I'm diving into my first real DIY project—painting my bed frame! I've sanded it down, but when I tried to use an old spray gun for the primer, it resulted in a pretty messy finish, as shown in the linked photo. I'm planning to sand it with 320 grit and then switch to a paintbrush for the primer and two coats of paint. I'm worried about how it might turn out and I'm looking for tips or what I can do to ensure a better finish. Any advice would be appreciated! (By the way, I'm working with PAL wood.)
3 Answers
It looks like your sprayer's pattern could use some work. If you’re using an air sprayer, see if you can adjust it for finer droplets. If it’s electric, thinning the paint can help for lighter coats. Don't forget to sand and clean between coats, too. Oh, and be mindful of humidity—it can impact your finish! Overall, great job on your first project!
Spraying paint can be tricky! It sounds like you're getting the hang of it, but if your spray is too close or too slow, you'll get drips; too far or too quick and it can look spotty. Try getting a bit closer and work on your technique. Primer is the best time to experiment—if you get drips, just wipe them while wet or sand them down when they dry. That'll help a lot for your paint job.
Based on your photo, it might be time for a redo! Start by sanding down that primer with 120 grit to smooth it out. It's too drippy to move forward as is. Once smooth, you can either switch to a roller or keep practicing with the spray gun on something else first. Remember, you generally don't need to sand that high—220 grit is sufficient for prep. And hey, don't be too hard on yourself—everyone learns with practice!
I appreciate the feedback! I'll definitely sand it down and see if I can get a smoother finish before trying again. It's good to know I'm not alone in this learning curve!