Quick help on painting a shed with a power painter

[Roosterrusek]

Hey cats, I need to paint my shed...I have already power washed it and am ready to use the indoor/outdoor paint they recommended at Lowes.

Question, I have a power painter I am going to use. On the can of paint it says that I can thin with up to 8oz of water if using the sprayer.

So, should I????

FYI the paint is Valspar Exterior Flat Finish 100% Acrylic latex.

[teenerted1]

what does the sprayer say to do?

[rnln]

If I am not missing anything, you only thin it if you want to save $ on paint, or if the sprayer can not spray the thickness of the paint. I usually paint it as it is.

[wdfifteen]

Follow the instructions on the sprayer as close as you can, but don't add more than 8oz. of water. Have a roller and/or a brush in your other hand. Sprayers are great for getting paint to the surface, but you need a brush/roller to move it into corners and cover missed spots.

[LakeCleElum]

My experience: If you thin paint, it doesn't cover and you need extra coats...If too thick for your sprayer, consider a "solid color stain" instead of paint.....Less likely to flake and peel over time also......

Many cheap sprayers can't handle anything thicker than water. Coverage is kinda like.............WATER

[RWebb]

don't thin if you can avoid it

BTW - the sprayer only puts the paint up there

use brush and roller to work the paint into the wood so it will last

applies to both primer and top coat

[A930Rocket]

If you want paint on the project, use a rollar, brush, etc. You'll get more pain on the project than a sprayer.

[Bill Douglas]

Choose a day with NO breeze. Umm, please don't ask me how I know this as I am still opologizing to about four neibours.

[ben parrish]

Good advice, I spray a good bit and always back brush/roll for penetration.

[john70t]

Since backrolling is a necessary second step, why not just roll it?
For that type of work there are power rollers that feed paint.

My experience with power sprayers(popular brand name withheld) was, um, poor.
The two out of two I've tried both leaked like a seive, and would only push paint thinned to water consistency, nothing thicker.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by john70t

and would only push paint thinned to water consistency, nothing thicker.

When I was a young fella I painted an old bettle with my power sprayer out on the sidewalk hehe. I mixed the paint to pass the funnel/viscosity test provided by the sprayer people. And the paint job came out looking like a factory job, that is other than a couple of leaves sticking to it.

[Roosterrusek]

Sprayer vs roller, sprayer because it's an outdoor shed with deep grooves in the tongue and groove walls. It looks great and yes was put up properly.

Second, backrolling after spraying?...Doubtful....

So I put in a little water, shook the heck out of it, tossed it in the sprayer and it does a FANTASTIC job. Thanks for the opinions peeps.

[RWebb]

"backrolling is a necessary second step"

unless you want to do it all over again real soon - the paint won't last long is what everyone is telling you

[David]

I've never had to add water when using a power spray or airless so I'd try it without water first.

[sammyg2]

Is it a wagner power painter?
I've sprayed full strength semi-gloss latex with one and never had to thin.
Put some in full strength and spray it. If it doesn't work go to plan B.