A good spray paint is convenient to use and versatile. But with so many options on the market, finding the perfect one can be tricky. After testing some professionally recommended picks, I’ve found the best spray paint for wood to be the Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint.
Through 25+ years of experience in woodworking, I have mastered the qualities that separate the good spray paints from the best ones. If you need help picking the best spray paints for your woodwork, or have other questions like “Can You Paint Pressure Treated Wood,” I am confident in my ability to solve your problems.
The reason I’ve chosen the Krylon Fusion All-In-One Paint as the go-to spray paint option is because of its durability, versatility and high quality. But in certain cases, some alternative products may prove quite useful.
Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of why the Krylon Fusion All-In-One Paint is our best pick and some of its alternatives.
Best Spray Paint for Every Application
| Product Image | Product Name | SimpleWood Working Rating | What we liked | What we did not like | Link |
 | Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint | Best Overall | – Various colors available – High quality and durable – Dries quickly – Versatility | – Needs recoating | Check Price Here |
 | Krylon Colormaster Paint + Primer | Second Best Overall | – Versatile – Quick dry time – Consistent release – No runs or drips | – Strong odor | Check Price Here |
 | Ambro-Sol Multipurpose Acrylic Spray Paint | Most Durable | – Long lasting – Weather resistant – Wide applicability | – Difficult to clean | Check Price Here |
 | Rust-Oleum High-Performance Enamel Spray Paint | Best For Outdoors | – Thick coating – Durable and long lasting – High output | – Not user-friendly | Check Price Here |
 | Krylon Chalky Finish (Colonial Ivory) | Best Value | – Affordable – Excellent adhesion – Vintage aesthetic – Dries quickly | – Not suitable for outdoor projects | Check Price Here |
 | Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch (Gloss White) | Best White Spray | – Rich white Color – Doesn’t stain easily – Low odor Paint + Primer | – Might not blend well with other white paint | Check Price Here |
 | Krylon Premium Metallic Spray Paint | Most Aesthetic | – Elegant finish – Durability – Quick dry time | – Strong odor | Check Price Here |
7 Best Spray Paints for Wood Detailed Review
Let’s dive deep and take a closer look at each choice, starting off with our first overall pick.
1. Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint – Best Overall
The Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint earns our best overall pick for a number of core reasons like its great adhesion, durability, price and the quality of the paint.
The Krylon Fusion puts up a decent score in just about every metric we considered. If you want an all-rounder safe option, then it’s your best bet. Whether you’re dealing with small woodwork, outdoor furniture or breathing new life into old wood, this 12-ounce can of paint spray is a perfect companion for your project. Considering its quality, it’s also surprisingly one of the cheapest paints we tested!
What we Liked
- Comes in different colors: The Krylon Fusion comes in high quality white, black, blue, brown, and lots more color options, all offering best-in-class durability and adhesion.
- The paint is high-quality and long lasting: Of all the spray paints we tested, the Krylon Fusion offered the best blend of quality and durability. It has a great shine on the surface, adheres well and still provides your wood surface with optimum protection.
- Dries quickly: The paint has a dry time of around 20 minutes. This is perfect for time-sensitive jobs but it’s recommended to leave the paint to sit for up to 45 minutes before handling the painted surface.
- Suits various applications: The Krylon Fusion performed brilliantly in just about every situation. It’s a great option for outdoor woodwork with excellent UV and moisture resistance and can also be used for interior decoration. It also adhered seamlessly to all kinds of wood types and surfaces.
What we Didn’t Like
- Needs to be recoated multiple times: To form a durable finish, you may need to recoat your wood 3-4 times. Wait for about 2 hours after applying paint before recoating for best results
2. Krylon Colormaster Paint + Primer – Second Best Overall
Runner-up on our list for best spray paint for wood furniture is the Krylon Colormaster Paint + Primer. This spray paint comes in a plethora of color options and they all performed brilliantly while testing for aesthetics, durability and adherence. All you have to do is choose the color suited to your needs.
Krylon Color Master is a 2-in-1 paint + primer which means it only requires basic surface preparation before use. The paint has a 10-minute dry time and leaves an aesthetically friendly gloss. The can is also user-friendly and allows you to spray continuously at any angle. A perfect option for small DIY projects.
What we Liked
- Versatile: Like the Krylon Fusion, the Krylon Colormaster tested well for versatility. It showed the same applicability while being used both indoors and outdoors and was resistant to both UV rays and moisture once adhered and cured.
- Quick dry time: The Krylon Colormaster dries to touch in just 10 minutes. The fastest of any paint we tested! But it will likely need two or three coats for best results.
