As a painting contractor, one of the most frequent questions we’ve been asked by our customers is the difference between brush painting and spray painting. Another question is if it is possible to use spray painting techniques on houses.

Painting the exterior of a home is a time-consuming project. It’s no wonder that many painting contractors often choose spray paint to make their job go quicker. Using a power sprayer cuts the time it takes to complete the work. But this does not come without sacrifices because while spraying primer and paint give you an advantage in speed, it can come at a cost.

In this post, we will take a look at the pros and cons of spray painting and brush painting. When you can tell its difference, it can help you make an informed decision for your new project.

Brush Painting & Its Benefits

Brush painting is an ancient technique that uses a paintbrush in applying coats of paint. The process is time-consuming, but it will allow you to have a more flawless finish. Yes, it is a tedious process and might result in brush marks if you are new to painting, but it can also give you better control of the brush when applying the paint. Thus, it has some benefits.

One of the benefits of using brush painting is it conserves paint. Using brush painting with one gallon of paint can cover about 400 square feet of space, according to a manufacturer. When painting with a brush, you can start and stop whenever you want. A painting contractor can divide the painting work into sections and distribute them to painters.

It also requires little prep work as there is no need to mask windows and doors. Painting with a brush only needs a canvas drop cloth to cover the landscape. Brush painting may also provide the opportunity to look closely into the house’s walls as it requires careful preparation and examination. In short, it gives the house the tender loving care it needs.

Spray Painting & Its Advantages

In terms of speed, there is no other faster way to paint than brush painting with the use of an airless sprayer. It can cover an entire wall in just a matter of minutes instead of hours in brush painting. But like other tasks, speed can come at a price and in this case, its quality. However, aside from speed, spray painting has some advantages.

Spray painting is useful if you are looking for coverage without visible brush strokes because it has a smooth finish. It is a much faster process, but the space that needs spray painting should be well-lit and ventilated. You only need to apply one coat of paint in spray painting, and the results will be good enough. Plus, it can cover hard to reach areas.

However, spray-painting uses two to three times as much paint as in brush painting, which can be costly. Another disadvantage is it has poor adhesion to the surface, and sometimes, the paint result is uneven. Using the sprayer can be challenging, too, and needs an experienced spray painter to handle them.

The Best of Both Worlds

The quality of paintwork depends on the professionals you choose to work on your project. When you select a knowledgeable painter, you can ensure that you get the best result from brush painting or spray painting. The best painters often use today’s technology with yesterday’s techniques, so find a good one.