The roof protects us from wind, rain, storms, frost, hail, heat and sunlight. In a nutshell: the roof has it all. Wind and storms can tear the roof off.
Frost, algae and moss can make the tiles porous. Over the years, water and ice can seep under the roof and cause irreparable damage. That’s why roofs need to be protected with a suitable coating. Coating with an airless pump can significantly extend the life of your roof and increase its value.
What’s the best airless sprayer for roofing?
There is no prefabricated answer to this question, as there are many factors to consider: the material being sprayed, the size of the project, the frequency of use of the machine and the budget available. That’s why it’s advisable to seek professional advice beforehand.
Here are the key points to consider when buying a special roof coating pump.
Does your airless device have enough power for roof coating?
This is probably the most important question to ask. Roofing materials are thicker and require the use of a powerful, constant airless pump. Piston and diaphragm pumps are ideal for this purpose: they should have a minimum flow rate of 2.5 l/min.
In general, we see roofers with equipment that is undersized for their applications, either because they have been badly advised or because they wanted to save on the price of the pump. The result is disruption and interruptions to work, leading to premature wear and tear, equipment failure or untimely blockages.
We can’t stress this enough: buy an airless pump powerful enough for the job! 🙂
Airless roofing pumps – Electric or gas motor?
There are usually electrical sockets in the workplace, so you can use an airless spray station fitted with a 230 V electric motor. This type of pump requires less maintenance and is quieter than those with petrol engines.
Another advantage of pumps with electric motors is that the electricity bill is paid by the customer, while you pay for the petrol. It may seem trivial, but in the long term it can save you a lot of money.
Weight and transport options
If you’re working alone on a site and need to be mobile, you’ll need to consider the weight of the pump, let alone the means of moving it.
Not only will you have to get your equipment in and out of your car, but you’ll also have to move it continuously around the work area. When buying your future pump, take into account the weight and the possibility of transporting it using a trolley.
Suction system – directly from the bucket of material?
How can the product be pumped? You can choose between two options: either with a flexible suction hose, or with a rigid suction tube to be placed directly into the bucket containing your material.
You can also add a funnel or hopper to your machine. If this is the case, make sure the accessory is large enough (30 litres, for example). Otherwise you risk needing a second person to fill the hopper continuously.
Filters and nozzles required for spraying
Depending on the manufacturer of the airless machines, the size of the nozzles for roof coatings is between 519 and 527. There may be differences between two product manufacturers, particularly in terms of the viscosity and strength of the material. These product characteristics then have an impact on the choice of nozzle and the power of the machine.
This is why you should indicate the name of the manufacturer and the products you want to use for your work when you buy: your dealer will then be able to fit the pump with the right nozzle and filters (#50 or #60 mesh for this type of material).
What airless accessories are essential for roofing?
In addition to the nozzle and filters, we recommend that you add a high-pressure hose and an airless extension gun for your roof spraying jobs. Most paint stations come with a 15 m hose. For roof coatings, it may be a good idea to increase the total length of your hose to 30 m or 45 m.
To do this, simply add a coupling to your original hose to connect another hose. This allows you to leave your airless pump on the ground while you work. A spray wand lets you reach every part of the roof. It makes the whole job easier for you, while increasing your speed and safety on the job.
What price is right for this type of airless device?
As with everything, the more you invest in your pump, the better performance and quality you’ll get. The question is, what do you need in the first place? For a one-off or private project, you won’t of course need the Rolls-Royce of airless machines: you could, for example, take a medium-capacity pump, a second-hand airless pump or use a rental service.
For building professionals who carry out at least 5 jobs a year, we advise you to buy a robust machine with a long service life. As the pump can only be used between spring and autumn when the weather is fine, your choice of pump should avoid any unexpected breakdowns that could cost you a lot of money, time and aggravation. That’s why Airless Discounter is on hand to advise you on the ideal professional pump for your job.
What materials are suitable for airless spraying for roofing work?
Many materials manufacturers offer a range of products specially adapted for roofing. We could have looked for you, but it’s so much more fun to let you look for yourself (we love you!). 🙂
Top 5 airless roofing pumps
The Graco Ultra Max II 795 airless pump
The Graco Ultra Max II 795 is an electric piston pump with a flow rate of 4.1 l/min at a maximum working pressure of 227 bar. The maximum nozzle size is 0.033″, which is sufficient for this type of work.
This unit is mounted on a transport trolley weighing 52 kg. Suction takes place through a rigid suction hose to be placed directly into the bucket containing the material. The Graco Ultra Max series has been on the market for many years. It is one of the Rolls-Royces of roofing material spraying.
Graco Ultra 795 XT ProContractor – 19F733
Graco Ultra 795 XT ProContractor in our online shop
Wagner ProSpray PS 3.31 piston pump
The Wagner PS 3.31 is an electric piston pump with an output of 3.8 l/ min for a maximum nozzle size of 0.031″. This unit is mounted on a transport trolley so that it can be taken to worksites despite its weight of 38 kg. Materials are sucked up via a suction wand that is placed directly in the container.
Wagner ProSpray 3.31 in our online shop
FARBMAX Airless M10 Plus diaphragm pump
High performance at a low price: that’s what the FARBMAX Airless M10 Plus pump offers with its maximum flow rate of 8.5 l / min. This is undoubtedly the most powerful pump suitable for roof coatings. The high performance is due to the engine and the large pump, which is reflected in the weight of the machine (just over 55 kg). For this reason, it is equipped with a transport trolley for flawless mobility around the work site.
The maximum working pressure is 240 bar and the maximum nozzle size is 0.041″. The FARBMAX Airless M10 Plus can suck up material via a suction hose, but it can be configured with a 30-litre hopper, for example. This is a relatively simply built diaphragm pump, so minor repairs and cleaning jobs can be carried out directly on site.
Farbmax M10 Plus
FARBMAX airless M10 Plus in our online shop
Wagner SuperFinish SF 31 diaphragm pump
The Wagner SuperFinish SF 31 delivers a flow rate of 3.5 l/min at a maximum working pressure of 250 bar. Thanks to its rigid suction system, this pump allows material to be sucked directly from the bucket (it can also be fitted with a hopper).
This airless device weighs 43 kg and is mounted on a trolley for easy transport. Maximum nozzle size is 0.031″. Thanks to its quality products, Wagner has become a benchmark in airless spraying over the years.
Wagner SuperFinish 31
The Wagner SF 33 Plus airless pump
The Wagner SF 33 Plus, with its maximum flow rate of 4.3 l/min, provides plenty of power for roofs. Its power allows it to be used with long hoses. It weighs 50 kg, but thanks to its large wheels, it can be easily handled and moved around the site by just one man.
Wagner SF 33 Plus
Wagner SuperFinish 33 Plus in our online shop
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Questions or queries?
For any further questions or if you would like to get your hands on one of these products seen in this article, you can contact us on +49 (0) 30 220 15436, fill out our contact form or email us. If you wish to purchase one of the products mentioned above, you can check them out in our online store. You can also visit us at our service base during office hours.
