kenrie

Hi,

I am not sure if I am in over my head or not. I just made a bid on a project and the owner wants it done in one week. Now the only way I can complete this is to spray it. I have never done any spraying.

Its interior, all one color, and I don't have to worry about paint on the carpets. Now, if I were to buy a sprayer, do you think I will be able to figure out how to spray the job and complete it without any problems? I really want this contract and I know that I won't be able to roll it in the time he has given to complete the project.

Also, could someone explain to me how you begin to spray a job? I am pretty sure you wouldn't cut in anything right? Could you explain the steps to me on how you prep a job for spraying?

Thanks,
Kenneth

Traditions

spraying takes some getting used to. Lots of variables. Are the ceilings the same color as walls. If so i would say you could probably do it. If not you are talking about having to use a shield. I personally never use a shield to do ceiling lines. I've seen people do it but i am not satisfied with it. If you do spray make sure you back roll. Overlap your spray. Tip size is important. You might want to start in a closet or something. THere are lots of variables. Why buy a unit. Go rent one for 50 bucks a day.

kenrie

The walls are the same color as the ceiling, but I am not sure if the new color going on will be the exact same. this is what I was thinking. I can just tape off the ceiling and the baseboards, and use some newspaper to tape off about a one foot section as a buffer zone for this excess paint. I am thinking about buying a Graco Ultra 395, as I heard its a good sprayer. i could easily buy a cheaper one or even rent one, but I am already in the business, just trying to expand my business some and let it grow. Gotta start somewhere. As far as spraying is concerned, well I hope the paint gods are with me on this one. i will practice in a closet or something, but I hope its not too hard. Its about 2400 square feet. 3 big rooms and a hallway, 5 or 6 smaller rooms.

Joewho

Is the trim being painted? Is it natural or already painted?

Carpets not a problem? You should be able to roll it out in a week.

BMAN

You cant roll out a house in one week with the same colors going on? Dont mask with newspaper, the force of the sprayer will blow it away.

steve-in-kville

Being in these same shoes many years ago, I would recommend that you practice on a job that isn't as time sensitive. As mentioned above, spraying is a whole different world. Prep work is different. New worries like over-spray, correct pump pressure, correct paint viscosity, etc now take over. Now you have pump clean-up and hoses to tangle with. There will be at least 20% or so more lost paint (due to over-spray) especially if your just learning.

BTW- I must agree with the above... 'til your done masking off, a semi-capable painter should be able to cut-n-roll a house out in a week.

I looked at the Graco model you suggest but ended up for a SprayTech that cost a bit more. Very satisfied with it.

Hope you find this useful.

steve

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paintr56

You will be amazed at the amount of over spray in the air. If it doesn't get painted it needs to be protected. I think you could learn to spray I am not sure you will gain any time on your very first job. I spray exteriors all the time, I do not do new construction so I rarely spray inside. I have sprayed things that require a spray finish inside such as radiators, cabinets, etc. the prep time is allways a lot longer then the spray time. The job you discribe I would brush and roll.

How you start is to tape off every thing that is not getting painted. I use 1.5" masking tape, masking paper and plastic. however much you think you need get more. Is there any reason the ceilings can not be repainted? If they are the same color you would save a lot of time by spraying them instead of protecting them.

I have never owned the graco but hear it is a good machine. I have a titan 440i and a titan speedflow 5500. I am happy with both machines.

Good luck Jim Bunton

Terrence

You can try this:

Buy paper dropcloths backed in plastic ($5 ea.). Get the "runner size" (4' x 10'). Put these down around the perimeter of the room. Tape them to the top of the quarter round. Now take a regular painters drop and cover the rest of the middle of the floor. Tape off/mask anything you don't want painted like windows/thermostats.

You said one color, so spray everything!!!! Start in a corner where the ceiling meets the wall, and spray both in that first pass (like cutting in). It takes about 2 minutes per surface per room to spray (so a room would be about 10 minutes). Go on to the next room and repeat. When you are done, go back to the first room, and do baseboards and trim.

I have done quickies like this in one day for the spray part. Then I stop, and go home. The next day it's all brushing out the trim/base. I like to leave a couple of fans running all night to keep the air moving, and crack some windows a few inches.

Here is some VALUABLE sprayer advice:
Strain your paint always. Use a little floetrol. Keep a bucket of water by the unit so you can put the whole gun in it whenever you put the gun down for a moment or for lunch (keeps it wet and ready). Be careful of bounceback. You can spray stuff by accident that way. Always keep the unit on a dropcloth with a plastic sheet under it at all times. After you prime the unit, have a big piece of paper or something disposable to practice on to get your pressure dial set.

