Best Paint For Spraying Furniture

Looking for the best paint for spraying furniture? You’ve come to the right place! Spraying furniture is a great way to give old and worn pieces an updated look. But the success of your project depends largely on using the right types of paint for furniture.

With so many kinds available, it can be hard to know which one is best for you and your project. That’s why I’m here to provide you with an overview of some of the best options when it comes to spraying furniture.

When it comes to furniture, the type of paint you use can make all the difference. The right kind will not only give your project an attractive finish but also make sure that it lasts for years to come. However, with so many different types available, finding the best one for spraying furniture can be a challenge.

Fortunately, there are several options that work great when sprayed onto furniture surfaces. While sprayers can be used to apply almost any type of paint, some are better suited than others and can result in a smoother, more professional finish.

From chalk paint, Fusion Mineral to General Finishes and Heirloom Traditions Paints, this blog post will help you figure out which one’s right for you! Read on to learn more about some of the top rated options specifically for spray painting furniture.

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Tips for Using a Paint Sprayer

Some of the steps are the same.

First, no matter what paint you use or how old it is, use a paint filter to filter out any debris or dried particles before it goes into the sprayer. This will prevent your tool from getting clogged.

Use an electric HVLP sprayer for your furniture. You can easily adjust how much paint comes out and not deal with too much overspray. You will still have overspray, but not as much as other sprayers create.

If you’re new to this, we’ve got a complete guide for you on how to use a paint sprayer with more tips and tricks.

Here is our list of the best HVLP paint sprayers for furniture and the best electric paint sprayer to help you decide what is right for you.

Most of the time, you can leave your paint in between coats, as long as it doesn’t sit overnight. Chalk, mineral, and acrylic paints are still pretty easy to clean up 24 hours later. Here’s more on “Can I leave paint in a sprayer between coats?”

But, some options like Heirloom Traditions Paint and Emerald Urethane are harder to clean up after 8 hours or so. If in doubt, just clean it between coats. The Wagner sprayers are the easiest to clean out, by the way! Here is how to clean a Wagner FLEXiO sprayer for when that time comes.

Most paints need to be thinned out to create a beautiful texture free finish. How much it needs to be thinned out will depend on how thick it is and the sprayer’s capabilities. Check out our how to thin paint for a Wagner FLEXiO sprayer post to learn how I do it.

If you use a different sprayer, you might have to thin it out even more, which can compromise the paint. Check out my Wagner paint sprayer troubleshooting guide to help you out if you encounter any problems with your tool.

Last but not least, some of these need a topcoat. I recommend and use waterbased polyurethane for my topcoat 95% of the time because it is easy to use and very durable.

Here is how to spray polyurethane, and here is more information on the best topcoats for painting furniture if you are looking for other options.

Chalk Paint

Chalk paint is a fantastic option, known for how easy it is to use, especially for beginners, who will appreciate its forgiving nature. One of its key benefits is that it adheres to surfaces better than latex paint.

Check out our blog post about the truth about using chalk paint for furniture to learn more about its pros and cons.

But it honestly still requires prep first. Check out these 5 chalk paint problems and how to fix them blog post to see how to make your project turn out amazing instead of failing.

Spraying it is relatively simple. You need to thin it with a little water to get it to the right consistency for your sprayer, but once you’ve got that down, it’s smooth sailing. Here are the best paint sprayer for chalk paint you can use.

Note that it needs to be sealed with a topcoat, because, while it sticks well, it isn’t very durable on its own and can easily chip or scratch if not properly protected.

Here are some of our makeovers where we sprayed chalk paint onto the furniture. You can use these posts as a guide to help you with your projects:

• How To Spray Paint A Dresser With Chalk Paint
• Homemade Chalk Paint Dresser Makeover
• How To Paint Furniture With Chalk Paint
• Painting Furniture Navy Blue
• DIY Pink Dresser

Fusion Mineral Paint

When it comes to giving your pieces a new lease of life, Fusion Mineral Paint is a top notch option.

It is unique because it has built in topcoat, which means you don’t have to worry about sealing it after (though I like to topcoat it to give it a satin sheen). It’s a time saver and makes the whole process a lot more straightforward.

Check out my honest Fusion Mineral Paint review to learn more about the pros and cons, application, and my personal experience with it.

Using it in a sprayer is a breeze. You do need to thin it out by about 10%-15% to get a fine sprayed on finish. Learn more about spraying Fusion Mineral Paint in these posts where we used it on our furniture makeovers:

• Painting A Dresser
• Flat File Cabinet Makeover
• Stenciling Furniture
• Vintage Dresser Painted with Teal Furniture Paint
• Painted Hallway Cabinet Makeover

Paint Couture Paint

Paint Couture Paint is another fantastic option. It’s a high quality acrylic paint that is known for its smooth, self leveling properties, which make it even more ideal for use with a sprayer.

Thin it with about 10% water. But, just like with every paint, the exact amount that you thin it out depends on how thick it is and your sprayer as well.

The durability of Paint Couture is also worth noting. Once dry, it provides a tough, resistant finish that can withstand everyday wear and tear. Although it’s quite durable on its own, you can choose to apply a topcoat for added protection, especially for high traffic pieces like dressers, dining tables, or chairs.

If you’re considering these two options, here’s our comparison of acrylic paint vs chalk paint in terms of how easy they are to use, durability, coverage, finish, and more.

