Spray paint is an aerosol paint supplied in a pressurised tin-plated steel or aluminium canister. The canister is small enough to be handheld for single hand operation. Spray paint can be used without electrical or air based application tools.

How do you use spray paint?

Spray paint is incredibly easy to use. All you need to do is remove the lid on the canister and compress the nozzle at the top. Paint will spray from the nozzle as a fine mist. You must always read the instructions for each specific type of paint as application distance varies on paint viscosity and drying time.

Advantages of spray paint:

• Spray paint is incredibly portable and convenient. Spray paint canisters are handheld and do not require any other equipment such as brushes or paint trays. This also means that there is no equipment that you'll need to clean afterwards.
• Spray paint is incredibly versatile as it can be used on a range of surfaces including metal, ceramic, mirror, masonry, plastic, wood, canvas and MDF (although this can vary by the type of paint).
• Spray paint can be used indoors and outdoors.
• Spray painting allows you to cover large areas quickly and often dries faster than normal paint. However, if layering spray paint, you must ensure that the previous layer has dried. Spraying on top of wet paint can lead to bubbles appearing in the surface of the coat.
• As spray paints are an aerosol, the coverage is very even. This is an advantage over painting with a brush which may leave an uneven surface and brush marks on the surface.
• Spray paint is supplied with a range of finishes, such as gloss, matt and satin. This ensures that there will be a suitable spray paint for every application.

Do I need to use a primer?

Not all spray paints require a primer, but primers can help prepare the surface you want to paint. A primer can smooth the surface so the spray paint will adhere to it more easily as well as giving an even colour base for better coverage with the final paint finish. When using metal paint, primers offer resistance against rust and corrosion. For wood, primers can stop spray paint from penetrating into the surface and causing an uneven coating.

Precautions

Spray paint is a relatively safe product, but there are some precautions that you can take to minimise risks. You must always use spray paint in a well-ventilated environment and wear suitable PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Spray paint is flammable and must be kept away from sources of heat and naked flames.