What is the best way to apply paint – by sprayer or by hand? This is a question that will spark debate amongst painters any where in the country. I am going to answer this question based upon what the major paint manufacturers suggest as well as my experience with all kinds of application. For the purposes of this article, I am going to use exterior Atlanta House Painting. The two ways to paint the exterior siding of a home are:
- Spraying it with commercial spray equipment
- Brushing and rolling by hand
Here are the differences in these painting methods: Spraying:
- Applies a thicker film of paint on the surface
- Leaves a smoother finish
- Covers colors with one coat (usually)
- Uses less labor
- Uses more paint
- Renders an overall better finish than brushing/rolling by hand
Brushing/Rolling By Hand:
- Uses less paint
- Uses more labor
- Puts a thinner coat of paint
- Can show brush marks/lap marks
- Can cause hide issues
- Is better for small detailed areas
Keep in mind that I am discussing painting the exterior siding of a house. The windows, trims, gutters are usually painted by hand. After reading this, it is obvious that spraying the exterior of a home is the best way to paint it. Then why do so many painters brag about doing “all their work by hand?” I don’t know. This “all work done by hand” thing is simply a marketing stunt that plays off of the average person’s mindset of, “if something is built by hand it is of better quality.” Well, this may be true for rocking chairs or watches, but it is not true for paint. Remember, when I say “spraying paint”, I am not referring to one of those $100 Wagner Sprayers at The Home Depot. I am talking about commercial spray rigs that start at around $1000.00. Spray application is not always the best way to apply paint. In many situations, it is completely impractical. For instance, an interior repaint of someone’s home or a shopping center with a busy parking lot. Anywhere that overspray may become an issue, you should not spray.
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