How to paint exterior walls with a paint sprayer

A paint sprayer can make the task of painting the exterior walls of your house a lot easier. Not only will it save you time, but it can also cover your house with a smooth, even coating of paint with just the pull of a trigger. That can save you money too since the paint will be sprayed on in a uniform fashion. Therefore, the paint will obtain its maximum coverage.

The first step to get started in this outdoor project is to prepare the surface to be painted. You'll need to mask off the glass in your house windows. To do this easily, you can use old newspapers and painters masking tape. Next, you can either remove the gutters and spouting, or, you may choose not to. It will be easier to spray paint your house with all obstacles out of the way. But, it may be a bigger hassle to remove these items. However you decide to paint it, either on the ground or installed, the gutters and spouting will be painted last.

You'll also need to mask off any other items such as bricks, cement blocks, cable wires, supply pipes, water faucets, et cetera. You'll also need to mask off any trim work if you're going to paint it a different color than the walls of your house.
The second step is to get your paint sprayer ready for use by following the manufacturer's instructions. Then, get the exterior house paint ready for use. Use a five gallon bucket to mix up three gallons of paint at a time. This way, you'll have a better chance of getting an even paint color. Mix up additional paint in the bucket as you need it.

Begin spray painting the exterior of your house by starting at the top of the walls. If you don't have one already, you should purchase an extension for your paint sprayer. An extension will make it easier to reach the upper portions of your house, especially if it's higher than one story. Move the sprayer in a slow, steady, back and forth motion. If you see runs or heavy patches in the paint, then you'll know that you're applying too much paint at once. The problem is either that you're not moving the sprayer fast enough, or, that the pressure of the paint sprayer is too high. This can cause too much paint to be released at once. When the paint comes out of the sprayer, it should be in a smooth, even pattern. There should be no heavy lines in the pattern.

Also, be careful not to spray items you don't want painted when you are covering the corners of your house. And, make sure that you are standing about a foot or so away from the wall or other area you are painting. Standing too close can make the paint be applied to heavily too.

Continue to work your way down and around your house until you have it completely coated once. Then, while the first coat of paint is drying, you can paint the gutters and spoutings if you have removed them from your house.

After the paint has dried on your house, you'll need to apply at least one more coat. (Paint the gutters and spoutings, if you removed them, after this.) Once the second coat of paint has dried, you can remove the old newspapers and painters masking tape from the windows and other masked off areas.

The next step is to immediately empty and clean out the paint sprayer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Then, use a brush and exterior paint to finish the trim on your house.

When the paint has thoroughly dried on your house, be sure to reinstall the gutters, spoutings, et cetera.