Choosing a Sprayer and Prepping the Area
Opt for an airless or low pressure sprayer instead of a high pressure one. Look into different paint sprayer models before you fully commit to a new piece of equipment. Many different paint sprayers are high pressure, which can cause a lot of overspray in your projects. Instead, look into airless or high volume/low pressure sprayers (HVLP), which may help reduce your overspray in the long run. Electrostatic sprayers are also a good option, since they cover a lot of ground with a lot of efficiency. However, these sprayers are pretty expensive, and may not be feasible for every at-home painter.
Select a sprayer tip that matches your project’s needs. Think about the scope of your project—are you painting a large, open surface, or are you filling in smaller details? If you’re working on a smaller section, a wide paint tip may cause overspray. As a general rule of thumb, choose a smaller tip for your painting projects.
Protect your painting space with painter’s tape. Cut off a section of painter’s tape and secure it along the edge of the project, which prevents paint from spilling into unwanted areas. Apply extra strips of tape to any other exposed edges of your project, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem. Always use painter’s tape instead of masking tape. Painter’s tape isn’t as sticky, and won’t damage the surface that you’re trying to paint.
Set plastic sheeting around your workspace to reduce overspray. Pick up a roll of plastic sheeting from your local hardware or home improvement store and begin laying it out around the object you plan on painting. Drape the plastic over all nearby surfaces to prevent any overspray stains. Always use plastic sheeting instead of newspaper, as paint can soak through newspaper.
Assemble a spray booth to contain any excess paint. Make your own spray booth, or a backdrop that prevents paint from spreading all over your project. You can make a simple booth by taping multiple sections of cardboard together and placing it behind the project you’re working on. The size of the paint booth will depend on the size of your project. For instance, if you’re painting a big object, you may need to cut up sections of a large cardboard box and tape them together.
Using the Sprayer Efficiently
Calculate how far the sprayer should be from the object to be painted. Keep in mind that different types of paint sprayers have different settings to keep in mind. A traditional sprayer needs to be held 6 to 8 in (15 to 20 cm) away from the surface; the airless sprayer needs to be 12 to 14 in (30 to 36 cm); the electrostatic sprayer needs to be 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm); and the HVLP needs to be held 8 to 10 in (20 to 25 cm) away. If you hold your sprayer too close to the surface, you’ll be at a high risk of overspray.
Test out your pressure settings to see what works best. Cut out several sections of packing paper and tape them to a nearby wall or flat surface. Adjust the pressure settings on your sprayer and spray an even coat of paint on the paper. If the paint doesn’t spray consistently, turn the pressure up. If the paint is overspraying, turn the pressure settings down. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t figure out the perfect settings right away—it may take a bit of trial and error! Take note of which pressure setting you’re using for each test. This way, you can keep these settings in mind for future paint projects.
Hold the paint sprayer perpendicular to whatever you’re painting. Grip the sprayer firmly in 1 hand so the point of the nozzle is about 90 degrees from the surface. Keep the sprayer at this exact angle while you paint—if you hold it at a lopsided angle, you may end up with some overspray. Paint sprayers release paint in a cone shape, which helps the paint job look so even. If you don’t hold the sprayer at a 90-degree angle, then the paint won’t spray evenly.
Paint at a slow and steady pace. Don’t rush yourself as you start painting your project. If you apply the paint too quickly, you won’t get an even, consistent layer of paint over your project. Instead, focus on painting 1 section at a time. If you do an uneven paint job, you’ll have to go over it again, which will take up even more time.
Guide the sprayer in a consistent direction as you paint. Choose a direction to move your sprayer, and keep it consistent throughout the project. Depending on what you’re painting, you can move it up and down, diagonally, or side to side. Continue moving your paint sprayer in the same direction so your paint job looks as even as possible.
Pick a non-windy day to work on your paint project. Look at the weather forecast for the day you plan on painting, especially if you’re planning on working outside. Wind can push the paint around and cause overspray, so it’s best to paint on a pleasant day without any significant winds or breezes If you work in an indoor area with a lot of ventilation, you don’t have to worry about this.
Remove overspray from your project as soon as possible. Look over your project and search for specks of overspray. Spritz over the surface with lukewarm water, and then rub over the specks of paint with a clay bar. Once you remove the overspray, spritz down the surface with water again and wipe it off with a clean cloth. You can also remove overspray with a razor blade, or treat it with alcohol.
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