How to Use a Compressor to Paint Patio Furniture

Move your patio furniture onto a drop cloth outside in a well-ventilated area. A paint compressor and spray gun will cause a big mess, so move anything that you don't want damaged out of reach of the paint and paint fumes.

Turn your hose nozzle to its highest pressure setting. Hose down the patio furniture to remove all dust and debris. Dry immediately with towels.

Use a steel-bristled brush to remove rust and flaking paint on metal parts of the patio furniture. Brush swiftly and with good pressure to take off as much as possible.

Thin the paint with paint thinner according to the instructions that came with your HVLP paint sprayer. Consult the chart that came with your instruction manual for exact ratios of paint to thinner and mix the paint and paint thinner thoroughly.

Set the pressure nozzle on your paint gun to 50 psi--you may need to adjust this as you begin painting. Perform a trial run first: Turn the compressor on and spray a piece of plywood or other test material to make sure the paint coverage is thin and even. Adjust your settings and continue testing until you find the correct settings. Always wear a mask and goggles when working with a sprayer to avoid exposure to paint fumes.

Paint the patio furniture using a steady back and forth motion, holding the gun 6 to 8 inches from the furniture's surface. Slightly overlap the paint with each pass of the sprayer. Avoid too much overlap, as this will result in the paint job being too thick and cause drips and runs.

Allow the paint to dry, then apply one to two more coats, allowing each to dry completely before applying the next.