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How to Use Spray Paint

DIY Do's and Don'ts for Spray Paint

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DIY Do's and Don'ts for Spray Paint

Glidden Max-Flex All Surface spray paint offers you an excellent way to take on your DIY projects. It is an easy way to give your home an update. If you are a DIYer, here are some important tips to follow before you begin your spray paint project.
How to Use Spray Paint
You should always make sure to spray paint in an area with good ventilation, like an open garage or somewhere outdoors. Cover the surrounding area with drop cloths or plastic sheeting to protect it from overspray. Also, you should only apply spray paint when the temperatures will remain between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 24 hours, and no rain is in the forecast.

learn helpful spray paint techniques
Clear Top-Coat, Exterior Fabric & All Surface Glidden Spray Paints

Glidden Max-Flex spray paint products

Don’t Use Spray Paint in an Enclosed Area

You should always make sure to spray paint in an area with good ventilation, like an open garage or somewhere outdoors. Cover the surrounding area with drop cloths or plastic sheeting to protect it from overspray. Also, you should only apply spray paint when the temperatures will remain between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 24 hours, and no rain is in the forecast.

learn helpful spray paint techniques
The first step in how to spray paint is to prepare your surface. If you choose an all-surface spray paint, you can use it on surfaces like wood, metal, most plastics, and ceramic. You should remove all corrosion, dirt, dust, oils, and mildew. Also, remove any peeling* paint and sand* any surfaces that are glossy, rough, or patched. Make sure the surface is completely dry before you begin.

See Best Practices for spray paint
Prepping Ceramic Pot

Spray painting flower pot

Do Prepare Your Spray Paint Surface

The first step in how to spray paint is to prepare your surface. If you choose an all-surface spray paint, you can use it on surfaces like wood, metal, most plastics, and ceramic. You should remove all corrosion, dirt, dust, oils, and mildew. Also, remove any peeling* paint and sand* any surfaces that are glossy, rough, or patched. Make sure the surface is completely dry before you begin.

See Best Practices for spray paint
Before you begin, you should shake the can for one or two minutes. You can continue to do this as needed during use. For best results, hold the nozzle 6-10 inches away from the surface. Move the can back and forth in a steady, even passes, overlapping the strokes. Keep the can in motion and maintain the same distance from the surface.

See Spray paint application tips

Do Apply an Even Coat of Spray Paint

Before you begin, you should shake the can for one or two minutes. You can continue to do this as needed during use. For best results, hold the nozzle 6-10 inches away from the surface. Move the can back and forth in a steady, even passes, overlapping the strokes. Keep the can in motion and maintain the same distance from the surface.

See Spray paint application tips
It is always better to apply several light coats rather than one heavy one. You should make sure the first coat is dry to the touch before applying the next coat. This usually takes about 5 minutes, but factors like humidity and temperature can increase this time. Allow the object to sit undisturbed for 24 hours before use.

See Best Practices for spray paint

Don’t Apply the Next Spray Paint Coat Too Soon

It is always better to apply several light coats rather than one heavy one. You should make sure the first coat is dry to the touch before applying the next coat. This usually takes about 5 minutes, but factors like humidity and temperature can increase this time. Allow the object to sit undisturbed for 24 hours before use.

See Best Practices for spray paint
Another important tip is to apply a no drip spray paint topcoat like Max-Flex All Surface Clear Topcoat to add a layer of protection. This no drip formula goes on evenly and will help your paint last a long time. It also gives it a professional finish.

Buy Max-Flex Clear Topcoat
Newly painted picture frame

Max-Flex Clear Topcoat on mirror

Do Use a No Drip Spray Paint Topcoat

Another important tip is to apply a no drip spray paint topcoat like Max-Flex All Surface Clear Topcoat to add a layer of protection. This no drip formula goes on evenly and will help your paint last a long time. It also gives it a professional finish.

Buy Max-Flex Clear Topcoat
If you did not use all the paint, you should hold the can upside down and spray onto a piece of cardboard until no more paint appears, then wipe the tip before storage. You can use mineral spirits or paint thinner to clean up any spills. Do not place an empty can in the trash compactor or incinerate it. Check with local authorities about proper disposal.

Now you know a few spray paint do’s and spray paint don’ts to make your project a success. Glidden makes paints in a wide range of colors and for use on many surfaces. You can even refresh your outdoor fabrics with Max-Flex Exterior Fabric Paint. Check out what Glidden has to offer before your next project.

Buy Glidden Max-Flex Spray Paint
 
*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.
 

Do Clean Up and Dispose of the Can Properly

If you did not use all the paint, you should hold the can upside down and spray onto a piece of cardboard until no more paint appears, then wipe the tip before storage. You can use mineral spirits or paint thinner to clean up any spills. Do not place an empty can in the trash compactor or incinerate it. Check with local authorities about proper disposal.

Now you know a few spray paint do’s and spray paint don’ts to make your project a success. Glidden makes paints in a wide range of colors and for use on many surfaces. You can even refresh your outdoor fabrics with Max-Flex Exterior Fabric Paint. Check out what Glidden has to offer before your next project.

Buy Glidden Max-Flex Spray Paint
 
*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.