To spray paint furniture with a spray gun, work from top to bottom using smooth, even strokes, following the wood grain, keeping the spray tip about 12 inches away, focusing on intricate areas, and overlapping each pass by approximately 50%.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Preparing for Spray Painting
Before you even think about touching the spray gun, preparation is key:
- Clean the Furniture: Remove all dirt, dust, grease, and grime from the furniture's surface. Use a suitable cleaner, like TSP (trisodium phosphate), and rinse thoroughly.
- Sand the Surface: Lightly sanding the surface creates "tooth" for the paint to adhere to. Use fine-grit sandpaper (220-grit or higher) and sand in the direction of the wood grain.
- Repair Imperfections: Fill any holes, dents, or scratches with wood filler. Allow the filler to dry completely and sand it smooth.
- Mask Off Areas: Use painter's tape and masking paper or plastic to protect areas you don't want to paint, such as hardware or trim.
- Prime (Recommended): Apply a primer coat to improve paint adhesion and coverage. Choose a primer that's compatible with your topcoat. Allow to dry completely. Lightly sand the primer before moving to the next step.
- Ventilate the area: Spray painting should be done in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors or in a spray booth. Protect yourself with a respirator and safety glasses.
Setting Up Your Spray Gun
Proper setup is crucial for a smooth finish:
- Choose the Right Tip: Different spray guns and paints require different tip sizes. Consult your spray gun manual and the paint manufacturer's recommendations.
- Thin the Paint (If Necessary): Some paints may need to be thinned for optimal spraying. Follow the paint manufacturer's instructions for thinning ratios. Using the correct thinner is important!
- Adjust the Settings: Adjust the spray pattern, fluid flow, and air pressure on your spray gun. Experiment on a piece of cardboard to find the optimal settings. Aim for a consistent, even spray pattern without runs or drips.
Spray Painting Technique
Now, for the main event:
- Start at the Top: Begin by spraying the top surfaces of the furniture. This prevents drips from messing up already painted areas.
- Use Even Strokes: Move the spray gun in smooth, even, parallel strokes. Keep your arm moving consistently to avoid uneven paint application.
- Maintain Distance: Keep the spray tip approximately 12 inches away from the surface of the furniture. Maintaining a consistent distance prevents runs, drips, and orange peel texture.
- Follow the Grain: When spraying wood, spray in the direction of the wood grain.
- Overlap Each Pass: Overlap each successive spray pass by approximately 50%. This helps to ensure even coverage and prevents stripes.
- Focus on Intricate Areas: Pay special attention to trim, carvings, and other detailed areas. Use shorter strokes and a slightly lower fluid flow setting to avoid overspray and drips in these areas.
- Apply Thin Coats: It's better to apply multiple thin coats than one thick coat. Thick coats are more likely to run or drip. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next. You may need to lightly sand between coats.
- Clean Your Gun: Be sure to thoroughly clean your spray gun immediately after each use.
Troubleshooting
- Runs and Drips: This usually indicates too much paint being applied in one area. Sand down the runs or drips after the paint dries and apply a lighter coat.
- Orange Peel: This texture occurs when the paint dries too quickly or the paint is too thick. Try thinning the paint or adjusting the spray gun settings.
- Uneven Coverage: This can be caused by inconsistent spray technique, improper gun settings, or not overlapping the passes enough.
Safety Precautions
- Ventilation: Always spray paint in a well-ventilated area.
- Respirator: Wear a respirator to protect yourself from inhaling paint fumes.
- Eye Protection: Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from overspray.
- Gloves: Wear gloves to protect your hands from paint.
By following these steps, you can achieve a professional-looking finish on your furniture using a spray gun. Remember to practice on scrap material first to get comfortable with the equipment and paint.
