Spray paint is a quick, simple, and reasonably priced option to improve the beauty of your wood or protect it from the elements.
However, choosing the best spray paint for wood can be difficult, considering the various brands, designs, and colors available on the market. This is especially true for individuals who have never engaged in wood spray painting before.
Fortunately, this guide will review the eight best spray paint for wood products, allowing you to choose the ideal one for your project.
8 Best Spray Paints for Wood
Krylon K05150207 ColorMaster Paint – Best Overall Spray Paint for Wood
Rust-Oleum 302591 Chalked Spray Paint – Best Chalk Finish
Rust-Oleum 7590838 Enamel Spray Paint – Best Resistance to Abrasion
Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint – Quick Drying Wood Spray Paint
KILZ L540746 Chalk Spray Paint for Furniture – Best for Old Wood Furniture
Krylon GIDDS Colormaster Paint + Primer – Two-in-One Spray Paint
Krylon K05501007 COLORmaxx Spray Paint and Primer – Affordable Spray Paint
Pintyplus Aqua Spray Paint – Easy to Use
Is it Better to Paint or Spray Paint Wood?
Using a paintbrush to paint a wooden surface is inexpensive. However, spray paint allows you to complete the task quickly and offers a superior finish that will last long if the preparations are well done.
Considering these factors, spray painting is the best option.
How to Spray Paint Wood: Easy Steps
What You Will Need
Below are the tools and materials you will need to spray paint wood:
- Safety gear
- Sandpaper
- Wire brush
- Rag
- Vacuum (optional)
- Drop cloth
- Quick-drying wood filler
- Spray paint
- Lint-free cloth
- Spray primer
- Painter’s tape
- Degreaser
Instructions
Wood Surface Preparation
Preparing the wooden surface you wish to spray paint on is important for a beautiful, long-lasting finish. Below are the steps on how to prepare a wooden surface for spray painting:
Position your piece of wood on a drop cloth in a room with good ventilation.
Examine the wood for damaged parts and fill the dings with quick-drying filler.
Sand the wooden piece using sandpaper to remove loose paint and smoothen it. Start sanding with the roughest sandpaper and finish with the smoothest.
If your wooden piece has a metallic part, use sandpaper and a wire brush to scrub off all the rust and loose paint.
Clean the wooden piece. To do this, use a brush or vacuum to remove the dust and then wipe clean the wood with a wet rag, degreasing soap, and rinse. Pay keen attention when cleaning if your wooden piece has many details, like a chair with spindles, as these places tend to collect a lot of dirt.
Leave your wooden piece to dry.
After the wooden surface has dried, use painter’s tape to mask the areas you do not want to paint.
Prime the Wooden Surface if Necessary
Using a primer ensures that the spray paint will adhere to the wooden surface more uniformly, resulting in a durable and appealing finish.
Even though some spray paints advertise that they include a primer, some surfaces, such as metal, painted wood, particleboard, and raw wood, all require priming before applying spray paint. Below are the steps to follow when priming wood:
Before using your primer, carefully read the usage instructions on the label.
Shake the primer vigorously until the spray can rattles, then continue to shake for about a minute to allow the primer to mix well.
Test the spray tip in the air to ensure there are no obstructions.
Start to prime the wooden surface. The ideal way to spray primer is to hold the can almost a foot away from the surface and apply the primer in straight, continuous lines. Overlap the previous pass just a little on each pass. Avoid focusing on one spot for a long time and review any missed areas when applying the next layer. To keep the primer mixed, shake the can once in a while as you paint.
After lightly covering the entire surface, wait until the coat has dried for the amount of time specified on the can before applying another coat.
Allow the primer to dry completely before painting the surface after it has been sufficiently coated.
Spray Paint the Wooden Surface
Once the primer has completely dried, you can start spray painting the wood. Use a lint-free cloth to clean the surface once more to remove any remaining dust and dirt.
Before painting, some primers advise lightly sanding the surface; check the label to see if this is required. Below are the steps on how to spray paint wood:
Use the technique for spraying primer discussed above to spray paint. Apply light coats allowing enough drying time in between the coats.
