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I have been using HomeRight Paint Sprayers for almost 2 1/2 years now! I can’t believe how long it’s been, and how much time it has saved me with my projects. If you’re not familiar with the HomeRight FinishMax—you’re missing out! It’s an electric paint sprayer that gives you THE best fine finish—it will amaze you. I am a HomeRight Ambassador, but anyone who knows me, will tell you that I truly trust and believe in this product.
Today I’m going to tell you my favorite paints to use when using my FinishMax to paint furniture projects. 
Let’s start with my very first project that I completed with my HomeRight CommandMax way back in the beginning, this sweet little black gossip bench.
I used Behr Premium Plus Ultra in Semi-Gloss on that very first project and it is still my favorite paint to use on furniture projects. It’s fun to look back, because everything looks so clean and new. This must have been one of the first times I used that ladle.
Because Behr Premium Plus Ultra paint IS wall paint, I like to give an added layer of protection with some Wipe-on Poly.
If you love a great chalkboard, with a perfectly smooth finish, then the FinishMax is the tool you need!
This is one of those former art pieces that everyone had hanging over their couch in the 60’s and 70’s. I sprayed the chalkboard paint directly onto the cardboard with the FinishMax. For more details, you can check out my post Using a FinishMax with Chalkboard Paint.
To be honest, my least favorite paint is oil based paint. However, when doing cabinets, it’s a necessary evil.
It made this kitchen cabinet makeover so much easier. If you have a kitchen makeover in your future, a FinishMax will make your project go much smoother.
The finish you get with this sprayer is so fabulous, but it doesn’t have to be your last step. After painting this toy box made from cabinet doors with my FinishMax, I went a step further to make it special using stencils and craft paints. The top coat was Minwax Polycrylic.
Did you know that you can use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in your HomeRight FinishMax? Even though ASCP is pretty easy to apply, painting pedestals and spindles are still time consuming when you do it by hand with a brush.
Now, are you ready for my absolute favorite way to use my FinishMax? This is my secret to getting a great finish in record time. I use my DIY chalky paint as a primer.
This is after one coat of the home made primer (Plaster of Paris) sprayed with the FinishMax. Getting a smooth finish like this on spindles by hand with a brush it nearly impossible.
Twin beds makeover after a coat of the diy chalky paint primer and 2 light coats of the Behr paint without Plaster of Paris. To clarify. These beds were painted with Behr Premium Plus Ultra (Semi-Gloss Naval) mixed with Plaster of Paris to make my own chalk paint. Then they were given 2 light coats of the Behr Premium Plus Ultra (Semi-Gloss Naval) straight out of the can. The finish is flawless. This is my go-to paint technique that I use 90% of the time.
If you’re new to spraying furniture with a FinishMax, you should read my post on how to make an Easy Diy Paint Booth
Now for a giveaway! One lucky reader will win their very own HomeRight FinishMax!
How to enter: Visit the HomeRight blog, and tell me something you learned from one of the Brand Ambassadors. I think you’ll find that we all are very enthusiastic about the HomeRight brand. Leave your comment below, then use the Rafflecopter widget to enter. One winner will be selected at random from all eligible entries. Winner will have 48 hours to respond via email notification or an alternate winner will be chosen. US residents only, void where prohibited by law.
Would you like to see more of my FinishMax projects?
As I said above, I am so happy to be a HomeRight Brand Ambassador. That being said, it’s a no-brainer that this is a sponsored post, but as always, all thoughts, opinions, ideas, and projects are my own.
Just came across your website when I was looking for information using Behr Premium Plus Ultra and the Finish Max sprayer. I did the viscosity test with this paint (semi gloss) and after 2 1/2 minutes the cup still had not emptied out. Behr recommends adding not more than 1 cup water to a gallon paint, which I have not done yet. I wanted to see if Floetrol would make a difference, so put 1 c. paint in another container, added 1 Tbsp Floetrol and it was still running slow from the viscosity cup.
I’m curious what your experience has been and how much thinning you usually do with the Behr paint. As I said, I haven’t tried adding water but it doesn’t seem like one cup of water is going to do the job, however, I don’t want to over-thin it.
Thank so much! Very informative website.
