If this is the first time you are spray painting, I’ve got you covered. If you’ve been at this before, I might just have a tip that might surprise you.
As I’ve been making home decor using spray paints, I’ve learnt a few things along the way. I would like to share those spray paint tips with you. You can watch the video for the same illustrated information.
Spray can gun
If you do it more often than not, like me as I do home decor, try get yourself a spray can gun. It will be easy on your finger as it
Is less tiring and painful. As you don’t stop as you spray it also helps you with a smooth flow.
Same brand/type
Whatever brand you pick, try to get the same brand for all your colors.
Try to get the same type; if you get gross finish pick gross finish, if you get matte finish get matte finish in all so that there’s a consistency in the colors. Unless the inconsistency is the look and texture you are going for.
Warm cans
I learnt this recently; that it’s best to warm your spray paint cans because it eases and helps the flow of the paint.
Where I live it’s sometimes 45 degrees centigrade, I therefore don’t need to do warm. For other cooler temperatures consider warming. All you need to do is get a bucket of warm water dip your cans. If it’s a warm place, just leave your cans out for a little while.
Outdoors/open space
Try as best as you can to do it outdoors or in an open space. The concentrated fumes are not good for you, they are toxic.
Respirator/mask
It therefore follows that you need to have a mask due to the toxic fumes, especially if you do this often. Wear a mask or a respirator.
Shake before use
This is obvious but we might forget to always shake the cans of paint before use.
Shaking before use causes the paint sediments that have settled at the bottom to mix up so that the colors between the different cans can be consistent.
Spray from 1ft/30cm away
Make sure to always spray about a foot or 30 cm away from the décor. If you are too close the paint will pool and bleed. Sprays from far ensures there is no build up after each coat.
Spray in continuous motion
The other thing to note is to do a continuous spray to avoid build up and bleeding so that there’s good spread and good flow.
Spray in one direction
Please remember to spray in one direction without crisscrossing so that the grains are not seen in the finished product.
Overlap
As you spray please don’t leave space in between and then come back to fill in the spaces. The décor paint will have drip and it won’t be consistent. As you spray you need to overlap.
Let each coat dry
Make sure the paint dries between coats. When it doesn’t dry between coats, it drips and later crackles after drying. I have found out that when it’s hot it dries fast. If it’s humid and cold, it takes longer to dry.
White basecoat
If you need a bright color always start with white as your basecoat or undercoat. You will notice the difference in final colour in your finished product.
Clear nozzle after
After finishing the work, if you have a can that half full or has been used and you know, you have another project you still use it, turn it upside down clear the nozzle airway by trying to spray out residual paint. It will not clog for subsequent spraying.
Do a test beforehand
Always test before actual work to catch any pending mishap. Maybe wrong colour choice or finish. It might be that this specific décor won’t do well with spray painting. It might save you a few bucks, headache and heartache.
No sealer required
With spray painting you don’t need to put a sealer or clear wax on your finished home decor. They’re made that you don’t require that sealer.
I hope you got a tip or two for when you do the next home décor spray painting. If you have other tips, please share in the comments section.
