Dry Fall Paint

Dry Fall Paint: Definition and Uses

Dry fall paint, also known as dry drop paint, is a type of specialty spray paint that is meant to immediately dry to the surface it is sprayed upon. Usually, spray painting results in overspray, which is the name given to small droplets of paint that do not stick to the intended surface. Instead, they float through the air and adhere to anything in their path. Overspray can be damaging and costly, which is why dry fall paint can be an extremely valuable tool for your next spray painting job. Dry fall paint is meant to limit overspray by drying instantly. The excess droplets won’t stick to unintended surfaces because they simply dry into a dust-like consistency. This dust can simply be vacuumed or swept away, or carried off in a tarp or other cover.

Typically, there are two types of dry fall paint: interior and exterior. Interior dry fall paint is best used in high-traffic areas in condominiums, stores, and warehouses. Interior dry fall is beneficial for these areas for several reasons:

• Dust won’t adhere to the paint finish. Dry fall paint has a slick finish, which means dust will not easily stick.
• No smell. Dry fall has lower amounts of Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, than other types of paint. When it’s wet, it barely has a smell! This is best for our health as well as our comfort.
• Paint dries quickly. In areas that see a lot of foot traffic, it’s important that the paint dries quickly to avoid unintended mess. Dry fall paint was designed to dry very quickly without overspray. Interior spaces won’t have to be thoroughly covered when painting, because the dry fall paint will not fall onto other areas and need to be scraped off.
• Low cost. Dry fall paint is quite affordable, making it the ideal product for large commercial spaces with a lot of surface area to cover.

For these reasons and more, interior dry fall paint is the ideal choice for many commercial spaces. The most popular application of dry fall paint is ceilings. Specifically, black dry fall paint is normally used on unfinished ceilings in industrial or commercial spaces. However, dry fall paint can just as easily be applied to walls.

Exterior dry fall paint adds an additional protective layer to surfaces to keep them from corroding. This type of paint is more durable than dry fall paint meant for indoor spaces. It is usually applied to metal surfaces such as steel, metal siding, and pipes exposed to the elements. A few coats of dry fall paint keeps them from rusting.

Whether you plan to use interior or exterior dry fall paint, the application process is the same. First, although dry fall paint dries before the excess droplets hit unintended surfaces, it’s still a good idea to cover anything in the area that you don’t want to get painted in case of an accident. You can cover items with a tarp or large sheet. When you are all done painting, you can simply pick up the tarps instead of having to sweep away the dry fall dust from surfaces. This will make cleanup much easier!

Next, thoroughly clean the surface you wish to paint. If you are outdoors or in an industrial setting, a pressure washer is the ideal tool to use. If you are indoors and painting ceilings or walls, dusting with a clean cloth will work just as well. Once the surfaces are clean and dry, inspect them for cracks, holes, or bumps. Repair any imperfections to avoid having to repaint.

Third, use a paint sprayer to apply the dry fall paint. If you haven’t used a paint sprayer before, test the sprayer in an inconspicuous area. When spraying, make smooth, even motions and cover each area with the same amount of coats. Don’t hover over one area longer than another–you’ll get uneven paint and drips. Depending on the surface, you may need a few coats to completely cover the surface. Applying dry fall paint is meant to be easy, so with a few practice strokes you will feel more comfortable.

Finally, allow the dry fall paint to completely dry before touching the surface or allowing foot traffic through the area. Dry fall doesn’t take long to dry, so give it the short amount of time needed to make sure it won’t accidentally transfer to other items while wet.

Dry fall paint is a great option for your commercial or industrial space. With its short dry time, low odor, and mess-free clean up, you will soon be using it for your painting needs!