Painting: Spray or Brush?

by Gillian Markson | More from this Blogger

20 Jun 2006 11:19 AM

Painting takes time. That, for sure, is a fact. Painting requires preparatory work, actual labor and clean up work. Before you even begin the process of painting, you have to arduously select the color of paint that you desire to use. You have to prepare your painting surface using protective tape, tarps and a base coat of paint. You have to actually put in some elbow grease to paint. And then you have to clean it all up, only to add another layer hours or days later after the first coat dries.

For centuries, people have been trying to find alternative ways to paint. Tom Sawyer hired the neighbor. So what can you do to decrease your time and work-load? Perhaps use a spray system.

The spray system does not come without considerable work and man-power, but the major benefit of the system is that it does eliminate back-braking labor involved with actually rolling the paint onto the wall. However, many complain that the spray system is all hype and little performance. Here is a brief overview of both systems so that you can make an informed decision about your painting procedure on your own.

Spray System The Spray system has become one of the most popular methods among professional painters for getting the job done. You simply strap a bucketful of paint to your back and shoot it onto the walls using a hose tube and gun. The paint goes evenly on the wall, and even fits into small cracks that can be easily missed by your paintbrush and roller.

The spray system is easy to load and easy to clean (simply wash it out in the sink.) However, it does come with many drawbacks. For one, the painter must wear a paint suit when using the spray system. Because the paint is projected like a light mist, the painter runs the risks of getting doused by the paint if he not careful enough to protect his clothing.

The paint will go anywhere that is not protected, including the floor and the wall. Tremendous amounts of preparatory work need to go into preparing your space for the paint. You will need to tape doorknobs, floors, ceilings, pipes and any other items that you do not want sprayed.

Many people also find the paint sprayer difficult to use. To really get a bang for your buck, you will have to invest in a high-end sprayer. The high end sprayers can tackle the entire ceiling, including duct-work, in no time, making your job far easier to manage.

Traditional Brush System When painting in the traditional style with a brush, you have all the benefits of being able to control each paint application. You can work your way around obstacles, such as light switches, easily and without much preparatory work required.

Traditional paint tends to drip though, so using a roller is preferred. You will also have to work hard to reach those hidden areas, such as within the ductwork, to ensure that the entire surface is covered with paint.

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