As you may already know, I made the switch to spraying furniture at the beginning of 2015. Over the past year and 8 months I’ve worked on developing more knowledge and skills about spraying furniture and also started using oil paints. I still use water based acrylic paints as well and I spray all of these finishes with my Husky HVLP spray gun. If you would like to read about how I started spraying and which tools worked and which didn’t, read this post.
I’ve shared my experience painting furniture with Benjamin Moore Advance and then followed up with my true feelings a year later. I’ve had a few people ask to see the painting of a piece of furniture so I filmed a quick little video while I painted this mid century side table in a custom mixed teal color. The paint you see me spraying is General Finishes acrylic milk paint. I primed with Zinsser cover stain and sealed with GF high performance topcoat in satin (not shown in this video).
Some things to note about spraying with a HVLP spray gun
- Distance from the surface you are spraying. The distance will depend on the product you are spraying and the consistency of it. I’m using a water-based acrylic paint in this video that I thinned slightly with water. It does act differently than oil based (flows out different, sprays differently). When spraying oil paints I tent to keep the gun farther away from the piece.
- I test the spray pattern on something other than the piece I’m actually spraying first. I always have my pieces raised up on saw horses. Those saw horses now have every color I’ve ever sprayed on them because it’s an easy surface to test on. Once I test it I make any adjustments I need to. I may change the spray pattern, the amount of paint coming through my gun or the psi on my regulator.
- The spray pattern (horizontal or vertical) is something I change often as I spray. I turn the nozzle and spray most vertical surfaces (like the legs here) with a horizontal spray pattern. With horizontal areas I use a vertical spray pattern. Those are general guidelines. Over time I have found which spray pattern works best of certain areas and styles of pieces.
- Wear a respirator! You need one like this (the one I have and use) or like this. Yes, they are expensive and it sucks to wear them, but it will save your lungs. Also remember to change your masks cartridges and filters regularly. Gloves are also a good idea. I recently purchased these and they work well for me. Lastly, cover your hair. I didn’t when painting this piece, but normally do. It’s a must when spraying oil products.
Painting Furniture with a HVLP Spray Gun
I did also try spraying lacquer this weekend. Be sure to follow me on Instagram where I share little updates and some behind the scene photos of what I’m working on… like lacquer and pillows! I’ve spent the last month really trying to improve my sewing skills while also using up fabric from my fabric stash. Anyone else buy fabric when they find it for a super inexpensive price and then hoard it for months or years before using it? That’s what I do. But now I’m putting it to use while also buying out Ikea of their down pillow inserts 🙂 I know how the cold, rainy winter will be around here. Lots of sewing.
There’s also a paint review I need to write on using BM Satin Impervo oil paints. I used it on this bamboo dresser and this MCM one. I don’t know when I’ll get around to that. Hopefully soon! 🙂 If you have any questions about the paint leave a comment below.
Until next time…
Reeves
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
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