Colleen,
I use Behr Premium Plus Ultra semi-gloss for nearly 99% of my furniture projects. I thin it every time I use it. It’s a very thick paint. I must confess I have never used the viscosity cup a single time. It’s still in the wrapper it arrived in. That being said, I only dilute it 1 Finish Max paint cup at a time.
At the bottom of this post, you will see thumbnails of my other projects, with the newer (latest) projects near the top. Click on any of those for more details.
These days, I use the semi-gloss paint mixed with plaster of paris (paste) as a primer, then I use the semi-gloss paint without the plaster as a top coat. It’s my favorite way to paint because it’s so easy.
I would never thin the entire gallon, only what you’re using at one time. You didn’t say what you were using it on, furniture or a wall.
It’s difficult to say how much I thin it, but it’s quite a bit. If your paint won’t come through your sprayer, it’s too thick, if it runs, it’s too thin. One last tip, I strain my paint. It’s a necessary step to keep from clogging the nozzle. If you haven’t used your sprayer yet, you will need a pair of pliers to unscrew the nozzle for the first cleaning. It is screwed in very tight from the factory.
You can reach me by email, or on facebook, or leave a comment on any post if you have more questions.
gail
ps I’ve never used Floetrol
Thanks for the quick reply. I’m repainting kitchen cabinets in a rental that were last painted probably 10 yrs ago. (I saw were you recommend oil paint for cabinets, but I’d already bought the Behr and am not a fan of using oil paint.) We used a less quality wall paint and rolled it on, so it didn’t look the greatest. Plus we hadn’t sanded or primed, and the paint was chipping so they looked really sad. I brushed the drawers since there are only five of them, but with 11 doors I decided to buy the sprayer and give that a try. I’m a bit nervous since I’ve never used a sprayer, so hoping it goes fast and easy.
wishing you all the best on your kitchen redo Colleen!
Wow !!!!!! Stain uses in a pint sprayer now that is new to me.TY
OMG I didn’t know this paint sprayer exists until I found Your blog. I do paint a lot with brush, but LOVE to try this sprayer!! …but knowing my luck I’ll never win …. Love You blog!!
I learned the the paint sprayer is easy to clean which is a huge plus.
You can use Chalk Paint in your HomeRight FinishMax.
Love chalk paint. Would love to try it in a sprayer, if only I had one…
I didn’t know for sure if you could use the chalk paint in the sprayer. Thanks for the tip! I would love to make over an old desk (lots of ridges and grooves!)
I found the chalk paint information to be very interesting.
I learned from Rain on a Tin Roof that using a polisher would make painted pieces look fab! A paint sprayer has been on my Wishlist for a very long time… 🙂
Getting ready to make a bed for our spare room. I think I would like to try the chalk paint technique and see how it works out. Great idea.
Thank you
I NEED a Finish Max sprayer! There are many projects I want to do, but one in particular would be to help my sister paint her floors! I wonder if the Finish Max will preform in that capacity.? Would be interested in your opinion. Thanks for the chance to win this fantastic giveaway.
I never In a million years would’ve thought to use the steamer to clean my kitchen stove. I will be trying this ASAP!
I didn’t realize you could spray chalk paint. Yipee! I would’ve assumed it was too thick. 🙂
I didn’t know you could stain furniture with it! now i need it even more!
I went to the HomeRight blog, but I cannot figure out how to leave a comment there. There’s no comment field.
Wow, I never thought about using a sprayer for chalkboard paint. Such a great idea to get an even coat on hard to paint areas.
Learned how easy it is to make a spray paint booth. Then I can finally do my kitchen cabinets fast and easy. The sprayer would really come in handy to finish a bench that I am redoing for my sister that was our Mom and Dad’s, as a surprise gift for her birthday.
I didn’t know you could use chalk paint especially DIY chalk paint.
They look so amazing to use ,every time i see a giveway on them i have to enter lol cause i cant afford one right now but thats besides the point they are nice
I have a queen size bed, 2 tables, an armoire, 2 desks, 3 tables and countless chairs I need to repaint. This would make my life sooooo much easier!
I had no idea you could use stain with a sprayer
Wow, I NEED this sprayer!!
