Airless sprayers
are perfect for big painting jobs.
Airless paint sprayers are a variation of the compressed air sprayers that were developed in the early 1900's. As the name implies, airless sprayers use a pneumatic pump instead of air to force paint through the nozzle of the gun under high pressure. This technology allows you to spray a higher volume of paint, making airless guns suitable for large painting jobs for which precision is not the main concern.
Choose the Right Nozzle
Manufacturers of airless sprayers make a variety of tips to use with them. The tip you choose depends on the size of the job, the thickness of the coating you need and the material you are spraying. The two variables on spray tips are the size of the orifice and the width of the fan. A larger orifice delivers more paint per square foot, while a wider fan width delivers less. Choose the tip to regulate paint flow to minimize dripping, sagging and over spray while maximizing coverage. Keep in mind the type of paint you are spraying, remembering that the gun sprays stains and thin paints like primer faster than it sprays heavier exterior paints and enamels. If paint is sputtering from the gun, consider using a tip with a wider orifice before thinning the paint.
Overspray
Over spray is a major concern when using an airless sprayer. There is no way to avoid it, and if you don't take proper steps, you may have a cleanup that takes longer than the actual paint job. Be sure to cover all doors, windows, woodwork and trim with masking tape and paper, and tape the paper together so the force of the spray doesn't separate it. If spraying indoors, cover all nearby furniture with plastic, and secure it with tape. Even if the furniture is not in the direct path of the sprayer, it may still become covered by a fine mist of paint if you don't cover it. If spraying outdoors, cover shrubs, driveways and lawn furniture. Move your cars to a safe location out of the painting area.
Airless Equipment
Unlike air sprayers, airless equipment comes in many different sizes, from heavy-duty industrial machines for painting buildings to handheld ones for use around the house. Don't bother renting a large machine if all you want to spray are a few pieces of garden furniture, but don't try to use your handheld sprayer to paint your house, either. Most medium-duty airless sprayers that you can rent for home use are suited for interior and exterior wall painting, but for a one-time use on a fence, save money in the long run by buying an inexpensive handheld sprayer that you can keep for future jobs.
Spraying Technique
After you fill the container of the sprayer with paint, test the pattern before you begin. If you have several tips on hand, use the one that gives you the widest fan while leaving a wet coat on the surface without drips. When you spray, keep the gun at a uniform distance from the work at all times, and overlap the spray pattern by about 50 percent. Keep the gun moving while you are spraying, and come back to areas that need more paint after you have painted the entire surface. Finally, clean the gun and tip thoroughly with water or solvent after each use.
Safety
The high pressure developed by airless sprayers can force the paint through your skin. Keep the gun pointed away from you at all times, and never put your hand in front of the nozzle. Protect your eyes and the rest of your body from over spray by wearing safety glasses, protective clothing and a hat. If you examine your hat after a session of spraying, you'll be happy that you were wearing it.
