Best Paint for a Spray Gun

Best Paint for a Spray Gun Quick Chart

Modern latex paint can be applied in a variety of environments and is offered in several different color options. That makes it possible to use an airless gun with your paint, sometimes without the need to thin it. 

Picture	Name
	Majic Paints 250 sq ft/gallon Dries to touch 30 mins 1 or 5 gallon sizes
	Valspar 5 Gallon Latex Fast Drying Use Indoors/li> Low VOC/Low Odor
	Kilz Porch, Patio, Floor Low luster enamel Acrylic Latex
	Rust-Oleum 1 Quart Covers up to 120 sq ft Dry to touch 30 mins Low Odor
	Valspar Latex Enamel 12 colors available Latex enamel Good for wood and metal
	Kilz Masonary For bricks, drywall, stucco Thicker than other paints Covers 250-400 sq ft

Paint for a Spray Gun: Our Reviews of the Best Paint Brands

Best Interior Paint for a Spray Gun

#1. Rust-Oleum

Editor and Consumer Choice for Best Paint for Walls

This ultra-cover premium latex paint is perfect for indoor and outdoor projects. The durability is excellent, even on a single coat.

This paint works effectively on a variety of surfaces including metal, wood, masonry, and unglazed ceramic. It’s widely regarded as one of the best choices for interior walls.

Available in over a dozen colors, it offers plenty of options to achieve the perfect aesthetic. Formulated as a water-based acrylic, it dries quickly and provides reliable spraying performance.

Thanks to its low odor, it’s ideal for indoor use without the concern of strong fumes. Being latex-based, cleanup is simple and hassle-free. The paint features a flat finish with consistent coverage across surfaces like wood, drywall, and ceramic. As with most paints, it’s important to stir thoroughly and strain before spraying for optimal results.

If you want an affordable paint that delivers a fresh, quality finish, this is a great option to consider for your next project.

Majic Paint

If you have an extensive exterior project that needs to be completed, then this is the paint for you. Available in 1-gallon and 5-gallon sizes, there are three color choices available, brown, white and black.

The paint dries outside in 30 minutes if the temperature and moisture requirements are met. That means fewer bugs and debris in your paint, allowing for a flawless look.

Majic Paint is intended for barns and fences, though virtually any exterior surface is compatible. It will cover about 250 square feet per gallon and works well on wood, brick and metal surfaces.

Valspar 5 Gallon Paint

If you need to repaint a bunch of rooms, a rental, or maybe ceilings, this 5 gallon Valspar Paint is great for your sprayer. his paint offers a consistent finish when spraying.

This contractor-grade latex paint dries quickly and can be tinted to a variety of colors if you prefer something other than white. Its durable latex formula offers longer-lasting performance compared to many other paints. The main limitation is that it’s designed exclusively for interior applications.

Kilz

This porch and patio paint option gives you a better overall protection level for your exterior surfaces.  Kilz is a low-luster enamel paint, coating your wood or concrete porch or patio to prevent scuffing, cracking, or peeling.

You can apply Kilz indoors to certain floors or wall surfaces with its acrylic latex composition. It can be applied to any previously painted or primed surfaces and is completely compatible with airless sprayers that meet certain specifications. his paint takes longer to dry that most others so plan accordingly.

If you need tough paint, this is what you’ll want.

Valspar Latex Enamel Paint

So is Valspar good paint?  Well, this latex enamel paint dries to a nice glossy finish that is surprisingly tough. It works well for wood and metal, in addition to your interior walls if you wish. This paint finish is durable.

This paint is available in sizes ranging from a half-pint up to a full gallon, with 12 color options to choose from. One of its great features is that spills are easy to clean up, requiring just soap and water.

It’s suitable for both interior and exterior use, making it versatile for a variety of projects.

The paint provides excellent coverage for blemishes and leaves a pleasing shine on most surfaces.

Kilz Masonry Paint

This mildew resistant paint from Kilz is designed to look natural while accentuating your textured surfaces.  Use it on brisk, drywall, and stucco.   

