Favorite spray paint

[JackOfDiamonds]

I always used Krylon spraypaint. But recently at the store I noticed there has been a lot of innovation in spraypaint. Or at least there's been a lot of marketing.

Lots of spraypaint now say they are good for bare metal, plastic, etc, plus promise easy application. I recently used some or the "2x coverage" stuff to paint some plastic gutters and was really impressed. The can also works at any angle, which is sort of magic.

What is your favorite spray paint for general projects?

 

[nbpt100]

I do not have any one favorite but I find the brand names all work pretty good. it all Depends a lot on the application. When painting steel, if I really want it to last as long as it can, I like to use a primer and not the all in one (paint and primer combined). Do you need it to dry fast? Are you painting rusty steel? Or clean steel? Plastic, wood or Aluminum? it varies as what is best to use. A lot of times I use what I have at home as it is not all that critical.
I find some of the Rustoleom larger, "project" cans need to be shaken a lot or they clog. More than you are likely use to. Especially the Rusty metal primer. I have used a lot of it in the past as it works pretty darn well for a spray can application. I avoid the larger cans of that even though they may appear to be a better value. Many times i have thrown out the can before it is empty due to chronic clogging. Maybe it is me but if they sit around for a while after some use, it seems to happen much more frequently.

You pose a good question. Thanks for bringing it up.

 

[Mr.N]

We need Project Farm to tackle this... or did they?

 

[metaleltr]

Was a big fan of valspar spray paint but Lowe’s no longer has it.

 

[sweetk30]

Spray at any angle = cant clean out the nozzle so they plug up faster unless you use it all up .

 

[Bodj Built]

We need Project Farm to tackle this... or did they?

He just did.

The Rustoleum professional paint sprays great. I love it. But it does need to be warmed to a comfortable room temperature. If it's cold it will definitely clog up.

 

[charbar]

I have different favorites depending on the job. But usually if I can find one with a wide 'fan' type spray pattern then it gets moved above the regular old blob pattern.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

My favorite black spray paint is the $2/can stuff at Home Depot. For plastic I'll usually get the Rustoleum plastic specific paint. For nice finish parts that might get re-welded or modified I'll go with Steel-It ($$$).

 

[4xdog]

I've had miserable luck with the Krylon 2X coverage paints. Nonuniform spray and poor leveling.

My favorite rattlecan (in gloss black and satin black) is BY FAR the SEM Trim Black paints. These are amazing. They spray perfectly, give exactly the right finish on my new or old car parts, and have proven to be quite durable.

There's always a 20 oz can of the satin or gloss at the ready around my home shop.

 

[LeonardY]

Krylon had to reformulate for consumers for AQMD. It's not as good in my opinion. The old formula is still available at industrial suppliers.

I use Duplicolor and SEM primers. I'll use duplicolor if I can find the color I want. I like them.

Rustoleum does good for most home projects.

 

[PugetDude]

ACE house brand spray paint for the win.
Adjustable fan nozzle works great; no clogging.

 

[American Locomotive]

Pretty sure Ace and Krylon are the same. I wasn't impressed by the Krylon black paint at all. Very poor color consistency.

The rustoleum black covers good, but the cans clog frequently and I haven't been too happy with the durability of the paint. It never seems to really harden up. To the point where the rusty metal primer holds up better than the black paint ontop of it.

 

[SlappyWhite]

Belton Molotow, way better than anything in the HW stores. Better coverage, way more colours, sticks better, sprays way better, recoat friendly, more durable..... AND usually lower cost! Similar alternatives are Ironlak and Montana. For all of them you can also get different tips with different spray patterns. Popular as art and graffiti paint. Sold at art stores and online.

 

[engineer2]

I like Krylon just fine.
Hate RustOleum because of all the fine overspray the nozzle produces and it stays sticky for days. I'm surprised they haven't improved it.

 

[bradpac]

If the color is available in Rustoleum Professional, I use that. Seems to hold up better outside than most others and the gloss black matches most powder coating on truck beds and trailers and such really well. For most stuff though surface prep is the key, I scotchbrite, clean, and usually prime everything before laying down color.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

I have become a fan of the Rustoleum Painter’s Touch 2x paint. On metal, I still prefer to use a primer first. A couple of years ago I swore I’d never buy another can of Rustoleum because you couldn’t invert the can to clear the nozzle, and they’d clog. Now, I simply remove the nozzle after spraying and squeeze some acetone from a wash bottle through it. Lets me use all the paint in the can.

 

[JackOfDiamonds]

For a while now I have been using the Rust-Oleum appliance epoxy paint, and it seems pretty good except it's almost single-use because the cans clog. Does anyone know where you can get new spray tips?

 

[LG63]

If you can live with green, yellow, and black, John Deere paint is decent.

 

[csp]

For a while now I have been using the Rust-Oleum appliance epoxy paint, and it seems pretty good except it's almost single-use because the cans clog. Does anyone know where you can get new spray tips?

You can clean the tips out, but my experience with newer paint cans clogs are usually in the can where it picks up the paint.

 

[rattle_snake]

Love me some Krylon!
Hate Rustoleum, takes 2 days to dry even in 100+heat. (Kry is 5 min). I'm horribly impatient.

