Latex paints sprayers are easy to use, apply and bring finishing of the paints. Latex paints are termed “latex” because previously rubber-base was used that is no more used. Presently, latex paints are made with water-based soluble. These latex paints are built on the vinyl and acrylic paints. Latex paints are the future now. You will not be able to find the oil-based paints in the future. So, you will have to rely on the latex or water-based paints. These changes will be brought about due to regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
What Is The Best Spray Gun For Latex Paint?
If you are about to buy a spray gun for the latex paint, you need to keep in following characteristics of the latex paints:
1. Gorgeous Smoother Surface: First of all, latex paints are known to produce the smoothest surface of the paint. You need to check the product if it works well or not. It must be capable of producing a beautifully smoother surface.
2. Adjustable Pressure:The latex paint sprayer must have an adjustable pressure so that it can have control over the paint flow. You must make sure to check the adjustable pressure mechanism of the spray gun before you pay for it.
3. Quick Start-up: Start-up button must always be easy to operate and start. It must not take many seconds. It should be fast and reliable.
4. Easy Cleaning: One of the most important things to consider is cleaning. You may not want to waste half an hour or a full hour in cleaning the sprayer gun. It must have a power adapter that connects it with garden hose for the cleaning purpose.
5. Suitable for Different Projects: The Latex Paint Sprayer should be suitable for different types of projects. Wide range of projects would fetch handsome income.
6. High-Quality and Durable Metal: The Sprayer must be made of the excellent-quality and durable material. The durable metal would extend the life of the sprayer.
7. Clogging Prevention: We appreciate it when tip is reversed for prevention of clogging. So, there must be a Switch-Tip and In-Handle filter for the prevention of the clogging.
8. Good Handle: Latex Paint Spray Gun must have a handle which will make it easy to carry the sprayer. A handle adds an excellent element of the portability.
Following are some of the things a spray gun must not have:
1. Plastic Body Construction:A spray gun must not have a plastic body. If it has a plastic body, it means that the spray gun would not be durable. A spray gun must have a metal body, which increases longevity of the product. So, you buy value for the money.
2. Short Hose: A spray gun hose decides your range of working, speed of painting and speed of the area coverage. If a spray gun has short hose, it means that it would restrict your movement. A short hose would also be too short for many projects. So, you must buy a spray gun that has a longer hose.
3. Heavy and Bulky: If a spray gun is heavy, it would be very difficult to hold it. The spray gun is the best that should not be too heavy and bulky.
4. Absence of Warranty: Every spray gun must have a warranty. You would not benefit from a warranty-less spray gun.
5. Overspray: Spray gun must not have extensive and a lot of overspray. Otherwise, cleaning would be required. Cleaning is nothing but a big headache.
Can latex paint be sprayed?
Previously, latex paint was made with the help of the ‘latex’ that was a rubber-base. So, the name latex paint was kept. But now latex paint is made of synthetic resins. So, the chemical formula of the paint has changed.
Since latex paints are now made of the new synthetic resins, they have thinner consistency and compatible with water. So, it is possible to spray paint with the latex paint. So, you can use an airless gun or latex gun for spraying paint with the latex paint.
You can also read reviews of paint sprayer for walls.
So, you can spray paint with latex paints.
Can You Use Latex Paint In An Air Spray Gun?
Yes, you can use a latex paint with an air spray gun. Nowadays, latex paints are made of the synthetic resins. Synthetic resins have thinner consistency, which makes them an ideal product for spray painting.
There are many benefits of the latex paints. They are available in various finishes, dries very quickly, can be cleaned up with soap or water, fades on a lesser rate etc. So, latex paints are the best option.
Here are some of the details regarding usage of the latex paints and air spray gun:
1. Shelf Life of Latex Paints
Latex paints can be used for ten years, if never opened or frozen. Leftover paints can be used within two years of period.
2. Drying Times
Drying times of the latex paints make them the most desirable painting job. Most latex paints dry within an hour or less within room-temperature environment.
3. Curing Times
If there are ideal conditions, latex paints can take maximum two weeks to cure. Then, it can be washed.
You have to follow these measures before opting to use latex paint in a spray gun. Otherwise, you will not be able to obtain the best results.
4. Thinning of the Latex Paints
Before using latex paints in an air gun, you must thin the paint. Latex paints is one of the thicker paints than traditional finishes. So, latex paint must be thinned before it is used as a paint in an air gun. You must thin the latex paints well in water then it can be used effortlessly with an air spray gun.
