At Wilson’s Paint & Flooring we also offer paint rental equipment. If there is a project you want to do yourself, you can still call us to obtain the right equipment. We offer power washer rentals and airless paint sprayer rentals. Our rental equipment is sufficient for projects in commercial, industrial, as well as residential areas. Here are some further details on rental equipment and how to properly use them.
Pressure Washer
You can use the pressure washer to clean off many surfaces in your home or commercial building. Examples are: your exterior walls before painting, your garage floor, and decks or fences to remove dirt and grime. You can basically use this pressure washer for any surface for cleaning.
The pressure washing process is a bit more involved than simply getting a machine and blasting it away at the grime. It’s possible to cause significant damage. Understanding the proper equipment, technique and cleaning products are essential to an effective and safe power washing experience.
The pressure washer is determined by two main factors: PSI, which is the pounds per square inch. The GPM, which is gallons per minute. The higher the PSI, the more force the water will have on the surface you’re cleaning. If it’s too high, it can cause damage to the surface you are attempting to clean. The higher the GPM, the faster the cleaning and rinsing process tends to be. The lower the GPM, the longer the cleaning process takes.
There are also nozzles you will need to pay attention to on a pressure washer. Pressure washers will come with 3-4 color coded nozzle tips.
- 0 degrees (red): shoots a direct jet of water onto the surface. This makes it unsafe for most surfaces but it can be used to clear heavy buildup. Use caution when you are in this setting.
- 15 degrees (Yellow): 15 degree wide sheet of water will spray from the nozzle. This is the setting that you will use for stripping paint.
- 25 degrees (green): 25 degree wide sheet of water will spray from the nozzle. This is the setting that you will use for general cleaning of mud and dirt from driveways, patio furniture, decks, vehicles, etc.
- 40 degrees (white): 40 degree wide sheet of water will spray from the nozzle. This is the setting that you will use for lighter surfaces including windows, vehicles, etc.
- 65 degrees (black): this uses a larger opening to decrease velocity and increase hose pressure. This will pull cleaning detergent into the line so you can use soap for an easier clean.
Begin spraying with your pressure washer at least 4 feet away from your surface. Work in small sections, backing away from the surface to reduce pressure if needed. When cleaning vertical surfaces, start from the bottom and work upward. Then rinse from top to bottom. Avoid spraying up into siding as it can cause dislodging of the paneling.
Airless Paint Sprayer
If you have a painting project that needs to get done in a hurry, you can use an airless paint sprayer. This eliminates that hassle of brushes and rolling. It’s also more affordable to rent than to buy your own sprayer. Airless paint sprayers are the way to get your project done more quickly. Here are some key setup points when using the airless paint sprayer.
Before you start spraying, you will have to prime the pump. Place the smaller prime tube in a waste pail and the suction tube in the bucket of strained paint. Turn the prime/spray valve to prime. Switch on the pump and turn the pressure valve up until the pump starts. When the paint starts flowing, move it into the paint bucket.
Next you will want to fill the hose. Hold the spray gun over the waste bucket and pull the trigger. Switch the valve to spray. Let go of the trigger when the paint is flowing in a steady stream from the gun and lock the trigger. Once the pump is primed, you are ready to fill the hose with paint. Lock the trigger and relieve the pressure before installing the tip guard assembly and inter the tip. To relieve pressure in the tip you will want to turn off the power switch, turn the spray/prime valve to prime, aim the gun against the side of the waste pail and pull the trigger to release the pressure and engage the trigger lock.
Turn on the pump and move the prime/spray lever to the spray position. Spray a test strip across a piece of cardboard to make sure you have the pattern you desired. If you are still having an uneven spray, try using a tip with a smaller hole. If it has an uneven pattern, the pressure is set too low. Too much pressure causes excessive overspray.
