4 Steps to Perfection

4 Steps for a Great Spray Paint Job

Using spray paint for furniture or other DIY projects is easy. Here's a brief overview of how to spray paint for a flawless result.

Glidden Max-Flex spray paint products

Gather Your Supplies

To start, you'll need a can of dependable spray paint to fit your project goals. If you're painting wood, plastic, metal, vinyl, or anything with a previously painted surface, Glidden Max-Flex All Surface will get the job done. Use Max-Flex Exterior Fabric for textiles like leather, fabric, or rugs.

It's also good to have a tarp or dropcloth, which will help protect your area from overspray. If you're short on supplies, use newspaper as a temporary protective covering. Put it down on the floor and lay whatever you're spraying on top of it. It can help to use some painter's tape if you're laying the newspapers down.

Spray painting flower pot

Prep Your Work Area

You should paint in a well-ventilated work area, such as outside or in an open garage, with plenty of space. Using painter's tape, fasten the floor covering (tarp, drop cloth, or newspaper) to the ground at all four corners. This should prevent it from shifting around while you're working with the paint.

A sawhorse may be easier to use, especially if you're working with a larger object outdoors. Suspend the object you're going to paint between two sawhorses for added stability.

Cleaning chair

Clean the Item's Surface

Be sure to clean whatever you'd like to paint before spraying it with anything. The cleaner the object, the better the paint will adhere to the surface.

Most items just need to have the dust* swept off of them. You can simply wipe them down using a household cleaner, and then you can dry them with a microfiber cloth.

Dirtier items might need something a little stronger to remove all the residue. The remnants of stickers tend to be particularly difficult. You can use a mild solvent to remove most grime. Try scraping sticker residue using a sharp blade.

Glidden Max-Flex spray paint can

Spray painting a lamp

Using a Can of Spray Paint

It's time to use your spray paint. Vigorously shake the can for about 1-2 minutes before you plan to use it.

Hold the can 6-10 inches away from the object's surface. Then, making a sweeping motion, spray the whole object, slightly overlapping after each pass. Do your best to keep a smooth, steady pass as you spray. Glidden Max-Flex cans have a specialized spray pattern to aid in even application.

If you're using Max-Flex, you only need to wait 5-10 minutes before you add the next coat. Apply at least three layers of paint using the same steps. The last thing you can do is add a layer of clear coat to help seal everything. Use the same spraying techniques to apply at least two layers of Glidden Max-Flex Clear Topcoat.

Always use spray paint in a well-ventilated area.
*WARNING! If you scrape, sand, or remove old paint, you may release lead dust. LEAD IS TOXIC. EXPOSURE TO LEAD DUST CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS, SUCH AS BRAIN DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN. PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD ALSO AVOID EXPOSURE. Wear a NIOSH-approved respirator to control lead exposure. Clean up carefully with a HEPA vacuum and a wet mop. Before you start, find out how to protect yourself and your family by contacting the National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or log on to www.epa.gov/lead.