Benefits of Latex Paint Sprayers
If you’re still hesitant to use latex paint sprayers, here are some of the amazing benefits that may help you decide to finally do so:
1. Great on Wood and Drywall/Interior Walls
Latex paint is your best bet when painting unblemished wood surfaces and new drywall/interior walls. Due to the latex paint’s thin consistency, it boasts fast-drying time and better cleanability, allowing you to prepare the surface for other coatings and finish the project quickly and smoothly.
2. Non-toxic and Eco-Friendly
Another benefit of using latex paint is that it has fewer VOCs (volatile organic compounds). VOCs. These chemicals have negative effects on human health and the environment.
Reduced levels of latex paint make it non-toxic and eco-friendly compared to its oil-based counterpoint. As a result, latex paint also creates less intense odors even after drying. It’s no surprise that it’s becoming a more popular and safer option for interior projects.
What’s even great is that water-based latex paint is not classified as hazardous waste. It’s also non-flammable, rendering it easier to dispose of.
3. Offers a Wide Array of Finishes
Available in a great variety of colors, you can also find latex paint in a wide array of finishes. Finishes pertain to the amount of shine or gloss after the paint has completely dried. With so many options, it’ll be easier for you to achieve your preferred look. Some of the most popular latex finishes include:
- Flat or Matte: Flat or Matte paint offers less shine as it reflects little to no sunlight. This finish is ideal for recommended and uneven surfaces, given its deeper shades. No strokes or marks appear on flat or matte paint finish compared to other finishes.
- High-Gloss: As its name suggests, the high-gloss finish offers the highest level of luster, ideal if you want to achieve an ultra-shiny appearance. It’s commonly used on wall trims, cabinets, and doors and is the easiest to clean, as it resists dirt and permanent staining.
- Semi-Gloss: Semi-gloss is the middle ground between the flat or matte finish and the high-gloss finish. It offers a subtle luster but is not too glossy. It is widely used in kitchens, playrooms, and other high-traffic areas in the home.
- Eggshell: Eggshell latex paint finish is partially reflective and offers low luster and a very subtle sheen, resembling that of an eggshell surface. This finish reflects and bounces off light across the room and is perfect in medium-traffic areas.
- Satin: Satin finish offers a gorgeous luster, which is often regarded as velvety. It is subtly less lustrous than a semi-gloss finish but has a higher sheen than an eggshell finish, making it more durable and reflective. The satin finish is ideal for hallways, living rooms, and other high-traffic areas.
4. Less Cracking, Peeling, Yellowing, Blistering, and Fading
Thanks to the advancements in latex-based paints, they now offer more elasticity and flexibility through time. Thus, making them less prone to cracking, peeling, yellowing, blistering, and fading compared to oil-based paints. Still, correct surface preparation and application are necessary to get a high-quality, long-standing paint job.
5. Faster Drying Time
As earlier stressed, another major advantage of latex paint is the faster drying time, only requiring one to six hours, depending on the paint. That can save you lots of time compared to when using oil-based paints, which normally require 24-hour drying time. Not to mention that the long wait time also depends on various factors like air circulation and weather conditions. Expect to return to your space and use it sooner when using latex paint spray guns.
Common Mistakes You Should Avoid When Using Latex Paint Sprayers
To get the optimum result when using latex paint sprayers, here are the common mistakes that you should avoid:
1. Skipping preparation
Paint preparation is essential for a quality finish. While the job may seem tedious, you won’t get good results from a poorly prepped project. Always ensure the surface you’d be painting is clean, solid, and dry and has no cracks, dirt, or blemishes. Regardless if you’re painting drywall or repainting furniture, proper paint preparation is crucial for desirable, long-lasting outturns.
2. Spraying latex paint on bare metal surfaces
Spraying latex paint on bare steel surfaces is a big no-no. Remember, latex-based is water-based, which means it will only speed up corrosion. Using an oil-based primer first is highly recommended to protect the metal surfaces from rusting.
3. Applying the second coat too soon
Applying the second coat too early will lead to peeling, noticeable strokes, and an uneven finish. Depending on the finish, you must wait a few hours to get it ready for the next coat. Typically, flat or matte finishes dry fastest, while latex paints with higher gloss need more time before you can proceed with the next coat.
4. Using latex paint over oil paint
Another common mistake people commit in the paint world is using latex over oil-based paint. It’s not advised, as latex paint won’t bond or cure when sprayed over oil-based paint. If you do so, you’ll soon discover the latex paint bubbling, cracking, and peeling after drying. Before painting latex over oil-based paint, you must first sand the surface using fine-grit sandpaper to remove the gloss, wipe it with TSP solution, and apply latex bonding primer prior to painting.
Conclusion
Latex paints were previously could not be used with air guns. However, now they can be used with air guns as they are made of the synthetic resins. These synthetic resins are compatible with water. So, the latex paint can be thinned and used in a spray gun.