6 Best Spray Paints for Wood (Furniture & More)

Spray painting is a quick and convenient way to add some color to wood furniture, but you’ll need a quality spay paint to get the results you want.

That’s why I put together this list of the best spray paint for woods so you can get the perfect finish you’re looking for. Let’s dig in!

In a hurry? Krylon Fusion Spray Paint is hands down the best spray paint for wood, as it’s beautifully colored, tough, easy to apply, defect-masking, and more affordable than other top-quality spray paints.

Quick Answer: Here are My Favorites! 👇

Best Spray Paint for Wood

• #1 Best Overall – Krylon Fusion Spray Paint
• Most Durable – Krylon ColorMaster Paint + Primer
• Best Value – Rust-Oleum High Performance Enamel Spray Paint
• Best Chalk Paint – Rust-Oleum Chalked Spray Paint
• Best Metallic Spray Paint for Wood – Krylon Premium Metallic Spray Paint
• Best for Dark Colors –Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Ultra Cover

1. Krylon Fusion Spray Paint – #1 Best Overall

The title of “Best Spray Paint for Wood” wasn’t easy to decide, but Krylon Fusion Spray Paint earned it because it’s an exceptionally attractive spray paint that’s not only easy to use but strong as well. Plus, it’s more cost-effective than other spray paints, as it’s affordable and long-lasting.

This 12-oz can of acrylic spray paint can be used indoors and outdoors, and it boasts a rich, white color and glossy sheen.

And since it’s a primer and paint all in one, it can be applied to wood, metal, plastic, laminate, glass, tile, masonry, and wicker. Love that versatility!

A full can will cover 20-25 sq ft (depending on the surface’s porosity), and it’s best to apply this spray paint when the temperature is 55-75° and there’s minimal humidity.

As far as drying time goes, a coat of this paint will be dry-to-touch about 25 minutes after application, and ready for another coat after 2 hours of drying time.

Once you’re done spray painting, allow 48 hows of drying time before resuming normal use of the surface.

To clean this paint once it’s fully cured, warm, soapy water will do. To remove it when it’s semi-dry, use mineral spirits.

And you can count on this spray paint to deliver first-rate moisture, UV ray, and rust protection.

Finally, I can spray efficiently at any angle, and a big-button spray tip ensures continuous spraying is more comfortable.

What I Liked:

• You’ll get the paint job done quicker since you don’t have to wait for primer to dry.
• There’s no sanding beforehand, so you won’t run the risk of taking off too much material.
• The sheen is well-balanced, so it highlights the color without being too shiny on sunny days.
• Overhead spray painting is a breeze since it works well at any angle.

What I Didn’t Like:

• You need multiple coats to form a durable finish.
• You need to shake well before using, otherwise the paint pigments won’t disperse.

2. Krylon ColorMaster Paint + Primer – Most Durable

If your top priority is ensuring a durable and long-lasting finish, you can’t go wrong with Krylon ColorMaster Paint + Primer, as it’s designed to withstand all the elements that break finishes down outdoors, including moisture, UV rays, mold and mildew, pests, and temperature fluctuations.

Another 12-oz, acrylic spray paint with an attractive white color and glossy sheen, it can be used to great success both indoors and outdoors, even though it’s designed for outdoor use.

Along with being extremely durable, it’s also remarkably quick-drying, becoming dry-to-touch in just 10 minutes.

And whenever I use it on vertical surfaces, no drips or runs appear, which speaks to how simple yet well-designed the can is.

But even though it dries quickly, you should still allow at least an hour of drying time before spray painting another coat.

And whereas other paints take approximately 48 hours to cure, this one cures in just 24 hours.

It’s a versatile product too, which isnt a surprise since it bears the well-respected “Krylon” logo. Therefore, it can be used on all kinds of materials, since it acts as both a paint and primer.

Finally, it covers 20-25 sq ft, and the can’s EZ Touch conical tip ensures you can spray continuously—and at any angle—without experiencing a bit of discomfort.

What I Liked:

• It’s ideal for outdoor wooden furniture, as it provides superior protection from moisture and UV rays.
• It dries in just 10 minutes, so it won’t take long to determine whether or not another coat is needed.
• The can releases a consistent spray whenever activated, even when almost empty.
• The can is easy to maneuver in tight spaces, so there’s less waste.

What I Didn’t Like:

• Has to be touched up annually to stay looking good.
• The surface has to be clean before it’s sprayed, otherwise this paint won’t adhere well.

