Kim and I have recently started a new site all about remodeling and design ideas and pictures. This article was inspired by one of the images Kim found for the new blog – you can find it here: Beautiful Workspaces {Dreamy Desks}.

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Find Your Color Bliss With Spray Paint

I have no idea whether the desk and chair above were painted with a can of spray paint, a professional spray rig, or a traditional paint brush. Even my brilliance doesn’t quite reach that level. However, what I do know is that they could be painted with a spray can.

I’m talking an off-the-shelf can of good old spray paint. And I’m talking quality here too. Not just some ho-hum job meant to last long enough for a photo shoot. (Maybe not heirloom quality either… something in the middle)

Spray paint rocks for good reason:

• Your color options are extensive
• Your tool requirements are minimal
• Your dry time is faster
• The overall job is done faster
• It’s easy, fun, and will make you feel like a rock star.

A Half-Dozen Tips For Quality Spray Paint Perfection

1. Put more effort into prep than paint – The surface you’re painting is more important than the paint you use to cover it. Take the time to get it really ready:
2. • Scrape or strip all loose paint
   • Sand the entire surface with two goals: first is to rough-up the surface and remove any existing glossy sheen so your paint will stick; second is to smooth down any edges left by scraping old paint off.
   • Clean off sanding residue completely with a tack cloth. The best cloth is a clean rag or t-shirt with a little bit of water or mineral spirits (paint thinner). I prefer the paint thinner because it evaporates quickly.
3. Use a primer coat – This step is somewhat optional depending on how close to the aforementioned heirloom quality you want to get. A good solid coat of primer, allowed to dry properly before top coat, will greatly increase the durability of your finish. They always sell the primer right next to the spray paint cans. It’s not super critical which primer you get. I’ve used automotive primer on wood before with great results.
4. Spray very thin coats – Did I say thin? I meant thin. The biggest mistake people make with spray cans is putting on too much paint. Spray paint is thin so it’s very prone to running, which is a big mess. Thin coats prevent that and they dry fast.
5. Never hold the can still. – “Just-Keep-Moving” should be your motto. Be moving before you hit the button and be moving when you let go. Never pull the trigger on a stationary spray can. Trust me.
6. Use plenty of coats – The thing with thin coats is that they’re, um, thin. If you want a durable surface, you’ll need a good thickness of paint, so use more coats. It’s not unusual when spraying furniture to have four, five, or even six coats on the finished work.
7. Finish with a clear coat (or four) – The last secret to a great spray paint finish is to use a liberal amount of clear on top. You can choose your sheen (glossy, semi-gloss, satin, or flat) with the clear and apply thin coats. Make sure the color coat is totally dry before applying the clear.

Not As Much Work As It Sounds Like

While this may sound like a ton of work, it’s really faster and easier than any of the other alternative methods. The thin coats dry fast.

Drawbacks – cost (those cans add up) and environmental concerns – wear a mask and don’t breath that junk in!

Thinking about spray painting your kitchen cabinets… you can do it! We tried it awhile back. Here is the post.

Do you have any spray paint tips or projects you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments!

Enjoy!

~RG

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