Spray Paint
Included are a few tips to make spray painting easier.
Instructions
1. The MOST important step in spray painting is making sure that there are no contaminants on the surface of what's being painted. What's a contaminant? ANYTHING! Finger prints, dust, newspaper ink, grease from cooking bacon that morning, packaging residue. So. . .
First step is to clean the surface with alcohol (Yes, clean it before sanding and then clean after sanding). Alcohol works best because it will remove almost any contaminant but is least likely to damage the surface.
2. The second most important step is to make sure that the surface to be painted is non-glossy. What's non-glossy? Plain wood that you see in the lumber section. What's glossy? Your car's paint. If in doubt-scuff it.
You can either use sandpaper or a scuff pad. Sandpaper should be no rougher than 320 grit and no finer than 600 grit. However, I prefer a scuff pad because it is easier to use on curved surfaces. Scuff pads come in Green (very rough-avoid) Grey (rough-okay to use) and Red (semi-rough-best to use)
After sanding or scuffing the surface, clean again with alcohol. I typically use regular paper towels because they are cheap and always available (in my kitchen when the wife isn't looking!). You can also use the blue paper towels available at hardware stores which will not leave lint.
3. Shake the spray paint can for at least one minute and two minutes if you can stand it (I never can!)
Now Paint! But here's a trick that greatly increases the consistency of the finish. Heat the spray paint can in hot water from the sink until the can is warm. This increases the pressure in the can and allows the paint to lay onto the surface smoothly, increasing the gloss.
Spray smooth but quick thin coats, keeping the can 90 degrees or perpendicular to the surface. The first coat should be thin to allow it to bind to the surface and then later coats will bind to previous coats. Let it dry for at least as long as the directions states (some paints dry quick, some not).
