Painters Do It With Strokes

Who in their right mind would EVER want to be a painter? I've brought it up in the past but time and time again, any task big or small that involves painting is a complete and absolute disaster.

In order to paint the new control panel I had to remove it which was expected. Went to Bunnings with an approximate sqm of coverage I needed and nervously approached the paint counter. While I was waiting it sprang to my mind that I should've used primer on the last job because you could see the bogged screw holes on the side under a certain light. Armed with this I doubled my sqm requirements and decided to get primer too.

Paint Chick: "Hi can I help you?"

Me: "Yeah I need 1L of primer and 1L of flat black paint for use with a paint gun like that one" (pointing over to the shelf).

Paint Chick: "Sure, you need this and this and this and this and blahdi blergh fuddle de dee .......... but if you buy it this other way it works out cheaper"

Me: "SOLD!"

Now for those of you that have used an electric paint gun before, you will know two things. 1. They are effing loud, like crazy jackhammer/your neighbours are gunna hate you loud. and 2. They throw out so much paint that you almost need double for the sqm. Spray painting seems easier than brush painting and with a can, yes it is, but imagine a tool that is so limiting and expensive to run, you want to head back to the shop for a paintbrush!

- If you haven't used it in a while, they recommend turning it right up and hitting the switch for a few seconds to work the paint through so you don't get that first spatter on something - paint wasted (PW).
- Every time you hit the button they say to start off to the left (or right) and work across the face so you aren't pointing it straight at the surface when you pull the trigger - this does give a more even result but - PW none the less.
- In my case I'm painting a bizarre thing so some edges are only 16mm thick but because its a gun you need a full blast to paint it anyway - PW.
- When the pot gets low, the pickup tube can't get all the paint so it starts spitting and you need to stop, leaving 100mL or so in the bottom - huge PW.

It also cannot paint anything (well) that isn't vertical without an attachment. As soon as you tilt it even a little it coughs and cries - Fail.

So the gun costs $100 and you use twice as much paint to run it. You also need to have twice as much room for overspray reasons and hopefully deaf neighbours. It would be absolutely perfect for a fence or house walls but for general jobs, spend cash on cans. Just go to the shop and buy 10 cans of black. 50% prep time, far more accurate and no wastage. If you don't use it all, it sits idly in the shed for next time. It might seem like you're spending more but take comfort in the fact that you'll be way in front!
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