Expert Profile:
Spray Paint's Many Uses

Welcome to PaintInfo's EXPERT PROIFLE, a bimonthly interview with paint and coatings industry experts. This month PaintInfo's Danielle Chalom interviewed Heidi McAuliff, liaison to the National Paint and Coatings Association's Spray Paint Manufacturer's Committee, on the advantages and reasons for choosing spray paint.

Q. What exactly is spray paint_

McAuliffe: Spray paints are paints formulated for spraying from a pressurized can for the finishing and touch-up of hard-to-reach surfaces or items that require a professional finish like cars, machinery, metal furniture, appliances, and a million other things.

Q. What are the advantages of using spray paint_ I mean, why would I choose spray paint over, let's say, canned paint_

McAuliffe: It [spray paint] has a unique capacity to cover hard-to-reach or irregular surfaces, and it's so conveniently portable. You would want to use it on window shutters or wicker furniture. Something that already has almost hidden surfaces.

Q: What else is good about using spray paint_

McAuliffe: Well, spray paint is really great for the "do-it-yourself" paint job. It's easy to handle and at the same time gives a professional finish nearly impossible with a brush. And there's no clean up!

Q: Are there different kinds of spray paint_

McAuliffe: It used to be that there really was only flat or gloss finish spray paints. Now there are texture finishes and web coatings, which can be used for a wider array of projects than ten years ago.

Q: What do I do with leftover spray paint_

McAuliffe: That's another wonderful benefit of spray paint. When you're done with your project you just cap it, and bring it out when you need to touch something up or for another project. Spray paint keeps well, and is usable for years. It has a long shelf life, and is obviously easy to store. Oh, and the cans are all completely recyclable when empty. It's a very tidy and simple product to use.