Cardboard crafting is enjoyable, affordable, environmentally sustainable, and super creative for both enthusiasts and entrepreneurs. You can use different tools to bring art to the cardboard, but spray paints are considered best for this purpose for their easy application, long-lasting nature, resistance, and matte finishing. You can make your work easy, fun going yet productive with the best spray paint for cardboard.
Spray paints are of different kinds based on their formulation: oil-based, latex, aerosols, and more. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, you’ve to be sure about your work requirement and level of expertise to choose one. In this blog, I’ll make sure to cover all major kinds in the form of products to give you a highlight of what’s best in today’s market.
Best Spray Paint For Cardboard Overview
IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
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Best Overall | Best Overall
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Rust-Oleum Spray Paint |
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Premium Pick | Premium Pick
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True Value Spray Paint |
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Heavy Duty | Heavy Duty
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Zinsser Primer & Spray Paint |
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Best Seller | Best Seller
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Pintyplus Spray Paint |
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Editor’s Choice | Editor’s Choice
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Krylon Spray Paint |
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5 Best Spray Paint For Cardboard Review
1. Rust-Oleum Spray Paint
Features
- Surface Recommendation: Wood, Plastic, Metal, Ceramic, Furniture
- Item Form: Aerosol
- Item Volume: 0.012 Milliliters
When buying worthwhile paint for coating surfaces, you need to check for compatibility because all spray paints are not ideal for every substrate. But there are some exceptional products like Rust-Oleum ultra-cover spray paint which shows unsurpassable versatility. You can use it for painting metals, plastics, plasters, woods, masonries, ceramics, and more with no fancy preparation requirements. From home hobbyists to professional painters, this multipurpose spray paint is ideal for all.
There are mainly two kinds of applications when it comes to painting: outdoor and indoor, where outdoor materials are more prone to weathering and impact factors as compared to interior ones. You have to check this feature considering your work requirements, but I strongly suggest you go with a duo product like Rust-Oleum which goes best with both. You can paint indoor as well as outdoor surfaces with the Rust-Oleum.
The Rust-Oleum comes with a special oil-based formula that shows excellent resistance against external impact factors like dust water, UV radiations, rust, and more. It not only gives a pleasant-looking finish to materials but also adds utmost protection to them. I found it excellent for hiding any flaws on cardboards or other flat surfaces.
In this world of hurry, we always look for solutions that save us time and money. As an entrepreneur, I have to deal with certain deadlines and so I cannot afford any sort of delay in my art-based projects. Considering that, the Rust-Oleum has been my companion as it requires no priming and is made with a special quick-drying formula. In short, the Rust-Oleum needs not more than twenty minutes to dry completely, which is impressive.
PROS
- Versatile
- Comfort to use
- Dries quickly
CONS
- Some clogging issues reported
Rust-Oleum ultra-cover spray paint is a perfect example of affordability and convenience. It requires no primer to get the surface ready and provides a picture-perfect finish to different substrates like metal, plastic, wood, and more. Unlike ordinary spray paints, the Rust-Oleum spray paint requires no extra time to dry, believe me, or not, it will take no more than twenty minutes to dry.
2. True Value Spray Paint
The second-best spray paint for cardboard is by True Value LLC. The brand is providing incredible painting solutions to all novices to professional-level art workers. It is a global-scale company that stands out primarily for its product’s innovative technology, long-lasting characteristics, and user-friendly application.
Spray paints are of different kinds based on their formulation and aerosol paints have had their own position in the market for years. The True Value is an aerosol spray paint that brings you an array of benefits: it provides more coverage than other paint types, needs no primer or hectic surface preparation, saves time and effort by providing smooth application, and lasts longer than other formula paints. So, are you ready to gain all these advantages with this top-notch aerosol paint sprayer for cardboard?
The True Value paint is best suited for covering both indoor and outdoor surfaces and it is applicable on metals, crafts, woods, plastics, furniture, cardboards, and many other paintable materials. Aside from its versatility, this spray paint provides a smooth finish with no spotting at all, but make sure to apply spray paint from a distance. If you’re a novice and have no faith in your painting skill, it is suggested to read the instruction manual provided by the manufacturer.
