Steal the Style: Spray Paint

Spray paint is the best thing on the planet. You can make any style your own with just a can.

I genuinely think you can spray paint anything – people, places and things. Anything and everything can get it. This is maybe not true, but I choose to live in a world full of unicorn crack. Spray paint is my happy place. A fresh coat of paint excites me, except if it drips; then, my whole world is over and I want to go back to bed. I have spray paint everywhere in my house – in my garage, in my closet, in my cabinet, in with paint, out on the lawn, on the stairs, in the basement. Maybe it’s a weird security blanket or a deterrent from zombies. Who knows? All I know is that I am beyond obsessed with this magical elixir of canned air paint.

The thing with spray paint is it goes really quick, but you should follow some really easy steps. These steps can change depending on what your spray painting.

Supplies

Primer Spray Paint

Spray Paint

Everything

Steps

Brush that stuff off. Remove all the dust from your everything, wash it and wipe it down. I use Windex on everything. You can totally be a hippie and use that weird expensive stuff on it, but I feel like if the product doesn’t sting you when it seeps into your skin if you have a cut, then it’s not for me. Pat your project dry with paper towels and let it air dry a few minutes. Make sure to get all the remnants of stickers or gunk that might be left.
Now, prime your project. This really is the most important step to me. I live in chaos, with a house full of small humans that seek and destroy all things that I love. They will tear your stuff up, and you won’t know what hit you. Prime in back-and-forth or up-and-down movements, staying about 10 to 12 inches away from your project. Cover every little inch. It can be a light coat. I like Rustoleum. I have tried lots of brands; some I like, but they are expensive. Some have fancy-looking bottle shapes with weird nozzles, but I find they clog, and I get pissed and throw them out. Jerks. The really cheap brands are cheap for a reason; they will run and not work well. When priming, make sure you cover every surface – underneath, behind. You may have to flip or turn over stuff, so wait 20 minutes between spraying and flipping. Make sure your project is dry, not tacky, when you do this.
For spray paint, I use the same rule of thumb: 10 to 12 inches away. I spray my stuff outside in the nicer months. Weather plays into how things set. Don’t try this when it’s too hot or too cold. I now wear a mask and, usually, disposable rubber gloves. I wear the mask because I will get paint in my nose, and it’s not fun to blow your nose and have blue snot for any reason. I usually put something down first, like a flat cardboard box or a shower liner that I reuse over and over again. Spray and wait an hour to apply the second coat. If you need three, then repeat that step. It is really that easy. You have to be patient, but it’s worth it.