After an even full coating, let the paint dry for the dry time specified in its description.
Spray painting wooden furniture with intricate details like arms, trims, legs, and spindles can be more challenging. Do not try to cover every detail with each pass you make. Instead, pass over the missed spots when recoating and at the end.
8 Best Spray Paints for Wood Reviews
Below is a review of the eight best spray paints for wood:
1. Krylon K05150207 ColorMaster Paint – Best Overall Spray Paint for Wood
Top on our list is the Krylon K05150207 ColorMaster Paint. This product offers excellent coverage and is appropriate for indoor and outdoor projects.
The spray features the EZ touch 360 Dial tip for adjustable spraying. This allows for more precise applications and reduces paint overspray.
After application, the paint will dry in 10 minutes or less, leaving a brilliant, weatherproof finish.
Besides wood, you can also use this spray paint on plastic, plaster, metal, glass, wrought iron, ceramic, paper, and fabric.
The only downside to using this product is its strong odor.
What We Like ????
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
- Offers excellent coverage
- Adjustable spraying for more precise applications and to reduce paint wastage
- Dries quickly
- Delivers a superior finish that is resistant to weather
- It can be used on various other surfaces besides wood
What Could Improve ????
Produces a strong odor
2. Rust-Oleum 302591 Chalked Spray Paint – Best Chalk Finish
The Rust-Oleum chalked spray paint is the ideal choice if you like the aesthetic of chalk paint but prefer the ease of spray painting wood.
This item provides the best chalk finish, permitting you to create a vintage look.
The oil-based formula also offers excellent coverage. With each 12-ounce, you can cover up to twelve square feet. Additionally, the product is available in 16 color options ranging from biege, white, and light blue to black, brown, and dark red.
Use two distinct colors for the bottom and top coats for the ideal vintage look. To ensure the color of the bottom coat is visible, lightly sand the top coat.
Minimal preparations are required when using this spray paint.
After application, this product provides excellent adhesion and dries to the touch in 20 minutes.
You can also use this spray paint on ceramic, metal, and glass.
The only downside to using this item is that it is expensive compared to other products in its class.
What We Like ????
- It delivers a very smooth finish
- Provides excellent coverage
- Available in different color options
- Minimal surface preparation required
What Could Improve ????
Costly compared to other options
3. Rust-Oleum 7590838 Professional High Performance Enamel Spray Paint – Best Resistance to Abrasion
If you are looking for durable paint but admire the ease of using spray paint for wood, this item from Rust-Oleum is the best option. It resists abrasion, corrosion, chipping, dulling, and fading. Thus after applying this spray paint to your wood, you may feel secure knowing that the lovely finish will remain there for a long time despite the elements.
Because this product has a high output tip that can be sprayed from any angle, including upside down, using it is simple. Additionally, the spray paint provides good coverage of up to 14 square feet.
For speedy project completion, the paint dries to the touch in 15 minutes after application and can be recoated in an hour.
This spray paint is suitable for outdoor or indoor use on wood. You can also use it on metal.
According to some buyers, the only issue with this product is that you are likely to receive defective goods after ordering.
What We Like ????
- Highly durable; it can resist abrasions, chipping, and fading
- Easy to use; allows for different spray angles
- Excellent coverage
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor projects
- It can be recoated within an hour
What Could Improve ????
Possibility of receiving damaged products
4. Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint – Best Two-in-One Spray Paint
If you don’t plan on investing in a primer, this Krylon spray paint is the finest.
With this product, you do not require a primer or sealer. Sanding the wooden surface is also not a must. Just spray the paint, and you are done!
This product is packed in 12-ounce cans that offer excellent coverage of up to 25 square feet each. The finishes available include gloss, satin, hammered, matte, and more.
Select from numerous colors, including dark and bright shades, neutrals, and everything in between.
It is also simple to use this product. With the easy push big button, you can spray the paint from any angle, including upside down.
After application, the paint will dry to the touch in 20 minutes or less without paint runs, drips, or errors.
