10 Types of Spray Paint: Features That Matter Explained

Sprayed into a fine mist that lands on the surface you want covered, spray paint has changed the way we apply paint. Available in cans, with aerosol spray paint, you can cover just about anything in your favourite colour. These cans work by being pressurised with the help of a gas that helps propel the liquid paint from the can and atomise it so that it dries off as an even coating on any surface. This has made painting one of the most popular hobbies and for some it’s a way to make a living.

Types of Spray Paints

General-Purpose

As its name suggests, general-purpose spray paint is made to be used both indoors and outdoors on a wide variety of different materials. These include concrete, glass, wood, metal, fabric and more, making general-purpose spray paints the most versatile and the most affordable.

Epoxy

Filled with polymers and adhesives, epoxy paint is applied in areas where household cleaners are present as well as outdoors. The heavy paint is quite tough and it also makes any surface easy to clean and maintain, because it’s resistant to aggressive chemicals and the elements.

Enamel

With enamel paints, you can expect to get quick drying times and durability. The glossy finish of enamel spray paint makes it popular with outdoor furniture, as it gives it a shiny appearance and protective properties that last a long time.

Acrylic

Being water-resistant and quite flexible, acrylic paints help extend the life of whatever they’re coating, usually a vehicle. Typically combined with lacquer, acrylic paint has found its way in different applications other than just car manufacturing.

Lacquer

Lacquer paint is incredibly thick and durable as it’s combined together with lacquer. This way, not only do you save time applying a layer of paint and lacquer separately, but you also get an even coating of both with a glossy finish. However, lacquer spray paint for sale requires sanding between each layer you apply, making it more time-consuming.

Oil-Based

Oil-based paint is a type of spray paint that doesn’t require the use of a primer before it’s applied. This makes it more convenient and also resistant to corrosion and chipping, which is not the case with water-based spray paints. 

Rust-Preventative

While oil-based paint can prevent corrosion, rust-preventative paint can prevent something that follows up on corrosion – rust. That’s why it’s often used on metal surfaces, especially ones exposed to the elements, but it can be used for indoor applications.

High-Heat

As its name suggests, high-heat paint can survive extremely high temperatures reaching 600°C. This means you can apply this type of paint on ovens and stoves or even your exhaust for added corrosion protection and bling, if that’s what you like. Keep in mind, though, that high-heat paint should only be applied on the outside of an item.

Frosted

When you want to make a transparent surface into a semi-transparent one, frosted spray paint for sale is the way to go. The finish it creates is much like that of frosted glass, which is quite useful when you want to introduce more privacy into a living space without replacing doors or windows.

Chalkboard

Quite popular in children’s bedrooms, chalkboard paint makes any surface a board that’s easy to draw and paint on. This specialty paint is quite flat, making it easy to apply to just about any surface.

What Matters in Spray Paint?

Finish

The way the paint ends up looking can be either glossy or matte. Glossy paint is usually applied to vehicles and whenever you need to show off your shiny new project. Matte paint is typically used to make a flat finish, which requires a different approach to the whole process as the paint still needs to protect what’s underneath.

Surface

The surface you need to apply paint to also plays a crucial role in the type of paint you’ll need. Some surfaces require a bit of sanding down for the paint to stick and others may require a primer instead. Surfaces exposed to the sun on a daily basis usually require paint that is not prone to chipping.

Colour

While picking the colour of the paint is completely up to your personal preference, make sure you do so by getting paint test strips first. Try the paint under different lighting so you know how it will look throughout the whole day.

Tips on Using Spray Paint

Make sure to always use aerosol spray paint in a well-ventilated area in temperatures between 10°C and 32°C. Protect the surrounding area from overspray with plastic sheets, newspaper or drop cloths. Apply paint anywhere between 15 cm and 25 cm away from the surface in one steady motion. Always shake the can before applying paint so it mixes well and make sure to give enough time between coats in order for them to dry properly – usually around 5 minutes will suffice.