Tool opinions

Only complaint about any paint sprayer is that it takes several gallons of paint thinner to clean it when you are done so this discourages you from using it for small jobs.

After an initial clearing of the hose, re-circulate a gallon of paint thinner through the sprayer by spraying into the pick-up bucket. After a few cycles, use fresh paint thinner, or Pump Armor, for a final rinse. I use about 1.5-2 gallons with this method. Of course, you only need water if the paint was latex or water-based. Don't forget to clean your gun's built-in filter every now and then, too.
Paint thinner (mineral spirits), can be re-used by allowing a bucket to sit for a week or so. Then, pour off the clean while the sediment stays at the bottom. I've used the same mineral spirits over and over. Never pour it on the ground or down a drain. If you don't want to re-use/recycle it, allow it to sit. Eventually, it'll evaporate.

Electric pressure washers don't have enough volume to do much other than wash your car or rv then at that they are slow. Try to wash out a cattle trailer or mud or dirt off of deck and an electric is worthless. A gas powered Troybilt or similar has way more volume and higher pressure. As far a paint sprayers go I had a Wagner Paint Crew. I used it about six times over a two year period painting the I beams for several barns I was building. Then it broke. The plastic piece that broke was not replaceable so I had to buy a new sprayer. I bought a Titan unit from Sherwin Williams. It wasn't cheap but you can get parts for it and so far it hasn't broke. I have painted two barns, several pipe fences and more I beams. Only complaint about any paint sprayer is that it takes several gallons of paint thinner to clean it when you are done so this discourages you from using it for small jobs.

The soap injector only works with a low pressure tip at the end of the wand. Somehow, it creates the siphon to pick up the soap solution.
If you have more than 25 gallons and/or 15 hours of paint spraying to complete, DO NOT waste your time/money on a Wagner Power Painter, $60 unit. An airless sprayer will put down a lot more paint much, much faster. Spend about 600 bucks, get a set-up (Graco is nice and I've used them for years) with a decent gun, a fair length hose and dimensions suitable for your storage requirements.
A roller with a somewhat thick nap and a brush (back-brushing - wiggling in the voids for best coverage) will do a better, longer lasting job on wicker than any sprayer alone. It takes time, diligence, endurance and patience to perform the roller/brush method, and the result may only endure a scant 50% longer, but at least there will be the illusion that you care. Other than that, spray the BeJesus out of it. Some people spray the ever-livin'-heck out of the substrate and have a team member come behind them with the back-brushing action. Have two brushes handy, because an airless sprayer will get ahead of the back-brushing in short order. With proper technique, a small roller can be used for back-brushing instead of a brush, if the paint isn't gobbed on too much.
Wear a mask! No matter the sprayer, when you're finished spraying, cleanliness is next... The Wagner Power Sprayer is harder to clean than an airless. Use a product called "Pump Armor" (or similar) for the final cycle during cleaning and storage.
Practice on some scrap, first. If you go with an airless, you'll be surprised at the output. It can push a piece of newspaper across the room with one blast, so have a good size practice piece (card board, scrap drywall/plywood, etc.)

Water-Bug wrote:

I'd go with a gas power washer. Water and electricity just don't mix, especially when the water is spraying all over the place uncontrolled. JMHO.

That's funny, because I actually spray my electric sprayer with it's own sprayer to clean it from time to time.. :)

You know you more then likely have an electric fuel pump submerged in your vehicles GAS tank too.. ;)

Mitch

For vehicle washing, I use and like a low pressure (~1800 psi) electric- wash with a brush, rinse with the PW. I also always pressure wash roofs before sealing/coating. I'm also sick of dealing with small gas engines with modern "gasoline", so I rent a gas 3500 psi when needed.
This Harbor Freight HVLP setup has had good reviews- I'm looking at one to do some remodeling (a.k.a. painting) on our park model.

Kit Carson wrote:

Water-Bug wrote:
I'd go with a gas power washer. Water and electricity just don't mix, especially when the water is spraying all over the place uncontrolled. JMHO.

I agree. Have always been told that water and electricity are not good friends.

Depends on how they are built. Submersible electric water pumps work just fine.

For what you are painting an inexpensive Wagner electric sprayer would work just fine.

I needed to stain several picnic benches I built a few years ago for our church. I bought a Wagner electric paint sprayer at HD for about $60 and it worked great. Remember to always keep it clean by running some clean thinner through it.

I have both gas and electric power washers. I find neither to be "useless". they are both adequate for their intended use.
bumpy

Depends on your needs really.. I've got an electric Karcher that I've had for at least 12 years or more.. It's only 1200 psi I think? But, does everything I need it to do including my driveway and walkways, siding on the house, whatever... :)

I'm sure a 2500+ psi gas powered unit would be a lot faster/better or whatever, but for what I use it for, it would be way overkill..

For a paint sprayer, I have one of those electric hand held jobs and it's over 17 years old and works fine too.. :) I only use it maybe once every couple of years, but it works every time I need it! :)

Good luck!

Mitch

Electric PWs are just about useless. Have a gas 2500PSI which works well for cleaning scum off of boat bottoms, house roof cleaning, concrete walk cleaning, even entertaining the dog. It is part lab, part pit. Water. Spray. Play. What can I say? She loves the pressure washer. You have to see it.

PWs are OK for vehicles but nothing beats soapy water & a soft brush for getting the dirt off.