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I think most of you know how much I love my Homeright Finish Max HVLP Paint Sprayer. In this post, I’m going to give you my best tips for Do’s & Don’ts while using a Finish Max. You can learn from my mistakes. 
After you read all my tips, don't forget to enter to win your very own Finish Max!
My tips for you:
- Most paints will need to be diluted slightly. Water based paints diluted with water, oil based paints diluted with lacquer thinner.
- Keep a small chip brush in your pocket in case you get a run (rarely happens for me, but I’m always ready for a mishap)
- When painting a piece of furniture, be sure to paint the bottom too. How embarrassing when someone buys a bench, and loads it in their car, only to see an unpainted bottom.
- Wear a paint respirator, and safety glasses if you’re spraying into a cabinet or something similar that will cause the paint to come back at your face
- Clean your FinishMax thoroughly immediately after each use (be sure to remove the brass nozzle)
- Cleanup is a breeze, when using latex paint, you will clean your Finish Max
with water (I clean mine outside with the hose) - Purchasing an additional paint cup will make cleanup easier by allowing you to use a clean paint cup to feed water through the sprayer, while temporarily storing your paint in another cup for a second coat.
- Using a reusable mesh paint strainer will cut down on clogs, especially if your paint is older
- Replacing dirty air filters will allow your FinishMax to run at it’s best
- A ladle makes it easier to get the paint into the paint cup
- A cheap vegetable brush comes in handy to quickly clean the cup and the rim of the Finish Max .
- If used indoors, be sure to cover horizontal surfaces to cut down on the “dust” that will occur.
- Oil based paints are a little messier to clean up using lacquer thinner.
with water (
will cut down on clogs, especially if your paint is olderTroubleshooting
- If your Finish Max overflows your cup while you’re using it, chances are you have a clog in the nozzle. Did you use a strainer?
- If your paint is running on your piece, you’ve thinned it too much.
- If your paint is not flowing, you may need to dilute your paint a little more.
Paints I’ve used in my Finish Max
- Chalkboard Paint
- ASCP (Annie Sloan Chalk Paint)
- DIY Chalk Paint
- Oil Based Paint
- Latex (my favorite is Behr Premium Plus Ultra)
- oops
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- I recently worked on a project and decided not to use my Finish Max, but to paint it by hand because my paint booth was cluttered up and I didn’t want to take the time to clear it out. It wasn’t but a few minutes into the project that I was regretting that decision. If you’ve used other sprayers, I’m sure you are aware of the main reason people don’t like using them—because they are difficult to clean or they clog up and are impossible to use. The finish max is very easy to use, simple to clean when you do it outdoors with your hose, and cleaned properly it will quickly become your best friend and your favorite DIY tool. scout’s honor!
- I’m always here if you ever have any problems or questions. I can’t say I’m the best expert, but I’ve used Homeright products so much, I do know them inside and out.
- Great news! It’s time for a giveaway! One lucky winner will win a Homeright Finish Max of their very own.
How to enter: Mandatory—
- leave a comment on this blog post telling me your worst experience with a paint sprayer or why you really want to try a Homeright Finish Max HVLP paint sprayer. After leaving a comment, use the Rafflecopter widget to enter and earn more entries. Must be 18, US resident. Void where prohibited by law. One winner will be selected at random from all eligible entries. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or I will choose an alternate winner.
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- Good Luck, and have fun painting!
- gail
I finally finished all my kitchen cabinets and they turned out great. I was getting very small air bubbles, along with very small speckles on some of the doors. I tried everything to correct the situation but nothing seemed to help. But, I think I may have found out the problem. When I was cleaning the sprayer after use, I think water got into the unit. When I removed the air filters, they were wet. This just required removing them and allowing them to dry before returning them to the sprayer. I also think the disc wasn't always properly seated as well. I never noticed the arrow on the disc which points the disc in the proper direction so it is seated correctly. I also was washing the feed tube with the disc and then realized the disc should be removed and not washed. When I corrected these areas, I had a perfect finish with no bubbles or speckles.
I am soooo happy that you are finished Karen. Thank you so much for letting me know what solved the problem for you. As I was spraying a table yesterday I was actually thinking of the issue and was trying to think about what it could have been.
Enjoy your "new" cabinets!
gail
Hi Gail! I landed here for the exact same reason as Karen! I have been working on kitchen cabinets and its been going so well! But the last 10ish doors have had little speckles everywhere! HELP! I'm freaking out! haha
Morgann,
I'm so sorry you're having this trouble. As I told Karen, I've sprayed upwards of 100 gallons of paint through my Finish Max paint sprayers and have only had this happen twice. I was never able to figure out what it was, but the paint did dry okay. Is your paint showing the speckles AFTER it is completely dry?
gail
I have painted 30 kitchen cabinet doors with the homeright finish max. The first 20 doors went very smoothly and turned out well. But for the last 10 doors, I am getting constant very small air bubbles in the paint. I have tried everything to correct the situation and nothing seems to help. I have even strained the paint and then realized the air bubbles are not in the paint. Somehow, they are being created in the sprayer. I thought maybe it was the filters and I tried turning them around. I can order new ones but didn't want to wait for them to come in when this may not even be the problem. I have also tried making the paint even thinner and spraying from different distances. Can you offer any suggestions? I'm so frustrated and need to get my kitchen back together. Thank you.
Karen,
First, let me say I'm sorry you're having this issue, and I understand your frustration.
I've had that happen to me before, and when I allowed the paint to dry, all was good. Were the weather conditions the same with the last 10 doors? Did anything change? I was never able to figure out why it happened with me. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/diy-entryway-table/
I'll be sending you a separate message via email
gail
Can you use chalk paint in it?
