Best Spray Paint for Metal (6 Brands Tested for a Full Year)

After testing 6 top brands over the course of a year, I found the best spray paint for metal that gives you a durable, smooth finish for years to come.

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Spray paint has the uncanny ability to quickly and easily transform any DIY project from dingy to dreamy in a matter of minutes.

For that reason, spray paint is like the ultimate first date.  It always leaves a good first impression, but if you want a finish that’s still holding up and has your back for years down the road, you’ve got to pick the right brand for the job.

If you don’t choose a brand tough enough to handle sun, rain, and whatever else the outdoors throws at it, you might find yourself stuck with a peeling, rusty mess.

So, before you “walk down the aisle” of your local big-box store, know which brand will keep your finish in pristine condition for years to come.

And after a full year of testing, Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover came out as the clear winner.  Below, I’ll show you my best tips for a flawless finish and the winners for the best gold paint, metallic paint, black paint, clear coat, and more.

(As an Amazon affiliate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only use affiliate links on products I use and love. Please see my full disclosure HERE).

The Best Exterior Spray Paint for Metal

For such a versatile product for diy makeovers, I decided it was high time someone tested the best spray paint for metal surfaces.  To do this, I spray-painted  the top of a metal table with 6 different spray paint brands and let it sit outside in the elements for a year. 

Also, I spray-painted various metal furniture pieces in my yard with the different brands to see which held up the best.

If you are looking for a heavy-duty spray paint for metal, this post explains why the winner outperforms other brands and many of my own spray paint projects.

Can You Spray Paint Metal?

Spray paint is actually the best way to spray paint metal, because it gives you smooth, even coverage that makes your project look professionally powder-coated. 

Because metal is smooth, brush marks would be very noticeable.  Also, many metal items, such as outdoor furniture, yard art, and light fixtures, are intricately detailed.  Trying to paint these details with a brush would lead to lots of frustrating drips.

Spray paint also allows you to give surfaces a metallic sheen, and it is formulated specifically for metal, containing rust inhibitors and metal-bonding agents. Also, it dries fast, and there are dozens of color options.

The 6 Spray Paints I Tested to Find the Best Spray Paint for Metal

Krylon Fusion

Behr Premium Chalk

Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover

Rust-Oleum Universal Metallics

Magnolia Home

Rust-Oleum Chalked

The Best Spray Paint for Metal:  Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover

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Ratings:

Durability: 5/5

Coverage 4/5

Smoothness: 5/5

Color Match (to lid): 5/5

Price: 5/5

Color Options: 5/5

Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover Metal Spray Paint and Primer – The Overall Best Spray Paint for Metal

Rust-Oleum’s Ultra Cover Paint and Primer is an oil-based spray paint that comes in a wide variety of colors and 4 sheens. It also comes with an optional top dial so you can control the spray pattern.  These patterns include high output, standard, low output, vertical fan and horizontal fan.

What stood out most about Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover was its durability.  In all of my testing, it was the most durable product after the one-year mark, meaning that it withstands freezing temperatures, high heat, and rain better than the other products I tested.

Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover also held up incredibly well to sanding, showing that the paint bonds very well under extreme conditions.  This is especially important on outdoor furniture because cracks or peeling in the paint’s surface are a recipe for rust to penetrate the metal.

I also sprayed several pieces of metal furniture on my deck and backyard with the 6 brands, including a glider, a swing, metal obelisks, 2 chaise lounges and a table and chairs.  The metal table and chairs were sprayed with Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover, and they held up to the hot summer heat, reaching well into the 100’s both summers.

My experience is consistent with the results I have found in the past 20 years with my own DIY projects.  I have used several different spray paints, and Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover is the easiest to use because it’s forgiving.  Even when I spray on a coat that’s a little too heavy, it is unlikely to drip. 

I stopped using another brand altogether because it would often clog or the sprayer would malfunction.  That means that the entire can of unused spray paint would have to go in the trash.  This has happened only once with Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover after using at least 50 cans of the product.

Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover does well on detailed surfaces, allowing you to paint intricate details without drips. But what surprised me most was how well it performed on a flat surface. 

I recently spray-painted a metal side table with a flat top, knowing that I might not get the best finish, as spray paint often causes streaks on flat surfaces.

To my surprise, the newly painted surface looked perfect in semi-gloss almond with no streaks.  It looked so good that I ended up putting the table in my office instead of outdoors.

Where You Can Buy Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover:

Amazon

Walmart

The Home Depot

Lowe’s

Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover Review – Product Specs:

Base: Oil

Finish Options: Gloss, semi-gloss, satin or flat

Color Options: Over 150 Shades

Best Metallic Spray Paint for Metal

As far as metallic finishes overall, Rust-Oleum Universal Metallics will give you the most authentic look.  I recently used the Antique Pewter on plastic to get the look of galvanized metal on a water fountain.  I love the final result and how authentic it looks:

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Best Gold Spray Paint for Metal

When you want a warm gold finish, there’s one gold spray paint that is my go-to pick.  It is Rustoleum Metallic Finish in Gold, not to be confused with Rust-Oleum Universal Metallics Pure Gold, which is actually more of a champagne gold.  The Rust-Oleum Metallics below will give you a realistic gold finish on any surface every time.

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Take note that it comes in two can styles.  The one above and this can of spray paint are the exact same paint.

Best Clear Coat for Metal Surfaces

After experimenting with a few spray clear coats, I like the Rust-Oleum Matte Clear Coat because it does a great job of protecting any surface and it does a great job of not yellowing even in the sun.

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Best Black Spray Paint for Metal Outdoor Furniture      

Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover has a true black spray paint in matte, satin, semigloss and gloss.  But for outdoor furniture and trellises, I like to use the Rust-Oleum Metallics Oil-Rubbed Bronze or the Farmhouse Black.  

