Exterior Painting with Your Paint Sprayer

Update the look of your house this year with the help of a Graco sprayer. You’ll finish in a fraction of the time it takes to paint with a traditional roller or brush, leaving more time to enjoy your summer. 

 

 

Prep/Getting Started

Before starting any painting project, clean the surface to be painted as thoroughly as possible. It is recommended to use a pressure washer for best results. Allow surface to dry completely before painting.

Safety Notice: Whenever operating equipment it is important to take proper safety precautions, be mindful of potential hazards, wear protective clothing and eyewear, and stay alert. Always refer to the specific instructions and safety procedures for the spray equipment you are using.

Clear – Move all outdoor furniture, grill, etc. away from area to be sprayed. Make sure to have plenty of space for your tools and equipment.
Clean – Wash the entire area that is to be painted using a pressure washer and cleaning solution. Allow surface significant time to dry.
Remove – Make sure to remove any dirt, mildew, mold etc. Scrape off large areas of peeling paint.
Repair – Replace any damaged areas with new siding, soffets, etc. Pound in loose nails. Sand any rough surfaces and caulk gaps as needed.
Safety – Protective items are essential for your safety. This may include: gloves, eyewear, clothing, spray sock (hood), hats, footwear, dust masks and respirators. If you’re painting in the vicinity of any appliances turn them off. (See Safety Precautions in your Sprayer Operation Manual.)

Step By Step

Before you start spraying be sure all the surfaces are properly prepped. Any surfaces you do not want painted should be covered or blocked using a spray shield. Avoid spraying on windy days.
Select the spray tip that best meets your needs for the material (stain, paint, etc.) you are spraying and the surface to be sprayed. Be sure the hole size selected does not exceed the maximum capacity of your sprayer. (see tip selector.)
If you do not have a lot of spray experience, it is best to start on a large flat area like the side of the house or other area not easily seen.
Typically, when painting, it is best to start at the top and work your way down.
Begin by spraying any eaves or the underside of any overhangs. The direction you will spray depends on the construction. As a general rule you want to spray any exposed trusses, wood beams, or boards by aiming the spray fan pattern to follow lengthwise.
You will work in sections, only as far as you can comfortably reach. First spray the outer edges, “banding” the area that you will spray and cutting in any corners. For inside corners, aim the spray tip directly into the corner so it overlaps both sides. Next, point the spray tip at the edge of the previous painted area to overlap approximately 50%.
After you have completed the eaves area, spray the exterior walls. Cut in around windows and doors first then spray paint the remaining flat areas using overlapping strokes.
See - How to use a paint sprayer: Spray Techniques for more spraying pointers.

Clean Up

Allow significant time for the paint to dry before removing tape from your trim. This will result in crisp, clean lines.
Remove all coverings from shrubs, bushes and plants. Carefully remove all tape from window and door trim.
Replace hardware that may have been removed, such as lighting fixtures or shutters.
Clean your airless paint sprayer after each use. Follow the directions in your user’s manual for Power Flush™ cleaning with water based materials or use the bucket method of cleaning for Graco 190ES and solvent based products. For more info see Power Flush Video (wmv 1.4MB) or refer to your Sprayer Operation Manual.
Return a other items (furniture, grill, etc.) back into place.

Suggested Tools & Equipment

• 2 empty buckets – For priming sprayer and clean-up.
• Stir sticks.
• Paint strainer bag – Helps eliminate tip plugging and provides a better finish.
• Prep items: tarps or drop cloths – plastic sheeting – masking tape.
• Paint / Stain – If using paint from multiple containers it is recommended that you transfer / mix paint from multiple containers together in an empty 5 gallon container. This is known as “boxing” the paint and ensures consistent color even if small differences in color exist between paint batches.
• Paint brush for touch-ups.
• Graco or Magnum Paint Sprayer (see comparison chart or sprayer selector).
• Spray Tips (see tip selector) – A wider spray pattern for large surfaces and narrow size for smaller surfaces.
• Tip Extension(s) – For hard to reach areas that would otherwise require a ladder.
• Pressure Roller Attachments.
• Two – 8 inch or larger adjustable wrenches.
• Additional airless hose sections if needed.
• Spray shield.
• Pump Armor for storage after use and TSL for Graco 190ES .
• Cleaning rags.
• Cleaning brushes – Stiff nylon (small and large) for clean-up.
• Safety and protection equipment such as: Safety glasses/goggles – dust masks/respirator - spray sock (hood worn over head to keep off overspray)