Airless Paint Sprayer For Whole House Job?

After paying a professional in the past, and seeing them use the commercial airless sprayers, I decided to try and save $ and do it myself. An empty house where windows and flooring are being replaced, seemed to be an ideal situation for a first try. It has turned out to be a little more difficult than it looked! I am having issues with getting uniform coverage, and when I did the ceilings it looked like a blizzard coming down. I asked for some tips at the paint counter and I got alot of eye rolling and commentary about leaving it to the pros. Any tips or pointers would be appreciated. Thanks.

Comments(33)

  • flips724th October, 2005

    Here is a tip for you
    Spray Painting Mechanics

    When spraying move your arm in a wide sweeping motion whist keeping your hand as still as possible and carry the gun in a straight line (“pass”) across the work. The best way to obtain a smooth even pattern is to begin spraying about 6 inches before the work and 6 inches after the work and then release the trigger. After a few passes this will become second nature and the small amount of material lost will be insignificant.

    Before you begin to spray adjust the gun to the widest fan as possible to reduce the amount of passes needed to complete the work. The gun should be held approximately 6 to 8 inches away from the work. When spraying smaller pieces reduce the size of the fan and spray slightly closer to the work. You will quickly ascertain the correct size of fan and the distance to hold the gun for each piece of work. It is important to move the gun at the same speed as a brush stroke, however if the material is going on too light or too heavy then you must increase or decrease the speed of the pass. A pass should overlap the previous pass by approximately 50% or 100% if the previous pass is a light tack coat. A pass should also follow the same direction as the previous one to avoid criss-crossing as this can result in uneven coverage.

    Flips

  • ChrisSanDiego24th October, 2005

    I have had my share of drunk painters. They put a short nap roller on a stick and have a helper follow them rolling to even things out. Also get one of those $10 Quartz lights put it on the floor with plastic over it (careful they get hot) and get the place real bright so you can see when all that mist starts flying. Tricks of the inebriated.

    Also work real fast like your on crystal meth, use up all the paint, quit early and say you will finish late tonight when its quiet, then hit the boss up for double the money you stated and you will be a painter.

  • Cole_2226th October, 2005

    Quote:
    On 2005-10-24 22:43, ChrisSanDiego wrote:
    I have had my share of drunk painters. They put a short nap roller on a stick and have a helper follow them rolling to even things out. Also get one of those $10 Quartz lights put it on the floor with plastic over it (careful they get hot) and get the place real bright so you can see when all that mist starts flying. Tricks of the inebriated.

    Also work real fast like your on crystal meth, use up all the paint, quit early and say you will finish late tonight when its quiet, then hit the boss up for double the money you stated and you will be a painter.


    lol. that made me laugh.

  • anniesva26th October, 2005

    Many thanks for the input. Particularly the pointers on becoming a professional painter. I will file the info away in case I need a fall back career plan!

  • NC_Yank27th October, 2005

    These are the post I absolutely love.............its what the forum are for. Great advice guys......

    Developing a system and a few trick will make any task easy and often fun.

    Myself and another contractor friend of mine paint the majority of our homes. It takes more time for us to prep then it does to paint however preping to me is just as important in getting a good quality job.

    We take all the doors down (hinges off) and paint them in one room. All outlets covers are taken off and the boxes are taped.

    We will take cardboard or luan and make a window template(s) based upon the size of our windows. This save time in not having to cover every window with plastic.
    I know some painters will adjust their spray guns and cut in but it seems that there is still a slight mist that gets on the sashes.......which adds time to my cleaning crew.

    I often will spray the ceilings first paying attention to where windows are located ........I often work my way to the middle of the room from two sides. I then go to the next room while my partner back rolls (18 inch roller) where I just painted. I will then go back into the previous room and finish up. For larger rooms I may only do 2 walls in order for the person that back rolls can keep up.

    After the first coat is dry we go back and lightly sponge sand all the walls and then put on the second coat.
    Some painters like to caulk before they paint. This is fine but when it comes to baseboard I prefer to caulk those items last, the reason is that when the carpet installers stretch and tug the carpet they have a tendency to break the caulking bond of the baseboard......especially around corners.

    I also stick one one particular brand of paint for spraying the walls. I have tried others but have not been happy with the application.

    regards.....

    NC_Yank

    PS. find another paint supplier.............if I ask a question then I expect an answer without eye rolling.

  • jimandlacy27th October, 2005

    Anniesva - your posts show a great attitude, you will do well.

