spray painting tricks | jamie's home blog

Hi friends. I have joked before that I’ll spray paint anything that holds still long enough. While that’s a bit of an exaggeration, a big chunk of my projects and my posts here on jhb involve spray painting, so I figured I’d share my best tricks and tips with you guys!

*This one is obvious, but, always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the can! Not all spray paints are created equal, and they can behave differently depending on the brand, finish, and even the climate you’re in.
*Make sure your object is spray-paintable! The instructions on your spray paint can will tell you what surfaces it’s designed for.
*Shake, shake, shake! Make sure you shake the can until the ball rattles and then for another two minutes to make sure that everything in the can is thoroughly mixed together. My arm gets tired when I do this but skimping here can mean a gloppy, uneven mess. Ick.
*Protect yourself! I always wear gloves (can’t be messin’ up my mani), clothes I don’t care about, and a dust mask. I don’t want to breathe in paint particles, and neither should you. It’s plain bad for you.
*Prep your surface! Plastic drop cloths are very cost effective, and can usually be re-used many times if you take proper care of them. I always lay a drop cloth on my work surface, and if there’s a light breeze going (a luxury here in North Texas), I protect items around me from overspray with an additional drop cloth.
*Take it easy! Use a light trigger finger on that spraypaint can to avoid a gloppy, drippy mess, friend. It should take at least three light coats to get full coverage with spraypaint.
*Move swiftly! Quick, even strokes (paired with the light trigger finger) make for beautiful coverage and a smooth finish!
*Paint at your own risk… Guys, I’m an amateur home diy-er. I have a lot of experience, but I am not licensed, and I am not a professional. Everything I write on this blog is an account of, or based upon an experience of my own. If you don’t feel comfortable using spray paint, tools or anything else, consult a pro first, okay?