Spray Painting

From RISDpedia

Spray painting is often the quickest and easiest way to paint small or detailed objects. Sadly what seems like the easiest thing to do can be a huge pain if not done correctly.

Always paint from at least 6 inches away (10-12 is optimal).

[edit] Spray Booth Etiquette

Don't leave your models unattended in the Spray Booth, as they will probably be ruined when someone else uses it. If you need to spray, and other people's models are there, move them off to the side, and put up a board between them and where you are spraying. This way their blue model doesn't become your shade of red.

[edit] Formal Instructions

Shake the spray can for two full minutes after you hear the mixing ball begin to rattle. Shake the spray can for a few seconds after each minute or so of use.

To start the proper paint flow, and to make sure you’ve shaken the paint enough, spray first on scrap material. Then test spray on an inconspicuous area of project to test the paint with your material. Some times the paint can will have dry or thickened paint stuck in the tube inside, and it will come up for the first few seconds of spraying.

Spray 10" – 12" (refer to directions) from project, starting off your project, then spraying across your project in a sweeping motion, maintaining a constant distance from the item being painted. Do not apply in one continuous spray; instead, release the spray button after each pass. Overlap each pass by about a third to keep paint finish even and consistent. Apply paint in thin coats to avoid runs or drips. Continue in this fashion until entire project has one coat of paint. Allow paint to dry for the recommended amount of time before adding a second coat. Repeat if necessary.

If the surface of the object being painted looks wet from the paint, do not spray anymore to that area. Too much paint will cause dripping and will ruin the piece.

NEVER just point and spray, this is the quickest way to ruin your piece. Move from side to side with quick bursts of paint, allowing a second in between for the propellent to evaporate.

The idea is lots of thin layers, not one or two thick ones. Using thin layers will ensure that the paint will not drip from over wetting.

Start spraying off of the piece and move the spray horizontally across the piece. This will reduce the possibility of the can spraying bits dry or thickened paint onto the piece.

If the piece has any water on it, STOP. Make sure everything is completely dry before you start.

[edit] Building a simple spray platform

When spraying often the piece can become stuck to the platform/surface it is sitting on. You dont want this. You can combat this the easily with just some push-pins and card board.

Stick 4 (or an amount to your liking) push-pins into the card board, and sit your piece on the tacks (either the sharp side or the thumb side (It is up to you)). This way none of the area you are painting is in contact with the surface you are painting on, unless your are painting the bottom while it is on the stand. (And you shouldn't do this. Wait for it to dry and turn it over!)

If you are feeling really crafty, you can make something like this and put it on a Lazy Susan Bearing so you can turn it as you paint. This way you dont have to touch your piece to rotate it.

[edit] The Quick Read

• Shake the can for two full minutes once you hear the mixing ball begin to rattle.
• Hold Can at least 6 inches away from object (10-12 is the optimal).
• Start spraying off of the piece and move the spray horizontally across the piece. (reduce the splatter that happens right when you start to spray)
• Many Thin Layers, Not few thick layers.
• Shake the can between sprays.
• Allow a few minutes to dry before doing a second coat.
• You can always add more, you can not add less. Drips ruin pieces.
• When done, hold the can upside-down and spray for a few seconds. This will clean the tip, and keep it from clogging.

[edit] Drips, how, why

Because drips really do ruin so many pieces, we really should think about why they happen. People are not patient with their pieces and just spray them until the look wet. But not taking the extra 2 min to do it right will cost you much more time fixing it. And really that is what we are here for, saving you time and effort.

So please, do yourself a favor, do not just hold the spray can point blank and spray.