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Spray paints are one of the quickest and most convenient ways to achieve a smooth, professional-looking finish on automotive parts, metalwork and a wide range of repair and refinishing projects.
Whether you’re touching up a vehicle, restoring wheels, priming bare metal or applying a protective clearcoat, choosing the right spray paint can make a significant difference to the finished result.
At Valtone Paints & Coatings, we supply a wide range of spray paints and aerosols for automotive, trade and general refinishing applications, including primers, lacquers, high-temperature coatings and specialist automotive products.
In this guide, we’ll explain the different types of spray paint available, what they’re designed for and how to get the best possible finish from an aerosol.
Spray paint, often called aerosol paint, is paint supplied in a pressurised can and applied through a spray nozzle.
Instead of using a paintbrush or roller, the aerosol produces a fine spray that allows the coating to be applied evenly across the surface.
This makes aerosol spray paints particularly useful for:
For smaller jobs, spray cans can also remove the need to prepare and clean a conventional spray gun.
There isn’t one aerosol paint that’s best for every project.
The correct product depends on the material you’re painting, the finish required and the conditions the finished component will experience.
Here are some of the most common options.
Automotive spray paint is designed for vehicle refinishing, repairs and restoration.
Aerosols can be particularly useful when painting smaller automotive components or completing localised repairs where setting up a full spray system isn’t practical.
Getting the colour right is especially important with automotive paint.
Valtone Paints & Coatings provides automotive colour matching from our Bridgwater shop, helping customers achieve a closer match when repairing or refinishing vehicle components.
Good paintwork starts underneath the colour.
Spray primers prepare the surface for subsequent paint coats and can improve adhesion and provide a more consistent base for the colour coat.
Different surfaces may require different primers.
For example, Valtone stocks aerosol products including grey primer, red oxide primer, plastic primer and acid etch primer.
Always choose a primer that’s compatible with both the substrate and the paint system you’re applying over it.
Painting plastic can be challenging because conventional coatings may struggle to adhere correctly to certain plastics.
A suitable plastic primer or adhesion-promoting product helps prepare compatible plastic surfaces before applying the colour coat.
This can be useful when refinishing automotive plastic components such as trims and other suitable exterior or interior parts.
Etch primer is commonly used when preparing suitable bare metal surfaces.
Products such as acid etch primer help create a suitable foundation before subsequent paint coats are applied.
Correct surface preparation remains essential: remove contamination, loose corrosion and other material that could compromise adhesion before applying the coating.
Black remains one of the most useful aerosol colours for automotive and workshop projects.
Depending on the desired appearance, you can choose finishes such as:
Gloss black – ideal where a shiny, highly finished appearance is required.
Satin black – provides a lower sheen and is popular for many automotive components.
Matt black – gives a flatter, non-gloss appearance.
Valtone stocks matt, satin and gloss black aerosol options, making it easy to select the finish that best suits the project.
Normal paint isn’t suitable for every component.
Parts exposed to elevated temperatures may require a dedicated high-temperature spray paint designed for the conditions involved.
Valtone’s aerosol range includes high-temperature black and silver options for suitable applications.
Always check the manufacturer’s temperature rating and application instructions before using a high-temperature coating.
Wheels have to cope with road dirt, moisture and regular cleaning, so correct preparation and coating selection are particularly important.
A typical wheel refinishing process may involve:
Valtone stocks silver wheel aerosol paint alongside primers, clear lacquers, abrasives, masking products and polishing supplies, allowing you to source the products required for the different stages of a refinishing job.
A clear lacquer aerosol provides a transparent finishing coat over compatible colour coats.
Depending on the particular system, clearcoat can enhance the appearance of the finish while providing an additional protective coating.
Valtone’s aerosol range includes clearcoat and clear lacquer products for different refinishing requirements.
Always make sure your lacquer is compatible with the underlying paint before application.
You’ll often see automotive coatings described as either 1K or 2K.
