Prep Tips for Spray Painting

Get Stellar Spray Paint Results With These Preparation Tips

In any spray paint project, preparation is key. Whether you're working with fabric spray paint, or all-surface spray paint, following these tips will help you get the best possible results.

Glidden Max-Flex spray paint products

Identify the Material of the Surface You're Painting

Different materials need different types of surface prep, so start by figuring out what material you're working with. Selecting the right product for your surface is important to the success of your project. Glidden Max-Flex All Surface adheres to plastic, vinyl, metal, wood, or glass and is great for those types of projects. Glidden Max-Flex Exterior Fabric is great for leather, fabric, rugs, welcome mats, and more.

Spray painting mirror

Make Sure You Have an Even Surface to Work On

Remember that spray paint just helps to create a new, even coat of color on an item. It won't cover up any rough spots or bumpy patches. Therefore, you need to make sure you're satisfied with the overall condition of the product you are painting. This is especially important if there is peeling paint* on your item. Not only will it make your final results look bumpy, but if more of the paint peels off in the future, it will take your new coat of paint with it.

Sanding chair for spray paint application

Lightly Sand Any Previous Finishes

Unless you're working with unfinished wood or bare metal, you probably need to sand* the product a bit. Use a medium grit sandpaper and light sand* over the finish. Typically, you do not usually need to remove the finish entirely. All you have to do is rough up the surface, so that the spray paint will adhere a bit better. This is especially important if you are covering metal, or if the surface was glossy or shiny beforehand.

Cleaning chair

Clean the Surface Thoroughly

To help the paint bond with the surface completely, you need the item to be entirely clean and dry. The right way of cleaning it will depend on the material. For water-resistant materials like plastic, you can just use dish detergent and water and dry the item thoroughly. If you are working with wood or other delicate items, try a damp cloth. To remove any stubborn gunk, try a trisodium phosphate cleaner blend, mineral spirits, or rubbing alcohol. We urge you to follow manufacturer's instructions for cleaning instructions.

spray painting lamp with painters tape

Cover Any Spots You Don't Want Painted

Surface preparation is about more than just getting your product ready for painting. It's also about making sure you protect areas you don't want to paint. For example, if you're figuring out something like how to spray paint a mirror frame, you'll want to protect the glass. You can use a plastic, paper, or fabric drop cloth to cover the area. If you want crisp edges around the painted spots, use painter's tape to line the edges.

When you follow these steps, your final results can be stunning. Taking just a little time to prepare the surface lets you enjoy your gorgeous new paint job for years.

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.