This paint is self priming and can be brushed, rolled or sprayed on.  It will be thicker than other paints so use a larger tip on your spray gun and be ready to thin this paint prior to spraying. 

It offers excellent hiding properties and is water resistant.  Kilz can be used on exterior and interior surfaces.  Ensure your surfaces are free from dust, chalk, oil and all other foreign things. 

1 gallon will cover 250-400 square feet, depending on your surface texture. 

Available in multiple colors, we highly recommend this paint. 

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Can You Use Any Paint in a Spray Gun?

The simple answer is: No, not all paint types work in every spray gun. Choosing the right paint depends on your spray gun type, the nozzle or tip size, and the PSI (pounds per square inch) your sprayer can deliver.

What Paints Can You Use in a Spray Gun?

The most commonly sprayed materials include:

• Oil-based primers and paints
• Latex paints
• Wood stains and varnishes

How Does Your Spray Gun Affect Paint Choice?

• Airless Sprayers: These work great with latex paints and thicker materials like primers and undercoats because of their high PSI output. However, they’re less ideal for thin paints or stains due to increased overspray and less control.
• HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) Sprayers: Best suited for spraying thinner paints and stains. HVLP sprayers can handle latex and primers too, but you will likely need to thin these materials to ensure a smooth application.

Important Considerations:

• Always check the manufacturer’s recommended PSI and tip size for your sprayer to confirm compatibility with the paint or coating you want to use.
• Using the wrong sprayer or tip size can lead to poor coverage, overspray, or clogging.

Pro Tip: For the best finish, match your paint type with the right sprayer and adjust thinning and pressure settings accordingly.

What Kind of Paint for a Spray Gun is Best?

We recommend you choose a paint that you can thin, produces a consistent and smooth finish, and of course, your sprayer has to be able to spray it, thinned or unthinned. We like Rustoleum paint for spraying walls and doing interior projects.

Which kind of paint you choose depends on the project you’re painting, your lifestyles and your goals. High traffic areas that see alot of wear and tear could use a paint rated for durability, longevity and that are easy to clean.

Cabinets would be best sprayed with an enamel base. Walls, depending on the light and area of your home, can be done in a semi gloss, eggshell or a gloss paint.

What is Latex Paint?

When shopping for paint, you might notice many cans labeled latex, even if they also say acrylic or vinyl acrylic. This can be confusing, so let’s clear it up.

Understanding Latex Paint

In the paint industry, latex refers to a water-based paint where the binder is a synthetic polymer, not actual latex from rubber plants. This means if you have a latex allergy, latex paint is safe to use because it contains no natural latex.

Latex paint is commonly used to describe acrylic, vinyl acrylic, and other water-based paints. The term “latex” highlights that the paint’s pigment is suspended in water rather than oil.

Acrylic Paint vs Latex Paint

• Acrylic paint is a type of latex paint made from 100% acrylic polymers, often offering better durability and weather resistance.
• Vinyl acrylic blends are a more affordable latex paint option but may not last as long or resist wear as well as pure acrylic.

If you want premium performance, expect to pay more for 100% acrylic or acrylic vinyl blend latex paints.

Benefits of Latex Paint

• Fast drying time: Latex paints dry much quicker than oil-based paints.
• Easy cleanup: Because it’s water-based, you can clean brushes and tools with just soap and water.
• Low odor and low VOCs: Latex paints release fewer harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making them safer and more pleasant to use indoors.

What are VOCs in Latex Paint?

VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds, are chemicals that evaporate from paint as it dries, potentially impacting indoor air quality. Latex paints typically have lower VOC levels compared to oil-based paints, making them a healthier choice for your home.

If you can, always purchase low VOC paint and if you can’t, wear a mask while working and ALWAYS work in a well ventilated area.  You can even purchase environmentally friendly paint now.  Fantastic!

Features to Look for in the Best Paint for a Spray Gun

Low VOCs

According to corrosionpedia.com, low VOC refers to volatile organic compounds that are not harmful to the environment and humans. It mostly refers to paints and other products that have a very low or zero VOC, e.g. sealants, adhesives and cleaners. Low VOCs are good for both the environment and living organisms.

