Tips and Tricks When Using a Paint Sprayer

Nov 06, 2005 5 Replies

I am going to use a professional paint sprayer (Graco XR&) to paint a friend's rental house soon. Any tips or tricks to make the job easier, neater, etc?



For example, there is a big spray shield on a pole with the sprayer which is used I assume at the ceiling and floor - how do you keep it clean?



Many thanks for any advice - Jim



I really don't think you should try to use an airless indoors. I don't know of any commercial painters that would even consider using one on an interior unless it was new work.

The most important things on any paint job are preparation and attention to detail. The amount of masking and tarping that are required to be able to spray will make the job take longer than rolling and cutting with a brush.

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Use cardboard for a shield, there are shields and holders. Use a new gun tip of proper size an old tip can blow at any time leaving a bad pattern, use long sleeve shirts, a true resperator rated for fumes, head hood and have several pairs of cheap eye protection. Wear cheap cotton gloves, Experiment first and let product dry to be sure your technique is correct. Keep machine pressure at the minimum needed for a good pattern. Be real carefull if you spray yourself you can at worst case loose what you have sprayed in an operation in the hospital. Read all product warnings and operating literature. For better protection of you, use a glove paint won`t penetrate and have plastic around your arms, self injection is always a trip to hospital emergency. Have your job planned and helper ready, a job can go real fast when everybody works for the sprayer.

I did not see the interior part, just figure anything not tarped will be sprayed even other rooms and ceilings. Best is new construction or complete rehab.

Thanks for the tips - yes, it is an empty rental, so not 'fine painting'

- speed and cost are overarch>I did not see the interior part, just figure anything not tarped will be

big spray shield, You do not keep it clean. You keep cleaning it.

The prep is the most important part. The paint should be well mixed and strained. Pressure and the tip inside will be an issue. To much and you will think your fogging the place. To little and it will be splotchy. My painter uses a airless inside, he masks off each room with plastic, doors windows, vents, etc. It takes him longer to set up a room and tear it down by far than it does to paint it. His crew is 1 painter, 4 helpers. I have a lot of plastic sheeting to get rid of when he is done.

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