Both of these shades give your furniture a more refined, finished look and not the look of “I’ve just been spray painted.”             

Best Spray Paint for Metal in White

For white paint, you can’t go wrong with Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover.  It will give you a beautiful finish even on flat surfaces. 

Keep in mind that white will accentuate any details.  So for metal patio furniture with a lot of wear and tear, consider going with a darker color. 

Dark colors do a better job of hiding inconsistencies because they all just blend in together.  Black and other dark colors are great for hiding imperfections on outdoor furniture pieces.

Best Spray Paint for Metal Outdoor Furniture (Including Wrought Iron)         

You can’t go wrong with either Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover or Rust-Oleum Universal Metallics for patio furniture.  They both give you an amazing finish whether you want to go with a bold color choice, like Seaside, or something more traditional like Oil-Rubbed Bronze.

Best Spray Paint for a Metal Door

You can use any of the above products on a metal door,  but here’s another option you might not have considered.  Did you know that you can paint any metal or fiberglass door with a faux finish to imitate the look of real wood? 

I painted our back door in a faux finish a few years ago, and it looks just as good as the day I painted it:  How to Paint A Door to Look Like Wood   

 

Best Spray Paint for Metal Garden Furniture

I am a rose-aholic so my yard is full of trellises and obelisks to get the English garden look I love.  Rust-Oleum Metallics Oil-Rubbed Bronze or the Farmhouse Black are my two favorites for painting trellises and garden furniture.

How I Tested The Best Spray Paint for Metal Furniture

The true test of spray paint is how it handles the elements over time so I did my best to simulate this through two main experiments.

For the first experiment, I marked off several equal sections on a metal bistro table top with painter’s tape.  I then sprayed each section with a different spray paint brand, taking notes on which brands had the best coverage and their dry times.

I then let this table sit in the sun for an entire year in our backyard.  In Central TX, we get highs in the low 100’s and this year we had two freezes that were in the low 20’s.  We also had a significant amount of rain this spring so I feel safe saying that the spray painted finish was exposed to the elements.

After a year, I noticed which brands were peeling or faded.  Then, I took a sander and lightly sanded the surface to see which stood up against light abrasion.  Without a doubt, Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover Metal Spray Paint and Primer was the most durable spray paint for metal surfaces.

I also took various pieces of furniture in our backyard and spray painted them with the different brands of spray paint.  After a year, it was clear that the set sprayed in Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover held up the best while some of the competitor brands were already peeling.

How to Spray Paint Metal Without Runs 

Step 1:  Clean Your Metal Furniture

Clean your patio furniture by removing any peeling or chipping paint with a wire brush or putty knife.  You are not removing all of the old finish, just any loose paint that is actively peeling.   If your furniture piece is in good shape and the old paint isn’t peeling, you can skip this step.

Now, give your patio furniture a quick wipe-down with a cleaner and scrub brush.  Spray it down with a hose and let it dry.

A WORD ABOUT RUST – Every can of Rust-Oleum spray paint says “Rust-Oleum Stops Rust,” and that’s true in that it prevents rust from forming but if your metal furniture has any active rust, you need to spray it with this Rust Reformer.  This product inactivates the rust and encapsulates it.

Simply spray it on before your first coat of paint according to the instructions.

Step 2: Prep Your Spray Painting Area

Be sure to spray your furniture in a well-ventilated area and never in an enclosed garage.  Keep in mind that the spray paint particles will easily spread and stick to anything within 6 feet. (Ask me how I know!) 

So, put down drop cloths around your outdoor space and work area.  Be careful to cover any concrete in the vicinity. 

For this reason, I like to spray most things in my grass on a piece of plywood.

Step 3: Spray Paint Your Outdoor Furniture

There’s one key to getting a smooth even finish – thin coats!  A little paint spread over a surface in thin coats will give you a super smooth finish on any surface. 

On your first coat, you will be tempted to get full coverage, but resist the temptation!  Most of the original color will start to disappear on the second coat. 

Do one coat, then wait 15 minutes and then do the next coat.  Repeat this spray and wait process until you get full coverage.

Expect to paint on three coats of paint or until you get full coverage.  All coats need to be sprayed within 1 hour or after 48 hours of your last coat. 

This process has worked beautifully to give me so many spray-painted outdoor furniture items that look like new!           

Related Posts to the Best Spray Paints for Metal

·  How to Spray Paint Wood Furniture

·  The Best Way to Spray Paint Furniture and Home Decor

·  The Easy Way to Turn Acrylic Paint into Fabric Paint

·  How to Restore Outdoor Furniture with Spray Paint (Chaise Lounge Reveal)

·  How to Paint Wrought Iron Furniture (Metal Glider Reveal)

·  How to Build a Farmhouse Table (Easy Beginner Project!)

·  How to Spray Paint Patio Furniture Easily (Table and Chairs Reveal)

·  How to Spray Paint Door Knobs So They Last!

·  The Cheapest Ways to Make Light Fixture Updates with Spray Paint

Final Thoughts on the Best Spray Paint for Metal Outdoor Furniture

It’s amazing what a new coat of paint can do to an old lifeless piece of patio furniture.  But it doesn’t matter how great your next project looks if the new finish doesn’t hold up to harsh weather conditions.  In this post, I explain the best kind of paint for old furniture and my top choices based on evaluating each kind on my own outdoor metal furniture.  Now that you know the perfect paint to get you the best results, you can be confident that the new fresh look of your outdoor projects will hold up for years to come!

I love to hear your thoughts and questions!  Scroll down to leave a comment and I WILL reply! ❤️

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

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