Oh the things I could do with this! I make signs and shabby them up, this would be so helpful!
i learned about the different kinds of paints that can be used and addititves to make it run smoother
I had seen that you used this… But I didn’t realize it was electric. I’ve been looking into a sprayer but had been looking into the ones that require a huge air compressor. May have to do some more research on this one.
Great projects! Love them!
I hadn’t thought about using a sprayer before but think I would love one now. I have a whole house redo to work my way through the diy way.
Wow! Sounds fantastic! I didn’t know you could use ASCP with a sprayer! Over on the Home Right, I am bookmarking the post about using stain in the sprayer.
I’d love to try this. With a kitchen makeover in my near future, this would be great for my cabinets. Thank for the tips on the paint booths – I’m going to do this.
How easy is the sprayer to clean when you’re done painting something?
This seems to be an easy tool for a beginner painter and I really like that it is electric and does not need to be hooked up to an air compressor. I also like that you can use several different kinds of paint in it.
I did not know you could use chalk paint or stain in the sprayer.
I’m dreaming of having one to help me complete my armoire and cabinet makeovers. I have a shoulder injury and painting just causes too much pain because of how long it takes.
Wow!!! Love this-and that I can use it to stain wood as well?!? Love that idea and have SO many projects at my new house I’d use it on!!!
I learned that you can use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in the sprayer – a definite favorite!
I was so impressed by what I read about the Finish Max sprayer! But learning that it sold for less than $60.00 put it high on my wish list.
Winning it would be even better!!!!!
Using a paint sprayer might be a great option for us when we eventually paint our kitchen cabinets
this it not related to a paint sprayer BUT i learned that i need a steam machine to clean my house. omg amazing!
I have the never ending paint the fence and deck project ahead this spring/summer. I like that you can use the sprayer for the deck. Thank you for the giveaway.
I had no idea you could use a sprayer for stain!
So many tips! I watched a video tutorial on how to stain wood using the Max Finish Sprayer
Oh my goodness!! The HomeRight sprayer is amazing. I had no idea you could use it to stain furniture etc and also use it with chalk paint. My list of projects to paint just got bigger.
would love to try the HeatPro for veneer removal
Hi Gail.
I always love checking your site for new projects and ideas. I have 6 dining chairs that are
just screaming for diy chalk paint (thanks for the tip with the sprayer) I also have a couple ceilings
that need painting and I just can’t use the roller for long anymore since I hurt my hand a while back.
The sprayer would definitely help out 🙂 Keep the tips and projects coming!
I love the idea of using chalkboard paint as a primer, do they sell it in spray cans? I love you BLOG you inspire my projects!!
Have some new freebie finds. Thoughts on how to repurpose various sizes of kitchen cabinet doors?
I didn’t realize all the different kind of paint can be used with this sprayer. I had an old one and all it did was get clogged. I have so many projects to do that winning this would be a dream come true. Thanks for the chance to this giveaway.
God Bless!
I’m not an expert, just a hobbyist wanting to try my hand at a sprayer. Your truly talented.
I have several projects that I could really use one of these for.
I so need one of these, still need to paint those kitchen cabinets. I learned that if you want to paint the ceiling the tube needs to slanted towards the back 😉
I learned you can use it to stain wood, I had never even considered that before, cool! I also love seeing all your projects!!! Thanks so much for being so awesome Gail!
Love it!
After several of the ambassadors blogged about the awesomeness of the Home Right Steamer, I learned that I needed one. Bought it, and love it! 🙂
I loved the video blog on staining a wood fence, this will come in handy if I win the Home Right paint sprayer..my fence is in dire need of a good painting and I can’t imagine having to hand paint it all by myself. 🙂
I was glad to learn you can use oil paint in it.
I would loveeee this to help paint some things for our first home!
i am thrilled that you can use chalk paint in it!
I liked the idea that I could use the buffer for waxing. I have not mastered the technique of applying wax to projects and would love to give it a try. I would also love to try the Finish Max!! Using the compressor is difficult and I’d love an electric paint sprayer that really works!
I learned from several of HomeRight Brand Ambassadors that this product is what I’ve been missing. Set up and clean up are quick and easy, and overspray is minimal–EXACTLY what I’ve been looking for!