The product is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use on wooden furniture, counters, and other wooden surfaces.
You can also use it to spray plastics, metals, and more. It adheres well and will not flake, even after lots of use.
What We Like ????
- Two-in-one spray paint
- Sanding the wooden surface is not a must
- Available in different finishes and colors
- Dries without runs, drips, or errors
- Suitable for a variety of surfaces, both indoor and outdoor
- Excellent adherence
What Could Improve ????
The spray tip of this spray paint gets clogged sometimes
5. KILZ L540746 Chalk Spray Paint for Furniture – Best Spray Paint for Old Furniture
This spray paint from Kilz is the finest choice if you want to revive the appearance of your old wooden furniture and other wooden surfaces.
The item functions both as a paint and a primer. Depending on the surface porosity, texture, and application, it delivers a coverage rate of up to 12 square feet per can.
This product is simple to use and is washable with soap and water. The paint is touch-dry in one hour, and a recoat can be applied in two hours.
Use this spray paint for small indoor and outdoor wood projects. The paint also adheres well to plastics, metal, wicker, cast stone, and more.
To further enhance the appearance of the sprayed surface, you can use Kilz dark or clear sealing wax.
What We Like ????
- Good spray paint for restoring the appearance of old wooden surfaces
- Two-in-one product
- Best option if you want to spray paint wood furniture
- Easy to use and clean
- Adheres well to other surfaces besides wood
What Could Improve ????
Takes long before it can be recoated
6. Krylon GIDDS-800143 K05150807 Colormaster Paint + Primer – Best Coverage
This spray paint from Krylon features durable Covermax technology for exceptional coverage and vibrant color. With the 12-ounce bottle, you can cover up to 25 square feet of wooden surface.
With this spray paint, Krylon has further ensured that everybody can obtain the style and color of paint they desire by offering it in an amazing 50 colors.
The spray paint is suitable for indoor and outdoor projects and adheres to wood, plastic, and metal. After application, the paint dries in just 10 minutes, offering you a glossy finish.https://propaintersguide.com/can-you-spray-paint-indoors/
However, you should avoid using this spray paint in high traffic areas. This is because the Krylon spray paint tends to scratch easily.
What We Like ????
- Excellent coverage
- Available in different finishes and color
- Adheres to a variety of indoor and outdoor surfaces
- Dries quickly into a glossy finish
What Could Improve ????
Not suitable for use in high traffic areas as it scratches quickly
7. Krylon K05501007 COLORmaxx Spray Paint and Primer – Affordable Spray Paint
The Krylon COLORmaxx Spray Paint and Primer is not only reasonably priced but also allows you to skip priming and go straight to painting, saving you money.
Additionally, the coverage of this spray paint is amazing. Up to 25 square feet can be covered by one of its 12-ounce cans.
With this spray paint, eight finishes are available, including gloss, metallic, semi-flat, and others. The item is also available in 70 plus color options, which is more than you will get with other Krylon spray paint products.
This product is also outstanding in terms of durability. It resists fading and rusting; hence your wooden surface will continue to look great for many years.
The product is easy to use. It features a big trigger, and the spray can be used from any angle, including upside down.
The paint takes 20 minutes to dry to the touch after application.
What We Like ????
- Reasonably priced
- Two-in-one product
- Excellent coverage of up to 25 square feet per 12-ounce can
- Highly durable
- Easy to use
What Could Improve ????
For most surfaces, you must apply multiple coats of this product to get the desired finish.
8. Pintyplus Evolution Metallic Spray Paint – Multipurpose Spray Paint
If you are looking for spray paint with multiple applications, try the Pintypus Evolution. This spray paint adheres to a wide range of indoor and outdoor surfaces, including wood, stone, metal, cardboard, paper, and some plastics.
The spray’s application is diverse. You can apply it on industrial equipment, pipes, or decorative items such as benches, garden tables, and chairs.
Utilizing the product is simple. All you need to do is shake it vigorously for a minute and spray the paint with the can in a vertical position.
