Spraying crown molding?

I have to paint some ornate crown molding. I am considering spraying due to the decorative features in the molding. Any recommendations as to how you would do this. I'm thinking of getting a Wagner airless sprayer.
Thanks, Daniel

 

Which wagner airless? I doubt their cheaper sprayers will do a decent job of spraying enamel. not sure about their better units. Have you checked into renting one?

What type of enamel are you planning on using? is this a repaint? or new?

 

A wagner sprayer is the biggest waste of money I have ever invested in. Try renting a air compressor and having it fit properly, so you can spray whatever you want....Where you want! ~ Rob

 

The problem with spraying woodwork with a cup gun or pressure pot and air compressor is your limited with the coatings you can use. For the most part a cup gun will only spray solvent based coatings.

An airless will have more output [heavier coat quicker] and besides spraying solvent based coatings [like oil undercoater or enamel] it will also spray latex and waterborne paints. You adjust the tip size and pressure to accommodate the coating.

As stated a run of the mill wagner is junk, their top of the line airless might be ok - I don't know. For my money I'll stick with Titan or Graco, I know they are good

 

Have you tried using a good 2-3" brush? After a slight learning curve on loading and handling the brush I bet you can get very satisfying results if you use oil base.
A spray gun will require some practice just the same. Both methods can yield good or poor results depending on the user. Neither are fool proof, but at least a good brush doesn't require complicated equipment!

 

Not sure of which sprayer. Haven't bought one yet. Not sure which paint other than semi-gloss. Could be alkyd or latex. The moldings have a primer coat and they are of the egg and dart design.

 

What color do you intend to use?
For years I was a firm believer in only using oil base enamel for wood trim because it dries hard and levels out well. The only problem with oil enamel is light colors [especially white] yellow over time. It's also slow drying.

There have been a lot of improvements made with latex paint along with the newer waterborne enamels. I started using waterborne do to occupational over exposure to solvents and was pleased to find that the waterborne dries almost as hard as oil [wears well] levels out well and like latex it dries fast. Not to mention equipment washes up with water and has less odor.

IMO the best way to paint decorative crown moulding is to do the majority of it before it's installed. It can be difficult to spray all the needed angles without a build up of paint resulting in a run I like to set the trim on saw horses and spray a couple of coats from various angles. If you spray after installation, keep a brush handy - there will be areas that don't get enough enamel and those that do get enough paint, might run

 

You can spray the crown with a HVLP sprayer, or a Wagner cup gun, using an oil based enamel. Neither will spray latex very well. Latex is best sprayed with a standard airless rig.

Are you spraying the crown on the wall/ceiling ?

Is this an occupied house?

If so, you are probably going to be surprised by the fumes and overspray issues involved with spraying the crown in place.

You have to be concerned with direct overspray as well as indirect (the atomized paint will be lighter than air and float around the room and even from room to room, if you are not careful).

Don't forget to block off the HVAC ductwork (including cold air returns), and put out any pilot flames, turn off the furnace / AC, as well as mask off thoroughly etc.... Make sure you use the proper respirator.

Don't use the clothes dryer, oven or stove either until you have a chance to "air out" the house.

There are a lot of potential problems to be aware of when spraying in an occupied house.

If you can spray it off the wall on saw horses in a garage or something, then install the crown, you will be much better off. Touch up the nail holes after installation, otherwise I would use a brush for application if installed in an occupied house.

 

Good point Slatz!!

I rarely ever spray in an occupied dwelling - it's too hard to contain the overspray. The time spent to properly seal off the area to contain the overspray negates the time saved by spraying............. my thinking cap must not have been planted squarely on my head yesterday

 

Well, think I'll be trying a latex in a brush first. It is installed in a newly sold home. The best part is they don't have much furniture yet. When ever I have a chance, I paint my moldings then have them installed and a little touch up is all I need.
Thanks