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You are visiting: Home » Decorating/DIY » Create Your Decor » My Best Spray Painting Tip EVER!

My Best Spray Painting Tip EVER!

by Lindsay Ballard on May 22, 2013 39 Comments

During a windy afternoon when I was trying to get some spray painting done, I had one of those “A HA!” moments.  When the lightbulb went off, I just knew that I had to share it with you guys.

Best Spray Painting Tip EVER! via MakelyHome.com

In an effort to spray paint in the garage (thus avoiding the wind) but not cover the entire floor with paint, I laid down a few drop cloths.  My back was kind of aching from painting the kids bathroom, so I set up two sawhorses and put a sheet of plywood on the top of them

Y’all.  Y’ALL!  Spray painting is SO MUCH easier if you aren’t crouched over on the ground trying to get into the nook and crannies of your piece.  When you bring your pieces up to about waist level, it’s just easier to spray them since you have a better vantage point.

Best Spray Painting Tip EVER! via MakelyHome.com

Perhaps this is an “Um, Duh!” moment to you instead of an “A HA!” one, but I thought it was worth sharing.  For me, it’s the ultimate spray paint tip.

Best Spray Painting Tip EVER! via MakelyHome.com

Want to see the final birdhouse project? Click here for the post or check out the video tutorial:



What’s your favorite spray painting tip?  Share with me in the comments!  

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.

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Comments

  1. crafts by jodi says

    May 22, 2013 at 7:47 am

    That does help a lot!!! I use an old card table to spray, and you are right, it is so much easier when it is waist high!
    Jodi

    Reply
  2. lesley says

    May 22, 2013 at 7:57 am

    That’s so funny> I am always on the floor of the garage spray painting something. THanks for the tip

    Reply
  3. Felicia says

    May 22, 2013 at 8:09 am

    Since I’m a spray paint regular that’s a duh for me. Sorry! 🙂 Here’s my tip: I eat yogurt every day so I save the plastic cups and use them to prop up whatever I’m spray painting. That allows me to spray all around the item top to bottom and it doesn’t stick to the table as it dries.

    Reply
    • Hellen says

      August 10, 2013 at 3:43 am

      Hey Felicia, Yes, this is also a great tip I will remember!

      Reply
  4. Suzi (The Pillow Studio) says

    May 22, 2013 at 8:44 am

    I learned the hard way not to wear my favorite tall black boots when spray painting a bookshelf turquoise on a windy day. My boots now look like they have a bit of turquoise sparkle to them. Thankfully, it’s no longer boot season…. 🙂

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      May 24, 2013 at 8:25 am

      Nail polish remover should take the overspray right off! I’ve done it on many surfaces.

      Reply
  5. Shannon @Fox Hollow Cottage says

    May 22, 2013 at 8:50 am

    My hubby turned a old pallet into a spray painting table. The slats work great to always be able to move things around without them sticking, letting some of the over spray pass through (It’s over gravel). Good job saving your back though! I bet it felt like “Aaaah ha ;)”

    Reply
  6. karen@somewhatquirky says

    May 22, 2013 at 8:54 am

    You get less paint on your feet when you do this too! I can’t tell you how many times that I’ve worn flip-flops to spray paint on and think I’ve done a good job of keeping the spray contained. Then I take off my shoes and there are the strap marks on my feet.

    Reply
  7. Kimm at REINVENTED says

    May 22, 2013 at 9:00 am

    I am all about elevating the “specimen”, it’s so much easier! My husband isn’t all that thrilled about the paint all over his “saw horses”, but they are my favorite elevator. I love the yogurt cup tip too! My best tip is to spray several light coats instead of one heavy one. I’ve definitely learned that one the hard way while sanding down drip marks! 🙂

    Reply
  8. Linda Hollander says

    May 22, 2013 at 9:18 am

    Two words: spray box! Nothing on your feet, and you can spray on a windy day without trepidation. (I have actually spray painted flip-flops so I could keep wearing them, but dedicated footwear is pretty smart).

    But, you’ll want to move your object onto those yogurt cups to dry…I put gravel in the cups and I use skewers to move (and sometimes hold) whatever I’m painting…use old skewers from barbecues.

