Last Update: 25 Aug 2020

How to Use a Paint Sprayer Outdoors

James Kelly

Hi! This is James. I'm a professional writer and working on this field for a long time. Basically I love to write about everything related to tools, diy and home improvement. All my writings speak for itself as I'm passionate about this. I love to explore new things as well as new places whenever I get free time. You'll never find me free for this reason!

Spray painting sounds simple & convenient unless you get out of the house. Outdoor painting is rather difficult with a certain complexity. Only an orderly proceeding can lead you to success for the DIY project. You need to understand the factors concerning how to use a paint sprayer outdoors. The detailed steps can certainly ease the job from different perspectives.

Tips on How to Use a Paint Sprayer Outdoors

There are certain advantages to use sprayers instead of brushes or rollers. Faster coverage with quick-drying lets you restore the system in no time. Despite the time-consuming arduous work, you can get a pleasing output.

Preparing the Paint

Pouring the paint into a reservoir tank often ends up clogging. The composition mostly gets seized at tips or internal filters. In fact, the majority of the user complaint include the jamming issue, one way or another.

Take a good look at the composition inside the tube. Don’t miss to check out the tank condition prior to pouring. If there’s anything to mix, maintain the proportion. Add the extra ingredients gently. You’ll have to stir the paint really well before straining it.

Getting Started with the Process

The very first steps concern with initial preparation for the outdoor site. Your job objective starts to fall apart with a poorly prepped surface. It’s one tedious but essential part to cover in the first place.

Materials/Tools: Pressure Washer, Detergent, Tape, Sandpaper

You’ll have to keep out all the furniture & other items from the surfaces. Give plenty of space for everything accounted for temporary removal.
It’s not possible to take out shrubs with plastic or windows. Tape off steady portions on the targeted surface. Cover the openings really well to protect the finish.
Carefully inspect the entire target area for dirt, mold, or peeled off paint. Remove anything lying on topmost layers to cause distortion in finishing accuracy.
Load a pressure washer with a cleaning solution to wash out the surface. Don’t forget additional soffits or eaves you would like to spray anytime soon.
Leave the treated site totally undisturbed for sufficient time to dry. Sand rougher undulations or other caulked gaps to have a smooth painting surface.

Airless Paint Sprayer System

Outdoor painting is somewhat laborious in terms of coverage area. Ordinary can spray can barely pull the job satisfactorily. And that’s where airless paint sprayer comes to aid the issue. It’s indeed the most suitable mean to paint large surfaces.

The basic gun to shoot the paint requires a supporting power source. The mechanism completely works under heavy pressure to pump the paint. Considering the standard uses, at least 3000 psi is essential to suck & throw paints on the target.

You’ll have to get an air compressor to ensure maximum on-site functionality. There are models available for painting jobs in particular. Only the right choice can get you sufficient output pressure. Intense painting tasks require a large-sized reservoir tank.

(Don’t forget to check in our Tools section to get the most suitable Air Compressor for spray painting)

Spraying the Paint on Outdoors

It’s time to get a pace with how to use a paint sprayer outdoors. You have all the gears standby & ready to tune. But the process itself mostly depends on your personal skill. Any first-timer will find it difficult to finish the project with ultimate success.

Materials/Tools: Airless Paint Sprayer, Paint, Buckets

Check out the approximate pattern of paint spray on cardboard boxes. Sufficient width is important to save the effort. You can take an 8” to 12” width for larger surfaces.
Hold the nozzle at a certain perpendicular distance from the surface. Standard application goes well with a 10” to 12” gap between nozzle & solid layer.
Back & forth motion rather than swinging arc will help to ensure uniformity. Gently overlap every individual pass half of the cover portion to skip stripes.
Paint the corners along with other protrusions to start the coverage. Aim the sharpened ends of the corner to make vertical strokes. Quicker coating can reduce the chance of overloading.
Finish up the job with slightly faster strokes for large flat areas. Make the necessary overlapping to attend the desired intensity. Don’t make heavy coating to weight down the layers.
Move the spraying gun to make long, straight paint strokes. Faster action is necessary to have even coat without running. Try to induce a 2’ – 3’ long stroke every second.
It’s quite beneficial to separate the entire surface into specified segments. You can save physical labor to a great extent with the distribution.
Grab a tip extension to reach narrow, detailed, or confined sections. You can easily paint the eaves using the precise spraying shot from the extension.
Take a good take a break to let the paint dry properly. Remove the taping with care to receive crisp, cleaner lines.

Touch-Up for Lighted Paints

Completion of each segment comes with new responsibility. After spray painting, look into every segment to catch missed spots. That’s where you should go for a touch-up before applying re-coat. You can save the hassle using a standard roller or brush.

Safety Precautions to Follow

Outdoor spray painting requires slight expertise to attend perfection. You should get the little tricks to ensure even coverage.

Try to spray at 45°F - 75°F air temperature to get the best output.
Wear a protective mask & goggles to skip inhaling harmful chemicals.
Avoid paint application on direct sunlight to ensure good bonding.
Utilize waste buckets to collect drained paint with additional dregs.
Put on lighter coats initially to continue applying further weighing.

Final Verdict

Exterior appeal is undeniably the very first fact to catch the attention. You’re to have proper guidance on the painting steps to avoid hassles. Getting how to use a paint sprayer outdoors should keep it easy for you.