Using spray paint can be tricky, especially if spray painting for the first time. However, people love using spray paints as it makes the entire experience fun. Also, spray paints are available in different colors, giving you the window to experiment. You can choose a surface or an old object to spray paint and make it more exciting.
While spray painting might sound fun, there are several things you must consider before you spray paint an object or a wall. Apart from the paint, you also need to check the characteristics of the object or surface that you are planning to spray paint on. For instance, if you are planning to spray paint a brick wall, you must consider that bricks are highly porous and absorb moisture. Therefore, you will have to use more spray paint if you want to paint a brick wall.
Let’s look at some tips to help you do the paint job with spray paint.
Tips to Use Spray Paint Effectively
There are several things you must consider before you start spray painting any surface or object. These considerations can also act as tips, and they can help you in doing the job with ease. Some tips that can help you navigate the process are discussed below in detail. You can try incorporating these tips for a great spray painting experience.
Wear a Respirator Mask
Using spray paints is fun. However, these paints are made from some toxic substances, and you should avoid contact with these substances. When you apply spray paint to a surface, several toxins are released into the air along with the paint. These toxins can irritate your eyes and your windpipe.
Most paints have aerosols that spread everywhere in a matter of seconds. They can get into any opening.
To protect yourself from any harmful effects of spray paints, wear a respirator mask. A good respirator mask covers your mouth and nose entirely and blocks toxins. Also, try to wear full-sleeved clothes while using spray paints.
Avoid Vertical Application
Many people waste spray paint as a significant portion of the paint drips. The paint drips if you apply it vertically. Hence, it would help if you tried to spray the paint horizontally and save it from dripping.
Also, you should use the amount of paint that is required. Over spraying paint may lead to paint drips; hence, much paint gets wasted. If spray painting a surface, ensure that it is facing up. You can flip the surface once the paint dries off. This technique helps you to save paint.
Be Careful of Blobs
It is crucial to eliminate all blobs while using spray paints. You must be careful while flipping objects during the painting process. You might feel the paint has dried, but that might not be the case. If you apply the plastic coat to the painted surface that has not dried well, the coat will peel off along with a large portion of the paint.
You might end up repainting the entire surface. Therefore, lay a fresh piece of plastic every time you are done painting a surface.
Use the Correct Quantity
People love spray paint and tend to get overboard with the activity. As a result, they might end up applying a thick layer of spray paint on the surface. Some cracks might appear when you apply a lot of paint to a surface. Getting rid of these cracks is almost impossible.
Therefore, apply thin coats of paint on the surface. Spray as lightly as you can if you want a smooth painted surface. Don’t apply much pressure on the spray paint can, as you might apply much paint on one area. Keep your hands free and move the paint can smoothly. Spray paint dries off quite soon. Hence, if you feel that the surface is not covered well, you can apply a second coat of spray paint to it.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
There is a misconception among many painters that the results will be great if they paint something under direct sunlight. When you paint under direct sunlight, the spray paint dries in a fraction of a second. Sometimes, the paint might dry off before even reaching the surface. This creates a rough texture and causes small bumps on the surface. Also, the edges remain uncovered if the temperature is too high.
However, if you have already painted the surface under direct sunlight, you can use sandpaper to eliminate the bumps.
Shake the Can
While a lot of painters might underestimate this tip and ignore it, it is one of the most considerations of using spray paint. When spray paint bottles are kept stationary for a while, the heavier paint particles tend to settle down the bottom of the can. Hence, when you spray the paint, a diluted version of the paint might come out. You should shake the bottle for at least two minutes to avoid this situation.
You must ensure that the paint's solid and liquid particles mix well before use. Apply the paint to a small area to check the consistency. If there is a problem with the consistency, you need to shake the can for a bit.
Don’t Spray too Close
To ensure that every portion of the surface is covered with spray paint, people tend to get too close to the surface while painting. However, standing too close to the surface can cover a small area with paint. You should ensure that you are standing at a proper distance to cover a larger area with one spray.
You can check the optimum distance by testing the paint on scrap paper from different points. Based on the paint coverage, you can decide on the optimum distance.
Buy a Spray Trigger
You might not feel tired if spray painting a small object or a tiny surface. However, if your job requires hours of spray painting, you will stop feeling your finger. Spray paint uses a finger to dispense the paint.
To avoid the pressure on your single finger, buy a spray trigger. A spray trigger works like an umbrella where you must hold the entire trigger to apply paint on the surface. Hence, the pressure on your hand gets evenly distributed. A spray trigger saves your finger from hours of numbness or pain in some cases.
Avoid Dust
Dust particles are spray paint’s biggest enemy. Therefore, you should take the necessary steps to prevent dust from settling on freshly painted surfaces. If you have to spray paint small objects or surfaces, place the object inside a box and then carry out the activity. However, if the object or the surface is large, create a plastic booth to protect the surface from dust accumulation.
To avoid stirring dust on the floor, you can mop the floor with water. Try to avoid using fans or any dryers when you use spray paint on any surface. Try switching off your AC and fans a few hours before you begin the spray painting. You can also use a spray shelter if you are painting an object. You can easily buy a spray shelter online or create it using a cardboard box.
Keep Additional Paint Handy
While predicting the quantity of liquid paint is easy, it becomes difficult in the case of spray paints. Different people have varied approaches to spray paint; hence, the amount of paint used by people to spray paint the same object might differ from person to person.
There might be cases where a surface section is not adequately painted. Hence, you might have to repaint it. The best thing about spray paints is that you can recoat the surface. Therefore, it is advised to have additional spray paint handy to help you out in these situations.
Also, to avoid running out of spray paint, have additional paint cans with you.
Apart from all the tips listed above, you should ensure that you spray the paint beyond the edges of the surface. Keep the can at least 6 to 10 inches away from the surface and use a steady motion to apply the paint. Try to create a small overlap between the two strokes. As the spray paint goes in different directions, the entire surface will be covered if you spray beyond the edges.
Also, try to use a primer before you apply the spray paint to the service. The paint sticks to a primed surface better. Also, prime the surface well if you want to avoid flakes.
Wrapping Up
Spray painting is an interesting activity. It is becoming increasingly popular among DIYers who want to do all the tasks independently. If you are new to spray painting, you must try to follow some guidelines before you start with the activity.
Try incorporating all the steps listed above for a great painting experience. Also, if it's your first time using spray paint, try to read the label and the instructions on the bottle. While following the painting tips is vital to get good results, you must also follow the safety tips associated with spray paint to protect yourself during the activity.