    For little stuff q-tips are great holders, as are old cheap tweezers (like for Christmas ornaments)…can you tell I’ve been doing this for a long time?? My old house basement had to be repainted before we even put it on the market because the dang walls were COVERED with glitter paint…also the lawn one time, husband not over joyed I can tell you!

    Reply
    • melanie says

      October 10, 2013 at 1:10 pm

      Spray box is the best. Every once in a while I will accept a Costco box for my groceries at check out and the are great for smaller projects. Slide a smaller box with very low sides or a piece of cardboard under the project and use it like a lazy susan. Good stuff!

      Reply
  9. kelly thompson says

    May 22, 2013 at 9:18 am

    this is actually good to know- i just spray painted yesterday and of course did it on the floor of the garage bent over and with the added fumes- i get light headed- I will try waist level! thanks

    Reply
  10. WendiG says

    May 22, 2013 at 11:19 am

    I always use a cardboard box, preferably one with walls about twice the height of the object being painted, but raising it up is a great idea (duh, never thought of it, and I’m tall! I feel stupid!)

    Reply
  11. Virginia @ LiveLoveDIY says

    May 22, 2013 at 11:30 am

    Love this tip, girl! I just HAD to pop over and see what it was, and you were right…..I needed to know this! Thanks for sharing! <3

    Reply
  12. fabulosa says

    May 22, 2013 at 12:31 pm

    Totally agree, I had try it before and it works magic. Thanks

    Reply
  13. Cindy says

    May 22, 2013 at 12:55 pm

    That’s exactly how I do it — an old piece of thin plywood on top of my two sawhorses. What I want to know, is how are all you guys spray painting in your garages? Do you not have a ton of stuff in your garage that would get overspray? Am I the only one who can barely fit our smallest car in the two-car garage? haha

    Reply
  14. Roostersmom says

    May 22, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    I use an cardboard wardrobe box as my spray booth. I set it up on the freezer in the garage and when I am done, it folds up nicely and is tucked behind the freezer. My recycling usually is covered in overspray too.

    Reply
    • Cindy says

      May 22, 2013 at 9:35 pm

      I like this idea. 🙂

      Reply
  15. Val @ Home Made Modern says

    May 22, 2013 at 9:11 pm

    Now why haven’t I thought of that?! Thank you! How ridiculous that I’ve been crouching all these years. It makes me LOL actually. Here’s my fave tip: when spraying something that doesn’t stand up by itself like a doorknob or screws, I put them in floral foam which covers the part I don’t want sprayed (like the threads of the screw) and keeps it steady.

    Reply
    • fourpleg says

      August 10, 2013 at 1:16 pm

      Great idea!! Thanks for sharing I use an old wardrobe box too, as I don’t have sawhorses. .

      Reply
  16. Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says

    May 22, 2013 at 9:20 pm

    What an awesome tip! I’ve never though of this and was actually crouched on the floor spray painting earlier this evening!

    Reply
  17. Carrie Perrins says

    May 22, 2013 at 9:25 pm

    As a beginner I have put together a bunch of tips. Take a look!
    http://thirtyfiveninetyfive.blogspot.com/2013/05/spray-painting-for-beginners.html
    Carrie

    Reply
  18. mel says

    May 22, 2013 at 10:24 pm

    OK. . . aren’t your garages just full of overspray. I always spray outside and with the item(s) elevated. Few other tips. . . eye glass wearers, use your old glasses. Otherwise the overspray will have you forever walking in a fog! Also, should a bug get in your paint. Leave it. Trying to brush it out of wet paint is a mess. Once the paint and the bug are dry, lightly sand it away and finish with your next light coat of paint. If the weather allows, I leave my newly painted item(s) outside as long as possible to off-gas. Then, I bring it in the garage to continue to off-gas for several days.

    Reply
  19. Barbara @ DIY Home Staging Tips says

    May 23, 2013 at 2:42 am

    I usually sand items I’m spray painting, whether they are metal, wood, or plastic, just to get any surface junk off. I make sure the stuff I just sanded off isn’t sitting on the drop cloth or cardboard, ready to get blown back into the paint. In other words, do your prep work somewhere other than where you’re painting.

    I’m a believer in those label warnings about hazards to your health. Ventilation’s so important, especially if you are pregnant. Go outside to spray, or wear a respirator. Those cute little surgical (particulate) masks don’t protect you from air-borne carcinogenic chemicals.

