When you want a smooth and professional finish on your furniture, using a paint sprayer is the way to go.A spray gun can be used to transform an old end table, chair, or dresser and give it a fresh new look.You will be happy to know that using a spray gun is quicker and more convenient than using brushes and rollers.
Step 1: Put on protective gear.
Dust and paint can get into your eyes if you don't wear safety glasses or goggles.Use a mask to protect your lungs.Put on a pair of old sunglasses and a disposable facemask if you don't have protective eyewear or a respirator.
Step 2: A well-ventilated area is needed for the paint station to be set up.
Work in an open garage, driveway, or yard.If you want to protect it from paint, lay a plastic or canvas drop sheet on the ground.If you are working outdoors, make sure the weather is dry and there is no wind.If you are working inside, cover any nearby items you don't want to get paint on by accident with plastic or canvas drop cloths.Drop cloths can be hung up to make a makeshift paint booth.
Step 3: The furniture has hardware on it.
Handles, knobs, and hinges can be removed.Place all the hardware in a safe place, such as a bowl, jar, or another type of container.This makes sure that the hardware doesn't get in the way of a smooth finish and that there is no paint on it.
Step 4: If the furniture is wooden, you should sand it.
You should start with 120-grit sandpaper.Put a piece of the sandpaper on a sanding block and move it back and forth over all the furniture's surfaces to rough it up.To smooth the wood out, repeat the process with fine-grit sandpaper.Sanding the wood helps the paint adhere.
Step 5: To smooth out metal furniture, use a wire brush and 220-grit sandpaper.
To remove rust, paint, and other debris from a piece of furniture, scrub it vigorously with a wire brush.Put a piece of 220-grit sandpaper on a sanding block and rub it all over the metal furniture, using circular motions to smooth out the surfaces.If you have hard-to-reach nooks and crevices on your metal furniture, you can sand them out by folding a piece of sandpaper into a small square.
Step 6: Sanding dust can be cleaned with a tack cloth and a shop vac.
Dust from sanding can be removed with a tack cloth.There are piles of dust on the ground.If you don't clean up the sanding dust, it may end up in your paint finish.If your piece of furniture is made of metal, use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down the surfaces after sanding.Wait until the metal is completely dry before painting it.
Step 7: There is a stain-blocking primer for wood furniture.
There is a barrier between the wood and the paint created by a stain-blocking primer.If you are using oil-based paint, use a water based primer.If you don't use a primer that blocks stains, the paint can be discolored.
Step 8: Water-based latex paint is a good choice for wood furniture.
It is convenient to use latex paint because it dries the fastest of all types.It is not as durable as other types of paint, so don't use it on furniture that gets used frequently.Do not use water-based latex paint on a coffee table or dinner table that you use daily.A table or shield that holds decorative items is a better candidate for latex paint.
Step 9: Wood furniture gets used a lot if it is painted with alkyd-based oil paint.
Water-based paints are less durable than oil based paints.Furniture that gets used a lot will be protected by these types of paints.Alkyd-based oil paints are a better choice for painting furniture because they are quicker to dry.
Step 10: If your furniture is metal, you should use primer and paint formulated for it.
Oil-based paint can be used for outdoor and indoor items.Water-based paint can be used for items that don't use a lot.Make sure your primer and paint match.Always use metal-specific paint and primer when using paints that aren't formulated for metal.
Step 11: Thin your paint with water or paint thinner after you strain it through a paint strainer.
The paint should be poured straight through a paint strainer into a clean container.If you want your paint to work well in the paint gun, you need to thin it with water and paint thinner.Refer to the owner's manual of your paint gun for manufacturer recommendations.If you are going to spray on the primer, do this as well.
Step 12: Turn on the air compressor and connect your spray gun to it.
The spray gun has a hole in it's handle.Wait for the pressure to build up in your spray gun and turn on the air compressor.This applies to compressed air-powered paint sprayers.Turn on the spray gun's motor if you are using an airless paint sprayer.
Step 13: When it is 1/3 of the way full, pour primer into the paint cup.
The paint cup screws onto the paint gun.After you pour the primer, lock the cup tightly on the paint gun.Paint your furniture with a brush or roller instead of using a spray gun.You don't have to clean the spray gun after you prime the furniture.
Step 14: Take the paint gun away from the furniture.