- Releases a consistent spray: The 12-ounce can releases an even and consistent spray whenever activated, even when the can is almost empty. This makes working with the Krylon Colormaster user-friendly, especially for woodworkers still learning their craft.
- No drips or runs: Unlike many sprays we tested, a perk of this one is that it doesn’t drip no matter how much paint is applied. This makes it easier to work without leaving a mess or having paint run onto unwanted parts of the wood.
What we Didn’t Like
- Has a strong odor: For a few days after painting, the Krylon Colormaster has a strong odor. This is especially noticeable if it’s used on indoor woodwork with no proper ventilation. Airing the wood outdoors for 24-36 hours after spraying is recommended.
3. Ambro-Sol Multipurpose Acrylic Spray Paint – Most Durable
The Ambro-Sol Acrylic Spray Paint was the winner of our durability test. If you’re looking for a sturdy and long-lasting finish, then this should be your primary option. But there’s more perks to this paint than just being tough.
It had a dry time of just 15 minutes and cured in just under a day. We particularly loved its ability to adhere to different types of surfaces, even metal, glass and plastic. It’s a great choice not just for DIY projects but also for industrial use.
What we Liked
- Long lasting: The Ambro-Sol Acrylic Spray paint has an extremely long life span in comparison to its market competitors. Once sprayed and cured properly, it could last up to 4-5 years before showing signs of wearing down, at least 2 years more than average.
- Won’t fade under harsh conditions: This paint is highly durable and perfect for outdoor use because it’s resistant to UV rays and moisture. The paint maintains its sharp look and smooth surface even under harsh sunlight or rainfall.
- Applicable on different surfaces: If you’re a DIY enthusiast who loves to branch out, then you’ll love this paint. It adheres well to glass, metal and other materials, providing the same protection and durability.
What we Didn’t Like
- Durability leaves no margin for error: Due to durability, this paint is nearly permanent after just a few minutes. It requires a lot of precision while spraying and paint in any unwanted areas should be wiped off instantly before it dries.
4. Rust-Oleum High-Performance Enamel Spray Paint – Best For Outdoors
The Rust-Oleum Universal Enamel Paint came out best in our test for weather and UV resistance. If you need a spray to withstand the elements, then this should be at the top of your list.
This paint is a commercial-grade product, designed mostly for industrial use. Like most Krylon products, it comes in a lot of color and shade options. Its high-quality oil-based formula has excellent resistance to abrasion, fading, chipping and rust. As an industrial product, the Rust-Oleum Enamel Paint has little aesthetic value and was designed purely for durability and functionality.
What we Liked
- Provides extra coverage and protection: The Rust-Oleum Enamel Paint has a high output while spraying which builds a thick coat over your wood. The extra layer covers stains and imperfections on your wood, so you do not need as much surface prep before spraying.
- Resistant to corrosion, rust, UV rays and moisture: Due to its thickness and oil base, it’s the best spray paint for outdoor wood furniture. It’s resistant to UV rays and moisture from rainfall and dew. If your woodwork will be exposed to the elements, then this is the perfect option for you.
- High output spray is good for large-scale work: As we’ve already mentioned, the Rust-Oleum Enamel Paint is a commercial grade product. It’s designed to spray quicker and wider than your average spray paint. This makes it perfect for covering large surfaces in quick time.
What we Didn’t Like
- Might be difficult to handle: This paint comes in a 15 oz can with high output. It’s larger than the average spray paint size and a lot more difficult to control while spraying. This may prove challenging for beginners.
5. Krylon Chalky Finish (Colonial Ivory) – Best Value
The Krylon Chalky Finish is not the cheapest paint on our list, but for its in-demand appearance, provides the best value for money. Chalky paints are a workshop favorite, because they give wood a unique vintage appearance you don’t get anywhere else.
This is especially true with this paint. If you want a classic but fresh looking wood, then this oil-based paint is a great option. It adheres well to most types of wood but it’s advisable to use some primer beforehand. As is the case with chalk finishes, the surface can be quite chippy and rough when done but this adds to the paint’s vintage aesthetic.
What we Liked
- Budget-friendly but high-quality: This paint is relatively low-cost but is still a quality option. If you’re on a tight budget but still in search of a standard finish for your wood, then this is one of your better options.
- Adhered easily to all kinds of surfaces: This paint adheres well to all kinds of wood surfaces even those unprepared beforehand. It fully covers cracks on rough and chipped wood. However, using a primer before applying is still the best way to go.
- Chalk creates a vintage look: Our favorite thing about this paint is the antique look it gives to your wood. Its Colonial Ivory color blends well with different types of aesthetics so you don’t need to worry much about fitting your chalk-painted wood into any room.
