Here I am today with new things to teach you guys who are new to painting and are struggling to achieve satisfactory results.
After spray painting their own furniture or when they paint for their clients.
Well, don’t worry this guide will help you out in each process so stick to this post and apply everything which I will explain later in this guide with step-by-step processes.
When painting a piece of furniture and you want a very professional result without brush strokes or any unevenness, it’s best to use a spray gun.
Yes, there might be something intimidating about using one, but that doesn’t mean you can’t handle it. It just takes some practice and in no time, you’ll end up being an expert.
The best way to make sure your furniture gets the treatment it deserves is by priming it first so the finish will last longer and be much more beautiful – don’t forget to begin by doing that.
Next, you’ll have to apply 2-3 coats of paint for your furniture’s color to show. Then, seal the item with wax or use a clear coating – whatever works best for you.
The best sort of spray gun to use when you’re painting furniture is an airbrush because they do a really efficient job.
And you can use them on so many different kinds of projects – including car paint jobs and multi-colored furniture pieces.
How to spray paint furniture with a spray gun
Protect yourself first
To protect yourself from dust and paint fumes, don’t forget to put on some protective eyewear and a respirator mask.
Safety glasses or goggles will keep dust from clogging your eyes while providing protection from splashes.
A respirator mask will protect your lungs from inhaling dust and paint fumes while you work. If you don’t have either of these things, don’t panic!
Place a pair of old sunglasses over your eyes and a disposable facemask over your mouth to ensure that even in the absence of proper safety gear, you still have something protecting your body parts.
Prepare your furniture
Whether you’re painting farmhouse furniture or just a small accent table, any beginner can make sure their paint job lasts longer by properly preparing their pieces before applying color.
For example, run a wax or sealant coat over the unfinished wood first to prevent moisture from entering the pores of that unfinished surface and causing it to expand and contract.
Evaporation and condensation phases due to air temperature changes are often encountered in basements or other uninhabited areas in the home.
Drying between coats will also be better when using this prepping method.
Assemble all furniture and make sure it looks the way you want. Rinse it off with a degreaser and rinse it with water.
If you think that some wood filler will be required, put wood filler into each crack and sand down to create an even surface with your piece of furniture.
The next stage is to give your furniture one light go-over with 120 grit sandpaper.
Move onto 220 grit for a more even finish, then wipe all dust off with a damp cloth. The last step is creating all-new surfaces on your piece of furniture by applying 2 thin coats of primer.
Then apply 2 thin coats of enamel paint on top of the primer, then lightly sand down spotty areas or any other places that need improving upon.
When you’re getting ready to paint furniture, make sure that you follow the aforementioned steps and begin by preparing your surface so that the paint has a chance to adhere properly.
Many brands of paint today claim to be both paint and primer in one – they can be quite resilient.
But I like to use a thin coat of Rust-Oleum brand spray-on primer anyway just in case and it never hurts!
One thing you want to keep in mind is cleaning your piece before applying the new finish – many surfaces will benefit from a degreaser.
Or even warm water and soap if there’s any existing grime that could impede adhesion.
Sand the surface
You can sand your piece of furniture if it’s wooden. You should start with coarser-grit sandpaper, such as 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, going with the grain of the wood, to rough it up.
Repeat the process with finer-grit sandpaper, such as 220-grit sandpaper, to smooth down the wood even further so that it is nice and smooth. Sanding the wood helps the paint adhere evenly.
Now prepare your paint sprayer
Preparing spray guns can be tricky the first time around, but it’ll become like second nature with regular use.
If you use your preferred one enough, you know to go through some initial preparation before getting started.
There are some products that should be used regularly and there are some which aren’t required, however, many products like for example Rust Converter, Primer, and Sealers.
Play an important role in achieving quality paint results from your spray gun as well as keeping your equipment clean and working at its best.
Using the HomeRight Super Finish Max spray gun to spray furniture requires some specific preparation.
First, always make sure that you’re using the correct spray tip (the one made of plastic).
And that your fine spray air cap is also made of hard plastic. While wearing latex gloves, use a wrench to remove the existing tips from your gun.
Afterward, take out the rubber gasket from your gun, which can be found under the black brass trigger.
Insert all these various unpainted parts in a dish full of white vinegar for thirty minutes.
Wear your latex gloves once more, then wash off this stripped-down airless paint sprayer thoroughly with lukewarm water and soap.
Once it’s clean and dried, reassemble everything you took apart last time, adding the brand-new tips into their respective slots first.
Before attaching the airless paint sprayer’s body back together with a wrench.
Prepping your paint sprayer involves using a paint strainer to add paint to the bucket. I recommend using water-based paints because they’re easier to work with.
But if you don’t, you need to thin your paints, preferably at 10% water or according to the directions on the can.
The reason you want to thin your paints is so that they get distributed evenly over your surface area and aren’t too thick for your spray gun.
If it’s too thick, this will cause problems for your sprayer and will result in a rough texture because of clogging, which has happened many times in my case.
Test the sprayer
Whether it be with furniture or walls one must always accept the reality of the harsh test spray. No matter how hard you try and protect your surfaces, splatter is inevitable.
That’s why it is linked to the unavoidable test spray!
A small mishap with spray guns will lead to paint stains on your prized possessions (unless you have made prior arrangements to avoid such incidents).
Before committing to a paint job, it’s best to let your run-off dribble down some cardboard.
Or sheeting between the wall and paint surface to deal with the heartbreaking impact of the ruined property.
By test spraying, you get to make all the proper adjustments before applying your paint to a specific target.
You’re able to change the amount of paint exiting your sprayer head by adjusting the flow dial or knobs.
And may also be able to adjust your spray gun’s power settings accordingly. like the flexible hose, Wagner Flexio-Sprayer series does.