The very first project on the blog talks about using the sprayer for stain! That hadn’t occurred to me before 😉
I had to pull out my pneumatic sprayer this week, and it NEVER functions properly after sitting unused for a few months. In a fit of pique, I ordered the Command Max. But if I could win this one, I could sent it back! That would be soooo awesome!
I learned that my life is sorely lacking a very important piece of equipment and that – among MANY other uses, I could use it to clean my stove! (and I bet it would do wonders for my oven, too) …from this article – Cleaning My Stove with HomeRight Steam Machine by The Pennington Point
This is AWESOME, Gail. I am a big-time fan and follower of yours. Thanks for this post. I found myself looking at previous posts, and showed the hubby the desk converted into a chest of drawers. I am inspired to find an old desk and try it myself. I have a full chest of drawers in a walk in closet and it is simply too big. This chest of drawers (Tower of Terror) would work very well. Thanks! I am delighted to enter and hopefully win my very own FinishMax Spray Paint system and start painting all of my proposed furniture projects! I will also look for the wipe-on poly acrylic. I have a round low to ground coffee table, in Coral, and I am hand-painting a French Ephemera ad in white, and was looking to see what I could seal it with. You have the answer! I also learned a helpful tip on cleaning the FinishMax Spray system as well, which would come in handy for a long-lasting quality system for years to come.
Thank you for this offer and all your helpful tips and DIY Projects!
I learned that cleaning the sprayer isn’t a big deal. A looong time ago, we borrowed a sprayer and cleaning it wasn’t worth the time to use it. Looks like paint sprayers have some a long way.
Can’t wait to get started on all my yard sale finds. Would love to win this sprayer. Thanks for all the great tips.
Like many of others have said, I learned that even Annie Sloan chalk paint can be used in the paint sprayer. Mind blown! I hope I win!
Wow this would be a great item to use when redoing my kitchen cabinets!
I had no clue you could use chalk board paint in those!
And I love the tip about the 2 coats of chalk paint & then 2 coats of the Behr for a flawless finish
I have so many pieces that I could paint right now!! Pick me please!!
I have been picking up free furniture that I wan’t to start painting to make it look new again, but I have been afraid to get started. It looks like this may just be the tool I need to help with those difficult places and give me the finish I am looking for. Thanks for the tip!
Love the look this sprayer leaves. Can’t wait to use it.
I’ve been researching airless paint sprayers and this one looks like it could do what I want. Thanks for the info!
I like that the Finish Max is airless. It doesn’t require a fancy compressor. Just grab an extension cord, and you’re good to go!
I love the idea of chalkboard paint in a sprayer! Homeright website is great… I also love the steamer looks like another great product.
There are so many projects that I would attempt with the Home Right Finish Max Sprayer! I have been upcycling pieces to supplement my teacher’s salary and this would be such a time saver! I could flip pieces so much faster! Keeping my fingers crossed!
This looks great, I wish I’d gotten it for my birthday!
I have been looking for a painter because we are buying a house and the whole thing needs to be painted. I sure could use this. Good Luck to me , but Best wishes to whomever wins!
I would love to start spraying at home, it would make expanding my upcycling business so much easier! I really love learning everything about paint, and it was great to read about painting a ceiling, I need to paint my basement so bad! I would LOVE this sprayer and hope very much to win! Thank you for this contest!
I love that you can use stain!
I have never tried a wipe on poly, nor tried a spray application on chalk paint! great information to know. My carpal tunnel would LOVE a break from the paint brush and graduate to the sprayer! Good Luck everyone!!
This thing is Amazing!!!! Didn’t realize it could handle so many different products.
I learned about how easy it is to clean the sprayer. I wondered about that. A tool that is easy to use and clean…I hope I win!
I found your site when I was looking into painting my kitchen cabinets. Great help. Thanks The paint sprayer would be a dream come true to own…..I’m always borrowing my cousin’s
I learned you can use chalk paint in the sprayer. I would love one!
I have been looking at different sprayers for several weeks trying to decide on a brand and how well they work! All questions are answered now!!
Sweep Tight made the PaintStick mini sound like a dream come true for painting ceilings. Imagine only refilling 3 times for a whole ceiling!
I had no idea you could use chalk paint AND stain. I could do so much with this bad boy!
