Airless Paint Sprayer Tips: Overview, Techniques & Safety

An airless paint sprayer uses very high pressure to atomize the coating. It provides quick, consistent and uniform coverage over large surfaces. Use airless paint sprayers on the following:

• Decks
  
• Fences
  
• Exterior siding
  
• Doors
  
• Interior walls
  
• Ceilings
  
• Garages, sheds and other large structures
  
• New-construction painting projects
  

Airless paint sprayers are a great tool that can help you quickly and effectively paint a surface. To prevent injury, it's important that you follow some key safety guidelines.

Wear Safety Gear

• Wear safety goggles and gloves to prevent any stray paint from causing irritation or getting in your eyes. Point the nozzle away from yourself to prevent any accidents.
• Wear a respirator when using the paint sprayer to avoid breathing in any paint mist.

Prevent Fires & Explosions

• Work in a well-ventilated area with no ignition sources such as cigarettes, water heaters, furnaces, stoves, electrical appliances, etc.
• The work area should be free of debris that could be a fire hazard, such as empty paint cans, solvent thinners, rags or paper.
  
• Use grounded hoses to prevent any generation of static electricity.
  
• Use grounded metal buckets when spraying, flushing or cleaning.
  
• The plug to the paint sprayer should be properly grounded in the 3-wire power outlet.

Prevent the Injection of Paint
An airless paint sprayer uses high pressure to create atomized fluid, which can pierce your skin and inject paint into the cut. If this happens, you should seek medical attention immediately. This type of injury can lead to tissue damage, infection and even amputation. To prevent an injection of paint, ensure:

• The tip guard is present on the gun when spraying.
  
• The spray gun safety is on when not in use.
  
• You relieve the fluid pressure during cleaning or servicing. Do this by shutting off the sprayer, triggering the gun and opening the pressure drain valve.
  
• The gun is pointing away from you or anyone else present.
  
• You're following the instruction manual when it comes to flushing out the paint.

Maintain Distance
Before you start spraying, it's important to maintain the recommended distance of 12 inches from and perpendicular to the surface. While spraying, keep this distance by moving your hand instead of the gun to achieve a uniform coat of paint.

If the nozzle is too far from the surface, the spray jet will widen and lead to pattern fading and overspray. If the distance between the nozzle and the surface is small, it can lead to a high concentration of paint, as well as paint drips.

Overlap the Sprayed Paint
Always overlap the sprayed paint. Overspraying an area by approximately 50% allows you to get the best possible coverage without any streaks or inconsistencies.

Spray at a Constant Speed
Apply the paint at a constant speed when using an airless paint sprayer to avoid any patches and get a uniform coat. This can be achieved by maintaining pressure on the trigger.

Start Moving Before Spraying
Always remember to start moving the gun before you pull the trigger and continue moving the gun after you release the trigger. If the trigger is pulled before moving, it can result in excessive paint on the surface.

Spray Into Corners and Edges First
When painting over places such as ceilings, first spray into the corners and edges and then proceed to the flat surfaces. This allows you to get an even application of paint across the surface.