Painting is one of those jobs that no one really looks forward to. On the bright side, once the scraping, repairing, and priming are finished, the job is usually more than halfway done. The rest of the task goes by even faster when spraying the paint or stain, rather than rolling or brushing.

"There are very few painting jobs that aren't made easier by use of a sprayer of some kind," says Pam Melton, senior product manager of painting systems for Campbell Hausfeld. "The main thing people need to consider when purchasing a sprayer is what feature is going to give them the biggest bang for the buck." Maybe that's the ability to run two guns from a single unit, she says, or to use a larger size spray tip.

Paint sprayers come in a range of sizes. Light-duty models, some with backpack-style carriers, cost under $200. Because of their small paint capacity, though, they are best suited for painting interiors and small projects. The fewer trips up and down the ladder for paint refills, the better.

High-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) units are popular because of their fine finish with low overspray. These sprayers aren't designed for large exterior jobs, but you can get a professional-looking result when painting machinery or painting and staining furniture.

You can also buy painting attachments for your air compressor. Spraying requires a fairly large unit, though, and using a compressor may not be ideal for far-flung jobs around the farm.

For most large jobs like barns, home exteriors, and long fence rows, an airless sprayer may be your best bet. They draw paint directly from a 1- or 5-gallon bucket, are portable, achieve a wide spray pattern of up to 16 inches with low overspray, and can use thicker paint than other sprayers.

Airless units cost from several hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on size and features. But between saving hours of labor and avoiding having to hire the job done, they can pay for themselves in just a few painting jobs. With roller attachments, you can use them for interior jobs.

Airless sprayers generally apply oil- or latex-based paints, stains, and varnishes. But check the owner's manual for manufacturer recommendations and information on whether certain coatings may need to be thinned.

With any type of sprayer, it's a good idea to practice before you start your painting project to make sure the coating is the right consistency and the best tip size is being used.

Be sure you and any employees wear recommended safety gear, which may include goggles and face masks.

Once the job is finished, it's important to clean the unit according to the manufacturer's directions so it will be ready to paint again when you are.