From the simple aerosol can to industrial shop paint sprayers, paint spray machines have revolutionized the painting industry. Paint spray machines made possible the art form of airbrushing, made the mass production of cars, boats and tools simpler, and gave the homeowner the ability to paint her own home with ease.
History
The paint sprayer was first put to use in the early 1990s for use in shipyards. This immediately turned the painting industry upside down, as painters unionized to protect jobs they thought would be lost due to the new technology. Back then, paints were quite toxic and there was also concern for the safety of painters and operators. Painters' unions made some gains in forcing employers to provide safety measures ,such as adequate ventilation, masks and protective clothing. For several decades, painting was a rather dangerous occupation due to the high exposure to lead and other toxins. As paint sprayers became refined and used for many applications, from cars to buildings, safety measures became common and by the time of the demise of lead paint in 1978, paint sprayers were in wide use.
Types
Early paint sprayers, now known as conventional sprayers used compressed air to atomize and apply the paint. Most modern sprayers are airless, using a powerful pump to force the paint through the spray gun, then the spray tip, where it is atomized as it leaves the nozzle. Spray tips are machined to give very precise output for fan width and shape and amount of paint forced through the tip. A skillful operator with good gun control can be quite precise with the sprayer. Much smaller versions of those used for painting homes and cars are used for airbrushing art.
Function
Anything that is produced with a coating has been sprayed. Electronics like TVs and computers are often coated unless they are made from molded plastics. Cars and car parts are spray painted, as are bikes, boats and airplanes. Even parts of the space shuttles are painted with thermal insulation coating. Painters and homeowners alike use paint sprayers to paint new and existing buildings, acoustic ceilings and decks. Tools, furniture components and cabinets are all sprayed with paints, stains or varnishes. The lowly aerosol spray can is used by graffiti artists and craftsmen alike.
Considerations
When most people think of paint spray machines, the first thing that comes to mind are the ones used for painting a home. Very inexpensive electronic sprayers can be bought at hardware stores, but these are balky, clog easily, have uneven paint flow and need to be refilled often. In short, they may do fine for painting a fence or deck railings, but will not work well for painting the inside of a home or a home's exterior. Sprayers used by professional painters are very expensive for a reason. They need to put out an even, consistent flow of paint, allow fast, clean and efficient work and be adjustable for spray pattern and output. If you are considering a sprayer for the home, renting a good one may be a more viable and cost effective solution.
Potential
Paint sprayers are invaluable for speeding up exterior painting. A good airless one puts out a heavy, even coat of paint and gets into cracks and crevices that are often missed with a brush or roller. Paint sprayers make painting acoustic popcorn ceilings a breeze, although they can be messy to use inside and are not generally recommended for regular interior repainting in a furnished home. Since the paint atomizes in the air, they can create a lot of dust and everything must be securely protected or removed from the area to avoid over spray.
Warning
An airless sprayer can do considerable injury if the gun is triggered and paint hits skin at close range. This can easily result in an emergency room visit and permanent scarring. Always read and pay attention to warnings and instructions that come with any paint sprayer. Never try to adjust the gun or unclog a tip without first turning off the machine and engaging the trigger guard. One other important warning: when spraying outside, be aware that even the slightest breeze can cause the paint spray to drift quite a distance, such as into your neighbor's driveway and all over her car. Make sure you have people in adjacent property move cars. Usually the paint will dry in the air before getting far and just land as dust, but oil based coatings will stay wet and stick.
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