The nozzle should be pointed straight at the furniture's surface.The finish will be different if the tip of the gun is angling.Don't start spraying until you have the spray gun.
Step 15: The spray can be sprayed from one end to the other.
Hold down the gun and move the spray gun's nozzle across the furniture in a single stroke.The gun's tip should be released when it passes the other side of the furniture.If you want to get a feel for the spray gun, you should use a piece of cardboard or wood.
Step 16: Use overlap passes to cover the entire piece of furniture.
You can overlap the first section you painted by moving the gun across the furniture in the other direction.The nozzle passes the other end of the furniture.You should cover the whole piece with an even coat of primer after this process.The ideal amount of overlap is 1 in.There are some spots in the coat.
Step 17: Remove the paint gun's parts with water or paint thinner.
Water and paint thinner can be used to clean up oil-based primers.Take the nozzle out of the paint gun and put it in a container of solvent.To clean out the paint cup, run solvent through the lines of the sprayer.If you let primer or paint dry in your spray gun, it will cause it to splutter and spatter paint instead of spray smoothly and evenly.Refer to the owner's manual for cleaning instructions.
Step 18: After the primer is dry, sand it lightly with 800-grit sandpaper.
The manufacturer recommends waiting at least 30 minutes to 1 hour for the primer to dry.To smooth out any bumps in the primer, put a piece of 800-grit sandpaper on a sanding block and sand with the grain of the wood all over it.Dust can be wiped off with a cloth.This applies to both types of furniture.Sand between coats of primer and paint with fine-grit sandpaper.The goal is to get rid of any air pockets in the application, not to sand off the primer.If your piece of furniture has an underside, flip it over and repeat the process to apply a coat of primer to the bottom, then clean out your spray gun again and wait another 60 minutes before you sand the whole piece.
Step 19: You should apply a coat of paint the same way you did the primer.
The paint cup should be filled about 1/3 of the way.If you want to spray it all over, aim the nozzle straight at the furniture and use long strokes.To ensure an even finish, overlap each pass by 1 in.Refer to the primer application instructions in the section above for more detailed paint application techniques if you applied primer with a brush or roller.It's similar to spraying on the primer.
Step 20: Water or paint thinner can be used to clean out your paint gun.
Water and paint thinner can be used for oil-based paints.If you have leftover paint from the paint cup, fill it with water or paint thinner.Put the liquid out and it will run clear.Take the sprayer apart and rinse the parts separately if the liquid isn't clear.
Step 21: Once the paint is dry, lightly sand it with 800-grit sandpaper.
Put a piece of sandpaper on a sanding block and sand lightly, going with the grain of the wood, all over the first coat of paint to smooth out any flaws.After sanding the furniture, wipe it down with a tack cloth.Some oil-based paints can take up to 8 hours to dry, while most water based paints are dry in less than 4 hours.If you don't know how long to wait before you sand, refer to the instructions from the paint manufacturer.If the piece of furniture has a bottom to paint, apply the first coat of paint to the underside as soon as the paint is dry.It takes about 1 hour for water-based paint and 4 hours for oil- based paint.After spraying the bottom, you should clean your spray gun.
Step 22: The same techniques can be used to spray on a second coat of paint.
Lock the paint cup onto the spray gun by filling it with paint about 1/3 of the way through.Hold the tip of the gun away from the furniture and make a long pass over it.You should keep making the same passes until you apply the second coat.When you finish, wash your spray gun with water or paint thinner.After 1 coat of primer and 2 coats of paint, any piece of furniture should look good.It is up to you whether or not to apply a second coat if you painted the underside of your furniture.If the bottom is not visible and the first coat looks good, you may want to spray on a second coat to save time.
Step 23: If furniture gets used a lot, add a coat of polyacrylic.
Follow the same process as applying water-based paint and primer with your paint sprayer.You should clean your spray gun with water.Before you seal it, make sure the final coat of paint is dry.To be extra safe, wait a full 24 hours before spraying.Polycrylic is easy to work with.It is safe to apply on top of either oil or water-based paint.After 1 hour Polycrylic is safe to handle and dries to the touch in 30 minutes.Wait 1 hour between coats if you want to apply a few coats to furniture.
Step 24: Remove the furniture's hardware and clean up the workspace.
Handles, knobs, and other hardware can be removed from a piece of furniture.Drop sheets can be folded for storage or thrown away if they are one-time-use.