Spray Paint Tips and what NOT to do!

Have you had a bad accident using spray paint?  I did!  Sharing my mistake so we will both do better with these spray paint tips.

Let’s start with what to do first when we’ll get into the big what not to do.

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Spray paint tips for spraying the object

Read the back of the can.  Instructions are boring but at times there is good info.

Painting info like:

• Use in a well-ventilated area…like outside!
• Shake the can until the bead inside moves freely.  I didn’t once and the navy blue paint started out clear.
• Move across the surface about 12 inches keeping the can in motion.  Spray off the surface on each side.  This keeps the edges from getting too much paint.
• Apply light coats several times letting the paint dry between coats.
• If you still have paint in the can when you finish, turn the can upside down and spray until air comes out.  This clean the nozzle of paint.  If you don’t the spray may not work next time.  This does work.

My additional spray painting tips

There are to basic types of spray paint nozzles on the market.  The white nozzle on the right is made to be comfortable on the index finger.  If the paint comes in the color I want, I pick the red nozzle on the right because…

I use one of these spray paint triggers.  Because even the larger nozzle hurts after awhile.

This was a plastic turntable to hold spices in my cabinet about 30 years ago.  For the last 25 years, it’s been a turntable for spray painting!

Give a lift to your spray painting

You can find spray paint risers on Amazon.  I keep meaning to order them, okay just did!  I have used four blocks of wood with a nail in the center.

Protection

Protect the area from overspray with drop cloths.  Never use plastic as a floor drop cloth.  They are too slippery!  Protect your nose and lungs from spray with masks.  I use these masks everytime I spray paint.  

What NOT to do when spray painting

My spray paint disaster

When I was 13 years old, dad dragged home a military desk lamp.  It had a short in the wiring and they were going to toss it.  Dad rewired the lamp.  Then I planned to spray paint it black.

I grabbed newspapers, the can of spray paint, the lamp and headed out to the patio.  It happened to be a rare occasion that I was home alone.

How many times have you had trouble removing the cap from the spray paint?  Crazy, right!  Well, think of this the next time you have trouble taking off the cap from the spray can.

I squeezed the cap until my fingers turned red.  I pulled the cap to one side and then another.  Nothing.  Frustrated, I headed back into the kitchen.  I grabbed a butter knife.  Not sharp enough.  Opening the drawer for a steak knife, I saw it.

The ice pick! {this is the actual one I used}

After several tries of the point of the ice pick slipping between the plastic and the metal of the can…

I tried jabbing it in…

Black spray paint shot up to the ceiling covering my face and the light above the sink.  It wouldn’t stop!  I flipped the can upside down into the sink.  Dropped the can several times.

It’s amazing how slippery wet paint is!!

If that wasn’t bad enough, an idea hit me.

The lamp!

Yes, I did!  I grabbed a dish towel and trying to cover the hole, I walked back through the kitchen out to the patio.  Dripping paint from my elbows and leaving paint footprints.  I aimed the hole towards the lamp.  Then uncovered the hole.  Only to find the can was now empty.

Would you like me to come over and help you spray paint!!  😀