Fast Drying

The faster it dries, the faster you can do that second coat and the faster you can finish your projects, simple as that.

Thinned

Make sure your paint can be thinned by reading the can, you may need to thin it before spraying. Don’t forget to stir your paint thoroughly with a paint mixer drill attachment so that its completely mixed before starting.

Easy to Clean

You want a paint that is easy to clean once you’ve painted your surface so you can remove dirt, grime and fingerprints. Some paints are specially formulated to be stain, grease and dirt resistant. Read the can and make sure the paint you buy works for your project.

Long Lasting

Some paints and paint brands last longer than other, with deep rich colors. Make sure you’re grabbing a paint that has staying power.

How to Thin Paint for a Spray Gun

If your latex paint is too thick, then it will clog the nozzle of your paint sprayer. That creates a massive mess behind the trigger and can even ruin your equipment.  This WILL happen if you’re using an HVLP Vs an Airless paint sprayer.

Thankfully, there is an easy process available to thin latex paint for spraying, so it meets the standards that the manufacturer expects.

So, how do you thin paint for spraying? Can you thin paint with water? The answer is yes and…

It’s easier than you think!

Be sure to grab the following materials before getting started.

• Water access.
• Several paint stirring sticks.
• A large funnel.
• A 5-gallon bucket.
• Your preferred paint

How to Mix Paint for a Spray Gun in 4 Easy Steps

Thinning paint for a latex spray gun is a simple process that anyone can do.  Once you’re ready to get to work, you’ll want to follow these steps.

#1. Pour all of your paint into the bucket that you intend to use for that day.

#2. Add ½ cup of water to the paint for every gallon of paint that was placed in the bucket.

#3. Mix the paint and water thoroughly with a clean stirring stick.

#4. Check the consistency of your paint by running it through the funnel.

Consistent Paint for a Spray Gun

If the paint is able to flow freely through the funnel, then you have the correct consistency for your paint sprayer.

Should the paint clog up in the funnel, then add another 1/8 cup of water to the paint/water mixture in the 5-gallon bucket for every gallon of paint used.

Then thoroughly mix the paint with another clean stir stick.

Continue this process, adding 1/8 cup per gallon of paint, as necessary until the paint flows freely through the funnel.

If your latex paint is still not thin enough for your spray gun, add small amounts of water and mix the paint until you reach the right consistency for spraying.

Best Paint for a Spray Gun: Interior Paint Types

Latex paints are the most common type of paint for spray guns today.  The combination of cost, shelf life, and longevity of quality make it one of the best paints available.

There are other types of indoor paint that will also work with a spray gun if they are thinned to the correct consistency.

Here are the most common options available right now.

• Vinyl Paint. This type of paint is a combination of water and plastic. That makes it lightweight, glossy, and sometimes waterproof or weatherproof. It is easy to clean and maintains its luster for a long time.
• Alkyd. Heavier than vinyl and made from polyester and fatty acids. It should be used on wooden surfaces, like door trim. Some types are excellent for painting ceilings as well.
• Lacquer. This paint type requires a lot of work, but it also provides a long-lasting experience. It prevents oil or dirt from damaging the surface it is on. Spray Lacquer also requires 4-7 coats and you must sand after each coat you apply for best results.
• Enamel. Enamel vs latex: the difference is that enamel provides a much tougher surface than latex which increases durability in a high trafficked area. A good option here is to add a layer of enamel over a layer of latex.   Perfect for kitchen or bathroom cabinets.
• Acrylic. If you need instant results, go with this paint type. It works well on all surfaces, especially if you want more of a matte finish.

Acrylic Vs Latex Paint

How do you choose the best paint for a spray gun to get awesome results?  Depends on your project and the end results you are looking for.  There are times where an acrylic paint would be more suitable than a latex paint.  

If you have a project that will experience big differences in temperature such as your house exterior, maybe even your kitchen or fence, an acrylic paint may be better for you.  