MOST IMPORTANT: Keep turning the pressure up until the "tails" disappear at the ends of your spray fan. After the tails disappear, you are at the proper pressure setting. Do not change this for any reason. As you use the machine the tip will wear out, and you will have to gradually adjust the pressure to compensate (a tip wears out in 40 gallons).

Good luck. I suggest you practice somewhere (like in your garage or something) before you get to the job site. You should practice cleaning and purging it once too. By the way, I leave my unit setup and don't clean it until I am completely finished spraying. I only clean purge, and put storage fluid in it when I am COMPLETELY done on that job. To store my gun overnite, I wet a paper towel, and cram it against the tip to keep it wet, and put plastic with a rubber band to keep moist.

Richard

I couldnt agree more....WAY MORE PREP than actually painting-you have to seal it up GOOD...I would like to add, make sure you use the right tape...if you have delicate things to tape, grab the 'low tack' tape from sherwin.

Also, as for a sprayer...buy a Titan 440i before you get anything else. I own one and these things are amazing, easy to clean, and a beginner would have no issues....BUT

I personally feel like this job is NOT the job you should 'practice' with...spraying does require tons of practice and I wouldnt start practicing on something that counts so much (like a customers house) You could be flirting with disaster ......just a thought.....good luck

kenrie

Thanks for all the helpful hints guys. I plan on looking into it some more with the Graco and the Titan.

AFI

Practice on one room, cover all using the 3m masking tape machine and dropcloths for the floors and use tip 311 or 411

or

Plan B
If dosen't work for you.. run and roll it.

Good look

Art

Perfection

I agree you should be able to cut and roll it in a week.

Less than that actually...If you can't do it...fire yourself..LOLOL
Joking

ForVictory

Not that it matters much, but I totally agree with this statement as well. If you aren't familiar with spraying yet, this doesn't sound like the job to start learning on. You can't just 'blow and go', unless that's what you want to do. It takes quite a lot of practice to get a nice spray job. I would hold off spraying this house if I was you.

kenrie

OK so I found a used sprayer that I figured I would start off with. I found a Graco magnum XR9 with 2 extension wands, some tips, and a power roller for like $250. I think I got a pretty good deal. The thing isn't in bad shape, so I figured I would use this for starts to get the hang of spraying. Quick question... I know spraying takes some getting use to, but how about using the power roller attachment? Any feedback, thanks...

MAC2PAINTING

o.k. that is scary... You have got yourself in a tight place for sure...prep is EVERYTHING when you are spraying inside. and planning the time alloted for a job comes in the estimate phase ..not the final note. good luck .. looks like a good place for an ambush !

Richard

Are you getting the sense that you are pushing your skill level by the other posts in here?

I did'nt spray until I painted (Brush and roller) for at least a year. And even then, It took time to get confident and consistant. Have you already decided to spray no matter what? I've never used power rollers, I am plenty fast at the traditional method....

I hope you consider the pro's and con's with this project and wish you the best to make good decisions from here on out.

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Rich

Terrence

I respectfully disagree about power rolling. You guys may be really fast (I am too), but you would be astonished at how much time is spent between the wall and the paint (reloading) multiply that by the whole job, and it could be as much as one whole day. A powerroller can potentially save you a LOT of time especially on larger jobs, and especially if you have a couple guys cutting ahead or behind. Using this method, I have rolled rooms in 10-20 minutes.

About spraying.
I say use it whenever possible OUTSIDE
Use it when you have to inside
Most importantly, know when NOT to use it
Be prepared for DUST (actually paint that dries in the air and settles later -- like dryfall)

Flawless Finish

I like that advice on spraying.

I am not so worried about the dust for dried paint as much as I am wet paint falling where I don't want it to. Just yesterday I had just prepped to spray a TON of lattice when the neighbor pulled his AMG into his driveway right behind where I had just started to spray. The sun shined bright as the cloud of overspray floated towards his car. It just about made me sick worrying if it would dry before it landed on his car. Thankfully it had dried and he was just getting ready to wash the car. At least he was cool about it, but it did give me a scare and is why I am hesitent to spray.

Joewho

LMAO. Did seconds seem like minutes?

There definatley is a time factor in dipping the roller. I'm glad someone mentioned it, because on a job like this, I like a pan rather than a bucket and screen. It's actually faster to roll out of a pan than to tip the pole for the bucket.

Since I'm short and can't reach a ceiling without a ladder, I've devolped a techniqe over the years. If the walls and ceilings are the same color, or in a corner, I can run the brush in the corner and cover both surfaces at the same time, with feathered edges, rather than cutting one suface then the other. This combined with a hockey stick puts me back into the game with the taller guys.

Brushslingers

HA! I love my hockey stick but... I can reach a ceiling standing upright without a ladder... most times. At 6 feet I can cut 8 foot ceilings walking. What are you Joe? 5'5"?

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Benn