How to Use a Paint Spray Machine

Using a sprayer can be a real time saver. There's nothing like it for painting rough, uneven areas, or spaces where precision is not important and everything can look the same. Here are a few steps to help save painting time as you use a paint spray machine.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paints
• Buckets
• Paint Strainers
• Power Sprayers

1. Rent an airless spray machine. It's the state-of-the-art - and what's painting if not art? You won't want to buy one unless you're a professional - they're expensive.

2. Protect areas adjacent to the area you're painting very well. Spraying puts a lot of paint into the air, and it doesn't all go on the wall. It can drift like a fog and settle in places you never wanted it to go - such as another room.

3. Seal the area if you're working inside. Outside, never spray on a windy day, and cover your car (and your neighbor's car), all plants, walkways, and even the exposed sides of nearby buildings.

4. Note that most airless sprayers work the same way: paint is poured into a bucket or bin, and the pump runs it through a hose and out the nozzle in your hand.

5. Pour the paint through a strainer into the bin or bucket; you don't want any lumps or odd bits of non-paint material.

6. Thin the paint, but no more than recommended by the manufacturer or it won't cover well.

7. Cover yourself very well, head to toe: wear long-sleeved shirts and possibly gloves. You'll get paint on yourself, without question. Consider wearing a ski mask.

8. Start at a corner, work from the top down, and keep your strokes steady and smooth; a lot of paint is going on the surface in a short period of time. It's better to paint several light coats than one heavy one.

9. Take care not to create "columns" of paint; this is a result of too much overlapping.

Tips & Warnings

• There are basically three kinds of sprayers: airless (the best), compressed air (not necessarily a bad thing), and electric pump (for small projects).
• When you rent the unit, explain to the dealer what kind of room you're painting and what kind of paint you're using.
• Get instructions specific to your machine from the dealer; paint sprayers can be finicky things. The nozzles, particularly, are prone to clogging, and you'll have to know how fix them; they don't all work the same.
• Cleaning requirements may also be different: this equipment needs to be kept really clean, or it just won't work.
• If you're painting in the same room - or even in the vicinity of - any appliances such as water heaters, air conditioners, or furnaces, turn them off! If you're using latex paint, you could ruin the appliance. If you're using alkyd, you could cause an explosion.
• The paint that comes out of the nozzle is really moving ' if you hold it close to your skin, it can go right through it, or take some off.
• Never try to unclog a nozzle while it's running. The pressure coming out the end is very high - high enough to puncture skin.
• Wear a respirator, even outdoors, and not one of those little cloth masks, but the real deal, with canisters. Otherwise you'll be inhaling a mist of liquid that's really not good for you.

[roxyrex]

on 8/15/2008 Can a spray paint machine be used to paint walls with distemper ?

on 11/22/2005 After you have read about how to spray, you can try this.

If you're spraying a ceiling, hold the gun about a foot from the ceiling, or get an extension (if you can't reach). Don't bother using a ladder, it's a waste of time. Start in the corner and spray directly into the area where the wall and the ceiling join together. If you're doing only the ceiling, use a spray shield to protect the wall from overspray. Hold the shield at a 90 degree angle, making sure it is in the corner tightly. Have some touch-up paint handy for mistakes. Continue spraying the entire length of the room. Keep your arm straight and walk in a straight line. Don't trip on the hose. When you get to the other corner, follow the corner all the way around the entire room. If you're doing a "color change," this is good for "priming" the walls for the next color. You'll finish priming after the ceiling is done. After you finish your "border," always start in the farthest left corner from the door. This is done because spraying can blind someone, if you spray them in the face. Let everybody know to stay out before you start. 1200 pounds per square inch of pressure can hurt or kill you. Start at the wall, and follow your other spray mark. Overlap about 3-4 inches until you are done, then go from side to side. This ensures a perfect ceiling . You'll get the feel for it. Keep practicing the same way every time to master the routine. A 3 bedroom apartment takes about 5 gallons of paint. Happy painting!

on 11/22/2005 The dangers of airless spraying and the very high pressure are correctly noted, but if the skin IS punctured by the spray, it must NEVER be treated like a simple cut. Seek proper medical attention or serious injury (gangrene/amputation) can result.