If you are an artistic individual and you intend to paint your house, you will want a touch of creativity and ingenuity on your walls. For many homeowners, painting walls gives the interior of a home an exquisite look. This is the reason individuals try different colors and paints to realize an elegant look. Since painting is an art, mediums have been developed to allow you to do every form of painting hassle-free. But with these mediums it is consequential you learn the basic rules of spray painting techniques.
Spray Painting Techniques
By following these basic rules of spray painting techniques, you are guaranteed of having a flawless and smooth finishing for your painting project. Here, we will provide you with detailed basics of spray painting techniques which will enable you to become a good painter.
1. Choosing the best spray gun or spray paint.
First, you need to choose a quality spray gun that best fits your project since you will find different spray guns meant for different projects. Plus, having a quality spray gun will make your painting job easier and provide you with a better outcome. A point to note is that acquiring a brand-new spray gun is advisable. Therefore don’t go for a second-hand spray gun since they might end up failing you and doing a bad paint job. When buying the spray gun, you can also purchase a paint filter that fits the spray gun since this will aid in regulating the paint hence the realization of a smooth paint coating. Also, when picking the spray paint, first, check which type of paint the spray gun is meant for. This is because each spray gun has a specific paint that it can spray.
Types of Paint Sprayers/Spray Gun
There are distinct types of spray guns that you will find on the market. These spray guns are categorized by air pressure mostly and each function differently. Here is a detailed list of these spray guns.
Airless paint sprayer:
This paint sprayer uses a lot of pressure to break down paint into tiny particles which are even. Hence, when the paint comes out of the spray gun through the tip as tiny droplets, it creates an even coat pattern. The pressure can be controlled using adjustable controllers and this airless paint sprayer helps you undertake big projects in a short time.
High volume low-pressure paint sprayer:
The high volume low pressure (HVLP) paint sprayer uses an air compressor to supply high pressure to break down paint but the spray gun uses low pressure to release the paint. This low pressure enables the paint to spray a thick coat while reducing overspray. For better use, a regulator is required to control the low pressure thus controlling how thick you want the coat to be. They are mostly used in painting automotive, furniture, decorations just to mention a few.
Low volume low-pressure paint sprayer:
Just like the HVLP paint sprayer, the Low volume low pressure (LVLP) paint sprayer uses low pressure for the spray gun but low volume when it comes to the air pressure. It increases the amount of paint coating that reaches the project surface while using low pressure. It has a friendly price and is perfect for beginners.
Spray Gun Patterns
The most common spray gun patterns are; vertical, horizontal and round patterns. Spray gun patterns depend on the paint sprayer you are using. Some paint sprayers come with two nozzles to aid in changing the paint patterns. These paint sprayers are multifunctional and can perform both big and small projects. For some paint sprayers, you will find incorporated adjustable controls that help in changing the spray patterns. For such paint sprayers, you will not need to change the nozzle.
Which Type of Paint Sprayer is Better, Airless, and HVLP?
Typically, depending on the painting project you intend to undertake whether big or small, this is the major determinant for stating which paint sprayer is better. But when a comparison is made on both, the airless paint sprayer is better than the HVLP paint sprayer. First, the airless paint sprayer is fast and this can save you time when doing big projects. Second, the airless paint sprayer is price friendly and has more superiority compared to the latter. Therefore, the airless paint sprayer is better than the high volume low-pressure paint sprayer although the HVLP would still be a better choice if you are undertaking small projects.
Do I Need an Air Compressor for a Spray Gun?
Spray guns require an air compressor. A standard spray gun will require low pressure and high volume to operate and to realize the high pressure, an air compressor has to be connected to the pray gun. Basically, spray painting is not about the pressure but high volume of air and without a compressor, a spray gun can't function.
What Size of Air Compressor Suits Best a Spray Gun for Painting Projects?
The best air compressor size will depend on the spray gun model and the painting project. Some spray guns will require a small compressor while others will operate better with a bigger compressor. For an automotive spray gun, the best compressor is a 5-6 horsepower 60 gallon. This is powerful enough for car painting projects. But for small projects, the 2 horsepower 6 gallons will do the task perfectly. So, the project size will determine the size of the air compressor needed.
2. Mixing ingredients.
Getting the ratio right for the dye and the thinner is very important if you want to do a perfect and professional painting job. Before pouring the paint in the spray gun’s paint cup, get a disposable container where you can first mix the paint. Also, read instructions from the manufacturer on how you are supposed to mix the paint and the volume ratio for the ingredients. By doing this you are assured of getting the right paint viscosity that will be perfect for your spray gun.
3. Setting up the spray gun.
This is another basic spray painting technique that you should know. For when you set up the spray gun in the right way then, you will have an easy time undertaking your paint project. All new spray guns usually come with a user manual which will show you step-by-step instructions on how to set up. After setting up, make sure you have accustomed the needle adjuster to your preference and check that the pressure level has been set right. It is important to note that depending on the surface you are painting, you can adjust the spray gun to fit that project using the adjustable controls.
4. Practicing before starting.
Just as riding a bicycle, if you are a beginner, you have to do some initial practice. This is vital because you need to practically understand how the spray gun works and how the adjustable controls operate. First, you can use a disposable soft board since you need a surface that looks like a wall. But if a board is scarce a manila paper would still do the trick. You can start by first adjusting the pressure controller to 50psi and see if it suits you or if it’s giving you the right paint coating evenly. If that pressure is right and you’ve gotten a handle of how to operate it, then you can move to the main project. If the pressure is too much then, you can adjust to 40 or 45psi and see if it works for you. If you are a beginner in using a spray gun, practicing is mandatory.
5. Cleaning up the painting surface.
Before you paint on any surface, the first step should be thoroughly cleaning it. This is because for the paint to realize a strong and long-lasting bond, the surface needs to be clean. Oily surfaces tend to represent the greatest problem because if you paint on such a surface, the probability of the paint peeling off is high. Hence, if the surface is oily, it should be cleaned properly to deter the paint from peeling in the future. For uneven surfaces, you can use a sandpaper to accomplish a smooth surface since this is the only way you can be able to realize a smooth paint coating. Therefore, make sure that the surface is clean before you start your painting task. With a clean surface, you will accomplish an impeccable outcome.
6. Spraying technique.
To ensure that you get a perfect result on your spray painting job, the technique you use should be put into consideration. For example, if you are painting the interior of your home, you should first start with the trim, then the ceiling and then you conclude with the wall. It is advisable to always place the spray gun at least 6 to 8 inches from the wall constantly and hold it at a right angle while moving your arm at a uniform speed to allow even distribution of the paint.
Final Verdict
If you go through the detailed techniques discussed above, you have an assurance of conducting a spray painting job efficiently and effectively. The outcome of the painting project will be top-notch and it will have a professional appearance. Even though spray painting is a learning process, these techniques will allow you to learn faster and if followed to the detail, you could end up doing a better job than an expert.
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