How to Spray Paint Furniture with a Spray Gun
While traditional paintbrushes and rollers are often used for furniture painting, a spray gun can save you time and effort while giving smooth and professional looking results. But if you’ve never used one before, our guide on how to spray paint furniture with a spray gun is here to help!
After investing in one, you should take the time to learn how to use a paint sprayer on furniture. If not, you may end up with a mess and an expensive tool that just collects dust. So grab your spray gun and let’s dive into spray painting furniture!
If you’ve been using brushes or rollers for painting furniture, you might be wondering why you should even go through the trouble of trying out a spray gun. Can’t you get the same results with traditional methods?
Well, while those common painting furniture techniques have their own advantages, a spray gun has them too, and can even outshine them in certain aspects. For one, spray guns are perfect for covering large areas quickly and evenly, which is such a time saver especially if you have multiple furniture pieces to paint.
Moreover, spray guns also give a smoother finish compared to brushes or rollers. This means no brush marks or texture that can look unsightly on your furniture. You also get better control over how much paint you’re applying and its consistency, based on your sprayer’s settings.
Spray guns can get into those hard to reach crevices and corners with ease, leaving no spots untouched. If you have intricate and detailed furniture pieces, you’d definitely love this feature! There’s a lot more benefits that come with this tool, and we’ll cover them all in this guide, along with tips and tricks on how to use a spray gun to spray paint furniture, so keep reading!
Where to Get Started with a Spray Gun
While a spray gun has its advantages, it’s important to know how to maximize its use to get the best results. A tool can only do so much, and it’s up to the user to make the most out of it. Don’t worry, you can easily get the hang of it with a little practice and our step by step guide!
If you’re new to your paint sprayer, here are the basic steps you should follow before you begin spray painting furniture. These will make sure your spray gun and paint will be ready for use and give you the smooth finish you’re going for.
How to Thin Paint for Spray Gun
Paints come in different forms and thicknesses, and for thick paints, you’ll want to thin them down before using them in your spray gun. This will make it easier for the paint to flow through the nozzle and give you better control over its application.
Don’t forget to mix your paint thoroughly before thinning it. This makes for a more even consistency. Follow our guide on how to thin paint for a sprayer here for more detailed instructions!
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How to Filter Paint for Spray Gun
Aside from thinning the paint, you should also take the time to filter it before using it in your spray gun. Even new paints can have tiny particles or debris that can clog up your sprayer if not filtered out beforehand.
Filtering paint is easy and inexpensive with the use of a mesh paint filter. Simply place it over the opening of your paint container and pour the paint through it. The filter will catch any large or small particles. It may add a few extra minutes to your prep time, but from experience, it’s totally worth it to avoid constantly stopping and unclogging your sprayer during a project.
Testing Spray Gun
Once you’ve got your spray gun and paint set up and ready, it’s time to give it a try! But hold off on spraying directly onto your furniture for now – test it out on a different surface first. This way, you’ll see how the paint turns out and if you need to make any adjustments.
Take a piece of cardboard or scrap wood and start spraying. Pay attention to the spray pattern and how much paint comes out with each trigger pull. It’s normal for the first few sprays to be a bit uneven, so don’t worry if it doesn’t look perfect right away.
Keep testing and adjusting until you find the best settings for your specific project. Especially if you’re a beginner, it’s important to take your time and get comfortable with your spray gun before tackling your project.
How to Adjust Spray Gun Settings
Let’s talk about adjusting the settings on your spray gun. It can depend on the sprayer you have, but the basic adjustments are the same for most. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with these settings while practicing.
First up is the spray pattern. This determines how the paint is sprayed onto the surface. The most common patterns are vertical, horizontal, and circular. Play around with these patterns during your test sprays to see which one works best for you and your project.
Next is adjusting the fluid setting. This controls how much paint comes out with each trigger pull. You’ll want to start with a lower setting and gradually increase as needed to avoid overspraying. Remember, it’s better to go slow and steady for a smooth finish.
If you have a Wagner paint sprayer, check out our Wagner paint sprayer settings post for more specific instructions.
How to Spray Paint with Spray Gun
Now let’s get into the actual spraying process! When spraying, hold the spray gun around 12 inches away from the furniture. This is the ideal distance to get an even coat without overspraying or having the paint too concentrated in one area. Here’s how to prevent overspray when painting furniture for a more detailed guide on preventing overspray.
Start light and gradually build up the layers. It’s better to have multiple light coats than one heavy coat that can lead to drips in the paint. Here’s how to fix spray paint drips if you do encounter this issue.
Spray in straight lines, moving back and forth across the furniture while keeping a steady pace. Staying in one spot too long can also create drips or uneven coverage. And overlap each line by 50% for a full and even coverage.
Don’t forget to wear protective gear like goggles and a mask when using a spray gun. The overspray can be harmful if inhaled or if it gets into your eyes. And as always, make sure to work in a well ventilated area for safety!
Spray Gun Issues
Even with all your prep and practice using your spray gun, issues can still pop up. If you run into splattering or clogging while painting, don’t get discouraged – these are common problems and can usually be fixed with a few simple tweaks.
You should check your paint thickness and adjust the air power setting as needed. If the air power setting is set too low, it can cause splattering. And if your paint is too thin or clumpy, it may not spray evenly.
For the splatters, fix them while the paint is still wet by lightly brushing over them. But you can also wait for the paint to dry and then sand them out. Just know that these splatters are fixable and shouldn’t keep you from getting a professional finish with your spray gun.
Check out Wagner paint sprayer spitting and Wagner FLEXiO not spraying if you experience these issues with your specific Wagner spray gun.
So there you have it – a crash course on how to spray paint furniture with a spray gun! With practice, patience, and these tips in mind, you’ll be able to confidently tackle any project and get beautiful and flawless results every time.
more paint Sprayer Tips
- Wagner Paint Sprayer Tips
- How to Take Apart a Wagner Paint Sprayer
- Paint Spray Gun For Beginners
- Can You Spray Polyurethane With A Wagner Sprayer
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