The Graco TrueCoat 16Y385 is a mid range handheld turbine paint sprayer that is ideal for small to medium sized painting and home improvement projects. The sprayer comes as one in Graco’s DIY Sprayer Series which means that it is perfect for beginners and you don’t need any prior experience or special expertise in order to handle and paint with this model. You can paint indoor and outdoor furniture, dressers, cabinetry, windows, trim, doors, ceilings, interior walls, fences and so on. You can also use the sprayer for staining decks. The standout feature of this model is the high-pressure powerful piston pump which ensures quality finish as well as high durability given you follow the proper maintenance practices as outlined in the user manual that comes with the product.
.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Top Graco True Coat 360 Q&A
Q. Can I use solid stain (for decking or fencing, eg.) with this model?
A. Yes, I have used it with latex-acrylics which comes with a molass-like viscosity and it works absolutely fine.
Q. Are spare parts available for this model?
A. Yes, you will find the spare parts at the manufacturer’s website.
Q. Is it okay to spray lacquer with this model?
A. According to the user’s manual, you should not use flammable items for spraying with this model. So, lacquer should be a NO!
About the Paint Sprayer
Primarily, two things: its use of a high quality stainless steel piston pump (which ensures premium quality finish and high durability) and its ease of use. The model lets you paint in a complete 360 degree circle in any direction. This is a highly useful feature as it lets you get into the difficult corners, edges, borders, etc. fairly easily. This means that you don’t need to look for brushes or rollers in the middle (or end) of a job. However, the feature works well without any glitch thanks only to the high quality piston pump. There are other models that come with this feature. However, without a good turbine to support the unit, you soon experience problems such as paint spluttering or leaking out of the container and so on.
As for ease of use, it’s fairly easy and straightforward to set up the unit and get going. You can find detailed graphic instructions inside the user manual regarding this part and as long as you follow those instructions closely, you’ll find the unit quite easy to handle. The model is also considered to be the best paint sprayer for outdoor furniture.
.
What We Didn’t Like So Much!
One thing is the unit is somewhat noisy. However, you can tackle this by using a good ear plug. The short power cord (18 in) is another thing that manufacturers can look into. Normally, people tend to think that this is not a serious issue since one can always make use of an extension cable. However, anyone who has some experience will tell you how bothersome it can sometimes be if the extension cable keeps plugging out of the socket (primarily because of the weight imbalance between the main power cord and the extension cord). This too, however, can be solved by using a technique dubbed the ‘cable knot technique’. Google it and you will find all you need to know about this.
What, however, cannot be fixed is the small container capacity of the bags used in this unit. So, even if you are on a medium sized project, you’ll need to refill a number of times. And this really gets one goat when one just needs to keep refilling several times in the middle of a project.
The features
Reverse-A-Clip Spray Tip: The reversible spray tip allows the user to reverse the spray tip with a twist. This makes cleaning the tip easier and if you face any clogging issue during work, you can easily and quickly unclog the tip using this feature.
FlexiLiner Bag System: This system replaces the traditional container with special synthetic bags that you can recycle or reuse. This makes cleaning the bag after each use optional.
VacuValve Technology: This patented technology allows you to spray in any direction you choose without losing paint or prime.
Maintenance
Maintenance is normally a breeze with this product. Since you are using reusable or replaceable bag instead of a container cup, you needn’t worry too much about cleaning the container after every job. You can if you want, but that is optional. As for the spray pattern tip, clean it with water if you were working with water-based material or use mineral spirits for oil-based paints.
Accessories
Except the two container bags, the product does not include any additional accessories. If you run out of the bags, you can order new ones. A tip extension is not supported with this unit. So, all accessories you will need for using this product are the customary respirator mask and eye protection gear, an optional ear plug and an extension cable.
Who can use the Graco 360 Paint sprayer? Is this more the DIY’er or professional?
As we have mentioned already, the unit comes as part of Graco’s DIY Sprayer Series which means it is especially meant for beginners or those who have little experience with painting jobs. However, keep it in mind that the performance the machine delivers is close to what we call professional grade.
That said, the unit is usually not fit for professionals for the simple reason that it comes with a annual use cap of 25 gallons. And if you are a professional and are working on paint jobs on a regular basis, there is no way you can keep your use under 25 gallons per year. However, even professionals may use it for small job purposes while reserving the expensive, professional grade units for heavier jobs.
FAQ’S
1. Does it require a lot of maintenance?
No, it doesn’t. The FlexiLiner bags don’t need to be washed after every use or if you prefer, you don’t need to wash them at all.
2. Is it hard to use the Graco TrueCoat 360 paint sprayer?
Again, no. Simply follow the instructions manual section which devotes a rather detailed instruction guide (with ample illustrations) for the users’ benefit and you will find that it is quite easy to operate this machine.
3. Can I paint my entire house with this sprayer?
You can, but it is not advisable. The sprayer is meant for small to medium sized jobs and painting large walls or ceilings is not recommended.
4. Is this sprayer noisy?
Yes, somewhat! It is definitely not the most silent one you are going to find out there. That said, quite a lot of sprayers in this category tend to be rather noisy. Just use some ear plugs if the noise bothers you.
5. Can you spray thick or thin?
Manufactures claim that you can use just about any type of coating material (sans the flammable ones) without thinning them. However, most users recommend that you use something only as thick as latex and don’t go beyond that.
6. Is this sprayer easy to clean?
Yes. You can use a sponge and water to clean this product, however make sure the water doesn’t go directly into the inside parts.
7. Can I use latex in this sprayer?
Yes, but latex is thick, so make sure to turn up the air pressure output when you are spraying latex.
What do users say about this sprayer?
According to paint sprayer reviews, this model enjoys favorable ratings at different sellers’ websites. For example, it has a 4.1/5 rating at HomeDepot and 3.5/5 at Amazon. Overall, most verified purchasers seem to be satisfied with the product. However, they do mention that it is best to use this sprayer for small jobs only.
Final Thoughts
The TrueCoat 16Y385 is a decent enough model in its price category and it well serves the purpose for which it was designed. Among other things, durability is a big plus with this model. With proper maintenance, the unit will last you for years and this, we believe, would be a valuable consideration from a buyer’s perspective.
.