Latex paints would be perfect for a high trafficked area with alot of wear and tear and that needs to be cleaned frequently.

Acrylic	Latex
Chemical based	Water based
Good for Exterior	Longer Lasting
Used mostly for art projects	Costs less than acrylic
Requires paint thinner to remove	Dries faster than acrylic

Why Choose Latex Paint? 

Latex paint, a water-based option, is easier to work with compared to traditional oil-based paints. One major advantage is that you can thin latex paint simply with water, avoiding harsh paint thinning chemicals. This makes it a safer and more user-friendly choice for many DIY projects.

Latex paint dries faster than oil-based paint and is available in a wide variety of finishes, giving you plenty of options for your home or project.

Additionally, latex paint emits fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and you can even find super low VOC formulas, making it an environmentally friendly and healthier option for indoor use.

However, latex paint is less durable in high-traffic areas or on furniture compared to oil-based paints. It performs exceptionally well on walls and ceilings, but for doors, trim, or surfaces that receive heavy use, oil-based paint remains the better choice.. 

What Can You Use Latex Paint On? 

Latex paint is highly versatile and works great for covering up old latex or flat oil-based paints. It can be applied to most surfaces, including unprimed walls, making it an ideal choice for many home improvement projects.

However, we do not recommend using latex paint on metal or untreated wood. The water content in latex paint can cause metal surfaces to rust and may warp wood grain over time.

For these materials, consider using specialized primers or paints designed for metal or wood to ensure durability and finish quality.

Can You Use Acrylic Paint in a Spray Gun?

Yes.  Since acrylic paint is thick, you would need to thin your paint before spraying with an HVLP.  If you’ve got an airless paint gun, then you can most likely spray acrylic paint unthinned because of the high PSI that airless guns use to apply paint.  

How Much to Budget for the Best Indoor Paint?

Most latex paints that are suitable for a spray gun range in price from about $20 per gallon to over $60 per gallon. Certain specialty paints may run even higher than this.

Be careful about shopping for interior latex paint if you intend to use a spray gun. Several paint manufacturers have started combining primer and latex together for faster user application.

These are difficult to use because the thinning process changes the characteristics of the paint.

Different paint types have their own unique pricing structures as well. Acrylic paints tend to be the cheapest, while lacquer and enamel tend to be on the upper end of the pricing scale.

Oil Vs Latex Paint

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Can I Use Oil Based Paint in a Spray Gun?

Yes.  Typically, most sprayers can spray oil based paints.  BUT, since oil based paints are a bit thicker, you will need to thin them to spray in most sprayers like HVLP.  Airless spray guns will conquer your oil based paint job without any thinning required.

Fast Paint Facts

How Long Does it take Paint to Dry?

If you are eager to get your project finished, you might make the mistake of trying to complete the second coat before the first coat of paint has dried.  So, how long should you let paint dry between coats?

It depends on a few factors: how you applied the paint, what type of paint, if you live in a dry or high humidity area, and whether it was exterior or indoor paint. 

Paint Dry Time Basic Guideline

Wondering how long does interior paint take to dry? Typically, when applying paint with a brush or roller, you should wait 2 to 4 hours before applying a second coat. This allows the first coat to dry sufficiently for the next layer.

If you’re using a paint sprayer, drying times can be quicker. You can often check the paint’s dryness within 1 hour thanks to the thinner, more even application.

No matter the application method, avoid rubbing or applying pressure on the freshly painted surface to prevent damaging the finish.

If you live in a high humidity environment, expect drying times to be longer. In such cases, it’s safer to wait up to 24 hours before recoating or handling the painted surface.

Always consider the type of interior paint you’re using, as different formulas have varied drying times. Use your judgment and check the manufacturer’s instructions for the most accurate guidance.

How Long for Spray Paint to Dry?

Typically, when applying spray paint, the layer of paint is thinner than when you brush or roll it on.   If you are using thin latex paint for spraying, your dry times will be less than if you brushed/rolled it on.  

