How Long Does Spray Paint Last? – Detailed Guide

How long does spray paint last? Various spray paints of different quality and locality make the answer complex. Furthermore, spray paints are designed for a variety of purposes. Spray paints are easy to use. You can paint any object, such as furniture, ceiling, wood, cloth, or vehicle, within minutes. You might be wonder how long does spray paint take to dry? The spray paints are inexpensive and dry within 30 to 40 minutes. You can apply as many layers as you like if you apply a thin layer.

Spray paint lasts on a vehicle for 10 to 15 years, and on clothes, it lasts for months to a year. If you take proper care of the painted object, you can extend the lifespan of the spray paint. Generally, the spray paints last 2 to 3 years on furniture, metal, wood, or ceiling. However, the shelf life of spray paint is about 10 to 20 years. We will discuss each object separately and how we can extend the life of spray paints.

How Long Does Spray Paint Last?

Water-based spray paints are helpful for outdoor furniture because they do not suffer from sunlight colour fade effects. Paint type, environment, and object surface affect how well it works. If you properly care for the painted area, the service lifespan of spray paint is about 3 to 5 years.

While the oil-based are durable, they are used for indoor objects but cannot resist pollution, rain, and sunlight. As well as the thing you are painting also matters because the paint on aluminium can stay longer than on steel. Glass has the same problem. You need to repaint a layer after six months on the glass surface.

How Long Does Spray Paint Take To Dry?

 The drying time of spray paint can vary, but most spray paint manufacturers recommend waiting at least 24 hours before handling or recoating a surface with spray paint. Some spray paints can dry much faster, typically within 10 to 20 minutes and some can dry within 30 to 40 minutes. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and allow enough time for the spray paint to fully dry before handling or applying additional coats.

1. The Lifespan Of Oil And Water-Based Spray Paints

The overall lifespan of spray paint is hard to determine but we can estimate that the life of the spray paint differs according to the type of spray paint. The oil-based spray paints are durable and give five years of lifespan. They are thick, but the colour of the oil-based spray paint fades over time. The oil-based spray paints dry faster than the water-based, but they smell more robust than the water-based spray paints.

Experts claim that water-based spray paint lasts longer than oil-based paints. Water-based spray paints are more expensive than oil-based spray paints. They take time to dry and are hard to fade. The water-based spray paints do not smell bad. As well as, these paints cover better.

The durability of spray paint may be on your mind. Spray paints are used differently depending on how they are used. If you paint an outdoor object, you should use water-based spray paints. They can stand against the sunlight colour fade effect and resist dust and pollution decay. In contrast, oil-based spray paint should be used when painting an indoor object.

2. How Long Does Spray Paint Last on Cars?

You can create different colour effects on the vehicle. You can change the color of your car most effectively with spray paint. Spray paints are inexpensive and provide a long-lasting impact. These paints will restore your car’s appearance and give it a radiant look with beautiful colour effects.

I recommend not using local spray paints because they can ruin the car’s surface. The local spray paints are made of cheap quality chemicals. These chemicals not only risk your health because they are unwholesome but also ruin the surface of your car. A quality spray paint such as Dupli-color exact-match lasts 15 to 20 years if you protect the vehicle from scratches.

Use car spray paints because they provide a thick layer. Car spray paint has to bear all the environmental effects, such as dust and pollution. So, these paints are made of high-quality water- and dust-resistant materials and provide pollution protection. Clean the painted surface daily, and do not use any hard material. In this way, the paint will last 15 to 20 years.

3. How Long Does Spray Paint Lasts on Canvas?

The spray paint lasts longer than average if you properly care for the canvas. The life of spray paint on the canvas is about 3 to 5 years. Different methods can be used to extend the spray paint’s life. If you clean the surface appropriately and apply multiple thin layers of spray paint, the colour will last longer than usual.

However, if you use quality spray paints specially made for painting canvas, you can enjoy the paint for an extended period. The lifespan of the spray paint also depends on the type of canvas you are painting. A primer before you apply the colour is also helpful for increasing the life of the colour. You can provide a base of acrylic or polyurethane on the top. The primer could be transparent, white, or tinted. Providing a primer can extend the life of paint by 30 to 40 per cent.

The spray paints provide a quality result if you apply them on a dry or clean surface. As well as try to use spray paints on a well-ventilated surface. Protect the canvas from direct sunlight because the sunlight effect can decay the paint’s shine. Do not pour any oil and grease on the painted canvas. In this way, the service lifespan of the spray paint on the canvas will extend up to 2 years.

4. How Long Does Spray Paint Last On Metal?

It depends on the type of metal. It will last longer if you paint aluminum than steel. But overall, spray paint lasts about 8 to 10 years. However, you can use special paints such as aluminium, steel, or iron spray paints, according to your use. The purpose of using special paints according to the metal is that these paints are designed for a particular metal.

