Using a Paint Sprayer

Many years ago when we built our first home, we ran into unexpected problems and found that we did not have the money we needed to paint the outside of our home the way we had planned. We considered several possibilities and then decided upon a temporary fix until we saved enough money to paint it the way we originally wanted to paint it. We bought stain and brushes and began to paint the stain onto the wood. Soon we realized how laborious the project would be, and my spouse came up with the idea of using a paint sprayer.

We used a paint sprayer to apply the stain to the house and finished the first coat in less than a day. Several days and several coats of stain later, our home looked wonderful and the stain lasted enough years for us to save the money we needed to have the house painted as originally intended.

Some tips to follow when using a paint sprayer are:

• Instead of swinging your arm back and forth, spray straight at the surface for a more even application of paint.
• It's a good idea to test the sprayer on a piece of cardboard before you start painting your surface to ensure that you have a uniform spray pattern.
• Overlap your strips as you go across, and then double back, keeping the sprayer about ten inches from the surface.
• Make sure that you cover windows and tape around them before you begin spraying.
• Wear safety goggles and do not point the sprayer at your head or body since the force of the paint can cut your skin.
• Once you begin spraying, do not leave the power sprayer idle for more than twenty minutes, as the paint can harden inside the sprayer.
• Follow all directions when you clean the sprayer, and make sure that you unplug the unit before you clean it.

If you are using a paint sprayer outside, make sure that you cover bushes, flowers, and other vegetation. Do not use a paint sprayer outside on a windy day. If you are spray painting inside of your home near a furnace, air conditioner, or water heater, turn off those appliances. If you're using alkyd paint, it could cause an explosion. Whether you're using a paint sprayer inside or outside, always wear a respirator to prevent inhaling a mist of liquid paint. If you find that you are short of breath, seek fresh air and emergency help immediately.