10 pro-tips: How to spray paint

TIP 1

Start with some warming up

Do you keep your spray in a cool cellar or fresh garage, or was it just transported to you through cold outdoor temperatures? Then it's a good idea to let the spray get to room temperature (between 20°C and 25°C) a bit first. If the can is too cold, you won't get the mixture of paint and solvents inside the canister optimally mixed to atomise, which can cause the spray can to sputter, and of course you don't want that. It may go without saying, but it's also best not to start working at 5°C outside. The ideal ambient temperature for your spray work is also between 15°C and 25°C for most spray cans.

TIP 2

Spray only what you want to spray

While the spray can is warming up a bit (and maybe you too), it is the ideal time to make some other preparations. You only want to spray that one object and not your floor or the area around it. You can very easily protect the floor by placing protective cardboard underneath. If you are going to paint a radiator, for example, you can protect the wall behind it with masking film. Any skirting boards, knobs and pipes can then be neatly covered with masking tape.

TIP 3

Start from a well-prepared substrate

Spray paint, just like paint from a pot, needs a well-prepared substrate to adhere properly. That means: cleaned and degreased, possibly sanded and dusted a little and pre-treated with the right primer, which you have allowed to dry sufficiently. Wood, earthenware, stone, etc. and even certain metal surfaces can be primed with MoTip Universal Primer or MoTip Deco Primer. Do you have a plastic surface? Then you need a special adhesion primer, such as the MoTip Deco Effect Plastic Primer.

TIP 4

Shake, shake, shake!

Everyone knows that you need to shake a spray can well beforehand so that the paint, binder and propellants can mix well. But did you know that you should also shake the can regularly during spraying? Because part of the contents of the can is gaseous, and part is liquid, and these two parts gradually separate again during spraying. So by shaking the can regularly, you ensure that the substances inside the can remain well-mixed.

_{Images: Imakin, Delhaize, Rust-Oleum}

TIP 5

Keep the right distance

How far do you actually hold that spray can best? If you hold it too far away from the substrate, it looks as if hardly any paint gets onto the substrate. If you keep it too close again, you might end up with runners or stains. The recommended distance between the spray can and the surface you want to spray is about 25 to 30 centimetres. So should you put a ruler next to that? Of course not! You can estimate it somewhat. For example, the length of a forearm (from the outside of your elbow to your wrist) is about 20 to 30 centimetres on average. If you try to keep that distance, you'll normally be fine.

TIP 6

No thick layers

You may want to see quick results, but if you want a good result, spraying a lot of paint on one particular spot right away is not a good plan. As we told you earlier, the spray can inside consists of a mixture of propellants, binder and paint. When these come out under pressure, they form a mist (or 'aerosol'): fine particles that are then spread over the surface. Precisely because this atomisation is so fine, you can therefore get a very precise, even result with a spray can.

By spraying too much at once in the same place, you destroy that effect. In addition, this also prevents the solvents in the paint from having a chance to evaporate. You then have a high risk of runners or stains. So the best way is not to try to spray one thick layer, but to work in several thin layers.

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TIP 7

Make a cross

Those multiple thin layers are best applied in a cross, i.e. alternating horizontal and vertical spray motions over the entire surface, releasing the nozzle for a moment after each spray motion. This will give you the best coverage and therefore a nice final result. Again, while doing this, also pay attention to the distance from your surface. Oh, and don't forget to shake again in between!

TIP 8

Respect the drying times

At least as important to avoid getting runners or stains is to scrupulously respect the drying times, which are usually mentioned on the spray can or in the technical data sheet. Also take the ambient temperature into account. The spray layer is often dust-dry very quickly (dust no longer sticks to it) or tack-free (you can already touch it), but not yet sufficiently dry to be re-sprayable. In other cases, you are meant to spray the next layer before the paint is completely dry. So always carefully read the instructions on the spray can or the technical data sheet.

TIP 9

Get some air

It is important to adequately ventilate the room you are working in. While ventilating, some of the fine aerosol particles also end up in the air. Ventilating allows those particles to escape, again improving your air quality. In addition, good ventilation maintains humidity levels, which in turn is good for drying.

TIP 10

Clean the valve

Have you finished spraying and there is still paint left in the spray can? If you would like to use it later (e.g. to spray a new layer the day after, or for something else) you should definitely do this: turn the spray can upside down and hold the nozzle down for about five seconds, until no more paint comes out. This way, you empty the valve, preventing dried paint from blocking the spray can later.

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