Can You Spray Paint Wood? – Detailed Answer

Whenever you see the chinks and crannies in the wood furniture first thing that comes to mind is, can you spray paint the wood? Since spray painting is a lot easier and handier than paint, no one wants to tackle wood painting projects with regular paint brushes or rollers. The answer to the question is “Yes”. You can spray paint wood but with the right approach.

You need to pick up the right paint and technique to bring everything down. If you go with the right approach, you can get the best results even with a little experience. If you are not sure about it, give this post a read. It’s all about spray painting the wood and the best ways that you can adopt for a trouble-free experience.

Can You Spray Paint Wood?

Yes, you can. Spray painting is one of the easiest ways to get a smooth and even paint finish on wooden furniture and many other objects. Spray paint comes in handy when you have to deal with the smaller crannies and hard-to-reach corners. Brush painting needs a lot of practice and skill.

On the other hand, spray paints let you get professional finishing on the wood furniture with a little experience and effort. In this post, I’ve answered all your queries about spray painting the wood.

Can You Use Regular Spray Paint On Wood?

If the paint is formulated to stay on the wood you can use it to spray paint the wood. Regular spray paint is designed to paint various surfaces like wood, metal, cement, and plastic. It is highly needed to refer to the product description to see if it works with wood or not.

What Kind Of Spray Paint Works Best On Wood?

A wide range of paint products is available that you can use for wood. Depending upon your skill level, budget, painting technique, and requirements of the projects you need to choose a special kind of paint to spray paint the wood. Almost all oil paints work with wood and offer a super shiny glossy finish. Latex or water-based paints may or may not work on wood.

Also, latex paints are not as durable on wood as oil-based paints. While buying latex paint you need to choose the products that are formulated for wood. Enamel paints are oil-based paints and I consider them the best choice for wood spray painting. These paints are available in a wide range of shades and colors making it easier to get the exact required shade.

How Long Does Spray Paint Take To Dry On Wood?

If you are using an oil-based paint it may take 20-24 hours to get fully cured. Latex or water-based paints take 10-12 hours to dry on the wood. Advanced aerosol spray paints come with quick drying formulas and take less than an hour to get fully cured.

Do You Need a Primer To Spray Paint The Wood?

It depends upon the type of surface that you want to paint. Priming the surface before painting is a good idea since it enhances the final look and finish of the paints. Also, it reduces the required amount of paint and ensures that it stays on the surface. If you want to spray paint the wooden surface that is already painted, varnished or epoxy coated, a primer is a must.

Primer will help you get rid of adhesion issues and gives you a professional finish with a few coats. If you don’t prime the surface, the previous layers may bleed through the fresh coating. To get a ready-to-paint surface it’s highly recommended to use a primer first. Raw wood absorbs a lot of paint making the project a little expensive.

By adding a primer coat you can reduce the amount of paint required for a raw wood surface. Also, primer can cover the small chinks and imperfections resulting in an ultra-smooth finish. Another thing that you need to keep in mind is the compatibility of the paint and primer. Not all the primers available in the market work with aerosol sprays or spray paints. You need to look for products that are fully compatible with each other.

Does Spray Paint Ruin Wood?

Spray paints do not ruin the wood if you go with the right procedure and technique. You should avoid spraying paint on the upholstery furniture as a wrong stroke can ruin the leather or textile upholstery. Spray paint allows you to paint the wood in a short amount of time.

Why Does Spray Paint Crack On Wood?

Moisture on the paint can lead to cracks in the painted surface. Before you start painting make sure that the wooden surface is completely dry. Let the paint and primer dry before applying another coat to ensure a moisture-free surface.

Can I Use a 2-in-1 Paint?

2-in-1 paints are formula paints that contain both primer and paints. While using these paints you don’t need to prime the surface. 2-in-1 spray paint is another good option if you don’t want to prime the surface with a brush. Using 2-in-1 spray paint is a good idea for small DIY and repairing jobs but it’s not recommended for commercial grade projects.

Best 2-in-1 Spray Paint For Wood

Krylon K05150207 ColorMaster is one of the best-selling spray paints that you can buy today. This paint has impressive coverage and dries up in less than 10 minutes. This 2-in-1 paint comes in a pre-mixed formula and contains both primer and paint.

Should I Use Professional Sprayer Or An Aerosol Spray?

Aerosol sprays are inexpensive and perfect for DIY projects. If you want to fix the nook and crannies in the furniture then aerosol spray is a handy and economical option. However, for big projects, you need a professional sprayer and paint. A professional sprayer can handle large amounts of paint and help you paint large surfaces within a limited time. These spray guns are ideal for commercial-grade furniture and door painting.

There are two types of professional sprayers: HVLP sprayers and Airless Spray Guns. If you are a beginner I recommend using an Airless sprayer. You can master the skill with a little practice. These sprayers come with a special kind of tip that atomizes the paint for smooth coating.

This sprayer can handle large volumes of paint and can complete large projects in a short time. HVLP sprayers use an air turbine that pressurizes the paint and pushes it into a nozzle where the paint is atomized. HVLP sprayers use delicate spraying mechanisms and a skilled worker can handle the pressure created by an HVLP spray gun.

Best Paint To Spray Paint Wood

Rust-Oleum 302592 Chalked Spray Paint is the best option if you are looking for an aerosol spray. This spray comes in a 12 Oz packaging and offers incredible coverage. It is available in 18 different shades and dries in less than 30 minutes.

Rust-Oleum 7590838 Enamel Spray Paint is an ideal option to paint wood furniture. The paint features industrial-grade oil-based formula and can be used in professional painting projects. The paint cures in less than 15 minutes making it pretty handy to use.

