Have you ever watched a professional painter achieve that flawless, smooth finish and wondered how they did it? Achieving that perfect coat often comes down to one crucial element: choosing the right paint for your spray gun. It sounds simple, but picking the wrong type of paint can lead to clogs, uneven spraying, and a final result that looks messy instead of magnificent.
The world of spray gun paints is vast, filled with terms like viscosity, solvent-based, and water-based. If you grab the wrong can, you might waste time, money, and end up with a frustrating mess. Many DIYers and even seasoned pros get stuck trying to match the paint type to their specific gun and project needs. This confusion stops you from getting the professional look you want.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what kinds of paint work best with your spray equipment, how to thin them correctly, and what to look for when buying. By the end of this post, you will confidently select the perfect paint for any job, ensuring a smooth, beautiful finish every single time.
Top Paint For Spray Gun Recommendations
No. 1
HOMY ARTY Airbrush Paint - 30 Colors with 3 Thinner, Ready to Spray Airbrush Paint Set, Water-Based Acrylic Air Brush Paints for Metal, Plastic Models, Canvas, Wood - 33 Bottles
- Airbrush Paint Set: HOMY ARTY air brush paint set contains 33 bottles: including 19 vivid common colors, 6 fluorescent colors, 5 metallic colors, also comes with 3 airbrush thinner. Total is 22.11 fl oz. A variety of water based spray paint will meet most of your painting needs without mixing process
- Ready to Spray: Airbrush paints come with high quality air brush flow characteristics and proper ratios,matched well with your airbrush with a smooth consistency and won’t clog it up. 3 airbrush thinner to improve color flow through small airbrushes, also make our colors get the desired density for fine details
- Clean Easily: Our acrylic airbrush paint is water-based and easy to clean with water and soap. The 3 airbrush thinner help you minimize paint accumulation. Extend the life of your airbrush by always keeping nozzle clean before and after use. The paint is waterproof after drying
- Versatile Use: This acrylic airbrush paints great for Artists, Beginners. getting permanent results on paper, shoes, canvas, wood, fabric, leather, plastic, metal, ceramics, model and most mixed media and textile surfaces etc.
- Tips: Pigmentation is normal. Please shake the air brush paint well before use. Recommended to add 1-2 drops of thinner to 10 drops of paint if the airflow of the compressor is below 20 L/min. Airbrush paint can be spray out directly when the airflow of the compressor is 20-23 L/min
No. 2
ESRICH Airbrush Paint 26 Colors (1 oz) with 2 Thinner,Air Brush Painting Set Acrylic Ready to Spray, Air Brushes Paint,Water-Based Airbrush Paint Set for Metal,Plastic,Canvas,Wood,Air brush Paint Kit
- 【Variety Colors】: Our airbrush paint kit has 26 vivid colors and 2 bottles airbrush thinner. Contain 20 classic common colors , 2 metallic colors，4 fluorescent colors, each bottle 30ml. Ultra rich colors to meet your extensive painting needs, while also allowing you to DIY as you please . Perfect as a starter airbrush kit.
- 【High quality airbrush paint】：The airbrush paint sets are made with high quality pigment. No need to worry about toxicity with our airbrush paints. They are safe, non-toxic. Shake well the paint before use, a little precipitation does not affect the effectiveness. Cover the bottle well after use to avoid drying.
- 【Wide application】：The airbrush paint is designed for most mixed media and textile surfaces with high adhesion. Achieve amazing effect on paper, canvas, models, wood, fabric, leather, plastic, metal, ceramics and more.
- 【Easy to use】：The airbrush color has fantastic flow properties, matched well with your airbrush with a smooth consistency and won’t clog it up. Our acrylic airbrush paint is water-based and easy to clean.
- 【Excellent gift】：This acrylic airbrush paints great for both beginners like students and professionals like artists. No matter you have any questions in the purchases, do not hesitate to contact us. We will do our best to help you.
