How to Use a Spray Gun

It can be challenging to use a spray gun, but once you have mastered it you will love the professional results a spray gun gives you. The most important step in any spraying project is setting up the gun, and, with practice, this becomes second nature. Read on to learn the basic steps for setting up and using a spray gun.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Air-powered spray gun with finish
• Large piece of cardboard
• Scrap wood for testing
• Sandpaper or steel wool (optional)

1. Set up the proper air and fluid flow on your spray gun. Open your air knob all the way and adjust the gun to spray horizontally. Open your fluid knob until you can depress the trigger about 1/4 inch with each trigger pull. Spray a short burst onto a vertical piece of cardboard to create an oval shape with runs of finish across the bottom. Continue spraying in short bursts, adjusting the air knob between bursts until the runs are equal across the width of the oval shape.

2. Test your spray gun's setup on practice pieces before you spray your actual piece. Aim for a thin coat of finish, enough to wet the entire surface within the spray area but not so much that it doesn't dry within a minute. If you are depositing too much spray on the piece, it will have the texture of an orange peel when dry. If you are not depositing enough spray, not all parts of the piece will be coated. Adjust your fluid knob in or out depending on your test results.

3. Adjust the fan pattern of the spray gun to shoot wide if the piece you are spraying is wide or to shoot narrow for smaller pieces like chair rungs.

4. Hold the gun about 8 inches away from the surface of the piece. Begin spraying about 2 inches off to the side of your piece, then move the gun in a controlled side-to-side motion across the width of the piece. Continue spraying for about 2 inches off the other side of the piece, then release the trigger at the end of each stroke. Begin your next stroke so that it overlaps the previous one by half. Keep the spray perpendicular to the surface at all times.

5. Spray connecting areas carefully so you don't leave drips or finish buildup on parts that have already been sprayed. Flick your wrist when you have to begin or end a stroke on the piece rather than to the side, in order to create a feather of spray and not a clear line of demarcation.

6. Spray less noticeable areas like chair bottoms first. Start the piece upside down, then flip it over when the finish is dry to the touch.

7. Let the first coat dry completely before you apply subsequent coats. For best results, rub out the surface with steel wool or sandpaper in between coats.

Tips & Warnings

• Most finishes are toxic and flammable. Only spray finishes in well-ventilated, well-lit workspaces away from open flames.
• Check local codes for the proper disposal of leftover finish and solvents.

Resources

• Advice on Using Spray Guns on DIY Network Website