Tips For Spray Painting Your Commercial Ceiling

Spray painting is the savvy way to cover large surface areas fast. Ideal for refreshing commercial premises, spray painting is a snap once you understand the preparation and processes involved. For an effortlessly professional finish, follow these tips:

Carry out a site inspection

Good preparation is essential to the quality of the final finish. An on-site inspection helps determine the amount of 1.5mm plastic sheeting you need to properly mask the area including lights, floors and air vents to avoid paint migration. Take time to inspect the ceiling to make key decisions on pressure settings, spray tip size and the correct composition of the dry fall you intend to use.

Size up the job

Calculate the actual surface area of the ceiling allowing for any corrugation, joists and ducting. Now divide by the number of square metres the chosen dry fall product covers. When spraying a ceiling, product loss is typically between 20-50%, so factor that into the equation before you order. Remember you get what you pay for, so opt for a high-quality alkyd or latex dry fall paint.

Alkyd or latex?

Is the ceiling galvanised or satin finished? Will the substrate need cleaning beforehand? Alkyd dry fall is not suitable for galvanised substrates as it can cause delamination, but it has good flash rust resistance. Both alkyd and latex are excellent choices when good adhesion to multiple substrates including wood, metal and concrete is required. Choose a self-priming product or ensure that any metal is properly prepared before spraying.

Safety first

Using the right PPE for the job is critical. A fresh air or particle filter mask plus an all-in-one suit offers the best protection from fumes and wet paint. Check that all equipment is operating correctly and that all connections are secure. Ventilation is critical to ensure the dry fall doesn’t fall wet, so use fans if necessary to disperse the paint particles.

Clean up

All that’s left is to clean up after a job well done. Always factor in adequate cleanup time and start at the top before working down to floor level. Run water or paint thinner through your paint lines until they run clear, before decompressing equipment and storing carefully for the next job.