For the longest time now, people have opted for metal ornaments and furniture over their wooden alternatives for a simple reason. Even though wooden furniture looks extremely elegant, it has shorter life compared to metal furniture.
One could argue that while metal furnishings and fittings are durable, they also tend to rust and lose their appeal as time passes. However, an old chair or lamp or even a chandelier can be polished with a fresh coat of spray paint for metal and made brand-new again.
Best Spray Paints for Using on Metal
For starters, spray paint is extremely convenient to use. Everyone from kids to adults uses spray paints day in and day out without requiring much practice. In fact, using spray paints for quick, DIY projects are often recommended especially when the surface that needs painting is irregular or hard to reach.
Secondly, today you can find spray paint for metals in really vibrant colors. So you don’t really have to be stuck with dull greys or blues. And of course, spray paints can prove to be extremely economical in comparison to spray paint guns or the other fancy equipment.
1. Rust-Oleum 249132 Universal Metallic Spray Paint
When it comes to spray paints, Rust-Oleum is one of the more popular and preferred brands out there. Rust-Oleum 249132 is the ideal spray paint for metal surfaces, whether inside your house or outside.
One of the main reasons that this spray paint is recommended by experts is that you get primer and paint in a single can. This eliminates the need for you to prime your surface before you can start painting, thus saving considerable time.
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Secondly, when you are using Rust-Oleum’s Universal Metallic Spray Paint, you are not only beautifying your metal furniture but also strengthening it. The pint is chip and UV resistant and fade- and rust-proof. Basically it can resist all kinds of weather elements and last for years.
The spray paint tin is ergonomically designed. It features a 2 finger comfort-grip trigger and a drip guard. So, you get better control, an ability to paint upside down if you want and lesser finger fatigue.
2. Rust-Oleum 327875-6PK American Accents Ultra Cover Spray Paint for Metals
This is yet another offering from Rust-Oleum that works exceptionally well on any kind of surface whether plastic or unglazed ceramic or even plaster. However, because of the qualities that the Rust-Oleum 327875-6PK has, it is recommended especially for metal surfaces.
Like all spray paint tins by Rust-Oleum, this particular spray paint also comes with a comfort tip that allows you to paint in any direction without tiring your finger too much. You can paint books and corners just that easily because of the comfort tip.
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This paint offers a coverage of 12 square feet which for you means less time to paint a larger area. Combined with the fact that the paint also has to prime properties and that the paint dries to touch in only twenty minutes, your project will be done before you even know it.
The glossy finish and the promised durability definitely make this paint a strong contender for the spot of the best spray paint for metals.
3. Rust-Oleum 7218830-6 PK Hammered Finish Spray Paint
If you have a humongous area like a garage door or several pieces of furniture that need to be painted, Rust-Oleum’s 7218830 is ideal for you. You get a pack of 6 spray paint cans so you don’t have to worry about running out of paint and having to go back to the supply store. While the paint works well on all surfaces, it has been designed specifically for metal.
This paint is oil-based and will hence, provide excellent coverage. It provides a hammered metal finish which will make it look like your furniture’s surface has many small dents because of heavy pounding.
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You can paint up to 15 square feet. The formulation is such that the paint clings on to the metal pretty amazingly without rusting or corroding. As a matter of fact, this paint is also immune to the elements of weather and as a result, longevity is guaranteed.
This spray paint also comes with Rust-Oleum’s unique comfort tip. One drawback is that this spray paint takes up to 24 hours to dry completely. So it won’t really be ideal if you want to paint something over quickly.
4. Valspar 410-85049 SP Black Satin Premium Enamel Spray Paint
If you are on the lookout for a spray paint that can work on everything from wood and plastic to metal and ceramics, Valspar 410-85409 is the one for you.
One of the best parts about this paint is that you can achieve a tough and hard-wearing satin finish. This is so close to perfect that no onlooker will ever know that your furniture has been painted using spray paint.
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Valspar’s paint is ideal for interior as well as exterior use. This spray paint is not only fast-drying but will also be water and scratch-resistant once it has completely dried. So if you are planning to paint any garden furniture with this spray paint, you don’t have to worry about the color fading or chipping.
The twist-lock cap on the spray paint can is an additional bonus. If you have young children, you can avoid any wastage of paint and keep the children from accidentally spraying them.
5. Krylon Shortcuts Aerosol Paint 3oz MTLC
The Krylon Shortcuts Aerosol Paint is a multipurpose paint that works equally well on glass, wicker, wood, metal, paper, florals, craft foam, ceramic, and plaster.
This is one of the spray paints available in the market that bonds extremely quickly with the surface it is used on. Because this particular spray paint tin has a volume of 3oz only, it’s more suitable for smaller projects.
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The metallic rose gold color that the Krylon Shortcuts Aerosol paint has makes it ideal for use on jewelry or small decorative mirrors or glasses.
However, this spray paint is extremely flammable and even the vapors can cause flash fires. It is recommended to take as many precautionary measures as possible and keep it away from children.
6. Rust-Oleum 280725 American Accents
Spray paints, in general, are versatile but Rust-Oleum’s 280725 American Accents is more so. The seal is so strong that the paint will adhere to any surface whether metal or raw ceramic. Some other surfaces that this spray paint works really amazingly on include wicker, plaster, wood, unglazed ceramic, and plastic.
