Most efficient way to paint an interior with airless sprayer

[CatfishKev]

So I've done a ton of painting over the years and always thought about if there was a more efficient faster way. Its a 3 color job. White ceilings, tan walls and white semi on the doors and trim.

 

Here is how I've always done it but I want to hear how you might do it.

 

1. Mask of floor, windows, cabinetry etc with hand maskers and pre folded film of different lengths. I prefer the 1.5" white masking tape that HD sells in the sleeve.

2. Paint the ceilings first.

3. Paint the doors and jambs and the interior of the closets, then paint the the floor trim with a small tip. Leave for the day with the house heat on and fan cycling overnight.

4. Mask off the doors going into closets with 72" from the top and drape it down to the floor and run tape up the sides of the trim and fold over on the film blocking off the closets. I do the same for entry doors and sliders.

5. Then I will run the hand masker on the floor trim with either 6" or 8" paper.

6. Once I'm ready for the walls I will go around on the stilts with a shield and do the top of the wall down far enough so I can blow and go on the walls after the lid is cut in. I usually do this with two guys and have them swapping out the shield for me with a clean one.

7. Blow and go on the walls and pull all the masking.

 

Occasionally I will use blue tape on the freshly painted trim to have less touch up. I just don't like how it can blow off on you.

 

So the biggest two questions are do you ever hand cut in the lid or even run a masker upside down on the ceiling with paper? And do you always go lid first, trim, then walls or do you do the walls and then do the doors and trim last. I did it this way once but it was tough trying not to mess up the walls and lids when doing the jambs.

 

I think I'm doing it the fastest way but just curious. I would have asked on an old contractor forum I was on but cant get my password figured out.

 

Thanks

[Snapshot]

I do a considerable amount of property maintenance, and tons of painting. I can paint a unit faster by rolling and brush cutting. Time is critical in my work. Masking and prep work for spraying is usually not a feasible option. Spraying leaves a nicer finish, and is easier to do multiple coats or color changes. I've painted around 400 units, and maybe sprayed 6 units. But they were nasty, and all the flooring was being replaced.

 

I always paint the ceilings first, then walls, and doors and trim last.

[hoghntr]

I caulk EVERYTHING 1ST!

 

2nd mask all windows cabinets floors etc.

 

3rd spray all walls while hitting base and 4" or so of ceiling

 

4th drop plastic 6" down from ceiling allowing to cover base. Use blue tape to secure to fresh day old painted walls

 

5th run blue tape all the way around walls to cut straight line between ceiling and wall

 

6th hang paper down secured to that blue masking tape with regular tape on marker I let plastic hang over base while I spray ceilings so base does not get textured by falling ceiling paint

 

7th take scissors and run around and cut plastic to length above base to spray base. I still use masking paper up off top of base or if you spray little heavy on base the paint will run on plastic vs it won't if it's on paper.

 

Last Let dry few little then peel all at once.

 

 

ITS A BEAUTIFUL THING WHEN 3 OR MORE COLORS.

 

Btw if ya throw a big fat crown molding in I switch it up a bit.

[CatfishKev]

I do a considerable amount of property maintenance, and tons of painting. I can paint a unit faster by rolling and brush cutting. Time is critical in my work. Masking and prep work for spraying is usually not a feasible option. Spraying leaves a nicer finish, and is easier to do multiple coats or color changes. I've painted around 400 units, and maybe sprayed 6 units. But they were nasty, and all the flooring was being replaced.

I always paint the ceilings first, then walls, and doors and trim last.

I'm personally much faster spraying then I am rolling. Plus working on stilts is a time saver for me as long the guys keep crap off the floor. Also most of the flooring is getting replaced. Plus I hate rolling at this point.

[CatfishKev]

I caulk EVERYTHING 1ST!

2nd mask all windows cabinets floors etc.

3rd spray all walls while hitting base and 4" or so of ceiling

4th drop plastic 6" down from ceiling allowing to cover base. Use blue tape to secure to fresh day old painted walls

5th run blue tape all the way around walls to cut straight line between ceiling and wall

6th hang paper down secured to that blue masking tape with regular tape on marker I let plastic hang over base while I spray ceilings so base does not get textured by falling ceiling paint

7th take scissors and run around and cut plastic to length above base to spray base. I still use masking paper up off top of base or if you spray little heavy on base the paint will run on plastic vs it won't if it's on paper.

Last Let dry few little then peel all at once.

ITS A BEAUTIFUL THING WHEN 3 OR MORE COLORS.

Btw if ya throw a big fat crown molding in I switch it up a bit.

What's your reasoning for spraying the walls first then masking them off? Why not spray the ceiling first? Seems like a waste of material if I'm understanding you correctly. The only reason I can think of is that it's easier than trying to mask the ceiling instead.

Personally the only time I ever mask off walls is when I'm doing a popcorn removal job.

[hoghntr]

 

I caulk EVERYTHING 1ST!

2nd mask all windows cabinets floors etc.

3rd spray all walls while hitting base and 4" or so of ceiling

4th drop plastic 6" down from ceiling allowing to cover base. Use blue tape to secure to fresh day old painted walls

5th run blue tape all the way around walls to cut straight line between ceiling and wall

6th hang paper down secured to that blue masking tape with regular tape on marker I let plastic hang over base while I spray ceilings so base does not get textured by falling ceiling paint

7th take scissors and run around and cut plastic to length above base to spray base. I still use masking paper up off top of base or if you spray little heavy on base the paint will run on plastic vs it won't if it's on paper.

Last Let dry few little then peel all at once.

ITS A BEAUTIFUL THING WHEN 3 OR MORE COLORS.

Btw if ya throw a big fat crown molding in I switch it up a bit.

What's your reasoning for spraying the walls first then masking them off? Why not spray the ceiling first? Seems like a waste of material if I'm understanding you correctly. The only reason I can think of is that it's easier than trying to mask the ceiling instead.

Personally the only time I ever mask off walls is when I'm doing a popcorn removal job.

I always do walls 1st! With every angle caulked with dap caulking with silicone not just painters caulk. Painters caulk works if using something with gloss but with flat paint it will crack the more the caulk dries.

 

Walls paint 1st so I can put tape on wall in front of face rather than over head and it allows me to make a line of ceiling wavy. I cut almost nothing in by hand I let caulking, tape and sprayer make my straight lines for me. When you spray walls your coating the caulked ceiling and base then following day masking those of to spray.

 

I don't always spray base but if its tall base and crown molding also it deserves that perfectly smooth spray job. Old house with 7' ceilings and short base I still do all the caulk then spray walls then drop plastic all the way around and mask top wall and spray ceiling. Tape top of base and brush.

 

BTW it's never on a bid. I only do work for people who want absolute perfection and that allows me the time to use these methods. They are usually quite wealthy and have grown quite fond of my straight lines on 2 & 3 time jobs. it's kinda hard to do it this way if it's track house and somebody wants house painted for nothing

[Red Sparky]

Hire somebody else to do it is the most efficient way I have found.