One of the main questions we get asked more often than you think is what is the difference between spray painting and brush painting. Painting furniture and walls allow you to bring new life into your home as is less expensive than buying new furniture. The best technique for applying paint will depend on the furniture and the way you would like the finish to look.
What is brush painting
Brush painting is where you use a paintbrush to apply coats of paint. It can be a more time-consuming way of painting a piece of furniture but will allow you to get a more accurate finish.
There are many benefits of brush painting, you can pick more colours, and you can also make your own custom colours. Less toxic if you are applying paint indoors without ventilation, it also means you may be able to get the job done to your specification.
The key to getting a good finish with brush painting is to ensure the tools you have are of high quality. If you are going to be using a paint brush make sure you apply a thin coat of paint with an angled brush. It will allow you to paint detailed areas and surfaces that may have specific moulds and grooves.
What is spray painting
Many people already know what spray paint is but for those of you who have never used it before it is essentially paint in a sprayable can. People normally use this form of paint for convenience, but it is also good to use if you are looking to get a high gloss or satin finish.
Spray painting is excellent if you are looking to achieve an even coverage without any brushstrokes. It is a much faster way of painting a surface, however, the area you are painting needs to be well ventilated and lit. In most cases, you will only need one coat of spray paint for the coverage to be good, and the drying time is significantly faster than those you would use with brush painting. Spray painting also allow you to get into those hard to reach areas, so if you have a moulding over a piece of furniture it allows you to get into all the nooks and crannies.
How to prepare the paint before spraying or brush painting
Preparation is pretty similar for both forms of painting, you will need to ensure that the surface is smooth before any primers have been applied. With debris, dirt or grime still on the surface the paint will not adhere properly. Make sure that all surfaces are dry and have no moisture retention within it, this will also affect the overall finish of your paint. If you are painting a surface that has a few lumps and bumps which you wish to get rid of, then we suggest looking at purchasing filler from Tool Station.
Before you start painting, make sure other areas are covered as well as household items. The last thing you want to do is get the paint everywhere once you start.
Why use a primer?
Many people believe primer to be unnecessary, however, in most cases it is. A lot of people are under the impression paint companies have sold them a lie in that every surface needs a primer, but to achieve the best finish you will most definitely need a primer. The one material that needs primer the most is going to be wood and drywall. Both materials can be extremely porous, a primer eliminates this and provides you with a smooth finish which allows the colour paint to look much better.
If the previous paint on the object or surface you were painting has a gloss finish then you will most likely need a primer. Paint does not adhere so well to a gloss paint, therefore you may be required to give it a sanding before adding the coat of primer.
If you are wanting to paint a light coat over a dark colour then you can look at purchasing a white primer, this saves you the heartache of spending hours on painting, it also avoids paint build up. If too many coats of paint are applied to the surface then you may come across a few issues such as bubbling, flaking and even cracking.
What materials can I spray paint?
You can pretty much spray most materials with a spray paint it is just about having the right type of paint as well as the correct technique. To spray paint any type of metal, plastic or wood you can use a range of spray paints such as RAL colour aerosols, British Standard spray paints and Pantone colour spray paint.
The following materials can all be spray painted:
- Aluminium
- Glass
- Plastic
- Vinyl
- Wood
- Surfaces with existing paint
Do not be afraid to use spray paint
Using spray paint for the first time can be a daunting experience but once you get the hang of it we are sure you will be spray painting most household items. It is a great way of saving you a few pounds in the long run, not only does it make each item look flawless again but it is also a good way of making sure the item or surface has a longer lifespan. If you are the kind of person that likes to change the look of your home frequently then spray painting is for you. Do not forget that spray paint is not just for the home it can also be used on cars, you can paint most exterior bodywork with aerosols.
Painting
No matter what technique you use to paint your surface or item the best way to achieve the ultimate finish is all in the preparation. Make sure your items have been sufficiently sanded and cleaned. The last thing you want to do is apply a coat of paint for it to flake or bubble later down the line. Primers are essential, as they allow more porous surfaces to have a smoother finish.