No. 3
FansArriche Airbrush Paint, 44 Colors with 6 Thinners Acrylic Air Brush Paint Set, Ready to Spray Water-Based Opaque & Neon & Iridescent Acrylic Paint for Beginners, Artists, 20 ml/Bottle
- Airbrush Paint Kit: The airbrush paint set includes 44 colors, including 24 classic colors, 6 neon colors (which glow under UV light), 6 metallic colors, and 8 Iridescent colors. Each bottle contains 20 ml of paint, providing a large capacity for your DIY projects. The water-based spray paint is versatile and can fulfill your various color needs
- 【Ready to Spray】Airbrush paints set is ready to spray, easy to use. Each air brush color has wonderful air brush flow characteristics. You can easily control the dosage when DIY your projects with our airbrush kit. Airbrush paint mixes easily, dispenses well, it may be too thick for airbrush use straight from the vials. Air brush paint works nicely on paper, not mottling. It may needs to be thinned for a typical airbrush application
- 【Wide application】Air brush paints has vivid colors and is water-proof after dried, better for permanent results on model, paper, shoes, canvas, wood, fabric, leather, plastic, metal, glass, clay, rock, stone, ceramics and most mixed media and textile surfaces
- 【Easy to Clean】Our air brush paint kit is water-based and easy to clean with water and soap before dried. You can clean it easily. Please clean the nozzle before and after use
- 【Note】It is normal for the pigment to precipitate. Please shake it before use, remove the leak proof aluminum film before use. The airbrush paint can't spray out when the air pressure of the compressor is small. If you have any question about our air brush paint, please contact us in time, we will do our best to help you
No. 4
Airbrush Paint, ARTME 42 Colors with 3 Thinner, Ready to Spray, Opaque & Water Based Acrylic Airbrush Paint Set Including Metallic & Neon Colors, Premium Air brush Paints for Metal, Models, Plastic, Canvas, and Wood
- AIRBRUSH PAINT SET: ARTME airbrush paint kit has 42 vivid colors: 29 classic opaque colors, 5 Neon Colors, 8 Metallic colors and 3 Thinner. Perfect as a rich color airbrush paint set, totally meets most of your painting needs with brilliant visual color results. Each bottle is 20 ml/0.7 fl oz.
- HIGH-QUALITY PAINT: Our airbrush paints are made with high-quality pigment, it's non-toxic, waterproof, quick-drying, no fade, and with excellent flow, won't block your precious airbrush. Our acrylic airbrush paint is water-based, it’s easy to clean up your airbrush with water and soap.
- READY TO SPRAY: ARTME airbrush paint uses a better formula with proper ratio. Every color has wonderful airbrush flow characteristics. You can use the paints directly, they can match well with your airbrush with a smooth consistency and won’t clog it up. Airbrush thinner can improve color flow through small airbrushes.
- MULTI-USAGE: ARTME acrylic airbrush paints are designed for permanent results on most mixed-media & textile surfaces. Achieve beautiful results on paper, canvas, model, wood, fabric, leather, plastics, metals, ceramic, and so on. It’s perfect for artists, hobbyist, and DIY enthusiasts.
- USING TIPS: It's normal for the paint to have slight sedimentation. Remember to shake the paint well before use to ensure a consistent texture. Recommended to add 1-2 drops of the included thinner to 10 drops of paint if the air flow of the compressor is below 20 L/min. (When the air flow above 20 L/min no need thinning)
No. 5
Safeworld Instant Aerosol Trigger Handle Can-Gun, Converts Spray Cans to Spray Guns, Full Hand Grip, Reusable, Easy Clip-On/Off, and Universal Fit for Paint, Adhesives, and Lubricants (2- Pack)
- Effortless Spray Control: Full-grip E-Z pull trigger provides precise spray control and flawless streak-free finishes while ensuring, more comfortable spraying for extended projects.
- Universal Fit: The Future Lock attachment system ensures quick and secure attachment to all standard aerosol spray cans, making it compatible with most of spray cans and ergonomic design: Patented handle and trigger minimize wrist strain and hand and finger fatigue, featuring a neutral wrist angle for enhanced comfort, control, and spraying accuracy.
- Sustainable Material: Constructed with at least 80% recycled plastic, this durable and reusable spray tool is built to last, reducing waste and offering long-term value.
- Enhanced Spraying Performance: Optimized design offers better control, balance, and smoother finishes, making it perfect for both DIY enthusiasts and professional projects.
- Made in the USA: Proudly crafted in the USA with a user-focused design, offering a smoother finish, better control, and optimized spraying accuracy for professional results.
No. 6
Airbrush Paint - 54 Colors with 2 Airbrush Thinners, Ready to Spray Air Brush Painting Set, Water Based Acrylic Paint for Model, Car, Metal, Fabric, Artists Beginners 4 Types of Colors
- RICH IN COLORS - This airbrush paint set features 54 carefully selected colors to meet your diverse creative needs. Specifically, 37 classic shades cater to your everyday painting requirements, 6 fluorescent shades deliver eye-catching visual effects, 5 iridescent shades provide a delicate, translucent shimmer, and 4 metallic shades create a sophisticated, high-quality metallic sheen. Each color of our acrylic paint boasts high pigmentation, ensuring vibrant hues, strong coverage, and excellent fade resistance—all to make your artwork stand out.
