Spray paint is a versatile tool for small home-improvement projects. From adding flair to furniture to protecting toolboxes, a light coat of spray paint can make a huge difference. Spray paints work for freshening up around the house, stenciling signs, and even protecting rusty metal so that it can be painted like a sound surface.
Cover it Up
Tape off any areas of your project you don't want painted. If you have a large area or floor space, put down a large drop cloth. Overspray is a very fine mist of paint particles that go farther from your project than most people think. Always cover yourself up; use proper personal protective equipment, including gloves, goggles and a mask or respirator if you have issues with paint fumes.
Prime Time
With difficult surfaces, primer is key to getting proper paint adhesion. Especially over slick, non-porous plastic or galvanized metals, a primer ensures your paint gets a grip. Primer can also help protect and strengthen rusty metal surfaces into a foundation that's ready to paint. Without a primer neutralizing the progression of rust, your metal may continue to rust, even under a protective coat of paint.
Lighten Up
When using spray paint, less is more. It's better to use several light coats of paint to achieve your wanted depth of color than to lay it on thick. Overdoing it in a single coat can cause drips and runs that are hard to get rid of, and can mar your finished paint job. Use a light touch with your spraying motion -- several short, light, overlapping passes to create each coat -- which eases the strain on your fingers and helps create even coats each time.
Keep it Clean
After you're done spraying, clean up your area with the appropriate solvent as listed by the spray paint manufacturer. Most commonly, these are acetone or xylene, but be careful using these solvents over plastics and other materials prone to warping or damage. Always spot-test them first, or buy a more gentle product specifically made to remove overspray. Also clean the tip of your spray can. Flip the can over and depress the trigger to blow propellant through the nozzle without the paint. This process removes any remaining paint molecules that may gum up the nozzle and make your can unusable in the future. Dispose of any solvent-soaked rags and old spray cans in a manner compliant with state and local environmental standards.
