Spray Paint Tools You Need When Painting Furniture

Painting furniture can be a fun and rewarding way to spruce up your home, but it requires the right tools to get professional results. With the right spray paint tools in your arsenal, you’ll be able to finish any job quickly and easily.

From paint sprayers to thinning agents and protection, here’s a list of the important furniture painting tools and supplies you need for spray painting furniture!

wagner flexio paint sprayer and spray paint tools you need when painting furniture text

Painting furniture can be a fun and rewarding way to spruce up your home, but it requires the right tools to get professional results.

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Spray painting is a convenient and efficient option for furniture, especially if you have intricate designs or hard to reach areas. Plus, you can get a smooth and even finish without any brush marks or streaks.

So if you’re going for this painting technique for furniture, there are some must haves for your toolkit. Here are the 10 best spray paint tools you need for painting furniture.

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Paint Sprayer

wagner flexio paint sprayer

A paint sprayer makes a quick job of painting furniture. Plus, it creates a brush free, professional looking finish that you can’t get with a paint brush or roller.

Using a paint sprayer can be intimidating, so we made this guide to walk you through everything you need to know about how to use a paint sprayer.

But, not all paint sprayers are created equal.

Whether you’re on a budget, or want a paint sprayer that will give you professional results, you’ll find that Wagner’s line of FLEXiO paint sprayers are up to the task.

I personally bought a $1000 professional paint sprayer, I loved it, but found myself back with the entry level Wagner FLEXiO sprayer. It’s easy to use, very portable, and easy to clean too!

Here’s my review on the Wagner FLEXiO paint sprayer. Check out our blog post about how to clean a Wagner FLEXiO sprayer to maintain optimal performance of this sprayer.

If you want more options, here is my list of the best paint sprayers for furniture and best electric paint sprayer. And here is a great comparison of Wagner vs HomeRight paint sprayers.

Paint Filters

Another essential when using a paint sprayer is paint filters.

holding paint filter

Paint commonly has small specks of dried paint or debris that has gotten into the paint. If those specks get into the paint sprayer, they can clog it, creating a mess for you.

Using a paint filter to filter out the specks of debris from your paint will also create a professional finish on your furniture.

When you spray paint, any dirt and debris that’s in the paint gets sprayed out with it. These particles can cause imperfections in the finished look of your furniture, so it’s important to filter them out first.

Just put the paint filter onto your paint sprayer’s container, and then pour the paint into the filter. Seriously, don’t skip the paint filters!

Thinning Agent

Spray painting furniture can be tricky. That’s because the paint needs to be of a certain consistency in order for it to come out evenly. That’s why you’ll need a thinning agent like filtered water or mineral spirits.

These products help to thin down the paint and make it easier to spray on the furniture. And they make the finish look better as well! Read the back of your paint container’s label to find out what kind of thinning agent you need.

For waterbased paints, you can use clean filtered water. For oil based paints, you can typically use mineral spirits. Learn more about thinning paint for a paint sprayer here. Check out my list of the best paint for spraying furniture here.

Spray Shelter or Plastic Sheets

plastic sheets on walls and floor to protect them from paint and a desk on top of 5 gallon buckets

It’s a good idea to invest in a spray shelter and/or some plastic sheeting.

When you spray paint, excess paint gets sprayed on more than just your furniture. So, to protect your floor, walls, and personal property, cover them with some plastic.

You can also invest in a spray shelter to help prevent overspray from getting on anything it shouldn’t.

hanging plastic sheet on wall in a garage

The spray shelter’s don’t come with floor protection, so it’s best to have some plastic or cardboard to protect your floor.

Cardboard

roll of cardboard on the floor

Similar to plastic sheets, cardboard can be used to protect your surroundings and floor from any excess paint that sprays off the furniture.

Simply place cardboard underneath the furniture before you start spray painting, and then remove it once the job is finished.

We have a never ending supply of cardboard boxes from all of my online ordering. But I also like to use this cardboard floor protection.

Painters Tape

scotch blue painters tape

Painters tape is a must-have when spray painting furniture. It’s great for taping off the area you don’t want to get any paint on, such as drawers or hardware.

Plus, it’s super easy to remove and doesn’t leave behind any residue. Check out this post and learn how to prevent paint bleed through painter’s tape.

Pre-Taped Plastic

scotch blue pre-taped plastic

Pre-taped plastic is like regular painters tape but with a thin plastic sheet attached to it. I use it to tape off large area where I don’t want to paint such as drawers, cabinet, legs or tops.

It’s perfect for spray painting furniture as it helps protect from overspray and is easy to remove and doesn’t leave behind residue. I use it in conjunction with painter’s tape.

Respirator

person wearing a respirator

When you’re spray painting furniture, the fumes and tiny paint particles can easily be breathed in. That’s where a respirator comes in handy!

A respirator is designed to filter out harmful particles from the air that you breathe in and keep them from entering your lungs.

So, when you’re spray painting furniture, make sure to wear a respirator to stay healthy. I recommend this respirator from 3M.

Paper or Cardboard to Test the Spray

sheet of cardboard with dried paint

It’s important to test the spray of your paint sprayer before you start spraying furniture. You can do this by spraying the paint onto a piece of paper or cardboard in order to see how it comes out.

If it looks good, then you can go ahead and start spray painting your furniture. But if something is wrong, you can adjust the settings of your paint sprayer and then try again.

By testing on paper or cardboard first, you’ll avoid getting drips or runs in the painter, and guarantee that your piece of furniture looks great when it’s done!

Cleaning Brushes

small cleaning brushes

Last but not least, you’ll need cleaning brushes. These are important for getting the paint sprayer clean after every use so it can last a long time and stay in good condition.

You can find these small cleaning brushes specifically designed for paint sprayers. I like to use them in the tip where I can’t reach on my own.

Now that you’ve got all of the essential tools and supplies for spray painting furniture, it’s time to get started!

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Spray painting can be a bit intimidating at first, but with proper preparation and practice, it’s easy to master. Check out the comparison of spray paint vs brush paint furniture here. Check out more important tips for spray painting indoors here.

Just make sure to use all of the tips I shared above, and you’re sure to have success! Good luck!

Spray Painting vs Brush Painting Furniture

Aside from spray painting, another popular option for painting your furniture is brush painting. How does these 2 methods compare?

As mentioned in this post, spray painting has its perks like being efficient, giving a smooth finish, and being versatile. You can easily and quickly cover large surfaces evenly, get a pro look, and use it on different furniture materials.

However, it can get messy and you’ll need some pricey gear, which might not be worth it if you only paint occasionally. Plus, there’s a bit of a learning curve with spray painting.

On the other hand, brush painting is a more budget friendly choice that gives you better control without worrying about overspray. You can easily find the necessary supplies at an affordable price, and have more precision in tight spaces or intricate designs.

But brush painting does take more time and effort compared to spray painting. Depending on your skill level, you may also end up with visible brush marks or an uneven finish.

So if you want speed and efficiency, spray painting may be the way to go. But if you’re on a tight budget or prefer more control over the application, then brush painting may be your best bet. Check out the full comparison of spray paint vs brush paint furniture here.

More Spray Painting Resources

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2 Comments

  1. Lisa Risby says:

    Hello,
    How do u know what kind of paint to use on different finishes of furniture??
    Thx
    Lisa

    1. Mostly it just depends on what look you are wanting to go for. And then after that, it depends on how fast you want it to be. You can use almost any paint on any finish. You just might have to do more prep to use one over the other.

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