    Yank - good info post We paint our units ourselves because 1 - we enjoy it and 2 - we do a better job than most pros. Mostly because of the time we spend to prep and buying quality paint.

    Everyone - the quality information and suggestions in the posts on The Creative Investor forums are priceless.

  • brianab992028th October, 2005

    Without sounding retarded......what is back rolling?

  • drdanger28th October, 2005

    Plain and simple,


    After you have sprayed an area, you use an extension pole and paint roller and make long floor to ceiling strokes or vice versa. You do not have to fill the roller with paint, as after you have made a few strokes it wil have picked up some of the paint. The purpose is to "spread" out the sprayed paint a little more evenly and remove some of the "spray marks". It takes about 5 minutes for an average sized bedroom.

  • NC_Yank28th October, 2005

    Probably, but you should have had a whiff of it on the main floor
    if the hvac was on. Was there moisture problems as well?

    Your agent should notify the seller.....

    NC_Yank

  • Cole_2229th October, 2005

    Here you go: http://www.renoworks.com/home/main.asp

  • sKauGhTiEe29th October, 2005

    I would first try the demo of that one or just download a free one. at http://www.download.com http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0.html?qt=home+design&tg=dl-20

  • InActive_Account6th October, 2005

    HUH?

    EVERY rafter needs to be replaced and there was no signs of a fire? Did you buy this house AS-IS?

  • bgrossnickle6th October, 2005

    AS-IS means that you are not obligated to do repair. The seller still has an obligation to disclose any material fact concerning the house.

    Find out when the fire was. The city code or fire department will have a record. Also call your insurance agent and find out from the database when there was a large claim on the house. Play hardball with the owners - they probably knew - and see if they will cover the costs if you threaten to sue.

    Also, is it a flat roof, low pitch, - can you get into the attic by either cutting an access from below or at the gable. I would be surprised if there was no gable access. Evaluate the situation with the rafters. Just because they are black, does not mean that they have to be replaced.

    Brenda

  • mikejaquish6th October, 2005

    "The seller still has an obligation to disclose any material fact concerning the house. "

    Maybe in
    Florida.

    State laws vary on disclosure, and in North Carolina, only an agent, for either buyer or seller, has to disclose material facts.

    Seller can mark, "No representation," and has no legal requirement to disclose.

    _________________
    Mike J
    I believe in adding value with quality.[ Edited by mikejaquish on Date 10/06/2005 ]

  • ELOCK6th October, 2005

    Hi
    I cant believe every rafter in the house was damaged enough to be replaced and it couldnt be seen from the outside. The ones that may be burned through can be sisterd with another rafter. Im curios though why was your roofer ripping up the roof sheeting to begin with.


    Ed

  • bgrossnickle7th October, 2005

    It is possible that there was no insurance claime because there was no insurance. Many people who own the property out right, let their insurance lapse.

    Call the fire department or city codes and find out if there was a fire.

    I have a very hard time believing that every rafter needs to be replaced. Fires start in one area and then spread. If it had spread to the entire house the house would be bulldozed.

    I do not have a lot of experience but one of my rentals had a fire and I have bought and rehabed two fire houses.

    Brenda

  • InActive_Account7th October, 2005

    Its hard to follow the series of events you are describing.

    If there was a fire bad enough to damage EVERY rafter in the house, how did it not destroy the roof?

  • Stockpro997th October, 2005

    I agree with the habinator, it is doubtful that a roof was burned so bad that the rafters had to be replaced yet it has a newer roof on the property??

    a roof that had rafters that bad would have had a few that were broken in there and the roof would have shown a serious sag from the outside.

    If you own a digital camera send me some pictures of the rafters to my email address as well as some outside pictures of the house roof and I will be happy to take a look at it.

    Additionally I think that a second opinion is in order here. I have replaced several rafters in the past when they were compromised and done several fire rehabs, generally rafters do not "all" need to be replaced.

    Unless the decking is rotted or saging deeply why is the roofer pulling the decking off??

    email me at **Please See My Profile**

    [addsig]

  • Cole_2226th October, 2005

    So what happened?

  • ChrisSanDiego31st October, 2005

    Usually those are caused by pet urine. I hired the best and brightest and they said replace the boards. I decided it was part of the charm of an old house. Finished over it and sold the place.

