Spray paint has long been associated with street and graffiti artists as a quick and easy-to-use medium, but it’s also an incredibly practical option for casual DIY-ers, furniture flippers and casual, canvas-loving painters.
With its reputation for dispersing potentially toxic fumes, aerosol paint is often avoided out of fear and a lack of knowledge when it comes to using it safely. We’re here to dispel the myths surrounding spray paints and help you utilise the furniture-flipping essential like a professional.
What is spray paint?
The vast majority of commercially available spray paints are made up of acrylic paint which has been popped into a pressurised aerosol container. It’s dispersed using a valve which releases a mixture of paint and gas or compressed air (otherwise known as propellant) to create a fine mist.
What exactly makes a good spray paint?
High-quality spray paints are capable of producing a high-opacity finish with the first coat. They should also produce a perfectly fine mist and adhere to surfaces without dripping. While applying primer and a topcoat to seal in your work is essential, it’s important to choose premium quality paints which have a reputation for durability so that you don’t run the risk of having to strip and redo your project.
What is the best way to ensure even spray paint coverage?
Whether repainting furniture or creating art, the most important step for ensuring even and pigmented coverage is prepping the surface, ensuring it is perfectly clean and free from any dust or debris. If you’re painting furniture, you’ll likely have to sand down the surface to ensure that it’s smooth and ready for paint.
Then, apply a high-quality primer to help spray paint properly adhere to the surface and appear as saturated as possible. Finally, make sure to have a sealant ready to help with an all-over beautifully smooth finish.
What are some tips and tricks for spray painting?
- Take the necessary precautions: Always wear a mask, gloves and ensure you’re painting in a well-ventilated area. Prolonged exposure to spray paint fumes can be toxic.
- Shake it: Shaking the canister like a Polaroid picture helps to create an even paint consistency by ensuring that the pigments are well mixed before use.
- Never skip primer: Primer is essential for creating a smooth surface to which spray paint can easily adhere. It also helps to guarantee the longevity of your projects by improving durability and colour fastness.
- Patience is a virtue: creating a brilliant piece of artwork or flipping a thrifted piece of furniture takes time and patience. No matter what you’re painting, spraying thin, even coats and giving the paint time to dry in between layers is key to ensuring a saturated, streak-free finish.
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best spray paints on the market. Shop our picks below.
MTN 94 Spray Paint 400ml
An artist favourite, MTN 94 Spray Paint is a fabulously versatile option. Thanks to its low pressure and super-fast dry time, MTN 94 is a great choice for canvas-based artwork, exterior projects and so much more. It’s made with a modified synthetic resin which is highly flexible and dries with a sleek, water-resistant, permanent matt finish. Available in a range of 91 colours, you’re sure to find a hue which suits your project.
Buy now £4.95, Cass Art
Cosmos LAC Acrylic Paint Spray Can
This is one of those rare occasions where you can certainly judge a book by its cover. These sophisticated paint canisters from Cosmos LAC offer high-quality hues with an environmentally conscious touch. The French manufacturer creates all their vegan-friendly pigments within the EU and is committed to promoting the art of upcycling furniture instead of letting it go to landfill.
Durable and low-pressure, these spray paints are quick-drying, UV and weather-resistant. They dry matt and are resistant to chips or dents. Suitable for use on plastic, ceramic, metal, exterior surfaces and canvas, Cosmos LAC is a steadfast option no matter the project.
Buy now £12.99, Amazon
Liquitex Spray Paint 400ml
Offered in an impressive 96 different colours, Liquitex is a uniquely odourless medium which makes working with aerosol paint easier than ever. While it’s still important to work in well-ventilated spaces with the proper protection, it makes spraying in shared studio spaces an easy breezy experience. What’s more, Liquitex is a water-based spray paint yet remains lightfast, permanent, and is also water-resistant when dry.
Buy now £7.50, Cass Art
Montana Gold Spray Paint 400ml Box Set - Fluorescent Colours
Ideal for all surfaces, Montana Gold spray paint is a low-pressure, high-accuracy option for artists and furniture flippers. It makes use of an innovative, highly pigmented vegan paint formula and the cans are fully recyclable once empty. Fat Buddha offers a bustling variety of six-pack colourways from fluorescent, matte and pastel collections.
Buy now £39.50, Fat Buddha
Rust-Oleum 400ml Painter's Touch Spray Paint
For glossy, high-quality and permanent spray paint look no further than Rust-Oleum. The quick-drying acrylic-based aerosol paint is beloved by avid DIY-ers for its ease of use and effortlessly shiny finish. It’s dry to the touch in 20 minutes, has a hard finish in 24 hours and requires a recoat in between one to 24 hours depending on the project and desired effect. One can covers an impressive 2 metres squared.
Buy now £10.78, Amazon
Rust-Oleum 400ml Chalky Finish Furniture Spray Paint
Chalk paint is often preferred by furniture flippers due to the fact that it doesn’t require any priming or sanding for an aged shabby chic finish. The paint is water-based and has minimal odour, making longer projects a breeze. Though available in a classic liquid form, the Rust-Oleum spray paint is a brilliant, practical and speedy option for those on a deadline.
Buy now £6.96, Amazon
Jenolite Garden Spray Paint
Another chalky-finish paint, Jenolite Garden Spray Paint is designed for use on outdoor furniture. The spray paint is a fantastic, durable, multi-surface option which is both weather and UV-resistant. Though a primer is always recommended, Jenolite has superior adhesion and coverage which means you can say goodbye to streaky, patchy paint jobs.
Buy now £29.99, Amazon
Kobra HP Range - 400ml
For an unbeatable quality-to-price ratio, look no further than the HP range by graffiti artist favourite, Kobra. Featuring a soft valve for effortless control with a high-pressure can, this all-season spray paint works no matter the weather and always dries with a matt finish. Though the Kobra HP range is only suitable for artwork, the brand also has a DIY-specific range with a selection of stunning fluorescent and metallic paints.
Buy now £10.95, Amazon