    Good post and comments!

    Reply
  20. Miss Charming says

    May 24, 2013 at 11:24 am

    Every time I’m hunched over a project on my back patio trying to paint I think that I desparately need to elevate the darn thing. And of course, I never have!

    Reply
  21. Sandy says

    May 27, 2013 at 4:33 pm

    My husband made me a set up like this inside a ventilated painting booth in our basement. It kept “spray paint dust” from getting all over everything. And I agree with Barbara, always always always wear a filtration mask that is designed for painting!

    Reply
  22. Kris Lee says

    May 28, 2013 at 2:36 pm

    For elevation, great point. I do both, but like to paint outside as my hubby can’t take the paint fumes. When I need something to be elevated above the cardboard, I use thumbtacks/pushpins as feet. I just push them into the bottom of what I am painting (if possible) and paint away. This normally works well as it doesn’t damage the piece anywhere you will see it and it is easy to remove. No more stuck down projects. Love the idea of the yogurt container too.

    Reply
  23. Sadie says

    May 28, 2013 at 3:30 pm

    Why didn’t I think of this? I have spray painted more of my yard in my spray painting adventures than I care to admit. Now I don’t have to feel guilty about all that paint seeping into the ground. Water Damage Murrieta CA

    Reply
  24. Trina @ afewmineradjustments says

    May 28, 2013 at 8:06 pm

    My best spray painting tip…if you don’t have rubber gloves, put a plastic grocery bag around your hand.

    This works well because it covers down to your elbow {almost) and it can be reused until the project is finished!

    I learned the hard way when I didn’t cover me hands at all…that paint is not easy to get off!

    Reply
  25. Heather says

    May 29, 2013 at 8:22 pm

    I elevate using saw horses & protect the grass using weed barrier cloth. We have extra from flowerbeds and it keeps the grass free from overspray.

    Once I was spraying a carnival game my husband built for our kids school & I overspray end an evergreen tree blue…I just sprayed it with green paint until it was time for a trim. Lol

    Reply
  26. Kimberly Golly says

    June 3, 2013 at 7:23 am

    I totally agree….What would we do without saw horses?….they are not “JUST FOR.OUR HUSBANDS…look out guys..you could lose them to your favorite DIY gal! They save on your back…and also are easy to move to where you need them to be..no more damaging my outdoor patio table! Keeping the paint off my (Knoxville) lawn is a plus too…since, I have painted just about everything in our home. Thanks for transforming furniture ideas too!!! Love it!

    Reply
  27. Kelly T says

    December 29, 2013 at 1:11 am

    I’ve spray painted my things on top of my flat top trash cans for years…never a question who’s who’s when the wind blows them down the street!

    Reply
  28. water mitigation says

    April 4, 2014 at 7:21 pm

    So many unusual and creative things you can do with spray paint. It is a truly unique medium to create many variations of art. I love what you have done with yours!

    Reply
  29. Shiren K says

    April 6, 2014 at 1:37 am

    Lookin’ good! I have really enjoyed reading your blog.

    Reply
  30. lonnie thompson says

    June 7, 2014 at 4:03 pm

    This year I discovered a great tool at Lowes. It is an attachment that just clips around very top of any spray can.It has a handle like a sprayer gun. I love it! you can move across any project and get an even spray without your finger getting tired and NO paint all over hands. I have only seen these at Lowes and they are around $7. Highly recommend getting one of these neat little gadgets..made so much difference in time and results. you just move it from can to can to change colors

    Reply
  31. Robin says

    May 3, 2015 at 8:19 am

    I use a dollar store lazy Susan inside a box and prop it up with pizza box thingies lol. I don’t know what those white things for keeping the box lid off the pizza are called, but they work nicely for painting. I can spray wherever and not worry about overspray and the lazy Susan helps me rotate my piece. 🙂

    Reply
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Trackbacks

  1. $50 DIY Collapsible Spray Paint Tent says:
    June 27, 2013 at 6:01 am

    […]  You said I needed 6 drop cloths.  Yeah, you do.  Set up some sort of table/sawhorse system (remember it’s easiest to spray when things are waist high!) and completely cover that with a drop cloth.  There’s your […]

    Reply

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About Makely

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.


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