The spray paint has excellent coverage of up to 22 square feet. After application, the paint dries in 15 minutes, and a recoat can be applied after 5 minutes.
The disadvantage of using this spray paint is that it is expensive compared to other options. Additionally, getting it off is a hassle.
What We Like ????
- Multipurpose application
- Simple to use
- Excellent coverage
- Dries fast and can be recoated after five minutes
What Could Improve ????
- Expensive compared to other available options
Not easy to clean off
Spray Paint for Wood Buying Guide
Even with our comprehensive list of the eight best spray paints for wood, picking the most suitable spray paint for your wood project can be challenging.
To ensure that things are much easier for you, this section of the article will discuss all the important factors you should consider before making your final decision.
1. Type of Spray Paint
There are many types of spray paint available.
Some are suitable for use on various surfaces, while others are just for use on a specific surface.
Finding spray paint that adheres to the surface you intend to paint is crucial in light of this.
If you are looking for the best spray paint for wood, your best option is to choose one from our list. This is because they all work with wood.
But if you decide not to pick a product from this list, thoroughly read the item descriptions. That’s how you can determine whether the spray paint will adhere to your wood.
2. Durability
Another factor that is a must to consider is durability.
Searching for a spray paint type and brand that won’t crash, shatter, or crumble when exposed to elements would be best.
Some paints will do well in the snow but damage in the summer. Others work well in the rain but cannot survive UV radiation.
There are also spray paints that work well for outdoor applications but poorly indoors.
Contrarily, many paints are available that work well in any weather. Whether inside or outside, they can withstand extreme weather conditions. They will likewise endure longer.
You must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the paint you are investing in will provide durability value.
3. Adhesion
Before choosing the best spray paint for wood, take adherence into account.
To prevent flaking, spray paint must adhere effectively to the wood surface. The degree to which the paint adheres to the surface will determine how long it will last or how durable it will be.
Of course, how well you prepare the surface you wish to paint might also influence paint adherence.
But with quality spray paint, you don’t have to sand your wood down to the bare surface. You might also not need to prime the wood with some spray paints from reputable brands for them to adhere.
4. Color
Wood spray paints are available in a variety of colors.
Typically, color pigments let you customize your wood pieces to your tastes. Additionally, it helps you when you need to be adaptable in terms of painting style, density, and color.
The color you choose will rely on the project’s nature, how you want it to look, and your tastes for colors.
5. Ease of Application
Finding spray paint for wood that is easy to apply is crucial. This is because, with hard-to-use spray paint, you are likely to mess up and end up with a finish that is not appealing.
Spray paints for wood are generally simple to use, but some cans call for particular application techniques that can be challenging to master.
We suggest searching for spray paint for wood that is easy to apply unless you have prior experience using spray paint.
Easy-to-apply spray paint should be easy to open and spray immediately and shouldn’t require sanding and priming.
Always read the item’s description to learn how to use your selected spray paint. Reading the customer reviews to find how easy other users found the item to use is also advisable.
6. Drying Period
If the weather is terrible or you wish to complete the job quickly, it is important to think about the spray paint’s drying time.
While some wood spray paints dry in about ten minutes, others take twenty or longer. Some may fully cure in 12 hours, while others need 24.
Search for spray paint that dries to the touch in around 10 minutes if you are in a hurry or the weather is bad. This will assist you in finishing the task faster so you may concentrate on other tasks.
7. Odor
Ensuring that the spray paint doesn’t have an unpleasant smell is critical if you intend to spray paint indoor wood.
Many of the spray paints available in the market don’t produce a bad smell when used. However, it happens occasionally that some kinds of spray paints produce a strong chemical scent.
You don’t want this in your home, especially if it isn’t well-vented.
Finding entirely odorless spray paint is the best way to avoid this unappealing scenario. This guarantees that your wood looks lovely and your home smells great.
Water-based spray paints are the best option if you are looking for odorless paints.
8. Budget
Considering the cost when selecting the best spray paint for wood furniture is vital. You don’t want to spend more money than you have. However, you don’t want shoddy or ambiguous painting work.
