Spray paint: 5 mistakes to avoid - Côté Maison
The spray paint can is very practical for painting furniture or any object of small or medium surface. It offers the advantage of an impeccable result without using a brush or roller. Here are the 5 mistakes to avoid when spray painting.
Mistake n°1: spray painting in a closed room
The gases from the spray paint can be toxic, prefer paint outdoors. Otherwise, work in a ventilated space (cellar, workshop or garage).
When spray painting, it is best to keep children and pets away.
Keep painted items in a garage or outdoors for 48 hours to allow paint odor to dissipate.
Do not spray paint in a room open to the outside with strong drafts or when it is windy.
Mistake n°2: not protecting the space
Spray paint is particularly volatile and settles everywhere, it is essential to properly protect the space around the object to be painted with folded boxes, old newspapers or plastic sheeting held together with tape. Also seal the large gaps under the doors to prevent paint particles from slipping in.
Mistake n°3: getting the wrong equipment
Before spray-painting, you must take care to protect yourself well from the particles sprayed and toxic inhalations: wear old covering clothes and bring latex gloves, goggles and a mask.
To wipe off smudges or stains, always keep a cloth handy.
Have enough cans of paint so you don't have to interrupt the job, masking tape and fine grit sandpaper (240 grit) to lightly sand the substrate between coats.
Error n°4: badly prepare the object to be spray painted
For the spray paint to adhere perfectly and to avoid drips, it is essential to prepare the object well to to paint :
- Scrub, dust and thoroughly clean the surface.
- For very smooth surfaces, sand lightly with fine grit sandpaper (grit 240).
- Apply masking tape to protect parts of the object that should not be painted. Make sure the adhesive is well bonded to avoid paint infiltration.
Mistake #5: Bad spray paint moves
Most mistakes when using spray paint are the result of poor technique. Here is the correct method:
- Remove the safety ring from the can and shake the can vigorously for two or three minutes to mix the pigments well. Renew the operation several times during the application.
- Test the paint on a piece of cardboard to check if the spray can is working properly.
- Start spraying the paint by holding the spray can about 25cm from the object to be painted, and work slowly back and forth, up and down, to achieve even coverage all over. the surface. Use the same technique for each layer.
- Move the arm without stopping and make the turning movements out of reach of the object to prevent excess paint from depositing on the surface and forming drips.
- To avoid excess thickness, apply several thin and even coats rather than one thick coat.
- Respect the drying time (usually 24 hours) between each coat.
- Do not store paint cans in the light and near a heat source (hot water pipes...).
