When it comes to painting walls or surfaces in homes, commercial spaces, and other properties, airless sprayers are becoming increasingly popular due to their seamless finish. More homeowners and professionals are adopting airless sprayers to do the job without hassle or build-ups. Understanding how these tools work is essential to using them efficiently for the desired results.
In this guide, we will discuss all the important tips and tricks you must know. From choosing the right tip to tailoring the pressure to maintaining the tools, we will cover all the essential factors in this blog so you can use a Graco airless sprayer efficiently. Graco is one of the most reliable brands, and we can use it as an example to learn more about airless sprays. Let’s discover more about the seamless tools in this guide:
Choosing the Right Tip For Airless Sprayers
Choosing the right tip is very essential. It determines the amount of paint you use and prevents excessive use or clogging of the tools. Various factors determine which tip you should use, but the most important is the surface you plan to paint it with. Here’s a quick and straightforward selection guide:
First, you must know that all airless sprayer tips, like the Graco spray tips, are identified with three-digit numbers. The first digit represents the fan width in inches when doubled, and the last two digits indicate the hole size in thousandths of an inch. This is confusing, right? Use this cheat code instead:
Fine Finishes for Cabinets, Trims, and Furniture: Use tips 210, 310, and 312, which give you extremely detailed work when working with fragile paint, like stains.
Walls, Ceilings, and Interior Paints: Use tips 515 or 517, perfect for latex paints and interior painting jobs.
Exterior Painting: To paint the exteriors of your property, like fences, decks, and sidings, use tips with numbers 619 and 621, which help with heavy-duty coatings and extensive coverage.
Thicker Coatings: Use tips with numbers 623 or 627, which help you manage high-viscosity paints better for thicker coverage.
Remember to replace tips once you notice the tool is not spraying uniformly or consistently. Damaged tips can lead to overspray and uneven coverage.
Pressure Adjustment
It is very important to use the right amount of pressure while applying paint to ensure that you spray the right amount of paint and prevent any wastage or clogging.
You must start with the least pressure and create a uniform spraying pattern. First, test if the spray is working properly by spraying on scrap. Then, gradually increase the pressure until you achieve a smooth pattern.
The finish will look uneven, striped, or even scattered if the pressure is too low. If the pressure is too high, you will overspray, leading to wastage. Therefore, always remember to use the least pressure required to get your desired coverage and finish.
The Technique of Spraying
The right technique is extremely important to get the smoothest and evenest application of your paint.
First, you must maintain an adequate distance between the sprayer and the surface. Ideally, 12 inches is enough, as moving too close can lead to clogging and paint buildup, and moving too far can lead to very thin and uneven coverage.
Next, always keep the gun in a perpendicular position. Spray straight up to avoid uneven coverage and application. Avoid tilting the gun up or down, as it can result in paint dripping down.
Start spraying before you reach the surface, using smooth and overlapping strokes. This prevents visible lines and strokes and provides a clean surface. Your arm needs to move at a uniform pace. Do not flick your wrist.
You must try to avoid common spraying mistakes, such as fanning the spray gun, stopping in between strokes, and not overlapping enough, as all of these can lead to uneven coating and a messy finish.
Maintenance Tips for Airless Sprayers
Maintenance tips are as important as spraying tips as they help you keep your investment safe for a long time and prevent damage during a painting session. Here’s how you can maintain your spray:
- You must clean your sprayer after every use. If you’re using water-based paints then use clean water and if you’re using oil-based paints then use mineral spirits or any other solvent to clean the sprayer.
- Empty the spray container first and then remove the excess paint stuck to it and then put it back into the can.
- Flush the system by putting water or solvent through the sprayer.
- Rinse properly and then lubricate.
Now that you’re aware of everything you need to know to use airless sprayers like the Graco sprayer correctly invest in the professional tool and start your project right away! Implement the tips given in this guide to spray efficiently to avoid any mishaps, and remember to maintain your airless sprayer to avoid future hassles. We would recommend choosing Grace airless sprayers for beginners and professionals alike but feel free to explore and choose the one which suits your needs. Happy spraying.
