- 1). Cover and mask everything, because latex paint can drift across a room, or halfway across your driveway, as you paint. Use a hand masker, a useful tool that allows you to quickly and accurately apply masking tape and paper or plastic across windows, around lights, and anything else you need to protect. Use drop cloths or plastic sheeting to cover the floor and large objects.
- 2). Thin the paint. Most latex paint can be thinned by about a pint of water per gallon of paint for spraying, but check the label for directions. For some smaller cup or hand-held sprayers, you must thin the paint or it will be too thick to spray properly.
- 3). Strain your paint, even if it's coming out of brand new cans. Pour it through a paint strainer or pair of nylons into a clean bucket.
- 4). Prime your airless sprayer by running clean water through it, then run the latex paint through. Depending on the type of sprayer you're using, you will either fill a paint hopper attached to the sprayer, or dip the paint pick-up tube into the bucket.
- 5). Practice your spraying technique. Hold the gun about 18 inches from the surface, and start moving your hand just before you pull the trigger. Keep the gun perpendicular to the surface, spray about a 3-foot section, and release the trigger just before you stop moving your hand.
- 6). Work in sections from top to bottom, overlapping each spray pattern by about one third. It's always best to paint two thin, even coats than one heavy coat.
- 7). Prevent the paint from drying out when you take a break. Drop the spray gun in a bucket of water, and cover the sprayer and paint with plastic sheeting. If it's hot, move the sprayer into the shade and pour a little water over the paint in the bucket to keep it from skinning over, then cover it with plastic.
SHARE
