Graco 16Y385 TrueCoat 360 Review
Suitable for both do it yourself homeowners as well as professional painters, the Graco 16Y385 paint sprayer is a top class device and beats other similar products both in performance and price. Thanks to this gadget, DIY enthusiasts no longer need to spend thousands of Dollars for hiring a professional. The ease of use of this sprayer allows anybody, with a desire to paint his home, to complete the job quickly and efficiently after they have read the included operating manual. They might be thinking that they are not a professional. However, that does not matter, as modern generation paint sprayers are extremely easy to use, as you will find out once you have tried the Graco TrueCoat.
Top scores on all parameters and a novel feature
this gadget scores high on are: design, price, and functionality. I’m writing this detailed Graco 360 review for homeowners who are on the lookout for a professional, easy, and reliable paint sprayer. Professional painters who are using other painters should go through this review too. Chances are bright that they will dump their existing sprayer and switch over to Graco 360 once they understand its capabilities. By the way, this is the only paint sprayer in the market that boasts of a novel FlexLiner paint bag system.
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| Pros | Cons |
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Top questions and answers:
[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”What does the painter ship with?” open=”no” style=”fancy” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]It ships with everything you need to start the job immediately.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”Can I use it to spray lacquer?” open=”no” style=”fancy” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]You cannot use this device for spraying flammable products so you cannot use this sprayer with thinners and lacquers.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”Can I use it to spray automotive paint?” open=”no” style=”fancy” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Yes, you can, provided the paint is non flammable and its viscosity is not thicker than latex paint.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
My opinion about this sprayer
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The instructional manual included with this sprayer contains detailed and easy to follow instructions that allows you to start painting like a pro within a couple of hours of unboxing the device. The only thing that irked me was the short power supply cord. However, this is not a big issue as I could easily get over the problem with the help of an extension power cord. I do hope that the manufacturers increase the size of the cord in their next batch.
Since this sprayer weighs only four pounds, it is easy to use it for long periods without straining the hand. The FlexLiner bag system helps users to complete outdoor or indoor painting or staining projects quickly and efficiently. Just fill the bag with paint and squeeze out the excess air and you are ready to begin your painting project. Since the sprayer ships with different sizes of such bags, I would suggest you to purchase a model that includes two 32 oz bags. If you want, you can purchase larger bags that have the capacity to 42 oz of paint. These bags make their presence felt when you are on a job that required different hues of paint. Fill several bags with paints of different hues and replace the one you are using with a bag holding a different color when required.
Amazing reversible tip
This sprayer provides a maximum pressure of 1500 psi, which is more than adequate for most painting jobs. You can continue your painting project even when its tip is clogged, thanks to the reversible tip included with the sprayer. Although the company recommends an annual usage of 25 gallons, many individuals have successfully exceeded that amount without any problems.
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I was on the lookout for a low cost spray painter that I could use for painting my home and was hooked to the Graco 16Y385 after going through its specs. The inclusion of FlexiLines bags instead of traditional material cups allowed me to change bags containing different colors quickly and sans hassle. The best part is that these bags are reusable… simply rinse and reuse. Although the manufacturer recommends an annual usage of 25 gallons, sufficient for normal apartment painting jobs, I have successfully exceeded that quantity. Unlike several other sprayers available in the market, this model is extremely cost effective as the paint sprayer is reusable. This feature alone helps me cut down on overall costs significantly.
Best for small projects
Although one can sparingly use the sprayer for painting walls, this model was built for smaller projects such as painting windows, furniture, garage doors etc. The manufacturer has erred in stating that this model can handle denser paints, as it did not work as desired with materials thicker than latex. I wish that the manufacturer supplied a bag capable of holding more paint as the two 32 oz bags included run out of paint frequently.
Complete the job quickly
The reusable as well as the disposable cups included with this device is a technical marvel, as the user does not have to wash the container after every use, as it is disposable. Forget about cap clogging issues as you can easily rotate the cap by 180 degrees, pull on the trigger to force the clog out, revert the nozzle to its previous position, and resume painting again. You can efficiently paint remote areas and tight corners, thanks to the variety of spray patterns available. You can also purchase additional cups without burning a hole in your pocket as they are reasonably priced. Cleaning the product is a piece of cake. You can clean the gadget with a sponge, a rag, and clean water. You do not have to purchase new cups if you wash it after every use.
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[su_tab title=”Maintenance” disabled=”no” anchor=”” url=”” target=”blank” class=””]The included user guide contains lots of information about maintenance. However, here are some important points that will help you to use the sprayer for many years without any hiccups. Clean the gadget with clean water, a sponge, and a rag after each job to increase its durability. You should wash the cup after every use so that you can reuse them. These cups are inexpensive and, if required, you can purchase them from the store from which you purchased the sprayer. You should be careful while cleaning the casing as it contains delicate electronic parts that tend to malfunction once they are exposed to water. A word of caution: unplug the device from the power outlet before attempting to clean it.[/su_tab]
[su_tab title=”Accessories” disabled=”no” anchor=”” url=”” target=”blank” class=””]The Graco TrueCoat ships with the following accessories:
• 2 FlexiLiner bags, each having a capacity of holding 32 oz of material.
• 1 x 12 inch wide RAC spray tip
• 1 x 8 inch narrow RAC spray tip
• 1 x user manual and quick start guide[/su_tab][/su_tabs]
Who can use this sprayer?
Although this device is primarily meant for DIY homeowners, professional contractors can use it as well for small paint jobs. To put it across simply, it is the only paint sprayer available on the market, which is suitable for any type of painting jobs. First time users will be able to use the Graco TrueCoat within a couple of hours, after they have studied the user manual. Unlike other heavy duty sprayers, this unit is handheld.
The lightweight champion
Since it weighs only 3.5 lbs, one can use it for prolonged periods without any stress on their hand. If you are planning to paint your furniture, windows, and doors with a fresh coat of paint and do not want to spend hundreds of Dollars in hiring a professional, try using this sprayer instead. You can rest assured that it will exceed your expectations. This is an ideal item to gift to DIY enthusiasts because you need not think about whether they know to use it or not.
What I did not like about this sprayer
Frequently asked questions
Q: Do I need to be a professional painter to use this sprayer?
A: This equipment is extremely user friendly. You should be able to use it after reading the guidelines in the included user manual.
Q: Can I undertake large painting jobs with the 16Y385 TrueCoat?
A: This sprayer is designed keeping small painting jobs in mind. However, it can handle bigger paint jobs too if you do not mind refilling the container regularly.
Q: Do I need special detergents to clean this sprayer?
A: A sponge, a rag, and clean water are more then enough to clean the sprayer.
What do users say about this sprayer?
Although most users complained about the short power cord and the capacity of the container, all of them equivocally lauded the Graco 16Y385 for its versatility and its capability to complete small painting jobs quickly and efficiently. The ease of use was well received by do it yourself enthusiasts, who form the major user base of this gadget. Despite its cons, users have been constantly giving excellent ratings to this sprayer and recommend that it is a product worth purchasing. The icing on the cake is the excellent customer support of Graco, who are ready to assist you 24 x 7.
Final thoughts
This is the ideal gadget for individuals planning to paint their apartment’s windows, furniture, and garage doors. This unit will provide you with years of yeoman’s service as long as you read the usage manual and follow the instructions therein carefully. Its affordable price also makes it the perfect gift for someone you love, particularly DIY enthusiasts. I strongly recommend the Graco TrueCoat 360 for individuals who dream of completing small painting jobs perfectly.