So I want to paint my deck...

roasted

...and I just happened to have a 2HP 8 gallon compressor. Sure, it's not something you'd see in a body shop, but I got to wondering if I could somehow utilize it to paint my deck.

I began looking around at different spray guns, since of course the gun's demands are what's important. I of course found spray guns that required a substantially high amount of SCFM, something that in a lot of cases I wouldn't achieve unless I got an absolutely massive compressor that wouldn't be easily portable. I went with the 2HP/8 gal because it was the best ratio between portability and power for what I was after, which at the time was mostly nail guns of various sorts.

That being said, I came across a few "detail" guns like this one here:

http://www.harborfreight.com/adjusta...gun-92126.html

The 3 SCFM @ 50 PSI is easily do-able with my compressor (5.5 @ 45, 4.5 @ 90), but I haven't seen this gun in person, and I have no idea how these detail guns work. Would I essentially be painting with a super fine line, making it feel like I'm painting with a fat sharpee? Or would this be something worth considering?

Also, perhaps there's a spray gun that isn't very air demanding? A lot of the ones I looked at were geared for automotive painting, which of course strides for perfect evenness, etc... something a little less important when you're painting a wooden deck. Maybe there's hope, assuming this detail gun is a bad idea?

Lastly, when I read on forums about "what size compressor do I get" everybody seems to recommend the absolute largest compressor out there to keep the motor from running all the time which prevents it from "burning up too quick." I never really understood that. Are these motors built to only run in super short bursts? Or is this mentality more accurate with an oilless type of compressor that isn't built to have oil changes and preventative maintenance, etc.?

Thanks for the insight fellas!

Brushjockey

I use a roller and a long bristled pad on a pole to back brush.
Just spraying doesn't work it in.
What are you using for material? How are you prepping? What is the condition?
This is more important to get figured out.
Everyone thinks spraying is a short cut. Might not be the best way to get a good job.

And the only thing I use a compressor for is to fill my tires....

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joecaption

#1 There's going to be to much over spray to even think about ever spraying a deck.
Paints not going to stay stuck for long to pressure treated wood.
Paint will just wear off fast on a deck.


You would use an airless spray unit, not one with a compressor to do a job like this.

roasted

Good thoughts. I guess I overlooked those aspects and just assumed it could be done without much fuss with a spray gun... and since I had a compressor I thought I could run with it. The only thing that I think will be an issue is the amount of lattice on our deck... but maybe I'll just do a roller job over it and use a brush for the cracks.

Thanks fellas!

joecaption

A 3/4 or 1" nap roller works good for lattis.

roasted

Note taken. Appreciate it!

chrisn

Spray the lattice and normal paint the rest, prep is MOST important.

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John75

I want to redecorating my desk and shelf. First, I am going to do background on my desk, but after I need some fine colors for details. Anyone has proposition what kind a colors should I use?