Corrosion is a real problem and it can cause the deterioration of substrates. Don’t fret it out! The True Value paint has already got you rid of this serious issue by adding utmost resistance and protection. This spray paint not only makes the materials look flawless but also shields them from rust and other impact-causing factors. Over that, I love the fast drying formula of this aerosol paint that saves your precious time.
PROS
- Wide compatibility
- Best for art and craft
- Durable
CONS
- Expensive
True Value provides a classy matte finish and converts the substrate into something more pleasing and durable. It adds a layer of paint that withstands external impact factors like water, corrosion, dust, radiation, and more, so you can also use it as a protective agent. You can use it for both indoor and outdoor applications without any fear. The addition of quick drying formula makes this best spray paint for cardboard an ideal choice for art lovers.
3. Zinsser Primer & Spray Paint
Features
- Surface Recommendation: Wood, Drywall, Metal
- Item Form: Aerosol
- Item Volume: 384 Milliliters
To be honest, if you’re a brand-conscious buyer and run behind the most trendy items on market, the Zinsser spray paint is not for you. In my opinion, you shouldn’t stick to a specific brand because this habit limits you from new innovations in the industry and restricts your experience.
As a professional, my career demands me to stay updated with all new technologies and changes and try out new products to give an opinion. Likewise, I tried Zinsser paint on various projects and found it worthwhile for many reasons.
The key benefit you get with the Zinsser is its versatility and trust me it does matter a lot because none of us can afford different paints to cover each material, not even entrepreneurs. Thus, a multipurpose product that goes well with all kinds of substrates sounds excellent. You can use the Zinsser spray paint for painting drywalls, woods, masonries, concreters, metals, and many other surfaces including the ones which are difficult to deal with. However, I didn’t find the Zinsser best for plastics.
Paints are of mainly two types: water-based paints and oil-based paints, and both have their own advantages and disadvantages. The Zinsser is an oil-based paint that stands out for its durability, excellent resistance, smooth application, and flawless coverage. Unlike water paints, you can apply this oil-based spray paint to all dirty, chalky, or imperfect surfaces or even to the damaged walls in your house to improve their appearance.
The main benefit of having oil-based paint over latex paints is resistance. The oil-based paints, as the name suggests, include oil as the main solvent in their formulation, and oil is insoluble in water. In simple words, the Zinsser resists water like a stone and thus prevents corrosion, humidity, seepage, and other related problems. It dries super quickly and this can is enough to cover a 12 sq ft surface.
PROS
- Water repellent formula
- Provides a smooth finish
- Multipurpose spray paint
CONS
- Not ideal for plastics
Priming a surface consumes a lot of time, effort, and money! Get rid of hassling prep procedures with this Zinsser spray paint that includes primer too. It provides a smooth and fine finish to substrates and hides all imperfections like a layer. You can use it to paint different objects including metals, woods, plastics, and more.
4. Pintyplus Spray Paint
Features
- Surface Recommendation: Fabric
- Item Form: Aerosol
- Item Volume: 1200 Milliliters
The next choice on this list is Pintyplus aqua spray paint. Pintyplus has been manufacturing different kinds of paints since 1981 and the brand has a strong grip over spray paints. If you’re looking for the best paint sprayer to cover your art projects, there is no better choice than Pintyplus and here is why:
The Pintyplus is a water-based spray paint that brings boundless benefits: it is eco-friendly, resistant to cracking and yellowish texturing, not prone to staining, contains zero fumes, dries instantly, and adheres to most surfaces easily. The least we can do to save our motherland from drowning and give our next generations a better future is to use environmentally safe products. Its sustainable nature doesn’t mean any compromise on performance so why not?
I found the Pintyplus spray paint excellent for art and craft projects because of its eye-catching results. It provides a matter and classy finish to substrates and makes them look even prettier. Over that, water-based paints are easier to apply than any other kind of paint. All you need to do is to open the can and start spraying the dry surface evenly and wait until it dries. There is no need to apply primer or cleaner on the surface before this spray paint, isn’t it so effortless?
