How to Prepare a Room for Spray Painting

Remove everything not permanently attached to a surface out of the room where you are working. This includes furniture, wall decor, rugs and fixtures if painting walls. Use a screwdriver to remove wall switch plates if you are spray painting the walls. Cover openings so spray paint doesn't get inside onto wiring.

Cover the floor with plastic sheeting. The amount of plastic sheeting used will depend upon the size of the workspace.

Secure plastic sheeting over permanent objects such as windowsills, counters or fireplaces with masking tape. Cover window glass with newspaper secured with the masking tape.

Fill any holes produced from hanging pictures, wall decor or mirrors with spackle, using a putty knife. Smooth and level the spackle even with the surrounding wall with the flat edge of the putty knife. Allow the spackle to dry overnight or for the stated amount of time on the package.

Sand the dried spackle smooth with a piece of fine-grit sandpaper.

Fill a mop bucket with warm water. Add four to six drops of mild liquid dish soap to the warm water. Use a long-handled wooden spoon to stir the contents until slightly sudsy.

Dampen a sponge into the soapy solution and use it to wipe the walls or ceiling to remove any grease, oil, dirt or dust that could prevent the spray paint from properly adhering.

Wipe the walls or ceiling with a sponge dampened with clean water to remove any soap residue left behind from the soapy solution. Allow the room to dry overnight or until dry. Use fans set around the room to accelerate drying.

Ensure the spray gun or can is clean and does not have any dried paint residue. Add water to the spray gun to flush out latex paint and mineral spirits to flush out alkyd paint.

Fill the paint sprayer with water and make your way outdoors. Lean an old piece of plywood against the wall and use the spray gun or can until you are comfortable with the spray pattern.

Prime the object you intend to spray paint, walls or ceiling with paint primer. Allow the primer to dry overnight.