If you buy expensive spray paints and use them without guidance, you are saving time and money. You need to apply multiple thin coats to enjoy a long-lasting spray paint result on the metal. Some people use thick layers on the metal to save it from rust. But thin layers can keep your object better than thick layers. Thick coatings are easy to peel and crackle after a short period.

Applying spray paint on metal differs from painting a car or a wall. Painting a metal in a high-humidity area is useless. It will not only ruin the paint but also destroy the metal. Keep the painted metal object in a friendly environment with moderate cool and hot air. It will extend the lifespan of the spray-painted metal.

5. How Long Does Spray Paint Last On Glass?

Glass cannot retain spray paint for long periods. The paint is easy to peel because the surface of the glass is smooth. The spray paint lasts around six months on the glass. After six months, the paint starts fading and looks opaque. To revive the look, apply a new spray paint coat after some months. It will not let the paint look fade.

You can keep the painted surface clean to avoid colour fading. Protect the painted glass from sunlight effect, and do not pour any liquid on the painted area. Furthermore, the paint should be applied multiple times in thin layers. The thin layers last longer than the thick layers on the glass because thick layers are easy to peel.

To extend the lifespan of spray paint on the glass, apply sealant layers. If you do not know about the sealant, it is a substance that helps to block the fluid by opening the material. The sealant layer on the top can prevent spray paint crackling, colour fading, and chipping. The spray paints are also made from glass. These paints provide a long-lasting impact than regular spray paint. They can give you about 1 to 2 years of fresh surface spray paint.

6. How Long Does Spray Paint Last On Plastic?

The spray paint’s service life depends on the spray paint you use on your plastic furniture. If you are using oil spray paint, it stays for several years. It is hard to remove, but the colour fades over time. On the other hand, water spray paint is less durable than oil spray paint. Their service life is less than oil paints but is hard to fade.

Before you spray the paint on the plastic, prepare the surface. Remove all the dust and clean the plastic cover with soap. After you have done the job, lightly use sandpaper to rough the plastic’s surface. Use the best quality spray paint if you want durable colour shining.

Prevent your furniture from sunlight because plastic changes colour in case of sunlight exposure. The best option to prevent colour fade is to use outdoor-rated spray paint for plastic. The outdoor-rated spray paints can deal with the sunlight colour fading effect, dust, and paint crackling. Plastic spray paint will last four to six times longer with this method.

Tips To Extend The Lifespan Of Spray Paints

Prepare The Surface

Spray paints are money-wasting if you must learn how to use them correctly. Prepare the surface before you start painting. Clean the surface properly and remove all the stains from the target surface. Rub sandpaper lightly before you begin painting, making the surface rough.

Protection Of The Paint

You can extend the service life of the spray paints by protecting the painted surface from rashes and scratches. Overheating can ruin the colour; the same goes for a cold environment. Keep the painted object in a moderate climate. Protect the painted thing from sunlight exposure.

Choosing Right The Paint

There are different types of paints, such as water-based or oil-based. Both oil and water paints can serve various purposes. The water spray paint is best for outdoor objects because it can resist the sunlight colour fade effect. The oil spray paint is suitable for indoor things. Choosing the right spray paint will extend the service life of spray paint.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Spray Paint Last Outside?

Suppose you take proper care of the painted object. Before you paint, lightly rough the target area’s surface with sandpaper. Avoid scratches, rashes, and sunlight colour fading effects then. The spray paint will last 2 to 4 years outside.

How Permanent Is Spray Paint?

Once the water in the paint has evaporated, the spray paint is permanent. You cannot remove the paint after it has dried. After spray paint has been applied, it takes 30 minutes to dry. After the paint has dried, you can use another layer.

 Is There A Way To Find Out if Spray Paint Expires?

If you want to know that the paint has expired, check the instruction section on the spray paint can. As well as, the expired spray paint will give shoddy layers of paint.

Does Rain Wash Off Spray Paint?

Do not apply the spray paint on the wet surface. The rain can wash off the spray paint and ruin your project. This is why spray paint is not recommended for the high humidity area.

Is The Paint Good After Two Years?

If you are painting a glass, you need to provide a sealant coat on the top for the durability of the paint. The latex spray paint service lifespan is between 2 and 10 years. The spray paint can stay on the surface if you renew the upper layer after 5 to 6 months

Final Thoughts About How Long Spray Paints Last

Markets offer a variety of spray paints. For example, oil and water-based spray paints. Each spray paint has different features. There are other uses for both types of colours. The service lifespan also depends on the object and environment. The spray paint cannot stand against rain. As well as, the average amount of life is about 3 to 5 years. If you take care of it properly, spray paint can last longer than the average year.