 

[Ohmthis]

It depends on what I’m painting. I usually use the cheap $1 paint, but you get like three color choices. I like the painters choice 2x paint. It goes on heavy, so be quick in your strokes. My wife bought several pieces of old furniture and wanted me to paint it along with some mirrors. I was skeptical at first, but it covered great and kept up with two little girls. If I’m painting something to last, I used 2k spray paint. The hardener makes it so much more durable.

 

[PugetDude]

Love me some Krylon!
Hate Rustoleum, takes 2 days to dry even in 100+heat. (Kry is 5 min). I'm horribly impatient.

Rustoleum sprays erratically, spits out blobs, the nozzles plug easily and you have to wait a month to recoat. What's not to like?

 

[pelletman]

I have been happy with Kimball Midwest paints, mostly satin and gloss black. I have been a fan of most of their stuff I have used, but they ain't cheap

 

[mike93lx]

Rustoleum pro for me, not the regular. Big difference

 

[Terra Nova]

Rustoleum 2x ultra color is the only spray paint I've had success in getting a decent smooth result from. If it's something I want to look nice it's the go to. For protection from the elements I'll just grab whatever is available.

 

[Ilikeike]

I like the SEM black

I'll use most anything for odd jobs, but when I want rattle can to last on something nice like a car part..
I like Eastwood's 2K or even their regular paints that match OEM part colors.

The two part 2K with the hardener in it is as good as it gets out of a rattle can. 2K

 

[Dumber than lumber]

I recently did some metal parts with Rustoleum Hammered finish spray paint. I like the results.
One thing for sure when painting - good prep is what makes the difference.

 

[MatBirch]

Another fan here of the Ace house brand. Cheap, often available in larger cans, and the satin black is one of the very few rattle can paints that is gasoline resistant. Excellent for use on motorcycle engine blocks.

 

[rattle_snake]

Rustoleum sprays erratically, spits out blobs, the nozzles plug easily and you have to wait a month to recoat. What's not to like?

you just have to have some extra pre-cleaned nozzles on hand to swap them out as they clog.

Rust' does have some nice colors and easy availability at HD, but just won't dispense properly.

My hack is you must shake/mix very thoroughly and then spray away from work piece after shake to get propellent bubble out first.
Then paint briefly and stop to repeat above before it spits blobs.

 

[rattle_snake]

Another fan here of the Ace house brand. Cheap, often available in larger cans, and the satin black is one of the very few rattle can paints that is gasoline resistant. Excellent for use on motorcycle engine blocks.

I have found Kryon satin black is also very solvent resistant, even brake fluid. My old truck leaks everything and frame half-*** painted with Kry still looks great.

 

[NYrr496]

I’ve always liked Rustoleum Hard Hat. I let parts bake in the sun after painting. Seems to dry hard as nails after that.

 

[sjvicker]

Rustoleum Professional Black - Use it for anything that stays outside where quality isn't super critical

Steel-It - Very expensive but the cans seem to last longer than any other comparable size (or it in my head). It's a weldable poly based paint. I use this on my off-roader

SEM Trim Black - Auto trim. It does amazing but can be a bit runny if you're not careful.

 

[GonePostal]

Another vote here for Belton... Montana is also equally good, in my opinion. At any rate, both of these brands are miles ahead of Rusto, Krylon, etc....

After using Belton, Krylon seems like 99% water

 

[WoodsTruck]

I had good luck with Rustoleum primer and paint plus a clear coat.

Prep work helped.

 

[tarbellb]

Cotdamn ^^^

 

[Vintagesaw]

Ace hardware brand made by the same place that makes krylon but half the price

 

[mikegt4]

I started using ACE Premium for general spray can use after throwing away a lot of partial Rustoleum cans during the big clogging debacle. The ACE product goes on great and dries fairly quick to a hard finish (unlike Rustoleum). For more industrial uses like trailers and shop equipment I use Rustoleum Professional from a can and apply with a spray gun. For my latest project I tried adding hardener to the paint and really like the results. No more waiting a week or two for the Rustoleum to dry.

 

[Jlarson]

We use a ton of Rustoleum pro and the farm implement colors. Only cans we have real issues with is sometimes batches of cold galv like to drip but that's usually not a big deal for hot dip touch up or weld striping.

 

[Monza Harry]

To improve the spray paint application currently available in Canada, I use whatever I can find as store choices have been a little hit and miss lately, I use the upright only cans usually and shaking vigorously and for some decent duration is a must, clearing the tube/nozzle is also a must, as is storing the can inverted after clearing [preventing solids from being lodged in the pick up tube, hopefully to be broken down by the vigorous shaking at next use]. Then "Wash, Rinse, Repeat" thereafter. And for added drying add heat if possible I will use an older trouble light with the highest wattage (incandescent) bulb it can handle [Halogen spots, or other power appropriate device to heat the tack dry part, 200* is usually safe to most paints and most all metals except some lead based materials, as with all things check first Google can be your friend]. Harry

 

[SlappyWhite]

Another vote here for Belton... Montana is also equally good, in my opinion. At any rate, both of these brands are miles ahead of Rusto, Krylon, etc....

After using Belton, Krylon seems like 99% water

Considering how much better it is I am shocked at the other recommendations. It is like being part of a secret society that the 99% deny exists! Everyone here needs to give it a try, seriously, whiskey tango foxtrot.

Trust me/us, you will never go back.