Spray Painting Best Practices

Spray painting is a fun, fast and easy way to complete your indoor and outdoor projects. Before adding your first coat of Krylon® spray paint to your project, make sure you have adapted your surroundings, prepared your project surface and ascertained that adequate ventilation exists.

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Take a moment prior to spraying and review these 10 simple tips to ensure your spray painting project is a success:

1. Start with a clean, dry surface.

   Ordinary household detergents or mineral spirits usually do the job. Be sure to sand or scrape glossy or hard surfaces to improve adhesion and use a primer whenever possible. Remove rust with a wire brush.

2. Use in good weather.

   Ideally, temperatures should be between 50°F and 90°F, and relative humidity is below 85%. Avoid painting in direct sunlight and hot, humid weather.

3. Be aware of spray paint recoat times.

   Recoat time is stated in the directions on the can.

4. Test your spray paint and painting technique.

   Ensure a smooth, even spray paint application by testing your paint and painting technique on a scrap surface or inconspicuous area before beginning your project.

5. Motion matters.

   Always begin and finish spraying off the object, using an even side-to-side motion with each pass overlapping your spray pattern by about one-third.

6. Take your time.

   Use thin, multiple coats instead of one thick coat.

7. Avoid overspray.

   Mask exposed areas with tape or use a drop cloth.

8. Ventilate.

   When spray painting indoors, always ventilate your room well by opening windows and doors. A fan may also help to keep air circulating.

9. Clean spray paint valve after use.

   Turn can upside down and spray for 5 seconds. This helps prevent the spray tip from clogging.

10. Read directions thoroughly.

    Before beginning your project, be sure to read the directions on the can.

    Want more information on toolsbox? Feel free to contact us.

Still have questions about the proper use of spray painting? Contact Krylon at 1.800.4KRYLON or through the Krylon Contact Us Form.

Paint sprayers can be intimidating. It took me months to work up the courage to use my first paint sprayer. I purchased one on Amazon that had decent reviews, followed the instructions to a T, spent hours prepping our garage to get it ready for a fresh coat of paint andddd it didn&#;t go well.. Whether it was user error or product malfunction I will never know, but I was feeling a bit discouraged. The second time around I did my research and went with a trusted brand which I still love to this day, Wagner. After much trial and error I have found my top two favorite paint sprayers. Both are meant for different size/type projects. So, no matter your project &#; big or small, I am confident you can find what you need in one of these sprayers.

I&#;ve used the FLEXiO to achieve a super professional finish on cabinetry, to stain the privacy slat wall in the picture above, to paint an exterior brick wall, the list goes on. For under $200 this sprayer comes with the larger iSpray nozzle which sprays a textured finish on broad surfaces like walls and ceilings. It also comes with the smaller detail Finish Nozzle which sprays a smooth, fine finish on cabinets, furniture and trim. The FLEXiO is ideal for interior and exterior projects such as walls, decks, fences, furniture, cabinets and more!

This sprayer has enough power to spray unthinned paints and stains right from the can, including paints and primers, solid stains, sealers and more. Another underrated feature that I enjoy is that it is very easy to clean! Check out this paint sprayer HERE!

The Wagner Control Pro 170 is currently on sale for under $300! This sprayer pulls paint directly out of a 1 or 5 gallon container, which means less annoying refills. The Control Pro 170 applies a consistent, high quality finish on large home improvement projects such as decks, fences, exterior house siding, interior walls, and more! I&#;ve used this sprayer to stain the slat fence and to paint the entire exterior at my parents vacation rental shown above. I am planning to use it again soon to paint the entire exterior of our home here in Florida!

This paint sprayer cuts overspray up to 55% compared to other airless paint sprayers. One of my favorite features is the incredibly light spray gun which saves my wrists.

As my paint spraying journey advances I will continue to update this article as products are always evolving. Good luck spraying!

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