If you have a certain affinity for home improvement, DIY, and other crafty projects, you likely have some experience with spray paint. Even if you’re a spray paint novice, it’s time to whip out the cans and get painting if interest is there. Here are a few helpful spray painting tips.
Take it Apart
If you’re painting a piece of furniture, taking it apart before beginning the spray painting process will ensure you get all the nooks and crannies. That being said, furniture deconstruction and reconstruction is a bit of a process, so for more challenging pieces, it may make more sense to spray it as it is.
Utilize your best judgment here, and don’t be afraid to take some pieces apart and leave others intact. Just make sure you have the instructions required to put everything back together, and it will be a piece of cake!
Take Your Work Outside
Spray painting in the house is a bad idea for a variety of reasons. That being said, it is possible to do, but you’ll need to be located in a well-ventilated area. For most of us, taking the project outdoors is the easiest and safest move.
If you opt to complete the project in a garage instead of on grass or the driveway, you’ll have more protection from the elements (such as rain and wind) and won’t need to move it before it’s dried. Just make sure you leave the garage door open while you paint to give yourself plenty of ventilation. Pro tip: lay a drop cloth down under the piece you are painting to protect your surfaces.
Every Coat Should Have a Different Direction
Every spray-painting project is likely to involve multiple coats, but you should never apply your coats in the same manner despite popular belief. You should apply every coat in a different direction than the previous one.
This will do two things: one, It will decrease the number of coats required, and two, it will ensure every inch of your object is painted without a caked-on look.
Keep Coats Light
Again, as you’ll be throwing multiple coats of paint on the object, it’s best to keep these coats as light as possible. It’s common to want to get it all done in a single pass, but this will lead to runs and a caked-on appearance, which is rarely the intended goal.
In other words, get the “one and done” mentality out of your head because that method will not give you the best results!
When You’re Done, Clean It Out
Each time you’re done painting a layer and moving onto another project, take the time to clean out the nozzle to prevent paint buildup. Paint buildup can clog your nozzle, which will either prevent you from using it again or result in uneven coating for future projects. To clear the nozzle, hold the can upside down and spray until there’s no more color coming out. Yes, it’s that easy!
Spray painting may seem like a mindless enough task, but the truth is, there is technique involved, and there’s definitely a right and wrong way to complete the job. So, utilize these tips the next time you pick up a can, and you will undoubtedly achieve your desired result!