A 1K coating is a single-component system that does not require a separate hardener to initiate the curing process.
These products can be convenient for many repairs, touch-ups and refinishing applications.
2K refers to a two-component coating system involving a coating and hardener/activator.
2K technology is commonly used where professional-grade durability and performance are required.
Important: some 2K automotive coatings can involve hazardous isocyanates. Appropriate professional controls, respiratory protection and working procedures are essential. Always read the product’s safety data and application instructions before use.
Even premium spray paint won’t compensate for poor preparation.
For the best results, spend time preparing the surface before you start spraying.
Remove dirt, grease, wax, silicone and other contaminants that could interfere with paint adhesion.
Rust, scratches, chips and other defects should be dealt with before painting.
Where necessary, use suitable fillers, abrasives and preparation products to create an even surface.
Sanding helps create the appropriate surface for subsequent coatings.
The correct abrasive grade will depend on the material, existing coating and stage of the refinishing process.
Use suitable masking tape and materials to protect areas that shouldn’t receive overspray.
Choose a primer suitable for the substrate and subsequent paint system.
Allow it to dry or cure according to the manufacturer’s instructions before moving to the next stage.
Follow the instructions on the aerosol.
Several controlled coats will generally produce a better result than attempting to achieve full coverage with one excessively heavy application.
Pay attention to the recommended spraying distance and time between coats.
Some paint systems, particularly certain automotive finishes, require clear lacquer as the final coating.
Check the manufacturer’s technical information for the complete system you’re using.
Many disappointing finishes aren’t caused by the paint itself. They’re caused by preparation or application.
Common mistakes include:
Taking a little longer during preparation can save considerable time correcting the finish afterwards.
Spray painting produces airborne mist and vapour, so appropriate precautions are essential.
Always read the label, technical information and Safety Data Sheet supplied for the specific product you’re using and ensure appropriate ventilation and personal protective equipment.
Professional automotive users should pay particular attention to products containing isocyanates. The Health and Safety Executive provides specific guidance covering vehicle spray painting and appropriate exposure controls.
Never assume that an aerosol is safe simply because the job is small.
If you’re looking for spray paints for automotive, workshop or refinishing projects, Valtone Paints & Coatings stocks a wide selection of aerosols and complementary preparation products.
Our current aerosol range includes products such as:
You can also find abrasives, fillers, masking products, thinners, polishing products and other automotive paint supplies for completing the entire refinishing process.
Choosing the right spray paint is about much more than picking a colour.
The surface, primer, paint system, application technique and final coating all contribute to the quality and durability of the finished job.
At Valtone Paints & Coatings, we combine a wide range of automotive and industrial paint products with years of industry knowledge to help professionals and enthusiasts find the right products for their projects.
Browse our range of spray paints and aerosols online, or visit Valtone Paints & Coatings at Unit 6, Beech Business Park, Bristol Road, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 4FF.
Need help choosing the right aerosol, primer or coating? Call our team on 01278 551550.
The best spray paint for metal depends on the type of metal, its condition and where the finished component will be used. Correct preparation and a compatible primer are important for achieving good adhesion and durability.
Yes. Automotive aerosol paints are widely used for smaller vehicle repairs, components and refinishing projects. For the best appearance, correct preparation and accurate colour matching are particularly important.
It depends on the surface and coating system. Bare metal, plastics and repaired areas may require specific primers or adhesion promoters. Always follow the recommendations for the product you’re using.
Some plastics can be painted, but the correct preparation and compatible plastic primer or adhesion promoter may be required.
The main difference is the level of sheen. Matt provides a flatter appearance, satin has a moderate sheen, while gloss produces a shinier finish.
Components exposed to elevated temperatures may require specialist high-temperature spray paint. Check the product’s stated temperature resistance and suitability for the specific component before application.
That depends on the paint system. Some automotive colour coats require a clearcoat, while other coatings are designed to provide the finished surface themselves. Check the manufacturer’s instructions before applying lacquer.