3. Rust-Oleum High Performance Enamel Spray Paint – Best Value

When you need a cheaper spray paint that’s known for delivering top-notch results again and again, you can’t go wrong with Rust-Oleum High Performance Enamel Spray Paint.

This oil-based, enamel spray paint comes in a 15 oz can, and it can be used both indoors and outdoors.

But unlike the other spray paints I’ve discussed thus far, this one has a flat sheen, so it hides surface imperfections and stains better.

And since it’s neither shiny nor slippery, I can use it with total peace of mind on surfaces that see a lot of foot traffic routinely.

It can be used on ferrous and non-ferrous metals, wood, concrete, masonry, and a handful of other materials, and I’ve found that all you need are two coats to get an appealing and durable finish.

Like other Rust-Oleum spray paints, it’ll be dry-to-touch in just 15 minutes, and it’ll be ready for another coat an hour after application.

And once 48 hours of drying time has passed, you can resume normal use of the now-painted wood.

Lastly, thanks to a high-output tip, you can put down a lot of paint in a short period.

What I Liked:

• It covers surface stains and imperfections well, so you don’t have to do as much surface prep.
• It protects outdoor wood furniture from moisture and UV rays because it’s a thick, oil-based product.
• It’s great for large surfaces because the container can spray a lot of material quickly.
• It’ll display a smooth finish on any surface thanks to its deep white color and flat sheen.

What I Didn’t Like:

• You’ll need to use a primer before spraying, as it’s not an all-in-one product.
• Because it’s more viscous, it doesn’t cover as much surface area.

4. Rust-Oleum Chalked Spray Paint – Best Chalk Paint

Chalk paints are the way to go when you want a velvety smooth finish, and I’ve yet to find a chalk spray paint that’s better than Rust-Oleum Chalked Spray Paint.

Like most of the other spray paints on this list, it comes in a 12 oz aerosol can. However, this one is just for indoor use.

It’s another oil-based spray paint, and I’ve found its distinct grey color and matte sheen make it great for older materials, especially wood.

And in most cases, just one coat is all you’ll need to create a durable finish.

But if you want multiple light coats, you’ll have to afford an hour of drying time between each coat. It may be dry-to-touch in just 20 minutes, but you’ll have to wait a full hour before putting more down.

As far as the topcoat is concerned, this should get 24 hours of drying time before you start using the surface as normal.

It adheres well to virtually any surface, so long as primer is used beforehand to help the paint stick.

And I love that—if you want to add a sealer coat of polyurethane or something else—you can sand this paint without diminishing its visual appeal or strength.

Finally, since it’s a Rust-Oleum product, it’s backed by their satisfaction guarantee. Essentially, if you don’t like the results you get, and the paint was used as intended, you can get new paint or a full refund.

What I Liked:

• It’s great antique wood furniture spray paint because its color and sheen blend with old wood so well.
• It’s a one-coat paint for wood furniture, so the application process won’t take longer than a day.
• It’s sandable, so it can be protected by polyurethane or another varnish.
• It adheres well to different materials and lasts long no matter where it’s applied, so it’s cost-effective.

What I Didn’t Like:

• It can only be used indoors because it’s not as strong as other oil-based spray paints.
• It’s more toxic because it has a higher concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOC).

5. Krylon Premium Metallic Spray Paint – Best Metallic Spray Paint for Wood

Metallic spray paint can create a uniquely smooth and appealing finish when it’s applied to wood, and Krylon Premium Metallic Spray Paint is certainly no exception.

Another indoors-only spray paint, it resembles 18K gold and is ultra glossy, so it’s a great choice when you want to add a little opulence to a tired wood surface.

And since it can totally cover up the surface it’s applied to, it can be used on hardwoods and softwoods—no matter what color they are.

But what impresses me most is its consistency. You can get multiple cans and count on the same color from all of them.

Like other Krylon spray paints, it’s quick-drying; it’ll be dry to touch in 10 minutes and dry enough for recoating in two hours.

And since it comes in an 8 oz can, you only get about 15-20 sq ft of coverage, but that’s enough for most smaller painting projects.

Finally, it’s easy to remove if you make a mistake while applying; just use mineral spirits!

What I Liked:

• It’s an ultra-shiny finish, so it highlights ornamental wood well.
• Its color doesn’t blend with natural wood colors, so it’s easy to track your progress while spraying.
• It comes in a cylindrical can that’s tall yet slim, so it can be sprayed efficiently in tight spots.
• It makes wood surfaces look like real metal because it leaves a smooth, well-balanced finish.

