When it comes to painting projects, using a paint sprayer can be the best option for achieving a professional finish. Whether you're waterproofing a fence, painting a house, or finishing furniture, understanding the different techniques and tips for spraying multiple colors can make all the difference. High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) paint sprayers are the most commonly used type of sprayer. They inject air into the paint flow at the tip of the sprayer to atomize the paint, and work with both oil and water-based paints and dyes.
The paint is loaded into a paint cup, usually up to a quart in size, and may need to be diluted to an appropriate viscosity in order for it to flow properly. HVLP sprayers are known for their superior finish quality, but may require multiple coats for full coverage. When using an HVLP sprayer, it's important to lower the pressure as much as possible while continuing to spray in a good pattern. This will save paint by reducing overspraying, as well as reduce nozzle wear and extend the life of the pump.
The guns must also offer the highest possible transfer efficiency (percentage of spray paint that reaches the part). It's also important to consider the angle at which you're spraying. Tilting the gun up or down will cause a large buildup of paint on the top or bottom of the spray pattern. To avoid this, keep the gun perpendicular to the surface you're painting.
Additionally, overlapping each pass by 50% will ensure even coverage and reduce waste. Finally, it's important to choose the right type of paint sprayer for your project. Paint manufacturers usually specify the recommended sizes of the spray nozzles on the package or on the product specification sheet. Newer technologies allow spraying up to 50% less pressure with excessive spraying, providing a uniform and uniform finish quality with full spray spraying at half the pressure. Understanding and applying these basic spray techniques will make all the difference between a sloppy looking paint job and a professional one.
Keep in mind that when spraying paint, every square inch you don't want to paint should be covered with a film or protective cloth.
