Painting with a Spray gun.

I have been using a spray gun for many years now and for me and my business, it’s a must-have tool. It cuts back on time and also leaves a smooth professional finish, there are Pro’s and Con’s to using one though and it’s not suitable for everything. One of the things it is great for, and the most popular reason people invest in one is chairs!! Now if you have ever hand painted a chair or 6 I needn’t explain any further…

PRO’s

• It’s a time saver for large or multiple items.
• Leaves a flawless smooth professional finish. Zero brushstrokes!
• The units are portable and can be used for on-site work.
• Quick and easy clean up.
• Larger surfaces use less product.
• Can be used to spray stains, undercoats and finishes.
• applies an even coat to uneven surfaces like banister railings.
• Gets into those hard to reach nooks and crannies.

CON’s

•  Uses more product for items with lots of negative spaces like a chair.
• Has a learning curve to get the smooth professional finish. ( I can help you with that!)
• Extra saftey precautions are required.
• All sprayers produce overspray, so using it in a booth or protected area is best.
• Respirator is required.

Which one should I choose?

The HVLP sprayer is perfect for beginners and suitable for small projects and furniture refinishing. I have used one for over 6 years and I still bust that one out a lot… the only time I get the big guns out ( see what I did there! ;)) is for larger pieces or if I have to do more than one. HVLP stands for High Volume Low Pressure, these units are great for interiors as it creates very little over spray and leaves a smooth finish. It’s easy to set up and to clean up.

Air-compressor guns are great if you already own a compressor, all you need is a gun and a hose. If not it can be a pricey investment and I would encourage you to try the HVLP unit first. The set up and clean up are not difficult and are very similar to the HVLP. The finish is slightly better and you have more control with the fan pattern and output. The over spray is more than the electric so more prep taping and using drop clothes etc is needed.

Practice makes perfect!

When you get your sprayer practice practice practice! Find a nice clean wall outside and use water in your gun to get the output setting right and the spray pattern, it really helps with cutting down your over spray and getting the paint to come out in the right direction will give you better coverage. Holding the gun perpendicular to the surface you are working on is very important and ensures you have a an even dimple free finish. You need to work at a consistent speed to create an even spraying pattern.

Spraying Fusion™

All water based and some oil base paints can be used in these two types of sprayers and I have used lots of different ones. Fusion is already at a perfect viscosity to put straight through without watering down so good news for all your Fusion fans! Chalk paint is too thick and will need to be thinned by approx 10% just add some water and away you go. This will come more easier the more you practice. Go have some fun!

I have just recorded a video on Paint Spraying 101 just some tips and tricks to setting it up spraying and clean up. You can purchase that video here.

These are the affiliate links to the sprayers I recommend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The gravity fed gun in action!

Just a couple seconds of video showing you the gravity fed compressor gun.

I hope this has been helpful I know when I was thinking of buying one the options were overwhelming. The video I have put together is also something I wished I’d had so I’m hoping you’ll find that valuable too.  If you are like me and need a visual grab the video and get spraying!!

Sarah X

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