Adhesive Tape

A paint sprayer is a wonderful thing when used properly. If you have a large painting project looming, and are not afraid to get a bit messy, this might be for you. Anyone can rent a paint sprayer from most local hardware or paint stores and with some instruction, get good results. Here are a few pointers for the serious do-it-yourselfer.

To start with, a sprayer can be very dangerous, in fact deadly if used improperly. When the spray comes out of the tip, it is usually under high pressure which will cut like a razor or produce a very nasty injection wound. When the paint or stain is injected into your bloodstream, it can be deadly if it reaches a critical organ like the heart, brain, etc.

Never set up or clean out the machine with a spray tip on the gun. First, remove the tip housing and lower the pressure to a minimum. Second, if your paint hose develops a leak, no matter how small, do not touch the hose or try to stop the pinhole leak with your hands. Go to the machine and open the bleeder valve to release pressure from the system, and then shut it down. If you try to stop this tiny stream of paint it will surely puncture your skin and cause the injection wound I just mentioned.

Once, on a job where I was spraying, a pinhole developed in the hose and while I did tell the helper not to touch anything, he did. He thought that he would be able to stop the stream with his thumb bad move. The thin stream of oil based paint injected his skin and went clear through his thumb, streaming out through the other side! We rushed him to the hospital and he laid there for over two weeks with his thumb laid wide open like a hot dog cut in half lengthwise. The nurses came in twice a day to literally scrub the raw meat so as to stop the flow of chemicals to his vital organs. Do I need to say more? Spend a little time with the rental person and make sure you know how to properly operate the sprayer before you take it home.

For the most part, there isnt much that you cant use a sprayer for. The main idea is to reduce the labor time for any given project. Sometimes it can be quicker to use conventional brush and roll methods rather than take the time needed to properly mask areas not to be painted. Youll have to survey the situation and make that determination. If spraying, you will need to gather a few items before beginning. You will need to cover anything that you dont want painted or over sprayed. Wear clothing that you can get paint on, and perhaps a spray hood from the paint store to cover your head. You will also want to purchase a respirator so that you dont breathe in any paint. Get some good drop cloths, rags, staples and staple gun, two inch tape, and perhaps some plastic to start.

Wrapping, as it is frequently called, in and of itself is quite a task on larger projects and is a bit of an art form for professional painters. You may need other more specialized sundries as well, but these will get you going. If you run into an unusual situation where these arent sufficient, go to your local paint store and explain your dilemma, they can help. When wrapping any item, keep in mind that the sprayed paint is under pressure, so keep you coverings tight so that the paint spray doesnt loosen your covering job. Staple plastic and drop cloths to wooden surfaces when possible, and then tape over the stapled edge to create a straight line. If you cant use staples at all, consider pre-taped plastic on a roll. This is available at the paint store and is handy for windows, cabinets, tubs and the like. In any event, make sure that your wrapping is not loose as the spray will cause it to flop wildly and eventually come off.

It is also helpful to note that when using tapes, there are a wide variety of sizes and styles. The white tapes are cheapest and have the strongest adhesives. When taping outside or in direct sunlight, you may consider using a blue or green tape. While these tapes can cost up to seven dollars per roll, they are designed to come off easily for up to a week in direct sunlight, which can be a huge problem if ignored. The sun seems to bake the adhesive onto the surface it protects, making removal very aggravating and slow. Once you have all of the necessary areas covered, its time to set up the machine and begin painting!

There are a couple things to remember before you begin. First, always use the lowest pressure possible to accomplish your task. Once the machine is set up and primed, begin in an inconspicuous spot, with very low pressure and raise the pressure slowly until the spray pattern is full and even, without lines. You should keep your spray gun about twelve to fourteen inches away from the surface and move with it so that distance and a 90 degree angle to the surface are maintained. You will need to overlap your spray pattern depending on the surface and its texture.

On exterior wood, you should always backbrush the paint into the wood for the first coat, which means that the spray pattern is not very important. You should apply plenty of paint, even to the point of it running. But on subsequent coats that wont be back brushed or rolled, your spray pattern and the amount of paint applied will be crucial. All I can say is to practice, and be prepared for mistakes.

If spraying inside, it is always a good idea to backroll the final coat of paint so that you can touch up the paint over time with the same size roller nap. Use a roller on a pole with a 3/8 inch nap for smooth walls or a 3/4 inch nap for textures. Roll from floor to ceiling in long strokes. If you dont do this, the sprayed finish will be shinier than any subsequent attempts to touch up with a roller, since the roller nap will leave a slight texture. Back rolling is best accomplished with the help of another, so that you can continue to spray and backroll simultaneously. Again, each job is different, so you may want to ask your paint supplier for more detailed instructions to fit your specific needs.

Whether or not you will be attempting this yourself, let me dispel the myth that I frequently hear in dealings with my clients. The truth is, it is ok to use a sprayer to apply paint to cedar shakes and other wooden surfaces. In fact, if a painter tells you otherwise, he probably doesnt have any experience with using a sprayer. You might be surprised how many contractors dont have that experience. The problem occurs when the sprayer is used improperly. As I mentioned earlier, when painting wooden surfaces or any other porous surface for that matter, the first or prime coat must be worked into the tiny cracks and crevices with a brush or roller. When back brushing is omitted, the paint will not penetrate as it should. As the underlying surface expands and contracts with the seasons and moisture, the paint will begin to lose adhesion, causing peeling of the paint. If this all seems a bit much for you to handle, dont worry, you are not alone. As I mentioned before, not even all painters can spray properly. If you do think that you might try this, just remember to take notes while getting your info on how to set up and use the machine. If you make a mistake, you can always paint over it, or clean up the mess. Spraying is absolutely high on the difficulty scale for do-it-yourself projects, so consider all of the suggestions above before starting, to determine if this is really for you to attempt, or if you would be better off hiring a professional.

To see more articles like this...
http://www.beachpainting.com/articles.html
http://www.beachpainting.com