For some reason, I haven’t used it much, and I’m not sure why. It’s one of my favorites! Here are some of the tutorials we have shared about spraying Paint Couture Paint:

• Olive Green Painted Antique Buffet
• How To Paint Laminate Furniture With Olive Green Paint
• Mid Century Modern Farmhouse Dresser In Olive Green

General Finishes Milk Paint

General Finishes Milk Paint is a popular choice for furniture spraying projects and for good reason. It’s a premium option that delivers high quality results, making it a favorite among DIYers and professional painters.

One of its key features is how well it levels out, just like Paint Couture. It is nothing like traditional powdered milk paint and will not create a chippy finish.

When it comes to application, it is a dream to work with. Once again, thin it out with about 10%-15% water, depending on how thick the color is. But then it sprays evenly and levels out marvelously.

Plus, it has excellent adhesion properties, so it sticks very well to wood surfaces. Check out our General Finishes milk paint review to learn about its pros and cons and some application tips. Here’s everything you need to know about painting furniture with acrylic paint.

It dries to a low luster sheen that is gorgeous, but for an even more durable finish, especially for high use pieces, you’ll need a clear topcoat.

Here are our makeovers where we used General Finishes Milk Paint. Typically, we brush it on because it levels out so well! But spraying is much faster for large projects.

• How To Upcycle A Desk Into A Pair Of Nightstands
• Painting With General Finishes Milk Paint (with a brush)
• DIY Cedar Chest Makeover

General Finishes Enduro Poly

When the time comes to give your piece a fresh, durable painted finish, General Finishes Enduro Poly is a stellar choice. This waterbased product is designed to be tough and resistant, making it perfect for pieces that see a lot of use.

What makes Enduro Poly stand out is that it’s ready to use straight from the can, no thinning required. It’s a great time saver and simplifies the whole process. It dries very quickly and does not need to be topcoated, because it basically is a tinted topcoat.

Using Enduro Poly is a straightforward task. Just pour it into your sprayer and start applying it. It dries to a beautiful satin sheen, too! Just remember to prime your furniture before using it!

Here are some makeovers where we sprayed General Finishes Enduro Poly:

• Painting Oak Furniture Black
• Painting A Dresser White
• Painting A Desk Black
• How To Paint Furniture Black
• Painting a Dresser Black
• Painted Display Cabinet

Heirloom Traditions Paint

Heirloom Traditions Paint is a high quality option that’s perfect for breathing new life into your furniture. This is a favorite among DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike. It’s known for its superior adhesion and durability, making it a reliable choice for DIY projects.

One of the things that sets Heirloom Traditions apart is how well it sticks to any type of surface and how durable it is after only 48 hours. And when sprayed on, it creates a gorgeous satin finish without any texture.

Check out our Heirloom Traditions All In One paint review to learn more about how to use it and my personal experience with it.

Using it is a straightforward process. You’ll need to thin it with about 15% water. And you don’t have to topcoat it when you’re done!

Here are a few of our makeovers where we sprayed it. Check these posts out for more information on how to use Heirloom Traditions Paint:

• Painting Furniture Grey Without Sanding Or Priming (Yes, it works!!)
• Painting Furniture Black
• All In One Paint For Furniture
• Redoing End Tables

Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel

Now, Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel is a real game changer. This high quality option is a top pick among professionals and DIYers due to its exceptional durability and beautiful finish. Learn all about it in my honest Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel review here and this best Sherwin Williams paint for furniture post.

One of its standout features is that it is very durable and can be tinted to any color. Plus, it has excellent flow and leveling properties, which means it goes on smoothly without any texture left behind.

Using the Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel in a sprayer is a cinch. It will need to be thinned out with about 15% water, and then you don’t need to topcoat it at all. After about 30 days, it will be as durable as oil based paint. It also comes in a few different sheen options, so you get to decide what sheen you want!

Here are some of our makeovers using Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel! Check these out to learn how to use it on your own projects:

• How To Paint Over Oil Based Paint
• My Husband’s First Furniture Makeover
• Painting Furniture White
• DIY Modern Grey Dresser

How to Clean Furniture Paint Sprayer

Keeping your tool in top shape is easy if you follow a simple cleaning routine. After using, pour out any leftover paint. Don’t leave it sitting in the container because it’ll just dry up and be a pain to remove later. Get answers to “How long can you leave paint in a Wagner sprayer?” here.

Then, take apart the removable parts to make cleaning easier – here’s how to take apart a Wagner paint sprayer if you have this model.

Now, cleaning depends on the kind of paint you used. If it’s waterbased, you’re in luck because warm, soapy water will do the trick. For oil based, grab some mineral spirits instead. Learn more about what to use to clean paint sprayer in this post.

Clean the container and the disassembled parts thoroughly. You should also run the cleaning solution through the spray gun until it comes out clean. Then, rinse everything with water and let it dry completely before reassembling and storing it away.

Get more detailed tips from our guides on how to clean a Wagner paint sprayer and how to clean a Wagner FLEXiO sprayer.

To sum up, there are a lot of best paint for sprayer options. Each one has its own unique features and benefits that make it ideal for certain projects.

If you’re looking for something with superior adhesion or just want an easy to use product, each one on this list offers something special. We hope this article gave you the information you need in order to choose the right one for your next project!

more Painting Furniture Tips

• Best Paint for Laminate Furniture
• 10 Best Painted Furniture Colors
• Best Paint for Furniture Without Sanding
• Best Black Paint For Furniture
• Best Acrylic Paint for Furniture

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