- SAFE & NON-TOXIC - Our spray paints for airbrush are water-based, eco-friendly, and free from organic solvents and harsh odors. No pre-treatment is needed—they’re ready to spray directly from the bottle. Once dry, the water-based formula delivers waterproof protection and long-lasting color retention. This set also includes two bottles of airbrush thinner, which lets you adjust the paint’s fluidity and consistency to effectively prevent clogs.
- EASY TO USE - Before using the fabric spray paint, shake each bottle thoroughly. For first-time use, remove the cap and peel off the leak-proof aluminum foil seal. Pour the spray paint for plastic into your airbrush, and add the included thinner as needed to adjust consistency. After use, clean the airbrush with the provided cleaning brush—this ensures smooth operation for your next use. With simple steps like these, it’s incredibly easy to use, making it perfect for beginners.
- VERSATILE APPLICATION - This versatile air brush painting set adheres seamlessly to a wide range of surfaces, including metal, plastic models, canvas, and wood. Whether you’re painting a model car, customizing metal jewelry, creating canvas art, or decorating wooden crafts, this model paint bonds securely to deliver a smooth, professional finish. It’s a must-have tool for hobbyists, crafters, and artists alike.
- TIPS FOR SUCCESS - When the airflow rate is above 20 CFM, the air brush paint can be sprayed directly. If the airflow rate is below 20 CFM, thinner should be added in a ratio of 1:0.1 or 1:0.2. Add acrylic paint thinner gradually until the acrylic spray paint has a milk-like fluidity, which is the best setting for spraying.
No. 7
VONFORN Paint Sprayer, 700W HVLP Spray Gun with Cleaning & Blowing Joints, 4 Nozzles and 3 Patterns, Easy to Clean, for Furniture, Cabinets, Fence, Walls, Door, Garden Chairs etc. VF803
- 【4 Nozzles & 3 Spray Patterns】VONFORN 700W paint sprayer equipped with 4 size nozzles(1mm,1.5mm,2mm, 3.0mm) for most painting projects, such as furniture, pickup, walls, doors, garden tables and chairs etc. Can be adjusted to 3 different spray patterns: horizontal, vertical and circular, so that it can be applied to a wide range of application scenarios
- 【Unique Blowing & Cleaning Functions】Before spraying, you can use the dust blowing joint with the paint sprayer to blow away the dust/debris on the surface to get a better surface spraying effect. After spraying, connect the cleaning connector to the faucet to clean the residual paint inside the pipe for easy cleaning
- 【Easy to Use & Clean】The paint sprayer can be easily assembled with no tools, even if you are a beginner, you can easily get started after reading the manual. It is very important to clean the paint sprayer thoroughly after use, it comes with a cleaning brush and a needle to clean paint left in the nozzle part
- 【Adjustable Flow Control】The amount of paint output can be controlled by adjusting the flow control knob to suit a wide variety of projects. According to different spraying effect requirements, reasonable control of paint flow can achieve better effect and avoid paint waste
- 【What You Will Get】1X Paint Sprayer, 4X Size Nozzles, 5 X Paint Filters, 1X Viscosity Cup , 1X Nozzle Cleaning Needle, 1X Cleaning Brush, 1X Dust blowing joint, 1X Clean connector, 1X Pot lid,1X User Manual. If you have any questions, please contact us via your order, you will get a reply in 18 hours, our technical team and after-sales team are always behind you
No. 8
Airbrush Paint 6 Colors, Ready to Spray Airbrush Paint Set, Water-Based Acrylic Air Brush Paints for Metal, Plastic Models, Canvas, Wood, 0.67 Fl Oz/20ml
- Airbrush Paint Set: EKOHERR air brush paint set contains 6 bottles. Total is 4.02 fl oz. A variety of water based spray paint will meet most of your painting needs without mixing process.
- Ready to Spray: Airbrush paints come with high quality air brush flow characteristics and proper ratios,matched well with your airbrush with a smooth consistency and won’t clog it up.
- Clean Easily: Our acrylic airbrush paint is water-based and easy to clean with water and soap. Extend the life of your airbrush by always keeping nozzle clean before and after use. The paint is waterproof after drying.
- Versatile Use: This acrylic airbrush paints great for Artists, Beginners and students. getting permanent results on paper, shoes, canvas, wood, fabric, leather, plastic, metal, ceramics, model and most mixed media and textile surfaces etc..
- Tips: Pigmentation is normal. Please shake the air brush paint well before use. Recommended to add 1-2 drops of thinner to 10 drops of paint if the airflow of the compressor is below 20 L/min. Airbrush paint can be spray out directly when the airflow of the compressor is 20-23 L/min.