This is because the paint has more fluidity when it’s warm than when it’s cold.
Once you’ve figured out the right settings for you (especially suited based on whichever project surface you’re aiming to cover).
You can work towards achieving a consistent and even pattern when painting furniture.
Start to spray furniture
We made it! Now we had a chance to prepare our furniture, and test our sprayers and things are looking good. We’re now ready to start painting our furniture. You can’t just go spray paint.
There are some important concepts you have to understand as well as some specific best practices that will help you keep your project running smoothly and on time.
To help explain these for you, we commissioned an expert to draw up the following diagram for us:
Make sure that you’re evenly distributing your paint lines when spray painting. A common mistake people make when spray painting their furniture.
Especially the chairs are that they tend to put too much paint where they start, and then there’s less paint at the end, leaving a line of uneven color on the piece of furniture.
Rest assured that not all hope is lost for these pieces of furniture! Instead, we want you to distribute your lines equally across the surface.
So that you don’t have an overly thick piece of furniture in certain areas and a thin area in others.
As long as you follow this step-by-step tutorial you should be able to evenly paint whatever it may be without leaving gaps or chipping off any pieces.
Protect the paint
There are many types of finishes for furniture, but only a couple will give you the protection you desire. My favorite kind is water-based polyurethane.
Because it’s easy to apply and long-lasting even in areas that see a lot of natural use like bathrooms and kitchens.
Yes, I said to spray Polycrylic on with an HVLP gun, and I used my own in the above video. And if you’re curious about how to do it properly.
I already got that covered as well with my article: How To Spray Polycrylic With A HVLP Spray Gun.
Add Polycrylic to the can and top it with 10% water after having properly thinned the epoxy (please see my previous post on how to).
This is a very important step in your coating process, so if you want the mixture to be smooth, stir for at least 30 seconds.
Ensure that you give this mixture time to settle before testing it again by spraying some on a wall or scrap piece of wood.
If you spray it too thick, there’s a high chance of drips and dust blobs. So, remember: spray coats in light amounts.
Can you paint furniture with a spray gun?
Yes, it is possible to paint furniture with a spray gun. Spray guns can provide a smooth, even finish and can be used to paint a variety of surfaces, including wood, metal, and plastic.
However, it is important to properly prepare the surface and use the correct type of paint and spray gun for the job.
Additionally, proper safety precautions, such as wearing a respirator and eye protection, should be taken when using a spray gun.
Is it better to spray paint or brush furniture?
Whether it is better to spray paint or brush furniture depends on the specific project and the desired outcome. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages.
Spray painting can provide a smooth, even finish and can be faster than brushing, especially for large or complex pieces of furniture.
However, spray painting requires more setup and cleanup, and can be messy. Additionally, using a spray gun requires more skill and experience than brushing.
Brushing allows for more control over the application of paint and can be used to achieve a variety of textures and effects.
It is also more forgiving of surface imperfections.
However, brushing can take more time and effort, especially for larger pieces of furniture, and may not provide as smooth or even a finish as spraying.
Ultimately, the best method will depend on the specific piece of furniture, the desired outcome, and the skill level of the person doing the painting.
What kind of spray paint do you use to paint furniture?
When painting furniture with a spray gun, it is important to use paint that is specifically formulated for the type of surface and intended use.
For wood furniture, a water-based or oil-based paint that is labeled as suitable for wood surfaces is recommended.
Water-based paints dry quickly, have low odor, and can be cleaned up easily with water.
Oil-based paints take longer to dry, and have a strong odor, but can be more durable and provide a harder finish.
For metal furniture, a paint that is labeled as suitable for metal surfaces is recommended.
Epoxy or enamel paint is commonly used on metal furniture, as they provide a durable finish that can withstand wear and tear.
For plastic furniture, a paint that is labeled as suitable for plastic surfaces is recommended.
Acrylic paint is a good option for plastic furniture, it is easy to clean, dries quickly, and is flexible.
It is also important to use paint that is labeled for use with a spray gun and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for thinning the paint and adjusting the spray gun settings.
Do you need to prime furniture before spray painting?
It depends on the type of surface and the paint you are using. In general, it is a good idea to prime furniture before spray painting.
As it will help the paint adhere better and provide a more even and durable finish.
If the furniture is made of wood and has been previously painted or has a glossy finish.
It is recommended to sand the surface to rough it up and remove any glossy surface, and then apply a primer.
This will help the paint adhere better and also it can help to cover any stains, knots, or other imperfections on the wood.
If the furniture is made of metal, it is recommended to clean the surface thoroughly, remove any rust, and then apply a metal primer.
This will help the paint adhere better and will prevent rust from forming again.
If the furniture is made of plastic, you should clean the surface thoroughly and then apply a plastic primer.
This will help the paint adhere better and will also help to prevent any discoloration or yellowing of the plastic over time.
It is also important to use a primer that is compatible with the type of paint you will be using and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application.
FAQ’s of How to spray paint furniture with a spray gun
Summary of How to spray paint furniture with a spray gun
This guide for sure will help you out in painting your furniture with a perfect finish and satisfactory results so read everything which I have explained and get the results that you want.
This guide is the perfect solution for those newbies who were painting their furniture with the paintbrush method which is slow and time taking.
But with this complete step-by-step guide, they can successfully paint their furniture with a spray gun.
If you find anything confusing just let me know in the comments section and I will clear out your query in no time.
Matthew Edward is a professional painter who loves to paint and wants to share useful tips and tricks which he had learned in many years of experience in painting. He also used many products that can be used for painting he has tried and tested each and every product to give an unbias opinion about it in his review. This blog is very useful for those newbies who want to learn painting without making mistakes.