The Pintyplus spray paint is a packaged product that includes all muted and flawless pastel colors including pink bubble gum, yellow chick, Lavanda violet, apple green, light orange, ice blue, black, and white. You can also give this package as a present to a paint lover or artist. However, it is not perfect for canvas art, read the instruction manual for more details.
PROS
- Perfect idea for gifting
- Ultra-matte finishing
- Vibrant color variants
CONS
- Not excellent for canvas art
The Pintyplus spray paint stands out for its easy going application. It is super convenient to handle and apply and literally takes no time to dry. Aside from its fast and comfortable process, it provides an ultra-matte finish to substrates and hides all the flaws. I found the Pintyplus spray paint perfect for beginners or inexperienced users.
5. Krylon Spray Paint
Features
- Surface Recommendation: Wood, Ceramic, Paper, Fabric, Glass, Metal
- Item Form: Aerosol
- Item Volume: 354 Milliliters
Last but certainly not least, the Krylon spray paint is another remarkable choice for beginners who want to start their art and craft career. This DIY spray paint is super easy to apply and provides a picture-perfect finish to a lot of substrates. All you need to do is to make sure that the material is dry then start spraying the paint. To get the perfect results, make sure to paint the cardboard from a distance and avoid multi-coating.
This spray paint can be used to cover different surfaces including ceramic, wood, plastic, or even metal. It provides an eye-catching glossy finish that not only looks attractive but also gives ultimate protection to materials from rust, humidity, dust, and more. The best thing about this spray paint is that it gets dry within minutes and demands no fancy procedures at all.
Krylon is a two-in-one product as it contains both primer and paint. This can is enough to cover an area of 25 square feet, which is impressive. Though there is no need for any fancy setups for applying this spray paint, it is recommended to use it in room conditions to get the best results.
PROS
- Best for DIY projects
- Primer plus paint
- Temperature-resistant
CONS
- Not a popular brand
In conclusion, the Krylon spray paint is the best DIY project partner for its versatility and smooth application. Though it is not a popular brand, its excellent results and smooth performance will amaze you.
FAQs Spray Paints for Cardboard
What kind of spray paint can you use on cardboard?
You can use aerosol, acrylic, oil, or other kinds of spray paints to give coverage to cardboards. However, I found aerosol paints best because they provide more coverage than other paint types, need no primer or hectic surface preparation, save time and effort by providing smooth application, and last longer than other formula paints.
Do I need to prime cardboard before painting?
It depends on the paint you’re using and the condition of the cardboard. In general, the best spray paints like Krylon, Rust-Oleum, and Pintyplus don’t need any special surface preparation.
Does Rust-Oleum work on cardboard?
Yes! Rust-Oleum is perfect for cardboard, wood, plastic, metal, or even ceramic. It comes with a special oil-based formula that shows excellent resistance against external impact factors like dust water, UV radiations, rust, and more. It not only gives a pleasant-looking finish to materials but also adds utmost protection to them.
Concluding Cardboard Spray Paints Review
Now that you’re aware of a bunch of benefits you get with spray paints, it’s time to make a decision. In this blog, I have shared five topmost spray paints for cardboards which provide impressive finishing, easy application, versatility, quick drying time, and whatnot.
Here are my top recommendations:
- Rust-Oleum sprays paint for its versatility, easy application, and fast drying formula.
- True Value spray paint for its wide compatibility, better art & craft performance, and durability.
- Zinsser sprays paint for its water-repellent formula, smooth finishing, and multi-functionality.
Whether it’s spray paint, floor coating, wall paint, or cleaner, you can find your perfect art partner only by defining your work requirements, level of expertise, and budget. The market is flooded with products for all beginner-level to expert-level painters, but not everything is meant for you. Thus, be concise and make a wise purchase to get the best results.
Hi, I am Pete Fagerlin, carpenter by profession and working on different DIY projects is my passion. For more than a decade, it’s been my weekend hobby to dig into different tools for my favorite DIY projects which helped me to become knowledgeable about different DIY tools. With a combination of my profession and passion, I am here to collaborate with Adam Wilson to share my DIY tools knowledge with the MechanicsGear readers.