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Have no fear… The paint sprayer tips are here!

Per my apartment wishlist, I'm using my second bedroom as an office. Or, at least, I'm supposed to use it as an office. It's been acting more like a dumping ground for the past three months months, but that will all change when my custom Elfa space is installed next week. Yippie!

But before the installation can happen, I need to cover up the GOD AWFUL grey walls. This is the first time I’m intentionally painting a room white, so I did a lot of research of the best white paint colors and selected Alabaster by Sherwin Williams in a Satin finish, because it’s a bright, yet warm white that would look lovely in the south-facing light!

Starting this project got me thinking about the last time I used a paint sprayer, and I wanted to share some helpful tips. Let's get into it!

4 Tips To Using A Paint Sprayer

Prep Is Key

Contrary to popular belief, a paint sprayer doesn't save time compared to using a roller! Sure, getting paint on the wall takes less time, but when you add in the prep time.. It’s about the same since everything not meant to be painted must be covered.

I love using Canvas drop cloths for painting projects, but I actually prefer plastic tarps when using a sprayer since they’re easy to hang with painter's tape and way cheaper. If you're working in a space with a lot of windows or mirrors, skip the tarp and use peel-off masking liquid! It's a bit pricey at $31 but will save time and frustration. 

You CAN NOT get away with half-ass coverage when using a paint sprayer! Last year, when I upgraded a friend's kitchen cabinets with Sherwin William's Moody Blue, I forgot to cover my china cabinet and spent months scrapping of tiny specks of blue paint.

Do better than me, and don't cut corners! 

Safety First

The first time I used a paint sprayer, I didn't use mask or eye protection, and several people let me know how disappointed they were in me. My bad! I should have known and done better!

Paint sprayers produce a fair amount of kickback, and even zero VOC paints like Clare, a Black-owned paint brand, should not be ingested. Eye protection, preferably goggles, and a reusable respirator mask will help ensure your safety and keep paint out your mouth. This is optional, but full-body, heavy-duty coveralls, are also great to have on hand. They help keep your skin and clothes somewhat clean and they’re kinda fun to wear - makes me feel like a pro.

Typically, I get an XL. 

In addition to covering your body, you’ll also want to prepare yourself for the physical task of using a paint sprayer. When full, the sprayer is heavy AF! This was something I wasn’t prepared for my first time, and had major shoulder and wrist pain after. So, rake lots of breaks and use two hands to hold your machine, if need be.

Clean That Thang

I’ve left paint sitting in my machine twice, and let me tell you - it's not a good idea. After each use, the sprayer must be fully disassembled, cleaned, and completely dry before packing it away. Cleaning takes about 30 minutes if done immediately and over an hour if the paint has dried. These crevice cleaning brushes, $5 on Amazon, are super helpful at getting into the hard-to-reach spots, but you can avoid a little bit of mess by using liners inside the cup.

Speaking of cleaning, remember to wipe the spray nozzle periodically, as the paint will crust over after a while and cause sputtering that can ruin your finish. Dried paint can make it hard to remove the cup in order to refill, but running it under hot water for 30 seconds will loosen it right up!

Practice Makes Perfect

Once you get the hang of it, paint sprayers are super easy to use, but you'll want to do a few test strokes before starting your project. I used the practice sheets that came in my paint sprayer kit, but you can also get a scrap piece of plywood for practice. I also found these how-to videos helpful as a beginner. 

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