I didn’t think about using a sprayer for stain. WOW, what a time saver that would be. Once again I have told you before that I check your emails first thing each morning before I head to work. Can’t wait to see what you have done.
Thanks so much for your posts…love them all! Thanks for the chance to win!
I love the idea of using the finish max for cabinets. I have painted mine twice but still have imperfections caused by the rollee and/or brush. This would make my life so much easier.
Oh my gosh. My lucky day. A paint sprayer. I almost wrote you to see what kind you used. The first time I saw your site is when you did the blue beds. I was so impressed of the work that went into them. I have been trying to sand my Aunts dining room set and was going to check out your site for what kind of sprayer you used. I am excited. I found a paint that I liked in a yellow that is just perfect for me. The pieces are falling in place. This is my first major project. I painted a little table but used a brush to paint it and talk about lines. Wow….I am trying to tell myself that the lines on the table, like the lines on my face, tell a story of where it and I have been. LOL. This journey I am on is all your fault. You make it look like I can do it too and I jump in. LOL. Probably where I don’t belong. It’s either because being over 60 I have forgotten I maybe can’t do this, or I am a young, over 60 and think I can do anything. You have created a monster.
So many great tips!! I love that you can use chalk paint in the HomeRight Finish Max! It was great looking at all the projects from the bloggers! I’m getting ready to do a gallery wall and loved the idea of spraying frames so they will all match!
Thanks!!
i would love to try the DIY chalkpaint with the HomeRight Finish Max. I have too many projects to count. Having a tool to speed up the process would heavan.
This looks like such a time saver!
I was excited to read about the paint stick mini for ceilings. We will be painting a nursery soon, and that is a great tip!
Thanks for sharing. I didn’t know you could use chalk paint in there.
Gail–thanks for this blog post! I can’t wait to get our FinishMax and start painting all the furniture projects we have planned! Great to know about applying the wipe-on poly to the semi-gloss paint. We will do that with the furniture for the nursery! 🙂
Hello, I just learned how to stain a bed using the HomeRight Finish Max done by Lauren from The Thinking Closet. It was a fun video watch. I love how easy it looks using a HomeRight Finish Max and now I want one. Thanks for a great giveaway!
Love the fact that you can use chalk paint in the sprayer. I have never tried chalk paint but have a bench that I want to re-d0 and this should work great.
Thank you
I learned that there was such a thing as a HomeRight Finish Max right here on My Repurposed Life….and I’ve had a SERIOUS EMOTIONAL AFFAIR with it every since. 🙂 Oh yeah….I also learned from one Ambassador that using a tiny fountain brush is good to use when cleaning the nozzle of the Finish Max.
Great ideas! I never thought of using a paint sprayer to do stain. Also, the tip of using chalk paint as a primer is something I am going to trying in the next few days.
I thought the different types of paint use in sprayer wonderful. Never thought about the steam for tiles cleaning. Love all the tips and ideas!!!
I love the tip for using DIY chalky paint as primer. Totally going to give that a try next paint project! I love the idea of using hangers as cabinet door holders that Stonybrook House (an ambassador) shared on her blog! This looks like a great sprayer.
I like that you can use chalk paint in the sprayer and you can use the sprayer for the deck. Thank you for the giveaway.
My very own Finish Sprayer – what a dream come true. Two of my summer projects are stain the fence and refinish the deck. The Finish Sprayer would be great for the fence. I live on the corner of a circle and my backyard is huge and so is my 6 foot fence. Refinishing the deck is suck a monotonous project because you have to use a smaller brush to get into the cracks. One of the Ambassadors talked about the Deck Pro with Gap Wheel. That I am getting for sure.
I didn’t realize chalk paint could be used-that opens up a whole other world of painting 🙂 ALso like the paint stick-all of my ceilings need to be repainted 🙂
This looks like something I could use!! We are about to move and the cabinets need to be redone. I dread having to use oil based paint, but something like this sprayer would make it so much easier!
One of the ambassadors wrote about the Steamer and how good it was to clean tile. I’ve never thought about using a steamer for tile, but I think that’s brilliant!
Thanks for the giveaway!
This would be awesome for a bed I’ve been meaning to paint!