Never always choose the priciest spray paint. They might not give you the outcome you want. Less expensive spray paints won’t be any better.
Many high-quality spray paints are available that are within your price range. Before choosing any spray paint, you must conduct thorough research.
Overall, the quality of the spray paint ought to come before the cost.
While there are several best spray paints for wood meeting the criteria above, my professional advice is to go choose chalk paint brands first unless other strike your attention. Spraying chalk paint is easier, does not need too much surface preparation, no strong odor, adheres well, and dry faster.
Tips for Spray Painting Wood
Below are some tricks that will help you get the smoothest and most long-lasting finish:
1. Sand the wood
Make sure to sand the wooden surface before using the spray paint if you want a smooth and durable finish.
Start by sanding with rough sandpaper and finish with the smoothest sandpaper.
2. Priming is crucial
Priming is a crucial step to remember when spray painting wood furniture. By priming the wooden surface, you may ensure the paint adheres to it effectively. This prevents the finish from flaking just immediately after the project’s completion.
3. Use a primer-paint combination that works well.
Selecting a compatible primer and paint type is crucial to get the best results.
You can not select an acrylic or water-based primer to use with an enamel paint since these two are incompatible.
4. Consider the type of wood you wish to spray paint.
Another crucial suggestion is to consider the wooden surface you wish to paint. On furniture with upholstery, avoid using spray paint.
If you want to spray paint outdoor wooden surfaces, ensure that the spray paint’s key features are high UV protection and moisture resistance.
5. Cover the surrounding surfaces.
You must always cover the surfaces you do not wish to paint with masking tape or sheets of newspaper. This prevents paint particles from settling on these surfaces.
6. Test your wood spray paint.
Never spray paint wood before testing the spray paint on cardboard or rough paper. Testing allows you to feel how easy the spray paint is to use and will enable you to examine the paint’s appearance and texture.
FAQs: Best Spray Paint for Wood
What is the Best Spray Paint for Wood Without Sanding?
Chalk spray paint is the best option to paint your wooden surface without sanding it first. This spray paint will give you a lovely matte finish, even without surface preparations.
Does Spray Paint Last on Wood?
Spray paint will last on the wood just like regular paint will. However, you must check that the spray paint is suitable for wood. Spray paint not meant for wood will not adhere to wooden surfaces.
How Many Coats of Spray Paint on Wood?
Many spray paint manufacturers advise spraying only two coats of spray paint on wooden surfaces. Sanding should be done in between the coats to ensure that you get a durable and appealing finish.
Can I Spray Paint Without Primer?
Spray paint typically applies in a thick coat that sticks nicely to most surfaces. Depending on the substance you are painting, priming may not be necessary, but it is still advised. You will get a lovely, even finish if priming is done before spray painting.
What are the Disadvantages of Spray Painting Wood?
There are several disadvantages of spray painting wood. First, the paint runs off easily or dries fast before you can proceed. Second, it is easy to paint other surfaces on the wood that you don’t wish to paint. And lastly, spray paints don’t last as long as brushed-on paints do.
How Long Does Spray Paint Take to Dry?
Spray paints take five minutes to eight hours to dy. The drying time depends on several factors, such as the spray paint type, material, airflow, surface texture, and humidity.
What Lasts Longer, Spray Paint or Paint?
Spray paint is more likely to offer you a finish that will last longer than most regular paints. A lot of spray paint companies offer a warranty that guarantees you that the finish will last for several years.
Can You Use Rust-Oleum Spray Paint on Wood?
Yes. Rust-Oleum spray paint can be used on wood, plaster, plastic, masonry, unglazed ceramic surfaces, and metal. This oil-based paint has a low odor, resists chipping, and offers a beautiful, durable finish.
Final Take
Spray paints offer a quick and affordable way to enhance the appearance of wooden surfaces. However, selecting the best spray paint for your wood project can be challenging due to the many available options.
This guide discusses the eight best spray paints for wood and clearly states what you should look for before making the final decision.
All that is left to do is use the guide to reduce your list of options and locate the best spray paint for wood.