How to Spray Paint: It's All In The Wrist

Safety and suggestions:
Read all spray can labels for guidelines on protective gear, storage of cans, etc.

Always perform spray painting operations outdoors.

Do not attempt to spray paint objects or other items inside your home. You will have paint everywhere, no matter how hard you try to avoid it!

Avoid the real cheap spray paints. Most of them are a lot more apt to run, and it just is not worth saving a few cents, at least to me!

I would much rather pay more if I know I will be able to comfortably use it without fear of it running all over the place!

Most home-centers carry decent spray paints, even in their lower price ranges.

Get started:
Once you have selected and purchased your paint, you are ready to spray paint an object.

Items Needed:
Cans of spray paint

Object to be spray painted

Wire or string to suspend object to be spray painted; or, newspapers to place on the ground beneath the object if object is to be spray painted from above (a technique which offers a self-leveling effect, and helps to prevent runs, especially on larger surfaces).

A place outdoors to hang or place the object to be spray painted, away from cars, house, shrubs, driveway, sidewalk or anything else you do not want paint on (from overspray).

Preparation of the object to be spray painted:
Be sure to clean the object to be painted prior to spray painting.

If there is any loose or flaking existing paint, wire brush and scrape away as much of that as you can.

If you will be spray painting a suspended object, follow these steps:

Begin by pressing the spray nozzle on the can in a direction away from everything, just to get a feel for how the spray looks, so you will be better able to control it.

Hold the can about six to eight inches from the object, and starting at the top of the object, lightly spray in a smooth and 'not-too-slow, but not-too-fast' back and forth horizontal motion, moving downward toward the bottom of the object with each pass.

Do not attempt to cover all existing color with the first passes of your spray painting; several light coats are far better than one heavy one!

Work your way around the object in the same back and forth horizontal motions until you have spray painted your first light coat on the entire object.

Depending on the actual shape of the object, you may need to spray paint the underneath and/or top using the same technique, but obviously at different angles of approach.

Allow your first spray painted coat to dry for at least five minutes, then repeat the technique with your second (light) coat.

Then, after drying for another five minutes, apply a third coat in the same manner.

If you will be spray painting an object on the ground (on newspapers, of course!):

Begin by pressing the spray nozzle on the spray can in a direction away from everything, just to get a feel for how the spray looks, so you will be better able to control it.

Hold the can about eight to ten inches above and parallel to the object to be spray painted.

Lightly spray paint your first coat with back and forth motion over the entire exposed surface(s).

Try to keep your can at the same distance from the object through your spraying motions to ensure equal coverage as you make each pass.

Allow your first spray painted coat to dry for at least five minutes.

Repeat the process with a second light coat, then a third if needed.

Note: Spray painting in this position allows you to flood an object with paint; especially useful if the object has flat surfaces where the paint can self-level without causing puddles or runs.

Use caution that you do not over-flood the object, as that may cause drying problems.

Cleanup:
One of the nice things about spray painting is the cleanup. It is usually minimal (if you've prepared as outlined).

Simply put the cap back on the can and put the can into a safe storage location (read can labels for guidelines).

Then, once your spray painted object is dry enough to handle, put away your wire or string hangers and dispose of your used newspapers, rags, etc.