For
the homeowner/do-it-yourselfer there are several spray techniques
to apply paint: a pressurized or aerosol type spray can; a compressed
air unit that generates air to spray the paint and the airless guns
that flip the paint through the nozzle of a spray gun onto the surface
to be painted.
Most
spray equipment sold in home center stores and building material
outlets even the professional stuff, now has a competitive price
that will ft almost any budget.
If
your spray paint projects are small and few and far between, you
should consider a spray can rather than a compressor unit. If you
spray paint fairly often on small to medium-sized projects, one
of the airless or diaphragm compressor outfits should be a consideration.
If you are involved in lots of spray work, it is recommended that
you buy a motor- or engine-driven compressor unit that will supply
the paint gun with constant and even air pressure. This equipment
sometimes can be rented.
SOME
SPRAYING BASICS:
How to spray paint from a can or gun is illustrated in this Booklet.
However, before you get started with application, there are several
basics that you should know.
Spray
Cans-
To mix (stir-up) the paint in the can, you shake the can. You will
hear a rattle inside the container as you flip it back-and-forth.
The rattle comes from a small steel ball that is the "paint paddle"
mixing the finish. If you don't shake the container long enough,
the paint will come out very thin; or the pressure in the can, the
propellant, will fizzle out before all the finish in the can is
utilized. Always spray in a well-ventilated room. Cover anything
that you don't want painted with masking tape, newspaper, drop cloth.
Wear a spray mask.
Spray
Guns-
Air or airless types may be used for interior painting projects.
However, the room must be very well ventilated and you must use
a respirator to protect your lungs. We also suggest safety glasses.
As with any spray project, cover anything that you don't want painted.
The overspray from spray guns is more pronounced than spray cans,
so plenty of protection is necessary.
Outside
spray painting has another specific set of problems. The number
one drawback is overspray from the spray gun. The paint can float
in the air for amazing distances and settle on passing or parked
cars, on neighbor's windows, porches, decks, roof, and so on. Some
communities even have laws against using spray equipment outdoors,
so before you do any spraying, check out the codes.
Spray
paint outside only on a windless day, and never spray around a corner
or up over a roof unless the spray is blocked with a covering such
as a piece of cardboard or drop cloth. To spray at angles, spray
the surface nearest to the nozzle first. To spray inside corners,
spray the adjoining surfaces first. The overspray will paint the
corners. At outside corners, point the gun toward the house surface,
not around the corner. For gutters, set the ladder high enough so
you are shooting the paint downward onto the gutter surface.
Paint
for spraying often must be specially mixed. Follow the directions
on the paint container label. Preparation of surfaces to be spray
painted are exactly the same as for brush painting. Make sure that
all peeling paint is removed from the surfaces and that the surfaces
are free from grease and oil, and the surfaces are dry. The paint
you apply to a surface (spray, brush, or roller) is only as good
as the surface to which the paint is bonded. Make the base perfect.
