Paint sprayers provide a flawless finish.
Using a spray-paint gun results in a flawless finish, free from brush strokes or roller marks. Spray custom woodwork as well as small items, such as baseboards or decorative moldings to reach nooks and crannies. Use of a spray-paint gun, however, requires additional preparation to protect surroundings from overspray.
Instructions
1. Begin by preparing the surface and surrounding area around which you will be painting. It’s imperative that the area is draft-free in order to control the fine mist of the spray paint. Drape adjacent furniture and appliances with thin plastic sheeting and secure with masking tape. Overspray is inevitable, so preparation is essential.
2. An inexpensive spray gun is fine for small craft projects, but if you're tackling an entire home, a commercial paint spray rig is your best bet. Check out a spray gun guide before making a purchase. (See resources)
3. Paint that feeds through a spray gun is often much thinner than paint in the can. Thin the paint with paint thinner, mineral spirits or plain water. Read the directions on the paint can to determine which thinner is appropriate.
4. Strain the paint before filling the spray-gun reservoir. Paint that sits on a store shelf for a month or longer may form small thick areas that are not a problem when rolling or brushing, but can wreak havoc in a paint-spray gun. Inexpensive paint strainers are available at lumber yards and do-it-yourself centers.
5. Test the spray on a disposable piece of lumber or cardboard before painting your item. Get the feel of the spray pattern and adjust the spray tip until you find a pattern suitable for your project. A quarter of a turn in either direction will allow you to use side-to-side or vertical movements.
6. Use light sweeping strokes when applying the first coat to your item. Keep moving the spray gun to avoid saturating one area and to avoid runs. Keep a small paint brush handy to wipe away any runs.
7. Cover the item to be painted with a very light initial coat of paint and wait until it dries completely before applying subsequent coats. Your item, depending upon the paint thickness and quality, may require numerous thin coats.
8. Clean your spray-paint gun immediately upon finishing. Flush the gun by filling the reservoir with the same liquid used to thin the paint. Oil paints require either paint thinner or mineral spirits, while latex paint needs only water for cleanup.
9. Disassemble the removable parts of your spray gun and clean them thoroughly before drying and reassembling. If you are using a very fine spray tip, consider putting a drop of regular cooking oil in the tip before storing the sprayer to reduce the likelihood of rust during storage.
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