Spray equipment can make quick work of painting, but it still requires the same careful preparation work as traditional brush and roller methods. Part of that prep work involves using plastic to completely cover doors, windows, and other areas that you don’t want painted, rather than just taping them off.
Spray equipment can be purchased or rented at hardware and home improvement stores. There are several types and sizes of spray equipment, including high-volume low-pressure (HVLP), airless, air-assisted airless, and electrostatic enhanced. They all work the same way- by atomizing paint and directing it to a worksurface in a spray or fan pattern. For our project, we used an HVLP sprayer, which we recommend because it produces less overspray and more efficient paint application than other sprayers.
Be sure to read and follow all safety precautions for the spray equipment. Since the paint is under a lot of pressure, it can not only tear the skin, but it can inject toxins into the blood stream if used incorrectly. Wear the proper safety protection, such as safety glasses and a respirator, when spray painting the house.
As with other paint applications, pay close attention to the weather. Don’t spray if rain is likely, and don’t spray on windy days, since the wind can carry the paint particles away from the siding.
Tools & Materials
Utility knife; Spray equipment; Paint; Safety glasses; Respirator; Masking tape; Plastic; Card board; Cheese-cloth; 5-gallon bucket.
Paint sprayers allow you to cover large areas of siding and trim in a short amount of time. They also make it easier to paint areas that are hard to reach with a brush or roller.
How to Paint Using a Paint Sprayer
Step1: Remove outside light fixtures, window and door screens, and other detachable items that you don’t want painted.
Step2: Cover doors, windows, and any other areas you don’t want painted, using plastic and masking tape.
Step3: Strain the paint through cheese cloth to remove particles and debris.
Mix the paint together in a 5-gallon bucket. Fill the sprayer container.
Step4: Spray a test pattern of paint on a scrap piece of cardboard. Adjust the pressure until you reach an even “fan” without any thick lines along the edge of the spray pattern.
Step5: Cut-in around doors and windows with the paint. Spray the paint along each side of the doors and windows, applying the paint evenly.
Step6: If you happen to spray an excessive amount of paint in an area and it starts to run, stop the sprayer.
Use a paintbrush to spread out the paint and eliminate the runs.
Step7: Hold the spray gun perpendicular to the house, approximately 12″ from the wall. Start painting near the top of the wall, close to a corner. Move your entire arm, rather than just the wrist, in a steady, side-to-side motion. Do not wave your arm in an arc. Start your arm movement, then start the gun.
Step8: Spray the paint in an even motion, being careful not to tilt the gun. As you sweep your arm back and forth, overlap each coat of paint by 20 to 30 percent, working your way down the wall. When stopping, release the trigger before discontinuing your motion.
How to Paint Doors Using a Paint Sprayer
Step1: Remove the door by taking off the hinges. Remove all hardware from the door, such as handles and locks. If the door contains glass, you can either tape it off, or allow paint to get on the glass and then scrape it off with a razor after it’s dry.
Step2: Prop up the door so it stands vertically. Starting at the top of the door, spray on the paint. As you make passes across the door, slightly go past the edges before sweeping back in the opposite direction. Wait until the paint is completely dry, then turn the door around and paint the other side.
