adjust the size of the spray pattern.
The trigger on both nozzles is large and comfortable, providing comfort to the user. Upon depressing the trigger the motor will start followed by the paint flow.
A Detail Finish nozzle is designed for a smoother finish, for use on cabinets and trim. As well, this nozzle is designed for thinner materials such as oil-based stains.
Material flow is adjusted using the knob near the trigger of the spray gun.
You can alter the spray patterns direction by rotating the front air cap on both nozzles. Depending on horizontal and vertical pattern need.
The material is drawn up through a small plastic inner tube. It is imperative while spraying upwards, such as on soffits to be sure the tube is pointing backward.
The nozzles are securely connected to the turbine using a twist and lower level lock to provide security while in use. This is called a Lock-n-go design and allows for easy cleaning as well. Wagner states this gun can be cleaned in five minutes.
Wagner Flexio 3000 Review Performance
I want to focus first on the really great parts of this model. The design of the motor and paint container allow a better weight balance over some I have used. The ergonomics are exponentially improved, making it more comfortable than other models I have used. The controls are also extensive for a sprayer in this category, making it a good option for those who will need a sprayer for different mediums. The multiple flow and speed options are a key in getting the best quality out of your sprayer. Clean up was relatively simple, I do like the design of how the nozzle attaches to the turbine to allow for a quick detachment. I feel this also prevents potential damage to the sprayers turbine components down the road.
One of the hardest things to push through a sprayer like this is exterior latex. While it is an approved material, it is certainly the hardest of the mix. My Dad recently began a repainting project that was an ideal opportunity to test this sprayer. We used Sherwin Williams Super Paint, which is a great quality exterior paint. Overall this sprayer did an amazing job giving a great spray pattern and a very smooth finish without wasting paint. Having the ability to control flow and speed lend itself for a lot of control.
One very important thing you do not want to overlook with this sprayer is its internal material draw up design. If you find yourself spraying soffits and in strange angles, paying close attention to how the inner tube is pointed will save you a lot of trouble during use. We encountered this issue a few times during use. While it was an easy fix once you realized the problem it caused some spattering and irregularities that took a bit of time to work out. I have used a sprayer from Wagner called the Power Painter that had a straw-like internal tube and allowed you to paint at virtually every angle. This model isn’t advertised to do that, but for me, I appreciated that feature a lot in my other model. More than anything this issue, this is a common error, and one easily corrected once you are aware of it.
The fine finish sprayer was an interesting design. Using a different nozzle and cup size it is designed for smaller projects. My first attempt with this nozzle was on a set of table legs using a water-based topcoat from General Finishes. I would say this worked well for this, I didn’t have many issues and once the adjustments were made to get the best quality spray pattern, I was on easy street. I will say it is still not my favorite way to spray these smaller projects, but it worked.
Clogs are quite common with paint sprayers in general and there are a lot of variables that influence the frequency and severity. Some factors include weather, type of paint, and even the occasional debris. There are a lot of ways to try and get ahead of them, but I will share a few that I had good luck with in my experience. Outside of thinning the paint, you can also strain the paint to be sure you have minimal dust and other matter interfering. This is a commonly overlooked solution and while it does take some time it will save you more in the long run. When painting in warm and sunny weather I occasionally use a household product, Glad Press and Seal to cover the front cap to prevent the paint from drying in the nozzle.
There is a lot to like about this sprayer, especially when you consider the versatility of its use in large and small-scale projects. For a homeowner needing to paint a fence, patio furniture, small sheds and the like, this sprayer is ideally suited. While you can use it for some larger projects, and it will certainly save time over brushes and rollers, I wouldn’t say it is the best use for a sprayer of this nature.
Wagner Flexio 3000 Review Value
Without a doubt, Wagner provides quality homeowner grade paint sprayers that allow a lot of customization without the high cost. This model has a price tag of $149.00 and is available at The Home Depot. I think this is a fair price for this sprayers versatility.
Wagner Flexio 3000 Review Final Thoughts
I wish I could tell you this sprayer was flawless, but I have yet to find one that quite is. I ran into a few issues with it that had easy enough fixes and with a little trial and error, this sprayer can be a great performer. Ultimately, for a homeowner looking to save some time without making a large investment into an airless unit, this model is an excellent option. Wagner combines a lot of great features into this unit, like the secondary fine finish nozzle and the extensive options in terms of the spray pattern, speed, and volume. All in all, the Wagner Flexio 3000 is a great option for a wide range of projects homeowners will encounter.