Choosing the Right Paint for Your Spray Gun: A Buyer’s Guide
Picking the perfect paint for your spray gun makes a big difference in your project’s final look. Whether you paint cars, furniture, or walls, the right paint ensures a smooth, professional finish. This guide helps you choose wisely.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for spray gun paint, several features matter most. Look closely at these:
- Viscosity (Thickness): This is how thick the paint is. Spray gun paint must have the right thickness to spray evenly. Too thick, and it clogs the gun. Too thin, and it runs and drips. Check the label for recommended thinning ratios.
- Coverage Rate: This tells you how much area one can of paint covers. Good coverage means fewer coats are needed, saving you time and money.
- Drying Time: How fast does the paint dry? Fast-drying paints let you apply multiple coats quickly. Slower drying paints might give a smoother finish but take longer overall.
- Finish Type: Do you want a shiny, glossy look or a flat, matte appearance? Choose the finish that matches your project goal (e.g., high-gloss for cars, satin for cabinets).
Important Materials and Types of Paint
Paints come from different base materials. Understanding these helps you select the best fit for durability and appearance.
Common Paint Bases:
- Water-Based (Latex/Acrylic): These are easy to clean up—just use soap and water! They smell less strong. They are great for walls and general household items.
- Oil-Based (Alkyd): These paints offer a very hard, durable finish. They stick well to many surfaces. However, they require mineral spirits for cleanup and release stronger fumes. They are excellent for things needing tough protection.
- Lacquer: Lacquers dry extremely fast and create a very hard, shiny surface. They are often used in auto body work. Be careful; lacquers can sometimes melt or react poorly with older paint layers underneath.
Important Note: Always check if the paint needs special thinners or reducers compatible with your spray gun type (HVLP, conventional, etc.).
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of your final paint job depends on more than just the can label.
Quality Boosters:
- Primer Use: Applying the correct primer first makes the topcoat stick better and look richer. Good adhesion is vital for longevity.
- Temperature Control: Applying paint in the right temperature range (usually 65–75°F) helps the paint flow correctly before it dries.
- Proper Thinning: Following the manufacturer’s instructions for thinning ensures the paint atomizes (breaks into fine droplets) perfectly in the spray gun.
Quality Reducers:
- Contamination: Dust, dirt, or oil on the surface ruins the finish. The surface must be clean before painting.
- Improper Mixing: If you do not stir or shake the paint thoroughly, pigments separate. This results in uneven color and poor coverage when sprayed.
- Spraying Too Close/Far: Holding the gun too close causes drips; holding it too far causes a dry, rough texture known as “overspray.”
User Experience and Use Cases
Your experience changes based on what you are painting and your skill level.
Beginner Users:
Beginners often find water-based acrylics easiest. They offer forgiveness; if you make a mistake, cleanup is simple. Use these for furniture or basic craft projects.
Advanced Users:
Those with more experience often choose lacquers or high-solids urethanes for automotive or professional woodworking projects. These materials provide superior depth and protection but require excellent ventilation and careful handling.
Remember, practice helps! Even the best paint looks bad if the technique is poor. Always test your spray pattern on cardboard before hitting your main project.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Spray Gun Paint
Q: Can I use regular house paint in a spray gun?
A: Usually, no. House paint is often too thick. You must thin it significantly. Check the paint instructions for spray application recommendations before trying.
Q: What is “atomization”?
A: Atomization is when the spray gun turns the liquid paint into a very fine mist of tiny droplets. Good atomization creates a smooth finish.
Q: Do I need special thinners for every paint type?
A: Yes. Water-based paints use water or specific additives. Oil-based paints use mineral spirits or specialized reducers. Never mix thinner types.
Q: How do I know if my paint is too thick?
A: If the paint looks stringy coming out of the cup or gun, or if it doesn’t flow smoothly when you test it, it is likely too thick and needs more thinner.
Q: Is paint for a roller the same as paint for a spray gun?
A: No. Paint made for rollers often contains thickeners to help it cling to the roller nap. These thickeners clog spray guns easily.
Q: What does “Pot Life” mean for two-part paints?
A: Two-part paints (like some urethanes) require mixing a catalyst or hardener into the base paint. Pot life is the short time window you have to use the paint after mixing before it starts to harden in the cup.
Q: How does humidity affect spray painting?
A: High humidity slows down drying time and can cause “blushing,” where the finish looks cloudy or milky, especially with lacquers.
Q: Should I strain my paint before putting it in the gun?
A: Absolutely. Straining removes any small lumps or dried bits left over from manufacturing. This prevents clogs and improves the final smoothness.
Q: Which paint type is the most durable for outdoor furniture?
A: Oil-based enamels or high-quality exterior acrylics often provide the best long-term durability and weather resistance when properly applied.
Q: How should I store leftover spray gun paint?
A: Seal the can tightly. Store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. If you thinned the paint in a separate cup, you must discard it quickly, as it usually cannot be saved.