Painter how-to
How to Use an Airless Paint Sprayer
Sprayers speed up large jobs but need careful setup and technique.
Sprayers speed up large jobs but need careful setup and technique. In short: mask; strain; choose, then complete the remaining steps below.
Step by step
Mask everything you don’t want painted and protect nearby areas from overspray.
Strain the paint and prime the pump according to the manual.
Choose the right tip size for the material and adjust pressure.
Test your pattern on cardboard until the edges are even.
Hold the gun about 12 inches from the surface and move your whole arm in straight passes.
Overlap each pass by about half and release the trigger at the end of each stroke.
Safety reminders for painters
- Use ladders and scaffolds correctly and inspect them before use
- Ventilate spaces and wear the right respirator for coatings and dust
- Follow lead-safe practices in pre-1978 buildings
- Store flammable paints and solvents safely
Key terms
Cutting in · Wet edge · Primer · Sheen · Back-rolling · Airless sprayer: see the full painter glossary.