Before You Spray Paint

A little prep puts a cap on fumes and drips.

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Protect yourself. Spray in a well-ventilated but sheltered area, such as an open garage. Avoid windy days — the paint will end up everywhere. If you must work indoors, open windows and set up a fan to draw fumes outside. Always wear a dust mask, safety glasses, and plastic gloves.

Protect your house. Lay down a drop cloth, and cover nearby walls with newspaper using blue painter’s tape. Spray small items inside a cardboard box.

Sand it. For optimal adhesion, use fine-grit sandpaper to scratch up items that have a slick surface, such as wood veneers, plastic furniture, and metal filing cabinets. Remove all dust with a vacuum or a damp microfiber cloth. Let surfaces dry thoroughly (trapped moisture causes bubbles).

Brush it. Scrape off flakes or rust with a wire brush. Wipe the object with a damp cloth.

Dismantle it. Remove any knobs, pulls, or hardware. Make sure lamps and chandeliers are disconnected from their electrical sources, and take out the bulbs.

Prime it. Even when a paint says it doesn’t require priming, says Genevieve Gorder, a Trading Spaces design expert, “you get a longer-lasting bond and a better finish using a spray primer on most surfaces.”

Written by Jennifer Jafarzadeh

September 2004

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