Hello All,
My wife, after +2.5 years of living in this home, has finally decided to make it her own. That’s good news according to her, but I’m busy enough as it is.
So, with this announcement from her, she picked a room and wants it painted. Notice, I did not say she wants to paint it. Therein lies the problem: I have to paint it. Ok, I’m no painter. My idea of painting my HT in the basement will be to buy a power paint-sprayer and do it all in black–seriously!
So, with this in mind, I was wondering what ‘solution’ I can purchase from a big box (namely HD or Lowes) in terms of paint sprayers and ‘have at it’ on a room thats been masked to death (including completely masking the entire trimwork, windows, and doors leaving only the walls and ceiling exposed)?
Also, I would be interested in knowing people’s personal experiences on things to do and not to do when applying flat latex over a pre-existing flat latex the builder applied. My home is done, by default by the builder, in flat beige latex with white [semi-] gloss non-latex.
We’ve only been in the home for about 2.5 years, non-smokers non-parents, and the walls are pretty much as they were when we bought the house from the builder. I’ve washed the floor and crown molding to remove dust & dirt, but my first experiences with ‘delicate’ masking and brush/roller-based primer application was a complete disaster.
Its time to get Medieval on the drywall as I’ve spent a day and a half trying to apply a one-shade-lighter primer to the wall with the bay window. It looks like prime USDA crap of a paint job. Now, I wish to be God in this room and slap the walls into submission even with brute force.
I’m not talking about buying a $100 sprayer, but something in the $250-400 range I can use in the rest of the house when that dang Honey Do list is served with my cup of coffee in the future. Guys (and Gals) please help me out here. I’m desperate (but too cheap to pay someone else).
Replies
I've been using an Amspray from Lowes. Got their largest model to spray masonary primer and paint.
Works great so far, can use Graco tips if you decide to buy a trim-type tip. I couldn't find one at Lowes but the local Sherwin Williams had them.
I don't know how well they'd hold up if I were a paint contractor, but I'm happy with it so far.
The directions got my attention. They had a note they wanted you to take to the emergency room if you injected yourself with paint. The note told the doctor not to delay amputation while awaiting toxology! I treat the paint gun like a firearm after reading that.
While I have the greatest respect for firearms (1993-1995 University of Florida Pistol & Rifle Club member for three years, and a shooter ever since), I've wondered about the potential danger from airless sprayers.
I bought a small sprayer from Lowes, made by Wagner I think, came with 25 ft of hose and a gun. Entry level but works well for my needs. Paid about $300. The pickup tube fits either 1 or 5 gal paint buckets. I have since painted the outside of a condo as well as several interior rooms, and a run of trim before installation. Mask well, both the interior trim and your face. The bigger units have higher psi and cfm, this one is limited to the two smaller tip sizes (no I don't know what they are).
I did have a Wagner buzz gun at one time. Hope you're not considering one of those...might as well buy a Paint Stick off the TV.
Do it right, or do it twice.
Edited 5/25/2003 9:56:42 AM ET by ELCID72
Currently, Lowes doesn't seem (looking on their website, mind you) to be selling a Wagner product over $150. Could it be SprayTECH? The SprayTECH products (1400, 1620, 1720, and 1920) at Lowes range from $300-600. I think a friend of mine that has one of these (either the 1400 or 1620 model) to see how he likes it, but he's not answering the phone (worked late). The URL's are http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=163317-000000097-0512024 and http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=201295-97-1620 respectively.
Home Depot also has their own Magnum modles of airless sprayers above what Wagner products they throw on the shelves. The Magnum dx http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=Products_1%2fPaint_543%2fPaint+Power+Equipment_594%2fHeavy+Duty+Pro+Paint+Sprayers_3512&BV_SessionID=@@@@1165658201.1053872601@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccedadciglifgllcgelceffdfgidgkj.0&MID=45 starts at the same price-point as the SprayTECH 1400.
Then again, how about a power roller? Surely this is a task that can be achienved by a mere mortal, right? Not trying to insult the paint gods, but looking for a humble solution that's effective. I've noticed that when I brish the primer on it thins/streaks. This is one side of the spectrum while the other sides leads me into paint running.
Sometimes I feel like Homer Simpson. BTW, I am using Behr primer and paint from HD. Could this be a problem, too?
Power roller!
Thats funny!
Just like on TV!
SKIP THE POWER GIZMOS. Just buy good brushes and rollers. The gizmos are toys (for the most part).
The reason why I asked is that I am speculating my problem is either in the brand (quality) of paint, or my ability to control the amount of paint being applied. Thus, I am suggesting that either maybe I do not have the proper paint flow-control, or the paint itself is worthless.
My point is that you may be using inferior equipment. Unless you are using high quality brushes and rollers you will have problems like that. I suspect the paint may also be at fault, but do make sure you use professional equipment. Maybe HD doesn't carry the best, I'm not sure.
Hope you appreciate this...made me go out in the trailer and find it! It's a SprayTech 1420. I thought I saw somewhere in the fine print that it's made by Wagner. I would classify it as a very serious DIY or very light commercial unit. If you plan on painting your own house, it should work ok. Other, more professional, posters here will (correctly) point out that it's not what the big boys use. Same for the paint you're using...it's ok, should do a rreasonable job for you, but there are better brands.