This means you can paint more surfaces faster with your sprayer than the alternatives.  We recommend waiting an hour and testing your newly painted surface in a hidden area.  If it’s dry, you are ready for your second coat!

Latex Paint Dry Time

Most of us use latex paint regularly.  Latex paint dries relatively quickly compared to chalk paint and oil based paints.  This is because latex paint is water based and some brands are even labelled “fast drying”.  

So, how long does it take for latex paint to dry?  Follow our basic guideline of 2-4 hours and test the newly painted surface in a hidden area.

How Long is Paint Good For?

So, how long does paint last in a can ?  Well, that depends on several things.  

If the can has been opened, what type of environment are you keeping your can (heated garage, cold basement), if you live in a high humidity area versus a low humidity environment, and what type of paint it is.

Depending on the level of humidity, your paint can dry up much faster in a can that has been opened.  Not only that, low humidity levels can change the color and finish of the paint!  

We recommend testing it in a hidden area or on a piece of cardboard and allowing it to dry before beginning to paint an entire wall.

Learned this the hard way and had to repaint an entire bathroom! 

According to Consumer Reports, depending on the type of paint, can last for years or go bad in months. Water based paints are especially finicky.  

The best thing to do is to a) label the paint with the date of when you opened and used it and b) check the consistency of the paint for a rubberlike surface or if it’s become thick and doesn’t stay properly blended for 10-15 minutes after mixing.

Can I Use Exterior Paint Indoors?

You can use any paint anywhere, but it is recommended that you use indoor paint only on your indoor surfaces. 

Why?  Not only will your results not be what you expected if you use exterior paint indoors, but indoor paints are specifically formulated for indoor wear and tear.

They allow you to scrub and clean them and they resist staining.  Indoor paints are low VOC, meaning they emit much less chemicals into the air while you are painting, while the paint is drying, and afterwards.

Exterior paints are designed to battle the outdoor elements and resist fading and mildew.  They are great at resisting humidity and UV exposure. 

The only instance we can recommend an exterior paint indoors, is for a very high humidity bathroom.  Even then you can find indoor paint that will resist humidity and mildew.

Can I Use Latex over Oil Paint?

Painting latex over oil paint requires special preparation to make sure that the water based latex paint bonds with the oil paint.  

Without proper prep technique, you could end up with cracking and flaking paint!  To do the job right the first time, we do suggest using oil based paint instead of water based. 

If you insist on using latex over oil paint, the following steps should be taken to create a good base for the latex paint to stick to.  According to www.bobvila.com

1. Degloss the oil base paint with fine grit sandpaper until the surface is a bit gritty  
2. Wipe with a lint free cloth 
3. Use a strong cleaner such as TSP to clean the surface 
4. Wipe down with water and let air dry
5. Apply a bonding primer.  You may have to do this twice if you still see stains after the 1st coat
6. Apply two coats of paint 
7. Admire your results!  

Most Popular Paint Finishes

The two most popular paint finishes by far are semi gloss and eggshell.  Semi gloss is mainly used on trim, doors, closet doors, hallways, cabinets and any other high trafficked area in your home.  It durable and clean up nicely.

Eggshell Paint is used on walls and it does a great job of hiding imperfections.  Learn more about whether you should use semi gloss Vs eggshell on your next DIY project.

Best Paint for Trim: Oil or Latex?

The best answer here is, what type of paint suits your lifestyle? I prefer to use latex paint because it is Low VOC/low odor, dries quickly and is super easy to clean up. All of those hand and fingerprints, marks from pets, will be easy to wipe off if you’ve painted your trim with latex.

What Paint Works Best on Wood?

If you’re painting bare wood, you’re going to want to block any tannins and also smooth out the surface of the wood before applying your top coat. I recommend an oil based primer or a latex bonding primer that says is blocks wood tannins, especially if you’re painting cedar or redwood.

Conclusion

The best paint for spray guns will help you be able to quickly finish your projects without compromising your finish. Pick up your preferred paint today, then get to work tomorrow.

Quick FAQs: Best Paint for a Spray Gun