Looking to update an item in your home fast and inexpensive? Consider a spray paint diy project! It’s a fun, fast and cheap way to update almost anything. It can take any item from ”eh” to “WOW” in an hour and for less than $7.

So many uses, so much entertainment, so many memories. Strangely this commodity is locked up along with the likes of razor blades, pseudoephedrine, cigarettes and alcohol. It’s got street value, so you know it’s good. Spray paint diy projects are unrivaled.

SHAKE WELL

When I was a kid, the most intriguing thing about spray paint was the ball inside. I really wanted that ball. The clackety clack sound piqued my curiosity. It was like a puzzle. How to get the ball out of the can? Of course my father, ever the opportunist, jumped right on this. He told me to continually shake it and the ball would eventually combust. I didn’t realize he just wanted the spray paint mixed well. I awaited many a ball to combust while my hands and arms cramped from fatigue. 

MAGIC IN A CAN

My brother and I had formidable projects using spray paint. How to cover 10″ paper mache sphere to look like Earth? Blue spray paint! Wooden blocks, styrofoam eggs, and cardboard boxes could transform into doll furniture, Easter eggs and imaginary appliances with the right colors. Of course, we never got to do any of the actual spraying. Our talent was reserved for shaking. My father got to spray. He was very good. He lettered in high school. He may have gotten a scholarship, if not for that unfortunate clogged spout incident during the State Championship

One year, he painted a basketball backboard with stars and arrows pointing into the hoop. Using stencils and red, white and blue paints, he made a fun sport even more exciting. Did I mention the year was 1976 and everything had been Americana themed leading up to it? Our house stood out. Nonetheless I marveled at that backboard and how cool it looked. And every neighborhood kid hung out at our house, looking on with envy.

PROMOTED TO SPRAYER

Today I still use spray paint. But I do more than shake now. I’m also an excellent sprayer. Thin light coats is the trick. Too heavy and the paint runs. Too often and the paint will remain forever tacky. I painted a plain white tabletop fan lavender and it’s gorgeous. Fun paint took it from functional to decorative.

SPRAY PAINT DIY EXAMPLES

My next project was wooden furniture. I finished a cheap DVD cabinet to match the dark colors in my family room.  It doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb any longer. What was likely going to be curb trash, was transformed into functional piece of furniture that blended with the rest of the room for the cost of a can of spray paint.

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I recently changed my bathroom decor from seafoam green to yellow. I wanted to brighten the room with sunnier colors. I replaced towels and rugs but saved myself the expense of replacing all accessories. I emptied everything, taped off the metal parts and sprayed away. I loved the result as much as the money I saved.

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In the spirit of the yellow theme makeover, I wanted to keep my pricey pale green lamps but somehow match them to my bedroom. I began with spray paint that had a sea glass effect. It didn’t cover very well so I had to let that dream go after 2 cans. I opted for an opaque yellow and it covered really, really well. Even though it wasn’t the pearlized look I originally wanted, I still loved the new color. The lamps shades didn’t have the same impressive effect because the moroccan pattern wasn’t as forgiving with spray paint. But with several coats, the coverage was sufficient.

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What’s next?  Something playful with an old chest of drawers.  Or a bookshelf. I’ve always wanted an orange tabby. Here kitty kitty…

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What are your spray paint fun experiences? Do you feel the same rush of paint transformation that I do?

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