Tools and Materials
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Preparing to Paint
No matter what interior paint project is on your DIY to-do list, you’ll want to make sure you’ve prepped the space and/or the items being painted before getting started.
For walls and ceilings:
- Remove furniture from the room being painted
- Cover the floor and any items that can’t be taken out with drop cloths
- Tape off baseboards and trim
- Cover walls with plastic sheeting or drop cloths when painting ceilings
For furniture:
- Empty drawers and cabinets
- Remove hardware and drawers
- Tape glass panels
For cabinets:
- Empty cabinet contents
- Disassemble where able (remove doors, drawer faces, hardware)
- Cover surfaces not being painted (like countertops) with drop cloths
For doors:
- Take the door off the hinges
- Remove the doorknob and other hardware
You’ll also want to set out any supplies you’ll need, including your paint sprayer, paint, safety glasses and gloves.
Be sure to always work in well-ventilated spaces and wear the appropriate protective gear, such as gloves, goggles and a respirator or face mask.
Tips for Using a Spray Painter
- Be sure your sprayer tip is compatible with your paint sprayer and the type of paint you’re using. You can find guidance in Choosing the Best Sprayer Tip for Your Project — but always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for your sprayer to determine what it can handle.
- Test your paint sprayer on a scarp piece of carboard or other scrap material to ensure it’s spraying the way you want it to.
- Spray in one steady, continuous motion per stroke. You can let off the trigger at the end of each pass.
- Don’t tilt the sprayer up or down. Keep it parallel to the surface.
- Work in a well-ventilated area. Open windows and consider using a fan to help circulate fumes outside.
- Wear protective gear, like a respirator, gloves and safety goggles.
- You may need to thin your paint before applying. Find out how in How to Use Paint Thinner.
If you’re new to using a paint sprayer, you can find more detailed tips and tricks in How to Use a Paint Sprayer. Don’t have a paint sprayer yet but need one? Our Paint Sprayer Buying Guide can help you find the right one.
How to Use a Paint Sprayer on Cabinets
One way to freshen up your kitchen is by painting your cabinets — not to mention it’s more cost effective than completely replacing them. Plus, painting cabinets with a sprayer allows you to achieve a more professional look in less time. Before starting, be sure you’ve prepped the surface as needed. Prep work includes cleaning the cabinets, patching and lightly sanding to smooth out rough patches. Since cabinets have smaller surfaces to paint, the best sprayer to paint cabinets with would be a high volume, low pressure (HVLP) sprayer with a narrow width spray tip.
How to Use a Paint Sprayer on Furniture
An old dresser, a dated coffee table or a wooden bench can be made new again with a fresh coat of paint. A handheld HVLP sprayer and a small tip with a narrow fan width are a good pair for furniture painting projects. Before you start, prep the surface so it’s ready to accept the new paint. This can include washing with soap and water to remove any dirt and grime, filling in any knicks and holes and sanding. Once it’s ready, start spraying using continuous movement and even strokes. Be sure to keep the sprayer six to eight inches from the surface. If the sprayer is too far away, it can result in overspray.
Find the best paint to use on furniture and cabinets with our guide.
How to Use a Paint Sprayer on Ceilings
Despite what you may think, your ceiling is as deserving of a fresh coat of paint as any wall in your home. Whether you decide on a neutral white or want to go bold with color, painting a ceiling is a great way to update a space. For ceilings, opt for an airless paint sprayer. Since you’re painting a large surface, you'll want to use a tip with a wider spray pattern for quicker coverage. A spray tip extension may also be beneficial, allowing you to extend your reach without needing a ladder. To ensure the best results, start painting at the seam where the wall and ceiling meet, and spray from one side of the room to the other. Make sure to overlap your paint strokes.
Using a paint sprayer can also be beneficial when painting textured ceilings. For example, if your ceilings are popcorn style, a paint roller can make bits and pieces fall off, affecting the appearance of the ceiling. A paint sprayer allows you to coat textured surfaces with ease.
How to Use a Paint Sprayer on Interior Walls
Painting walls with a sprayer makes the job go faster and leaves you with smooth, even results. An airless paint sprayer works best on interior walls. Stand close enough to the wall so that the sprayer is about six to eight inches away and paint using steady, even strokes. Remember to tape off along the ceiling where it meets the top of the wall, and along any baseboards and other trim, to prevent paint from going where you don’t want it.
Need help choosing an interior paint color? Check out our Interior Paint Buying Guide.
How to Use a Paint Sprayer on Doors and Trim
A fresh coat of paint on a door, baseboards or other trim can be the perfect finishing touch to a room’s update. To make the project faster and easier, use a sprayer for paint instead of a paint brush. If you’re painting a door, take it off the hinges and set it on two sawhorses or other elevated surface to make painting easier. Or if you prefer, and are able, prop the door up so you don’t have to stand over it to paint. Remove the doorknob and other hardware. For doors and trim, inspect for any damage, filling in small holes and cracks with putty and sanding those areas smooth. Check for other rough areas, and sand those as well. Once everything is prepped, spray using steady, even strokes, keeping the sprayer at a consistent distance from the surface being sprayed.
Cleaning Up
No matter which interior paint project you do, once it’s finished, you’ll want to clean up your space and your tools so they’re ready for the next task. Follow these tips for cleanup below:
- Remove painters tape.
- Pickup and remove any drop cloths used to cover floors and other surfaces, and furniture that couldn’t be removed from the room.
- Clean your paint sprayer after each use, following manufacturer guidelines for the best cleaning method and cleaning products.
Have outdoor paint projects you want to tackle? Check out How to Use a Paint Sprayer on Outdoor Projects for inspiration.
Recommendations on when to remove painters tape vary between when the paint is still wet and when the paint is fully dry. Choosing when to remove the tape is at the painter’s discretion. If the paint’s too wet, you could risk smudging. If it’s completely dry, there’s a chance the paint could crack as the tape comes off, leaving you with jagged edges. A good middle ground to consider for tape removal is when the paint is dry to the touch.