
Preliminary Steps Download Article
- 1 Select your paint and thinner. Oil-based enamels are most easily used with a compressed air sprayer, but acrylics and latex paints can also be sprayed. ...
- 2 Prepare the area where you will paint. ...
- 3 Put on a mask or respirator, safety glasses, and gloves. ...
- 4 Prepare the surface to be painted. ...
- 5 Prime the surface if necessary. ...
What size spray tip to use for latex paint?
Speed Advice
- Use smaller tip size when applying thinner materials such as stains and enamels
- Use larger sizes for thicker materials such as exterior, latex and oil based paints
- The larger the size of the tip hole, the faster the material leaves the gun A 313 tip sprays faster than a 311 or 411 tip
Can you use latex paint with an airbrush?
You can essentially use any kind of paint with an air brush as long as the consistency is correct. Use a 11 ratio and mix your rubbing alcohol and paint then spray with the airbrush. However things have changed and they can now be used to spray latex paint a thicker paint that can clog the airbrush if it isnt thinned properly.
How to paint with a compressed air sprayer?
Method 2 Method 2 of 4: Prep the Compressor Download Article
- Turn on the air compressor. You will use some air for priming and testing your sprayer, so let it build up pressure while you get your paint ready.
- Adjust the regulator on the compressor to between 12 and 25 PSI (pounds per square inch). ...
- Attach the air hose coupling to the sprayer. ...
- Pour a small amount of paint thinner into the paint cup. ...
Does a paint sprayer need an air compressor?
Pneumatic air paint sprayers will need an air compressor to work. This is because it’ll use compressed air to pump the paint onto the wall or fence you’re painting. One thing you need to be careful about is it may overspray a little bit. All in all, they are much more cost-effective.

Can you use latex paint with an air paint sprayer?
4:1211:56How to spray latex paint with an air gun - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause latex is water-based. Then just spray it and it also makes a lot easier to clean up becauseMoreBecause latex is water-based. Then just spray it and it also makes a lot easier to clean up because you could use water to clean up your spray gun.
Do you need to thin latex paint for a sprayer?
Yes, the latex paint does need to be thinned. Even though latex paint is water-based, it is thicker than the oil-based paint varieties. The thick latex paint needs to be thinned to be able to spray a fine mist of paint. Before applying your paint, it is a good idea to test out the paint's viscosity.
What kind of spray gun do I need for latex paint?
These days, common HVLP (high-volume, low-pressure), LVLP (low-volume, low-pressure), handheld, and electrical sprayers are capable of spraying latex.
What kind of paint do you use on an air paint sprayer?
oil-based paintChoose the Paint for the Sprayer Airless pain sprayers work with oil-based paint or stain. HVLP paint sprayers work with oil-based paint, but thicker paints such as water-based latex can clog the sprayer.
What is the best way to spray latex paint?
The fastest way to get the smoothest finish with latex paint is to use an airless paint sprayer, which you can rent for less than $100 a day. (Other sprayers are less expensive but require you to thin the paint to a precise consistency.)
Should you add water to latex paint?
Latex paint is a water-based paint. It is generally thicker than oil-based paint and it must be thinned with water, especially if you intend to distribute a thin mist of paint over a surface using a paint spray gun or nozzle.
What size tip do you need to spray latex paint?
Recommended Tip Sizes For Common Coating MaterialsLaquer or Stain.009 - .013Oil Based Paint.013 - .015Latex Paint.015 - .019Heavy Latex or Smooth Elastomeric.021 - .025Elastomeric & Blockfiller.025 - .035 +
Do you have to dilute paint when using a sprayer?
Do I need to dilute the paint when spraying with a HVLP paint sprayer? Diluting may be necessary on smooth surfaces and for viscous, gel-like materials. Mixing with water is also recommended if the atomisation is too coarse or the volume of paint is too low (even on the maximum setting).
Can I use normal paint in a sprayer?
And you can use all types of paint in a sprayer as long as it's the right type for the gun you get. Most sprayers can use latex, water-based paint, acrylic, primers, vinyl, alkyd, lacquer, enamel, high-heat paint, oil-based paint, epoxy, rust-preventive paint, and plastic paint.
What can I use to thin latex paint?
In contrast, latex paint is water-based and should be cleaned up and thinned only with water. Water is the carrier of solid products in latex paint.
What is the best paint to use in a spray gun?
Latex paints are the most common type of paint for spray guns today. The combination of cost, shelf life, and longevity of quality make it one of the best paints available. There are other types of indoor paint that will also work with a spray gun if they are thinned to the correct consistency.
What's the difference between airless and air paint sprayer?
Air spray is best for products requiring a high-quality finish, but doesn't have a good transfer efficiency rate. Airless has a higher transfer efficiency rate and is often used for protective, rather than decorative coatings. Air-assisted airless offers high production levels and a high-quality finish.
How thin should paint be for spray gun?
10%A simple rule of thumb is always thin emulsion before spraying through an airless sprayer, at least by 10%. Second, you have finish paints for woodwork. Typically, water-based satin these days. When spraying woodwork with satin, you would not thin the paint at all.
Does acrylic paint need to be thinned for a sprayer?
If you want to control the results, even application and paint consistency, you need to thin acrylic paint for spraying. You also should consider thinning when the weather makes your paint thicker (temperature, humidity, and air pressure).
What can I use to thin latex paint?
In contrast, latex paint is water-based and should be cleaned up and thinned only with water. Water is the carrier of solid products in latex paint.
What is the ratio of paint to thinner for spray gun?
Recommended Paint Thinner Ratios for Spray Gun In general, for thinning process for a spray gun, the ratio recommendation is 3:1 or 4:1 paint to thinner.