  • Cole_2231st October, 2005

    Quote:
    On 2005-10-31 10:42, ChrisSanDiego wrote:
    Usually those are caused by pet urine. I hired the best and brightest and they said replace the boards. I decided it was part of the charm of an old house. Finished over it and sold the place.


    I couldnt agree more.

    It is also caused by rugs being on the floor and the direct sunlight hitting the wood around it. I just remodeled a 1913 victorian house that had the original floors.

    Trust me it makes a nice conversation piece.

  • IBuyHousesInc31st October, 2005

    Mainly two things cause dark stains; they are pet urine and water from pots... Both are extremely difficult to get rid of. Bleach will help a little but not a 100 %.. a good craftsman should be able to remove flooring from a closet and replace the boards effected. I caution you to not use new wood as it will look just as bad as it does now..

    [ Edited by IBuyHousesInc on Date 11/01/2005 ]

  • jimandlacy31st October, 2005

    I agree with Chris and Cole. As long as the finish is smooth and consistent, the dark spots will be part of the "patina" that help give wood floors their charm.

  • mcole1st November, 2005

    Part of the charm? Too bad people don’t feel the same way about pet urine stains on carpet. That would save a ton of money! LOL

  • Cole_2226th October, 2005

    Im not real sure, I am understanding your question.

  • ahimon1st November, 2005

    Piece of cake (if you know what you are doing)! Buy the stairs or have them made (make sure you can get them in the house once finished). The top step should be supported by a bearing wall or build columns or a wall. Can also nail the steps to an existing wall. Most stair builders will take your measurements and deliver the steps. Good luck.

  • ceinvests24th October, 2005

    Well, the good news is that you own rentals so she knows some about Real Estate.
    Who manages the rentals? Who works the money part of the household? The business? Who does the taxes? Do your rentals take from the family budget?

    Have you written a business plan for what you plan to do per the rehabs? Have you gathered some of the financial data that you will work with? Backup plans?

    Maybe you work by your gut and she handles the books, so she knows the business foundation fears. What will be the division of accountability for all of the details for the buying, rehab, selling details?

  • ZinOrganization24th October, 2005

    Or you could just get a new wife.

  • mcole25th October, 2005

    Hmmm… what if you got another “rental” that just happened to need a little fix-up. But once done, instead of renting, just show her the comps and tell her, “You know what, if we just sold this, instead of renting it out, we could makes $ xxxxxxx.”

    Voila! Your first rehab is under your belt and now she’s a believer.

    If that doesn’t work, go to option 2.
    Wait... the ROI on option 2 isn’t too good. Trust me!

  • IBuyHousesInc26th October, 2005

    Well I sure didn’t mean to stir the pot.

    As I look at money today the one constant that I keep coming back to is to always remember to respect it..

    I know money is an inanimate object and since it is how can you respect something that doesn’t breath, have an opinion, even have a life. Or does it? Maybe I am placing too high a value on money.

    All I know for sure is that the freedoms we receive by having money affords us the ability to slow down our days, and when we do we can become in touch with who we are, what we want to become and most importantly help our loved ones and charities.

    The two points brought up about people living well in what we classify as poverty are outstanding points.. I only question whether they were living in your definition of poverty or theirs.

    A man who wants for nothing is much richer than a man who wants everything.

    I just choose to live a life where there is nothing I want because I have everything … It’s really peaceful.

    Have you ever walked into a grocery store in a lower class neighborhood and bought everyone’s groceries as they checked out.. Not 30 dollars or 200 dollars but over 5000 dollars on food for people who were trying to decide which items to buy based on the amount of money they have. It was an overwhelming experience. Until you give back you’ll never know the true freedom money provides.

    Again sorry for the distraction

  • ahimon1st November, 2005

    Some people are just born negative thinkers. It may be cheaper in the long run to get a new wife. I would do the math.

  • IBuyHousesInc4th November, 2005

    WOW, maybe I am the dumb one here but the items Yank spelled out isn’t about loosing money, most are giving the FAIR share to the person who helped you create the wealth in the first place..

    Anyone who thinks that they should cheat their spouse out of what they have created is a fool.

    With that said if your spouse doesn’t believe in what you are doing cut your looses and go your separate way... Just don’t cheat them...

    All of these male chauvinists that think, "well they didn’t do anything to help me" are stupid.

    And why stay married because it’s profitable... That makes no sense... And I have really great beachfront property to sell you too.

  • mcole4th November, 2005

    I think everyone was just joking around a bit. At least I hope so.

Add Comment

Login To Comment