Yes Amanda, you can. I've used all kinds of paints, including chalk paint, DIY chalk paint and many, many more.
Hey I love my finish max too!! I have only had it since January this year, but I've used it sooo many times. I finally got brave enough to paint my kitchen cabinets since it was so easy to use. Have you ever used the Behr Alkyd Enamel paint? It has turned out awesome, but all of a sudden on my last coat on thee backs I'm getting tiny bubbles in my paint. I've tried everything I can think of. Have you ever had this happen?
Jenna,
I haven't used that particular paint, but I've used so many kinds of paint. I have gotten bubbles before. It seems to me that it has to do with the humidity. Have you tried just leaving it alone? I find that if I do that, it all evens out.
One more thought.... could the backs have any grease buildup? Did you clean them well? I'm here to help in any way I can....
gail
hi!
Just found your videos on YouTube and just entered the world of painting with the HomeRight Finish Max.. love it! Only problem I'm having is that it does fine for a few sprays and then it starts leaking EVERYWHERE.... I've taken off the cup several times and put it back on again to make sure that its on correctly... but nothing is working... its still leaking. Any tips? Ive been googling it and it keeps bringing me back to your blog... so I'm taking it as a sign! 🙂
MaryRuth,
I'm so happy google kept sending you to My Repurposed Life. I've sprayed upwards of 75 gallons in my sprayers. 🙂
Here are some things to check.
How are you cleaning it? There are two tiny "airholes" on either side where the pickup tube inserts. If these holes become clogged, you can use a skewer to clean them out. I clean my Finish Max with a garden hose, and I've never had those holes clog.
How much paint are you filling the cup with? I rarely fill it more than 1/2 full.
How are the filters looking (inside the motor housing). If they get clogged, the machine can't breathe. You can take them out and flip them over to find a "clean" spot on the filter.
Is your paint thin enough? Is it cold where you are? When my paint is cold, I use warm water to dilute it to make it easier to spray.
How does your gasket look where the cup screws in? Has it gotten to gooped up?
So, basically if it is leaking it's because air is going into the cup, but paint isn't going up the tube and out (well enough) We just need to figure out why.
You can reply to this comment or write me an email. myrepurposedlife gmail.com
My spare room is full of rescued bed frames, end tables, picture frames, and a couple of dressers in need of a paint job. It seems like such a daunting task to finish all these projects with the good ole brush and paint. I would love to win a Homeright Finish Max, so I can give these pieces new life in a fraction of the time it would take to finish the job the old fashion way. In no time I would be ready to gift them to my family and friends. Fingers crossed 🙂
Hi Gail, or the finish max doctor. I didn't win one in the contests but last week I went out and bought a finish max pro on your recommendation It's wonderful! However, I am getting a stippling effect (tiny little dots). I thought they would settle down after the first coat of primer, but it's doing on the second coat as well. I use Behr, strained it, used viscosity cup, everything the instructions say to do. I have turned the dial up and down. Can you tell me what is causing this? Help, thanks, Sheila
Sheila,
Thanks for filling in all the blanks, because I would have asked you all those questions. You telling me everything up front makes it a lot easier!
Tiny little dots... I get those too, but after the paint dries, they magically disappear, to leave a very smooth finish. Are the dots on a horizontal surface or vertical?
One last question, how long is your extension cord?
gail
Thank for the quick reply Gail. The surface is vertical (cabinet doors) and horizontal (drawers). The extension cord is a heavy duty outside one at 25 ft. I put on a second coat of primer today. Not near as stippled looking and the surface feels smooth to the touch. In your experience should put on a coat of paint? When dry has your primer looked stippled before you painted? Thank you so much for the tutoring. Sheila
Sheila,
When you say primer, are you talking about diy chalky paint primer, or real primer? I suppose in either case, if you're concerned about it, you could very lightly sand it with very fine sandpaper, or brown craft paper. I suppose I may be confused by what you're seeing. Is it humid? Does the paint dry quickly? Or is it tacky? Are you doing light coats?
Have you seen my cabinet tutorials? https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2013/10/kitchen-cabinets-updated-with-paint-trim.html
https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2010/12/how-to-paint-oak-cabinets.html
I put board and baton on my wall and wondered if I could use this inside to paint it. I have wood floors in one spot it will be used and tile in the other? I am worried about over spray.. Thanks for the info
Over spray isn't really a problem with the Finish Max. However, when used indoors there will be a fine "dust" on every horizontal surface. I painted a tongue and groove beadboard wall with it. You can see that here: https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2013/02/commandmax-paint-sprayer-indoors.html
gail
I never used a paint sprayer and I don't own one.
I Have trouble with paint drips and leaving hairs from brushes on my furniture I paint.
It's quite a disaster. Thanks for the chance.
I've never used a paint sprayer...I keep reading all the reviews everywhere because I've heard so many horror stories. I know it would be so useful since I have so many projects in the works, especially for a console table I've got that I'd love to paint over but I'm too afraid of seeing the paint strokes so I've just got it sitting in the garage. Thank you for the helpful review.
I've never used a paint sprayer. I have a lot of doors to paint, and a sprayer would make painting so much quicker and easier - the project actually might be finished this year.
I haven't had the chance to use a sprayer but desperately needing one. The other day I was painting m front fence and within an hour I noticed I had progressed too far using a paint brush. What a waste of time and a lot of work for virtually nothing.
I have never used a paint sprayer. I want to try the Homerite because I have a gazebo and deck to paint, and I am dreading doing it by hand!
My previous house was a nightmare to paint! Every single room was bright blue... even the ceilings!
I almost forgot to tell you why I want a Finish Max. 🙂 I have a trashed vintage desk that I would love to refinish and use as a t.v. stand. It would be fun to try an actual sprayer rather than a can (or 10) of spray paint.