- Quick dry time: Chalk paint generally dries and cures quickly. In about 20 minutes, the paint will be completely dry and ready for use or another coat if you deem it necessary.
What we Didn’t Like
- Bad weather resistance: This chalk paint easily faded and broke down under harsh conditions. Despite being an oil-based paint, it’s not very moisture resistant and the surface didn’t hold up well to direct sunlight either.
6. Ross-Oleum Painter’s Touch (Gloss White) – Best White Paint
The Ross-Oleum Painter’s Touch in gloss white is a must-have for lovers of white paint on wood. This paint came out best for durability, adherence, and gloss among the pure white paints we tested.
Like many spray paints, it comes in a 12 oz can which makes it perfect for DIY use. It also releases a smooth and consistent spray as well as being a 2-in-1 paint + primer. It’s very much a user -friendly option. But by far the most impressive part of this spray was its gloss. It’s white was shinier and smoother than the others we tried and its oily surface didn’t stain as easily.
What we Liked
- Has the best shade of white: The gloss on the Ross-Oleum Painter’s Touch was its major perk. Its white looked a lot better than its competitors and its surface was silkier as well. The gloss finish provides a fresh and sharp look for your surface.
- Doesn’t hold onto dirt or stain: Like most other oil based paints, this paint doesn’t stain easily which is even more impressive given its white color. Also, any stain we managed to get on it could easily be cleaned off with a wet rag which wasn’t the case for other white paints.
- Low odor paint: Another reason we loved this paint was its lack of odor. It produced very little smell while working which you rarely get with oil-based sprays or even spray paints in general.
- 2-In-1 Paint + Primer makes it easier to use: This paint is a paint + primer combo, which eliminates the stress of extensive prep on your wood surface before using the product.
What we Didn’t Like
- Has a unique shade of white: As oddly as it sounds, the Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch’s gloss can be a con. It’s white is quite unique in the way it shines and could easily stick out from other white furniture and white walls as being “whiter” instead of blending in with the general aesthetic.
7. Krylon Premium Metallic Spray Paint – Most Aesthetic
For anyone looking to add some luxury to their DIY projects, the Krylon Premium Metallic Spray Paint is a must-have. This 8 oz can of paint resembles actual metallic plating and came out best in our test for aesthetics, it looked magnificent!
Given its luxurious nature, this paint can only be functional indoors whether to add some glam to your home decor, or to give your wooden accessories a high-end look. This paint also does a great cover-up job, so can be used on any decent surface regardless of previous stains and defects on the wood.
What we Liked
- Metallic finish adds elegance to your wood: Any wood surface transformed into a metallic appearance usually looks good, especially when done with this paint. Its gloss is identical to actual metallic plating and it gives off a shine and appearance unlike any other we tested.
- Long-lasting if properly maintained: Not all metallic spray paints are known for being durable. Some of them easily peel off or break but as long as you carry out basic safety measures like keeping it indoors and at normal temperature, the Krylon Premium Metallic Paint will hold out for a long time.
- 10- minute dry time: This paint had one of the fastest dry times of any paint we tested. Just 10 minutes!
What we Didn’t Like
- Has a strong smell: As they say, perfect doesn’t exist. With all its perks, there’s a downside to this paint which is the strong odor it has, especially in the first few days. Ideally, you should use this spray in a well ventilated area and keep it there for a few days. The smell never completely goes away but should subside after a few days and make the wood usable.
Buyer’s Guide for Choosing the Best Spray Paint for Wood
While this list is a helpful start, everyone has differing use cases and preferences. So here’s some additional help on what to consider when selecting the perfect spray for your project.
Compatibility
It’s important to remember that you aren’t just searching for the best spray paint on the market, but rather the best one for woodwork. There’s lots of great sprays on the market that simply won’t adhere well to wood. Ensure you purchase some wood spray.
Color Range
Lots of sprays come with various colors despite being the same product. Consider your color options and choose the one that best matches your project and desired aesthetic.
Coverage
The coverage per can is written on the body and in the description of the product. Read it to know how many cans of a product you’ll need to complete a project.
Durability
You should prioritize paints with features like UV and moisture resistance, scratch resistance and a sturdy surface. This ensures your paint is long lasting and you won’t be repeating the painting process anytime soon.
Drying Time
Quick-drying paints are best because they expedite the painting process. They are great when working under time constraints and most importantly, they minimize the risk of smudges and dust settling on the wet surface.
Rounding Up…..
That’s it for our guide on choosing the best paint spray for wood. After weighing the pros and cons of many paint sprays, we’ve chosen these 7 as our top picks. However, due to its quality, durability and versatility, the Krylon Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint earns the title of best spray paint for wood furniture.
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