The advanced double cover technology formulation is designed to provide great coverage while also being able to hide any marks on the surface being painted. The Rust-Oleum 280725 is durable enough to be used effectively. So whether you want to paint some old chairs or want to redo your mailbox, you can do that easily.
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The metallic bright silver finish will blend in easily with the rest of your furniture too. The paint comes in an ergonomically designed can that reduces the amount of pressure you have to put on your finger to apply the paint.
Also, you can spray from any angle and don’t have to stick to one wrist position. With a single spray paint tin, you can cover 15 square feet without the need to apply another coat.
7. Plutonium Ultra Supreme Professional Aerosol Spray Paint
The first thing that you are going to love about the Plutonium Ultra Supreme spray paint is the can itself. It is not only ergonomically designed but also features a unique valve system. While the tin’s design will reduce finger fatigue, the unique valve system makes it possible for you to hold the can upside down without having to worry about clogging.
The can also feature an interchangeable actuator system. The beauty of this system is that you can alter between different spray patterns from 1/16’’ wide to more than 10’’ wide.
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The next best aspect of Plutionium’s spray paint is the use of aerosol which allows the paint to dry in less than an hour in comparison to other spray paints that can take anywhere between 6 to 12 hours (or sometimes even more) to dry. This spray paint has a high pigment load which means that you get more than double coverage.
So many spray paints on the market are designed to last for more than a year after the manufacturing date. However, the Plutonium Ultra Supreme has a shelf life of 5 years and can be just as easily used with other aerosol spray paints even then. Plutonium is also an environmentally-conscious brand and has taken measures to reduce the carbon footprint of this paint as well.
And the list of qualities doesn’t end here. Plutonium’s spray paint has a high-volume-low-pressure color delivery system and thus will not only cover more area but will also dry faster and last way longer.
In addition to that, it will be resistant to mold, mildew, fading, chipping, cracking, peeling and UV rays. Although it is best for metals, you can also use Plutonium’s spray paint for wicker, paper, wood, masonry, and some plastic and rubber surfaces.
8. Seymour Spray Paint
Seymour Spray Paints offer great value for money. Firstly, you get a pack of six cans and secondly, each can contains 20 fluid ounces of paint. This is more than enough to effortlessly paint an entire wall and still have some paint leftover in the can.
The manufacturer promises 4 times the coverage than any other standard aerosol spray paint. And the formulation can easily resist not only the effects of weathering but also rust, gasoline, oil and basically most other corrosive chemicals.
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The spray paint is also immune to abrasion and heat up to 300° F. This particular feature makes Seymours spray paint ideal for not just household use but also for commercial and industrial usage.
Since the paint is lead-free, it is safer for kids as well as adults alike and the chances of lead poisoning are almost nil. At the same time, you don’t have to worry about the paint running or sagging which honestly can ruin the overall look unless that’s what you were aiming for.
Seymour has been around for a long time now. The brand takes special care to be environment-friendly. The coatings developed by Seymour are USDA authorized and contain waterborne and high-solid resins instead of the traditional polymers that are solvent-based.
9. Krylon All-in-One Fusion Gloss Black Spray Paint
Krylon is one of the brands that are more popular for the durability and longevity of their paints. The Krylon All-in-One Fusion paint performs the function of both a primer and a paint.
The inclusion of the primer with the paint itself means that even one coat of paint will adhere perfectly well to the metal surface without any extra advance preparation.
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It is also one of the fastest drying paint on the market – a single coat will dry to touch in 25 minutes or less and will dry completely in up to 2 hours. Make sure to use this paint at 55° F to 75°F when humidity is below 60% to get optimal results.
Using this spray paint will make your metal surface safe from wearing away and rusting or chipping. Apart from metal, this paint works really well on hard vinyl, tiles, wrought iron, laminate, PVC and masonry.
10. AbilityOne So-Sure Spray Paint
AbilityOne So-Sure Spray Paint is by far the most unique spray paint for metals because of its manufacturers. This spray paint has been created by visually-impaired or physically challenged Americans.
With one can of 16-ounce paint, you can cover an area of 30-35 square feet effortlessly. The alkyd base and the alkyd enamel resin type is what makes this paint heavy-duty and provide them the ability to withstand humidity and wear-and-tear in the long run.
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While this spray paint dries to touch in about 30 minutes, you will have to wait for up to 2 hours before you can apply another coat.
Although the paint is ideal for internal as well as external use, apply it to your furniture when the atmospheric temperature is between 50° F to 90°F. The spray paint is MIR and VOC compliant.
Ideal Type of Spray Paint for Metals
Although, most people don’t realize that while spray paints can be used on metal surfaces, not any and every spray paint can be used. If you don’t use the correct kind of paint, the spray paint may not stick well or you may end up with a patchy or uneven finish. There’s even a possibility that the paint may chip and crack sooner than expected.
Ideally, hard-wearing enamel is the best spray paint for metal. Hard-wearing enamel has an oil base. Although the oil base makes the spray paint slow to dry, it is also the reason why the paint lasts longer.
On the other hand, oil-based spray paints are resistant to lower temperatures. In addition to that, they provide such great coverage that you may not require an additional coat of paint.
There is a wide range of options available in the market. You should consider the features and benefits all the spray paints offer and then pick the one that works for you.