What I Didn’t Like:

• It’s prone to fading, so keep it away from direct sunlight.
• You’ll need to apply multiple coats to get a darker shade, and this could take 48-72 hours.

6. Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Ultra Cover – Best for Dark Colors

It’s no secret that dark finishes work best on dark surfaces, but Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Ultra Cover—with its attractive matte black finish—takes surface enhancing to another level.

This 12 oz, aerosol spray paint can be used indoors and outdoors, and it’ll cover about 12 sq ft.

And since it’s oil-based, it works on metal, plastic, wood, laminate, stone, glass, and tile.

The can has a comfortable spray tip, and it’s actually one of the best I’ve used; you could empty the whole can without your finger getting tired.

Usually, 2-3 coats are applied, and it takes about 20 minutes for this spray paint to become dry-to-touch.

And don’t add another coat until the last one has had at least 2 hours of drying time. Also, don’t resume normal use of the surface until the finish has had 48 hours to cure.

To remove it from wood furniture, mineral spirits will do the trick.

Lastly, if you want more peace of mind during the application process—which is big for me—consider this product, as it’s backed by a pretty generous satisfaction guarantee.

What I Liked:

• Its matte finish helps to mask surface defects like dents and scratches.
• It’ll ensure you avoid roller and brush marks, and it’s dip-resistant thanks to its viscosity.
• It can be sprayed continuously for several minutes, thanks to its capacity and comfortable spray tip.
• It works on all kinds of materials, mainly because you don’t have to rough up the surface beforehand.

What I Didn’t Like:

• It can fade to a charcoal color if it’s exposed to UV rays day in and day out.
• It’ll need to be touched up once or twice a year to keep its rich, black color.

What to Consider When Buying Spray Paint for Wood

Durability

Durability is certainly an important factor to consider when browsing spray paints for wood furniture.

After all, if you get something that stays looking good for multiple years, that’ll be an attractive ROI.

A spray paint should, at the very least, protect wood from moisture, heat, and UV rays. While many spray paints are water resistant, you shouldn’t leave your wood exposed to continuous water.

Color & Appearance

Of course, what good is paint if it’s not visually appealing? But a spray paint shouldn’t just be easy on the eyes—it should also mask surface stains and defects.

And if the paint has a muted sheen, it’ll bring out the wood grain and other details better.

Adhesion

Most paints work best on bare wood. That said, many paints can be applied to any kind of surface, regardless of whether the surface was prepped or not.

Coverage

Coverage and price go hand in hand. Therefore, if a can of spray paint is affordable and able to coat dozens of square feet, it’s cost-effective as well.

Tips for Spray Painting Wood Furniture

Clean & Sand Beforehand

If you want spray paint to adhere well to a wooden surface, you need to clean and sand the surface before spraying. Warm, soapy water will do, and fine-grit sandpaper should be used.

But you don’t want to take off too much material—just rough up the surface.

Spray in a Continuous Motion

When spray painting wood furniture, it’s best to spray in a continuous motion until the furniture has been adequately coated. If you spray this way, achieving a smooth, uniform finish is so much easier.

If you’re spray painting indoors, be sure to use a drop cloth or drape of some sort to collect overspray. If it ends up getting on some wood you don’t want, check out these methods to remove spray paint from wood.

Go From Top to Bottom

If you spray paint wood furniture from top to bottom, you’ll have a much better chance of avoiding drips and runs.

Where you start spraying doesn’t matter as much when you’re spray painting horizontal surfaces, but you should still go from side to side, working your way up or down until the whole surface has been coated.

Wondering how to spray paint your wood furniture? Check out the video below!

Indoor vs Outdoor Spray Paint for Wood

Indoor spray paints aren’t designed to withstand sustained moisture and UV ray exposure, and that’s why they shouldn’t be used outdoors.

You can use outdoor spray paints on indoor wood surfaces, but this isn’t recommended since most of these outdoors-only spray paints have more VOC.

Final Thoughts

To recap, the best spray paint for wood is Krylon Fusion Spray Paint because it’s an all-around fantastic product that’ll stay looking great and holding strong for several years, and it’s easier to use and more affordable than spray paints of similar quality.

When an exceptionally durable spray paint for wood furniture is what you’re after, give Krylon ColorMaster Paint + Primer a shot, as it delivers superior protection against moisture, UV rays, and all the other elements that wear down surfaces.

And if you’ve got a limited budget to work with, you can’t go wrong with the affordable yet capable Rust-Oleum High Performance Enamel Spray Paint.