If you are about to have your first time using a paint sprayer, our guide on how to use an electric paint sprayer will ensure a smooth try. Electric paint sprayers are excellent tools which are perfect for both home use and larger painting projects. Once you get familiar using it, you never want to use a brush or traditional roller again.
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Without further ado, let’s check out our tips for using an electric paint sprayer.
How to use an electric paint sprayer indoors and outdoors?
1. Preparation steps for paint spraying
Clean up areas to be sprayed
To make sure to have plenty of space for tools and equipment, you should clean up the work area to avoid the risk of tripping or objects that can interfere with spraying. Moreover, removing the furniture out of the room or the place that painted as possible.
Cover any furniture in the area that you do not wish to get paint on. Window and floor edges should be covered with newspaper and glued to the edges to fix them.
Ensuring safety
Safety is one of the most important preparation steps, and make sure you read over all safety warnings instructions before operating your equipment. Some of the safety precautions are as follows:
- Use your equipment in a well-ventilated area.
- Always refer to specific instructions and safety procedures for the spray equipment.
- When not spraying, always keep it safe when activating the gun. You never want to squeeze the gun trigger when the spray tip is between the spray and unclogged positions. The tip should be completely inserted in the guard housing and pointing forward.
- Do not your hand in front of the tip because high-pressure fluid can pierce the skin and cause serious injury. If injection occurs, seek immediate medical attention.
- Always wear protective clothing such as gloves, protection dust masks, respirators, wearing clothes that you are not concerned about getting paint on, and cover your head with a hat.
2. Prepare the paint sprayer
Before you start spraying, there are some pieces of equipment that you need to prepare:
- A bucket of water: you need to thin your paint and stir as you add water because thick paint may clog the sprayer.
- Rags: Have a wet washcloth or rag ready to avoid getting paint on your unpainted furniture.
- Trash: This bin will pick up drained paint and other residues from the spraying process.
- Paint: There are many different types of paint, so it is important to mix it with the correct solvent. Remember to carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions for mixing paint and solvents accordingly. To do this, you should use a mixing stick and a clean bucket.
It is not easy to spray heavy paint. Conversely, if the paint is mixed with water too much, it can cause a drip. Therefore, starting with ¼ of a cup of water for thinner paints and ½ cup for thicker paints.
After that, stir the material thoroughly and fill the paint canister with the funnel tube. To be familiar with the sprayer, you should practice spraying on an old cardboard box.
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3. Get ready to spray
After filling the paint tank, you will want to learn how to tune your sprayer. Before starting to spray paint, make sure that you are comfortable spraying in both horizontal and vertical spray lines.
The adjustable nozzle makes painting with the sprayer easy. There is a paint flow control in the middle part of the sprayer, choosing trigger settings to control the paint output. Once you are comfortable with that speed, you just need to increase the setting a bit.
4. How to spray
After you find your own speed, pull on the trigger and paint away. Spray by moving the entire arm left to right and do not move just hand or wrist.
You need to point the spray gun towards the wall and depress the trigger while moving in the direction of spraying. Use a slow, continuous motion, up and down and side to side.
When you are painting, you should hold the electric paint spray gun to the surface at a uniform distance to the object for the best results.
Always Keep Spray Gun Parallel to the Wall
Do not hold the gun too close or too far will result in the paint dripping or uneven coverage (Hold sprayer 4-7 inches from the surface). Even a small change in this distance significantly affects the amount of paint applied.
If you keep the nozzle twice as close to the surface, four times as much paint is applied. Avoid tilting the sprayer downwards or upwards, this will cause uneven spraying.
5. Select spray shape
For horizontal surfaces, the vertical spray type is recommended. Spray horizontally while moving the gun from side to side at a consistent speed and keep the tip of the sprayer evenly 6 to 12 inches from the surface as you spray
For vertical surfaces, change the spray pattern to horizontal. Practice spraying with up and down lines, using the same technique as when practicing vertical spray.
For corners, edges, and hard-to-reach surfaces, spray vertically and faster than usual that help you flexibility when entering beautiful corners or around windows.
After completing each area, check again to see if there are any leftovers. If missing, fill them with a brush or roller to facilitate editing.
6. Cleaning
When you have done the painting, it’s time to clean your spray gun. You can easily clean the electric paint spray gun in only a few steps.
Remember to clean it thoroughly by completing empty the paint canister after use. To clean the spray bottle, use water or a thinner to fill the funnel and then disassemble the sprayer after wiping it off.
Finally, change the paint machine to “Prime” or “Flush” mode.
Bottom Lines
Learning how to use an electric paint sprayer will make it easier and faster to paint your home or surrounding areas. Hoping the steps above will help you spray paint for the best results.
Peter Levick
ArchitectI am a licensed architect who is passionate about all things home improvement industries, I have been doing DIY painting projects and have developed lots of experience around home improvement over the 10 years.