How To Spray Paint The Wood?

Things That You Need To Spray Paint The Wood

• Sandpaper (100, 150, and 80-Grit)
• Wood Adhesion Or Universal Primer
• An Orbital Sander
• Primer
• Paint
• Sprayer (if you are not using an aerosol spray)
• Prepare The Surface

Where you want to paint raw wood or a pre-painted or finished surface, it’s crucial to prepare it before applying a fresh coat of paint coats. Sanding is the most crucial step in the whole process. It removes all imperfections and helps you get a smooth surface. It improves the adhesion properties of the surface for a smooth paint-primer finish.

For already painted or finished surfaces you should consider fine sandpaper-like 150-grit or 100-grit. For raw wood, I recommend using 80-grit sandpaper to deal with the big holes and imperfections. Once the sanding is done, remove and clean the surface with a dry cloth first. Then use a wet cloth damped in mildly soapy water. Never use too much water and make sure the surface is completely dry before you add a primer coat.

Put On The Safety Equipment

Paints or primer are not something that you don’t want to breathe or get into your body orally or go through yes. It’s crucial to wear a face mask, and safety goggles and gloves to be safe while working with paint in the atomized or aerosol form.

Priming The Surface

The step is crucial and the final finish of the project largely depends upon how efficiently you perform in this step. A primer will not only improve the adhesion properties but also prevents patching. A spray primer is a good option for smaller surfaces. For large surfaces, you can apply a primer with a brush or a spray gun. If you apply primer with a brush or paint, it is recommended to re-sand the surface with fine grit paper to remove the primer streaks.

Choose A Paint Friendly Location

Painting is messy and you need to choose a place that can handle your uncontrolled strokes. Try to find an open space where you can place your object away from all other things. If you want to paint indoors choose a well-ventilated room to avoid the aerosols and paint fumes.

Spray Paint The Wood

Put a drop cloth underneath the object that you want to paint. If you are using a Pro Spray gun it’s crucial to adjust its pressure. You must read all the instructions provided by the manufacturers before starting the process. Depending upon the formula and consistency you may or may not need to shake the canned or aerosol paint before application.

Place the object upside down and start with long even strokes beginning off the edges. 30 to 50 % overlapping between the strokes is recommended to get an even finish in the end. Depending upon the number of coats you want to apply you can make the strokes lighter or thicker. It is advised to apply the whole object with a single even coat. If you want to add another coat, wait until the first coat is completely dry. It may take as long as 24 hours.

Sealing The Spray Paint On Wood

Sealing the wood after paint application is an option. It helps you make the paint finish durable and long-lasting. For outdoor applications, it is highly recommended to use a sealant to enhance the durability of the painted surface.

It is recommended to use polyurethane sealant. Polyurethane is a synthetic oil-based sealant that offers a waterproof coating on the painted surface. These sealants are waterproof and work with both oil-based and latex paints.

Tips To Make The Paint Stay Longer On The Wood

• Use fine sandpaper on the previously finished or varnished surfaces.
• Do not over-sand the raw wood.
• If you skip sanding make sure there are no big holes, cracks, or paint flakes on the surface.
• Allow the primer to dry. It may take as long as 2 hours.
• Before recoating the surface make sure the first coat is completely dry. You need to follow the guidelines provided by manufacturers about the recoating and dry time.
• Apply an even coat. Do not over-paint or under-paint any surface.

Advantages Of Spray Painting Wood

• Spray painting is less messy than a brush or roller painting
• Spray painting lets you paint big surfaces in a short amount of time.
• It is easy to handle the spray paint and you can do the job with a little experience.

Disadvantages Of Spray Painting Wood

• Spray painting is an inexpensive technique. Spray paints are more expensive than regular paints. Also, it uses 3 times more paint than brush painting making it a little less economical.
• Spray painting is risky for health. Aerosol fumes and paint in atomized form can cause serious health issues if inhaled.
• Spray painting is not environmentally friendly.

FAQs about Wood Spray Painting

What type of spray paint works best on wood?

Enamel paint or oil-based spray paints work best on the woods. Rust-Oleum is one of the most reliable spray paint brands. The oil-based formula offers a semi-gloss and super glossy finish on the wood.

Is spray painting durable on wood?

Yes, spray paint is highly durable on wood if you pick the right technique and products. It is advised to sand the surface and uses an adhesion primer to make the spray paint stay on the wood. Oil-based spray paints are more durable on wood than latex paint.

Do you have to prime wood before spray painting?

Yes, it is advised to prime wood before spray painting. A primer removes the imperfection from the surface and enhances the adhesion properties of the surface. It helps you make the paint stay longer and improves the paint coverage. It is advised to buy a primer that is fully compatible with the paint you are using.

Does spraying paint use more paint?

Spraying paint uses three times more paint than brushing or rolling. Spray paint is an expensive technique that uses more paint. However, it covers more area in a short time and helps you get an even finish even with a little experience.

How do you get spray paint to stay on wood?

Sand the surface to remove imperfection and clean the surface well before applying the paint. Apply an adhesion primer and spray paint smoothly. Follow all the guidelines provided by the manufacturer about the dry time and recoating. These tips will help get spray paint to stay on wood.

What are the disadvantages of spray paint?

Sparry painting is much more expensive than rolling and brush painting. Another disadvantage of spray painting is that it is not good for the environment and has many health risks. You need to work in a ventilated room and wear safety equipment to avoid health risks.

Wrapping Up

I’m hopeful that this post will help you get your answer. By choosing the right products and preparing the surface well you can get a smooth finish with spray paint. If you want to paint the antique future it is advised to use a professional spray gun as it allows you to adjust the pressure and consistency of the paint.