Spray painting using a spray gun and air compressor can be an efficient way to evenly cover a large surface or an intricate surface with many curves and embellishments. If you are just getting into spry painting or if you only have a single project, then renting a spray gun and air compressor may be a good choice. However there are several things that you should know about spray painting before you begin. 

Select Your Spray Gun First 

It is important that you select your spray gun first and then match your compressor to the needs of your spray gun. This will ensure that you get a compressor that provides enough pressure to give you a smooth finish on your furniture. You can often rent spray guns along with an air compressor if you will only be doing one or two projects. Alternatively, you can purchase a low-cost spray gun and rent a compressor when you want to use it. 

Opt for a Dual Action Spray Gun 

There are many types of spray guns that can be paired with air compressors to effectively spray paint an area. One feature you should look for is a dual-action trigger. These spray guns have a trigger with two steps. When the trigger is pulled halfway, only air is released. However, when the trigger is pulled fully, paint is released as well. This allows you to continue blowing air by releasing the trigger halfway at the end of a pass, making sure you get full-coverage. It also allows you to avoid paint splatter by beginning to blow air before you aim your nozzle towards your project. 

Use a Gravity-fed System

Gravity-fed systems feature a container above the nozzle as opposed to below, and it relies on gravity for the paint to enter the nozzle. This system is better because it often requires less pressure than systems that have the paint located below the nozzle because the paint does not have to be sucked up towards the nozzle. Additionally, less paint is wasted as the paint funnels down to the nozzle without a straw. 

Test for Appropriate Air Pressure Before Painting 

Depending on the thickness of your paint, the spray gun you are using, and the style you want to achieve, you may need to adjust your air pressure up or down from the recommended pressure for your spray gun. Before you begin painting on your actual project, you should paint a test area to make sure you do not have any spatter when the spray starts and that there are no drips or flecks in the finished project. 

Mix Enough Paint for Your Entire Project 

Spray painting often requires less paint than painting with a brush to provide full coverage. It also needs to be thinned before it can be fed into a spray gun. Thus, it is important for you to mix enough paint to complete your whole project before you begin. This way, you will achieve a consistent color as small differences in the paint to thinner ratio can affect your final shade when spray painting. If you are unsure how much paint you will need, then you should measure your paint and thinner to get an appropriate ratio for future mixing. 

To keep your extra paint from drying out while you are working, make sure you store it in a covered container. Also, make sure to run a little paint thinner through your spray gun anytime you stop to mix more paint or refill your spray gun, as it is possible for the paint to dry and clog your nozzle. 

Once you have these tips down, consider looking for a tutorial on proper spraying technique in order to improve your feathering and reduce streaking. After a few test runs, you should find that spray painting is a fun and effective painting choice. For more insight or assistance, contact companies like Summit Tool Rentals Division Of Wirtz Rentals.

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