If you have never used a whip when spraying, you have been overworking your wrist and arms, making airless spraying less enjoyable and making spraying more difficult in many ways. Now I am not talking about a whip used for disciplining someone but rather a short length of airless hose attached to the end of the airless sprayer hose. I see so many painters on social media spraying with the standard airless hose attached to the sprayer and the gun attached to the other end. Believe me; you are missing out on the joys of spraying and making your job harder than it should be.

A hose whip is a softer piece of airless hose that comes in lengths, typically 3’ or 5’. Some whips have wire banding on the ends, some are wire braided hoses, and some are cloth braided. Several major sprayer manufacturers make hose whips or, instead, have them made by hose manufacturers who simply put their brand on the lay line. But not all hose whips are created equal.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to use every whip out there that was made, and some performed ok, and some served no purpose but to make someone money. I eventually contacted a family member who was in the commercial business of manufacturing hoses for many commercial applications, including airless hose whips. I went on a year-long endeavor of making a whip that genuinely made a difference and was a whip made for painters by painters.

What is better, wire braided or cloth braided?

They both serve their purpose, so I created both options. I believe wire braided is more durable but can kink cause a weak point at the kink that wears faster; cloth weaved is softer but cannot be grounded. However, most hoses now come with airless sprayers we see are cloth braided. Paint Life Supply Co. has a wire braided option for durability but has a smaller internal diameter, so it is incredibly soft and flexible. The Cloth braided hose has a larger internal diameter to handle more viscous materials but is cloth braided for softness. You will have to decide what suits your needs and what feels better to you. My favorite and go-to are the ExitFlex 3’ whip.

Efficiency and quality are crucial when it comes to painting tasks. Using an airless whip has emerged as a game-changing solution for painters and contractors constantly looking for ways to improve their methods and produce extraordinary results. This versatile tool is a vital addition to your collection of painting supplies.

 

Starting from scratch, I had a few guidelines for making a whip that made a difference!

• A whip needs to be softer and more flexible
  It should be softer and easily foldable than the 50’ hose that comes with every sprayer. Simply cutting a standard hose to 3’ and calling it a whip would not suffice. I wanted a softer hose with a small inside and outside diameter. A significant factor that makes the whips stiffer is the wire banding on the gun end. It adds durability but effective stiffness, defeating a whip's purpose. Instead, I would replace a whip every 4-5 years rather than suffer fatigue and the inability to get in tight spaces using a wire-banded whip.

 

• Whip length does matter
  Too short of a whip will cause stiffness-related issues, and too long of a whip will cause problems if you are using very viscous materials. 3’ and 5° length hose whips are the best and most helpful. You need the right fittings on both ends of a whip, also. A whip with a male end and a female end with 1/4” fittings would mean that 99% of the time, you can attach the whip to the hose and gun without purchasing adapters. Now Titan and Wagner have managed to create a line of HEA sprayers that run at low pressures and therefore have proprietary hoses and fittings, so you cannot use standard high-pressure hoses and fittings. We at Paint Life Supply Co. have come up with a conversion kit so you can add a whip to those proprietary sprayers.

 

• Colors do matter
  I created a bright-colored whip so you could quickly tell which sprayers had whips and which did not. I also custom-made a 25’ hose whip so you can load up an airless sprayer with significantly less material that acts as a whip without an additional 3’ or 5° whip. This 25’ hose whip is handy if you have a dedicated sprayer for spray projects like doors or cabinets. 

 

• Seamless Mobility and Reach
  An airless whip, often referred to as a flexible extension, offers smooth mobility and reach, making it simple to reach locations that are difficult to get. The airless whip's flexibility, in contrast to conventional stiff spray gun extensions, allows you to cover areas that were previously difficult to access quickly, maneuver around obstructions, and reach confined spaces. This improved agility results in shorter painting durations and less potential overspray, adding to a more effective painting procedure.

• Time-Saving Efficiency
  Any painting project must be completed quickly; an airless whip can help you achieve this. You can cover more significant areas with its extended reach without moving the sprayer or yourself around frequently, saving time and effort. The airless whip streamlines your productivity, ensuring tasks are finished quickly and precisely, whether working on industrial surfaces, business exteriors, or residential walls.

• Consistent and Even Coating
  A professional-looking finish requires a smooth and even coating, which the airless whip successfully achieves. The design's reduced pressure variations make the spray pattern and coverage more consistent. This improves the looks of your work while also decreasing the need for pricey touch-ups and revisions. You can confidently create beautiful finishes with an airless whip in your toolbox, impressing clients and enhancing your standing as a talented painter.

• Enhanced Ergonomics
  Physical exertion is always present when painting, mainly when using heavy equipment for extended periods. The lightweight and flexible form of the airless whip promotes superior ergonomics and lessens fatigue by relieving stress on your arms, shoulders, and back. This ergonomic benefit guarantees that you keep the highest level of comfort and accuracy throughout your painting chores, enabling you to concentrate on producing top-notch outcomes.

• Cost-Effective Investment
  Although the initial cost of buying an airless whip might be a factor, the long-term advantages far surpass the cost. You'll realize cost reductions in paint consumption and labor hours because of increased efficiency and decreased material wastage. Additionally, employing an airless whip to extend the life of your spray tips means fewer replacements over time, further enhancing cost-effectiveness.

 

Look at  4 Custom Hose Whips Designed by The Idaho Painter. Airless Sprayer Accessories.

 

Conclusion

I highly encourage you to buy a whip if you have never used one, or if you are using a Titan or Graco whip, switch it out to a whip designed to function as such. Paint Life Supply Co. offers these amazing spray gun accessories made For Painters by Painters for airless spray.

With this tool, your painting operations will be completed with unmatched efficiency and quality thanks to the adaptable and necessary airless whip. Professional painters and contractors should choose it because of its fluid mobility, time-saving efficiency, consistent coating, improved ergonomics, and affordability.

The airless whip is a crucial difference that sets you apart from the competition as demand for top-notch painting services rises. 

 

Still, have some doubts? Check out Whip Hose for Airless Paint Sprayer FAQ: Airless Spraying Tips?