It is important to clean the spray gun thoroughly after use. One of our distributors, Les Peintures de Armond, explains how to do this.

When working on your painting projects, there is a wide range of brushes, rollers, and other accessories available for both interior and exterior applications. The tools you choose will depend on the surface you are painting and the finish you want to achieve. Professional painters often use spray guns to attain high-quality results. Spray guns create a very smooth finish without any brush or roller marks. They also enable you to work more quickly and uniformly, particularly when applying varnish, lacquer, or glossy paints. Spray guns are easily accessible; you just need to learn how to use them correctly.

Types of paint spray guns

There are two types of paint spray guns: compressed air and electric. Compressed air spray guns are best for large surfaces, such as walls, whereas electric spray guns are more suitable for smaller surfaces like furniture. Electric spray guns are smaller and easier to handle. You can purchase a paint spray gun at Les Peintures de Armond.

Preparation

Preparation is essential before using a paint sprayer. The sprayer releases fine droplets of paint, which, despite the precision of most devices, can land on surrounding surfaces. Therefore, it’s important to cover any areas that you do not want to be painted with cardboard, fabric, or plastic sheeting. If possible, move the furniture out of the room being painted to another area. Protect smaller items, such as door handles, by covering them with masking tape. Lastly, ensure that the surface you plan to paint is clean, smooth, and dry.

Before starting your painting project, make sure to prepare properly. Wear cotton clothing that you don’t mind getting stained, and consider protecting your hair, especially if you’re painting a ceiling. It’s highly recommended to wear a mask to avoid inhaling fine paint particles.

Important :
Since spray paint is highly volatile, ensure that the room you are working in is well-ventilated. If you plan to paint outdoors, check the weather forecast beforehand to avoid rain. Strong winds can also interfere with spray painting.

Prepare the paint and spray gun

When spray painting, it is important to ensure that the paint is not too thick. Spray guns typically come with a viscometer, which, as its name suggests, measures the viscosity of the paint. To use it, pour the paint into the viscometer and time how long it takes for all the paint to flow out. Afterward, consult the chart provided with the viscometer to determine if your paint has the right consistency for spray painting. If the paint is too thick, you may need to dilute it. For water-based paints, simply add water according to the manufacturer’s recommended guidelines. For oil-based paints, use the appropriate solvent as specified by the manufacturer, usually adding between 5% and 10% thinner. If the diluted mixture is too runny, it will not provide adequate coverage. In that case, you’ll need to add some undiluted paint to thicken it back up. If you are unsure about achieving the ideal consistency, feel free to ask our experts for guidance.

Tip:
To prevent uneven paint thickness and avoid drips, always keep the spray can moving while painting. Avoid stopping in the middle of a wall or during an “S” shape motion, as this can lead to visible marks. Instead, make sure to stop at the bottom of the wall or surface.

Choosing the right spray gun tip, also known as a nozzle, is crucial for achieving a high-quality paint job. If the paint you’re using is fairly thick, you’ll need a larger tip; for more liquid paints, a smaller diameter tip is appropriate. Some nozzles are adjustable, allowing you to change the diameter according to the paint’s viscosity.

Next, fill the spray gun container with well-diluted paint. Adjust the pressure of the spray gun according to the paint’s viscosity, and you’re ready to start painting!

Applying paint – the “S” technique

First, test the spray gun on a piece of cardboard to ensure that everything is set up correctly and that the paint is being sprayed evenly. While the application technique is straightforward, it does require some practice!

To apply the paint, use parallel “S” shapes across the entire surface you intend to paint (refer to the illustration below). Begin at the top of the surface and make sure that each paint strip overlaps slightly. For larger surfaces, consider dividing the area into one-square-meter sections, with each section overlapping the previous one by about one-third of its area.

If only one coat of paint is needed, apply it using vertical or horizontal S-shaped strokes across the entire surface. If a second coat is necessary, use S-shaped strokes in the opposite direction. For example, if you used vertical strokes for the first coat, apply horizontal strokes for the second coat. This technique will help achieve a uniform finish. Be sure to allow the paint to dry between coats according to the instructions on the paint can label.

Tip:
To prevent uneven paint thickness and avoid drips, always keep the spray can moving while painting. Avoid stopping in the middle of a wall or during an “S” shape motion, as this can lead to visible marks. Instead, make sure to stop at the bottom of the wall or surface.

Cleaning the spray gun

After finishing your painting with a spray gun, it is crucial to clean it thoroughly. This cleaning process should include the reservoir, channels, nozzle, and the exterior of the gun. For oil-based paints, start by adding a small amount of the appropriate solvent (as indicated on the paint label) into the reservoir. Then, spray this onto a piece of cardboard to clean the reservoir and the spray gun channels. To clean the nozzle, use a brush that has been dipped in the solvent. For the outside of the spray gun, wipe it down with a cloth soaked in solvent. If you are using water-based paints, follow the same steps but substitute water for the solvent, unless there are stubborn stains.

Caution! For electric spray guns, replace the solvent with vaseline oil to clean the tank and channels.

You’re now ready to start painting with a spray gun! This method allows you to achieve high-quality results while saving time. However, keep in mind that spray guns use more paint than traditional methods, so it’s important to have a good supply on hand. The experts at Les Peintures de Armond can assist you in finding the ideal paint and can answer any questions you may have about spray gun application. Overall, while spray painting may be a bit more challenging, the results are much more appealing compared to using a roller!

Source: Les peintures de Armond