Compressed Air Painting – Is It a Good Idea?

Many paint spray tools make use of compressed air to aerosolize and disperse paint over surfaces. Unlike conventional painting methods, compressed air painting can get any job done in half the time, often producing better results. Thus, using compressed air tools is more effective than using paintbrushes and rollers.

The question is do the benefits outweigh the disadvantages?

Benefits of Compressed Air Painting

Convenience and efficiency are the top reasons why most contractors and professionals use compressed air paint tools.

Most contractors, professionals and DIY-ers prefer spray painting because it is more convenient and efficient. With spray paint machines, any paint job can be done in half the time.

With compressed air painting, you can expect to produce even and smooth results. Often, you won’t need to apply multiple coats. Spray painting is most effective when a paint job involves hard-to-reach corners, narrow ridges or small components. These are hard to accomplish or paint with conventional paint tools.

Generally, paint spray tools cost more than paintbrushes, rollers and other traditional paint tools. Compared to hiring professional painters and contractors, however, having your own paint spray gun is more cost effective.

Disadvantages of Compressed Air Painting

When using compressed air spray paint tools, much of the paint is dispersed into the air. This excess paint is called overspray. Technically speaking, overspray is wasted paint and is a cause for concern among environmentalists. Read on.

Many products that use compressed air to deliver chemicals, such as aerosol cans and certain paint spray guns, release considerable volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air. This is another cause for environmental concern.

Nevertheless, more people prefer compressed air painting than conventional paint methods. Furthermore, many brands and companies follow certain standards to ensure that the amount of VOCs each product emits do not exceed dangerous levels.

Less expensive than hiring a professional, more convenient than using rollers and less time-consuming than using paintbrushes, compressed air painting is still preferred by beginners and DIY veterans alike, and there is no reason why you should avoid it at all.