Whether you are a homeowner looking to redecorate some areas that are looking tired, add a fresh coat to a wall, or repaint several rooms, you need to tackle it head on – a paint sprayer will help you achieve just that.
Used commercially by professionals, there are now there are many models that are designed for use in domestic house spraying (such as the Graco Magnum X5 or Graco Magnum X7) as well as by semi-professional contractors or handymen.
Here we’re looking at the model known commercially as the Graco 17G177 Magnum ProX17 Stand Paint Sprayer.
The Graco Magnum ProX17 is from one of the top brands in the market, so before we get into the specifications, here’s a little more about what a paint sprayer does, and why you need one.
Introducing the Graco ProX17 Airless Sprayer
Technology has advanced to the point where the like of the Graco Magnum ProX17 effectively has a built-in compressor, powered by a powerful electric motor.
This is known as an airless paint sprayer and means greater versatility, and cost saving as you don’t need a compressor (check out the different types of paint sprayers if you’re curious to learn more).
It also means you can move the machine around the property to where you want it to be, and you are not tied to where the compressor might be.
Indeed, the Magnum ProX17 is more or less ready to go out of the box, is easy to set up, and once you practice the art of spraying (it’s recommended you try it out in all functions before you embark on a job) you’ll find it very simple to use and maintain.
Here’s our in-depth Graco Magnum ProX17 review to help you decide if it’s the machine for your house needs.
About the Graco 17G177 Magnum ProX17
Among the many different spray guns on the market, we’ve chosen to review the ProX17 for a couple of reasons.
First, Graco is a leading name in the paint sprayer market, and second, this model is among the best you can buy for this price range, alongside the Titan 440 review we’ve written about before.
It’s designed for serious jobs and whilst it’s not the cheapest. when it comes to ability and power, few sprayers are going to match this one in terms of capability.
To give you an idea of what you are buying, let’s have a look at the key features of the Graco 17G177 Magnum ProX17 paint sprayer.
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Key Features of the Graco X17
Stand Design
The sheer variety of paint sprayers on the market means you will have to choose between a number of different designs and features. For example, some sprayers are all-inclusive in one unit and are smaller hand-held machines.
The Graco 17G177 is a larger model than most DIY sprayers – although not too big to be used around the home – and comes with an integrated stand.
You hold the spray gun itself, which gives you greater versatility, while the physical machine that does all the work remains on its stand on the floor.
Adjustable Pressure & Control of Paint Flow
Due to how airless paint sprayers work, air pressure flow is fully adjustable so you can choose the level and speed of the output of the material.
The adjustable pressure gives you much more control and means you can use a larger tip size to get the job done faster, and also means that for larger, simple areas you can use a high-pressure airflow and get the job done quickly.
Users claim that a 3-day job can be done within a day using the Graco 17G177 Magnum ProX17.
Powerful DC Motor for Longer Hose Length
The surprisingly powerful DC electric motor can support very long extension hoses so you can work a long way from the base unit.
You get as standard a 50-foot Duraflex paint hose, but the machine is quite capable of delivering via a maximum hose length of 150-foot should you require (with no loss of pressure) so that’s worth keeping in mind if you have a multi-story property or large distances to cover.
An instant start function means the machine is primed and ready to go when needed.
Will Spray Most Household Paints (Perfect for a Handyman)
One of the problems with older sprayers was the need for thinners when using thicker or lower viscous materials or lacquers.
The Graco X17 does not require excess thinning thanks to its powerful electric motor.
Bear in mind that unlike some designs, you do not fill a built-in reservoir. It will suck straight from the suction hose from anything up to a 5-liter bucket, making it excellent for exterior and entire home painting projects.
Note: You may need to use a different filter for varying viscosities of paint.
Inter-Changeable Reversible Spray Tips
With the package, you get a full range of changeable spraying tips. These cover spraying radius of between 4” and 10”, so you have a great deal of scope in terms of what you can do.
It’s worth testing all the options before you embark on any projects, both to see what the different configurations are capable of, and how best to use it for the most effective results.
You will also get a good idea of the finish from the tip size you have the different models of spray tips.
Long Life Stainless Steel Pump Parts
One notable feature is that it is made with quality materials of the sort you would normally find reserved for commercial and professional-standard equipment. This means it can survive the harsh conditions and usage on a job site.
The long life stainless steel piston pump is responsible for delivering the spray and is the part you want to offer the most durability.
If it does fail (which all paint sprayer models will eventually), you can replace many of the parts on it easily thanks to its clever design.
Note – Replacing airless paint sprayer stainless steel piston pumps and packing kits is normally an expensive and time-consuming process involving you having to send the sprayer off to an authorized repair center, so being able to fit a pump replacement with minimal tools is a life saver.
Easy to Clean Filters
Fitted with a series of filters designed to catch any debris or grit that may get into the paint before it reaches the spraying tip greatly reduces the problem of clogging and cuts downtime.
Each filter is designed to be easily removable for easy cleaning and pump replacement, making maintenance and cleanup a breeze.
Quality Airless Spray Gun for Quality Finishes
The spray gun of the Graco Magnum Pro X17 itself is a nicely made high-quality model, with strong and durable metal fittings, that is designed for prolonged and steady usage across multiple projects.
