A paint sprayer can make quick work of finishing a project, but maneuvering a bulky spray gun into tight spaces isn't always easy. That's one reason the Graco Ultra QuickShot caught our attention when we added it to the finishing room here at Woodsmith.
This battery-powered airless sprayer has already pulled its weight on a couple of projects. Its compact size and lightweight design are appealing, but the feature I appreciate most is the arrangement of the spray gun and paint reservoir.
Unlike many handheld sprayers, the Ultra QuickShot keeps the reservoir separate from the gun itself. That makes the gun much easier to maneuver, especially when you're trying to apply an even coat inside a cabinet or into a tight corner.
A Lightweight Spray Gun for Tight Spaces
The complete Ultra QuickShot weighs 6.4 pounds with the battery installed, according to the specifications cited in our original review. But you aren't carrying all that weight in your spraying hand.
The spray gun itself weighs a little under 13 ounces. With the reservoir attached to the main unit rather than the gun, you can guide the spray head into areas that would be awkward to reach with a conventional handheld sprayer.
That's particularly useful for woodworking projects with interior corners and confined spaces. When spraying the inside of a cabinet, for example, a large reservoir can get in the way or make it difficult to maintain a consistent distance from the surface. The QuickShot's smaller gun gives you more freedom to position the spray tip.
For me, that maneuverability is one of the sprayer's biggest advantages.
Setting Up the Graco Ultra QuickShot
Another feature I appreciate is how straightforward the sprayer is to prepare for use. There's no complicated setup process before you can start applying paint or finish.
I fill the reservoir with the material I'm using, then prime the sprayer by directing it into a pail for approximately ten seconds, following the setup procedure described in our original review. Once the sprayer is primed, it's ready to go.
The Ultra QuickShot is straightforward to prepare for spraying. Fill the reservoir, prime the system, and you're ready to apply paint or finish.
As with any spray system, it's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the material, spray tip, pressure setting, and priming procedure. A quick test spray on scrap or a sample surface is also a good way to check the pattern before moving to your project.
Spraying Paint and Wood Finishes
The Ultra QuickShot is designed to handle compatible paints and finishes without the need for a separate air compressor. Instead, its airless system pressurizes the material and delivers it through the spray tip.
Graco advertises an adjustable pressure range from 100 to 2,000 PSI. That gives you the ability to adjust the spray to suit the material and the work at hand.
In our use, the sprayer has delivered a steady spray pattern with relatively little overspray. Its ability to spray compatible materials without thinning is another convenience, although you should always check the material manufacturer's recommendations and the sprayer's requirements before filling the reservoir.
The lightweight gun makes it easier to move smoothly across a workpiece and maintain control when changing direction. That becomes especially noticeable when spraying into corners or around smaller project parts.
Cleaning the Sprayer Between Colors
Cleaning a sprayer is often the part of finishing I enjoy least. If you're working with several paint colors on one project, the time spent cleaning between coats can quickly offset the time saved by spraying.
Fortunately, I've found the Ultra QuickShot relatively easy to clean and refill.
The process involves cleaning the filter, running the appropriate cleaning solution through the system, and wiping the reservoir dry. Once everything is clean, you can refill the sprayer with the next compatible material.
That makes the QuickShot convenient for projects that require more than one color. As always, use the cleaning solution recommended for the material you've sprayed and follow Graco's flushing instructions.
How Does the Ultra QuickShot Perform?
After using the Ultra QuickShot on a couple of projects in the Woodsmith finishing room, my impressions have been positive.
The combination of a lightweight gun, adjustable pressure, and compact reservoir makes it comfortable to use and easy to maneuver. I particularly like being able to spray into tight interior corners without fighting the bulk of a reservoir attached directly to the spray head.
Its straightforward setup and cleanup are also welcome. Being able to change colors without a lengthy cleaning process makes it easier to work the sprayer into a typical shop finishing routine.
That said, the original review reflects our experience on a limited number of projects. It isn't a long-term durability test or a comparison of every material the sprayer can handle.
Is the Graco Ultra QuickShot a Good Fit for Your Shop?
If you regularly spray paint or compatible finishes on woodworking projects, the Graco Ultra QuickShot is worth a look. Its separate spray gun is particularly appealing for cabinets and other projects where access can be a challenge.
For our finishing room, the sprayer's compact design, maneuverability, and ease of cleanup have made it a useful addition. It's already proved itself on several projects, and I expect we'll continue finding opportunities to put it to work.