Do it right, or do it twice.
Thanks for the information--it is appreciated.
Mark, I am using Purdy Handcrafted 2.5" nylon brush (KN25PASD) to cutting in and a 1" for close-quarters and french-curve cut-ins. Both brushes say they are for latex paints.
For the roller nap, I've been using the Purdy Contractor 1st 9" 3/8" nap, Knitted For Semi-Smooth Surfaces (no part #; blue & yellow packaging). I didn't choose these items, they were pointed out to me. I also have, but yet to try, the Purdy Dralon nap (K590375).
Folks, I must apologize. Up and through this discussion I thought I was working with a Behr primer product, and I just discovered that isn't the case. Although the paint is a Behr Premium (according to the can), the primer is Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 product. Thus, my experiences up to this point were with this primer product.
kartman, you using a rolling pan?
Ditch it, and get an extension handle for that roller, get a 5 gal bucket, and screen that you can drop into the bucket, use that instead of the paint tray.
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals build the Titanic.
So it's the look of the primer coat that you don't like? Don't worry about it. The primer is there to seal what's already on the walls and to make the new paint adhere to the old paint.
I haven't used Behr paint. I have a friend who used it in the dining room - it took three coats to cover. If you want to do this job quickly and well, buy good paint. (There are lots of discussions here on paint brands - do a search.)
Does your wife do her own nails? If so, she has already developed her cutting-in skills. Using a roller isn't hard. I'd encourage her to try it herself. It's not hard and is very rewarding. At our house, my husband isn't even allowed to use my brushes because he's so messy. See how well he has trained me?
"A completed home is a listed home."
Lisa, you are arming the male of the species by that nails-skills remark. I w
Looks like kartman0 was interrupted mid-post. And he hasn't come back. Now I'm getting worried...hope everything is OK at home. Wonder what he was trying to say?
"I will tell my wife what you said."? That could be bad. An angry woman set loose with a paint sprayer full of nail polish could do a lot of damage.
"I wish I had manicurist training myself."? Possibly practicing with a bottle of fire engine red on his own toe nails.
"I wonder how long it will take to cover the walls with the little brush from the nail polish bottle?" He may not be back here for a while...
"A completed home is a listed home."
Funny. And maybe for that nice blood read color she wants for the other room I should shoot myself in the head in such a way to spltter most of the brain matter onto the wall, right?
The above is message #13...wonder if the room is painted red now?
Do it right, or do it twice.
Hell has no fury like a women scorned.
I really don't remember what I was trying to say next, Lisa. Maybe the bat upside my head something? Wife came home a day early. This is good as I now have a willing helper (after a little brow beating of course).
And no, no blood red walls, yet.
Mr. Cartman,
You and everybody else are on the entirely wrong track. What you need to do is such a lousy job that she [DW = Designated Wife?] will never dare ask you to paint anything else again ever.
First of all use the cheapest, thinnest K-Mart paint you can and use only one coat. Do Not use dropcloths. The best most, professional painters don't so why should you? And masking is for amateurs with shaky hands. You don't need it. Use a cheap chip-brush which is good for leaving hairs stuck in the finish. For the large areas, use a roller but roll it real fast. This will create a spew of fine droplets all over the place. The speckles on the carpet and windows are a free bonus. Too many people waste time patching and caulking and sanding and then you paint over it and nobody can see it -- so what's the use? And let the paint dry in your brushes and rollers before you try to clean them. Thin water based paint with paint thinner. [It's paint isn't it?] Thin oil-based paint with water. [Water is cheaper than paint thinner and it's the same color.]
~Peter
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Funny. And maybe for that nice blood read color she wants for the other room I should shoot myself in the head in such a way to spltter most of the brain matter onto the wall, right?
No, just F' up the paint job and she will do it for you :)Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals build the Titanic.
I knew what you were getting at, but trying to forward the idea along to an end. If I f'ed it up any worse she'd just get P.O., but still make be doing again before moving along.
Whatever happened to that nifty painter's bomb invention? You know, the one where a 2-gallon can of paint includes a an explosive. You set the timer, run like heck, and suddenly the room paints itself, hehe, and anyone nearby.
Don't mess with power equipment. You won't want to spend enough money to get something that's decent. Plus, you'll spend more time setting up to spray one room (taping/masking/cleaning the machine, etc) than if you did it by hand. The Zinsser is excellent stain-killing primer, but you shouldn't need it after just 2.5 years. It does look blotchy when you apply, but it provides a good undercoat for the final layer of paint.
Most important, use good quality paint. Find a Benjamin Moore store. Failing that, buy only the "premium" paints if you must go big-box. Seems like you're already using good enough brushes/roller covers. Before you put up any paint, clean off the wall/surface. I like a TSP-substitute (Jasco makes it; comes in a gallon jug marked "TSP-substitute" and the solution is seriously lime-green) added to clean water. Sponge down the walls to get any goo/grease/slim off that would resist paint. After that, the paint should go on nice an easy.
Best of luck.
Or buy the wife some nice shoes at Nordstroms.
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