It’s easy to handle, light and compact, and performs precisely and accurately with simple controls. It also has a swivel attachment to the hose to stop knots and twists in your paint hose.
The spray tips simply pop in and out, keeping the downtime when fitting a replacement or changing tip size minimal.
Easy Cleanup and Easy to Clean Hoses
One major bonus with the Graco Magnum Pro X17 is that it has been designed to be very simple to access during a routine cleanup – which will be welcome news to all of those who hate the cleanup after a job! (ie. most people)
Once you have finished, simply attach the inlet to a regular garden hose, and simply flush out the paint residue. Leave it to dry, and it’s ready for use again. Mininamal downtime and cleanup over.
Compact Overall Design
This model is no featherweight, but for a sprayer of this stature it’s not a dead weight either, and the standard 50-foot hose should mean it doesn’t need to be moved often.
Storage space in your home is also minimal.
If there is one thing we would say it’s that if you do plan on moving around a lot, consider getting Graco X19 airless spray gun which includes wheels.
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Pros and Cons
Here’s a brief look at what’s good, and what’s not so good!
What We Love About It
- Powerful motor means you can use up to a 150ft hose, with a 50ft Duraflex hose supplied as standard.
- Any smooth material or liquid can be used with this machine, without the need for thinning or priming.
- Fully adjustable air pressure gives you full control of paint flow and achieve the finish you want.
- A set of changeable tips gives you options between 4” and 10” spray diameter for added accuracy.
- Easy to clean by attaching a garden hose and flushing the system, then left to dry.
- The high quality of parts which are of a professional standard, such as the stainless steel piston pump.
- Super easy maintenance and piston pump replacement.
- Instant start and long life pump mean you are ready to go whenever you need.
- Will reduce painting time and handle even the largest jobs, excellent for rental properties.
- Used by home contractors, professionals and experts to create a perfect finish.
What We Disliked
- No wheels make the frame a little awkward to move on a larger property and long fences.
- Very powerful when in usage so you need to mask well and make sure you have the right tip
- Perhaps too large for small jobs, even with the adjustable pressure controlling the paint flow
There is no doubt theProX17 is a competent and capable machine, and many satisfied users have paid testimony to its ability and quality, but is it for you?
Before we sum up our review, a quick look at who might use one of these.
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Who Is It For?
If you are looking for a paint sprayer for occasional, smaller jobs, the Graco 17G177 Magnum ProX17 is perhaps not the model for you.
It is designed for large areas, and more serious decorating work, so it’s perfect if you have a whole house to remodel – or as a paint sprayer for interior walls, and also as a paint sprayer exterior walls, some outdoor fences, and buildings, or anything that would normally take a serious amount of time with a brush or roller – then this is certainly a model worth looking at.
In terms of power and technical specs, it’s similar to that of the long-standing Titan 440 airless sprayer with a similar learning curve.
It’s also suitable for contractors, especially those specializing in interior painting and decorating.
Final Thoughts – Graco Magnum ProX17 Review
We’ve said it all above; this is an impressive airless paint sprayer that will cut your decorating time down considerably, assuming what you are doing is decorating large areas in one go.
It is well-made, easy to use and comes with a suitably lengthy hose, and is very simple to set up and use with a little practice. With that said, you can expect some maintenance as with all airless paint sprayers.
It’s also very simple to use. Check out this quick video from Graco themselves on the basic operations of the Magnum range of sprayers.
to clean once your work is done, and at the price is a sensible choice in a market that is hotly contested. You also get the benefit of the Graco brand, which is one of the leading names in the business.
It’s not for professionals and regular remodelers though, so bear this in mind if you have a lot of work to get through. If you need a more heavyweight machine, check out our Graco 390 review first.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When buying your first airless paint sprayer it’s extremely common to have quite a few questions. I’ve done my best to answer each of the most commons ones below.
What do you do with a paint sprayer between coats?
If you’re between coats with a paint sprayer and are left waiting for paint to dry, you do not need to empty and clean the sprayer. Simply rotate the spray tip 90 degrees so the orifice is not visible and leave the suction hose submerged in the paint bucket.
How long can I leave paint in my airless sprayer?
As a rule of thumb, you can leave paint in an airless sprayer for up to 5 hours (assuming it’s not a time-sensitive paint and the weather isn’t too hot).
Paint will only dry when subjected to air, so leave the system airtight, submerge the spray gun in a bucket of water and either keep the suction hose in the paint or in a bucket of water.
How do you unclog an airless sprayer?
Unclogging a spray tip is generally very easy and simply requires you to reverse the spray tip, jet the paint into an old bucket or bag and then flip the spray tip back to its original position.
If you have clogs in your machine itself, then you may need to remove each filter and run warm water through the entire system in spray mode for several minutes. We’d also recommend removing the spray tip from the gun during this cleaning process.
How do you clean a Magnum prox17?
Cleaning a Graco Magnum ProX17 is relatively simple and should take between 5-15 minutes. Remove the spray tip and clean it separately, then spray water or thinners through the machine whilst it’s in spray mode. You will also have a dump valve, you should allow the pressure to build up and then dump the cleaning fluid several times.
For a full guide on how to clean an airless paint sprayer, read this guide.
