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How To Use A Paint Sprayer Connected To An Air Compressor

How To Use A Paint Sprayer Connected To An Air Compressor

Painting any type of room or building can be a difficult process if you are only using paint rollers. You can’t cover much space with rollers, and the rollers can leave marks on walls. Using an air compressor and a paint sprayer can help you cover more space at one time and can help you make sure that you get an even coat of paint on your surface. Follow the tips below for using a paint sprayer connected to an air compressor to help you achieve a professional paint job.

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Preparation for Painting

Before beginning your paint job, you have to get some items in order. First, pick the right type of paint and paint thinner. Many sprayers work best with oil-based paints, but you can use latex and acrylic paints as well. You’ll also want to select a good paint thinner. Mixing your paint with the right thinner will allow more paint to spray out of the sprayer and ultimately help your paint job look better in the end.

Tape off all adjacent surfaces and areas that you don’t want to mar with paint. You should also cover all furniture, flooring, and any other material you don’t want paint to ruin with drop cloths. Also make sure that you have a safe, flat surface on which to place your paint to prevent spills. Always wear a mask, safety glasses, and gloves to protect yourself from harmful fumes and particles.

You’ll next need to sand your paint surface to remove uneven areas. You’ll also need to use a tack cloth to remove any sanding debris from the surface you’ll paint.

Choosing the Right Paint Tools

Once your paint area is ready to go, you’re ready to start painting with an air compressor and paint sprayer. You have many options with paint sprayers, so make sure that you choose the one that works best for you and for the job you’re doing.

One option is a siphon gun. This gun has a container that hangs under the gun body. Many people think of these types of guns when they picture spray paint guns. However, siphon guns are not as efficient as you may think. They require higher air pressure and don’t cover a large area when you use them. You’ll have to spend more time painting when you use a siphon gun. However, if the area you’re painting is small, a siphon gun may be a good option for you.

The gravity gun is similar to the siphon gun because it also stores the paint in a container, but a gravity gun’s container is attached on the top of the gun body instead of on the bottom. This gun requires less air pressure because the paint flows into the body of the gun through gravity. You’ll find that this tool works better in small spaces and is easier to use after you get used to how they work. The only downside is that you’ll need a special stand to refill the paint container.

Another gun type is a pressure feed gun. This gun has a pressure pot that connects to the gun through two hoses. One hose supplies air to atomize the paint, and the other supplies the paint to the gun. Since this gun has hoses that can vary in length, it is typically the most efficient type of gun to use for paint jobs.

Now to Start Painting …

After you’ve selected the right paint sprayer for your job, you are ready to start painting. You can attach the spray gun to the air hose and activate the trigger-lock button by pushing it. Make sure that all of the hoses are connected to their appropriate sockets and plug any power cords into an outlet.

After your equipment is ready to start, you can turn on the gun. Adjust the PSI to the right air pressure, then test your paint flow on a piece of paper before starting on your walls. You can continue to adjust any of the settings on your gun until you get the right flow and pressure for your paint job. As you spray, make sure you are holding the gun about 6 to 10 inches away from the surface you’re painting and move the gun in a smooth sweeping motion to avoid any paint dripping or running.

Painting can seem like a hassle, but when you do the job with a paint sprayer and air compressor, the work becomes easier. Any paint job you do can turn out professional and even if you follow the above tips and guidelines.

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