Perhaps one of the most frustrating things about living in a sunny area is the UV damage that occurs to items left outside naturally due to the sun’s rays. As a global problem, many people report damages to everything from patio furniture to yard decor, making for a pretty annoying issue that can really degrade the overall appearance of your home or work site. Fortunately, you have quite a few options to help remedy the situation or prevent it from happening in the first place! Let’s take a look at some of the best spray paint for UV protection and see if we can stop the sun damage before it ever gets the chance to start or work to undo the hands of time!
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Krylon K01305 Gallery Series Artist and Clear Coatings Aerosol
As one of the biggest names in color paints, Kryolan is an absolute powerhouse company that produces tons of amazing, high-quality paint products for a wide range of uses. This clear coating artist series paint is designed for use in galleries, where the paintings and pieces will be exposed to bright lights that could otherwise degrade the paint color and vibrancy of the picture over time. Additionally, it does not change the finish or damage the paints beneath and acts as a permanent bonding agent and sealant, keeping the paint protected for years to come.
The formula will not yellow and acts as a moisture-resistant coating, adding in extra protection and assurance to its user that the painting will not be damaged by the act of spraying it with this product. It is also fast-drying, becoming cured and non-sticky within minutes for a permanent, non-streaky finish that melds perfectly with most art styles.
Aside from artistic usages, you can also use this clear coating as a sealant for outdoor furniture and other items, as it is suitable for use on a wide range of textured surfaces, including glass, wood, and metal, making it a great universal sealant tool!
Pros:
- Use on Wide Range of Surfaces
- Permanent
- Good for Most Paints
Cons:
- Coating Is Not Buildable
- Not Great for Heavily Textured Paintings
- Not Suitable for Alcohol Inks
The Best Spray Paint for UV Protection
Since we now know what goes into choosing a good product that is the right fit for your project, let’s see if we can pick a product that will suit your needs perfectly.
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Krylon K01305 Gallery Series Artist and Clear Coatings Aerosol
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Spray Paint for UV Protection: Buyer’s Guide
What Is a Spray Paint with UV Protection
When the sun’s rays come in contact with paint, they can cause significant fading. This is something that cannot be helped. It happens naturally and can really damage painted outdoor pieces over time. Due to this issue, many spray paint manufacturers have opted to add UV protective elements to their paint to help delay or outright stop the prevalence of UV triggered fading and degradation.
How Does UV Protective Spray Paint Work
When considering the best spray paint for UV protection, you have to get into the science of how spray paint for UV protection products actually work. Understanding this is key in getting why it is so important to consider when finishing patio furniture or other outdoor elements, especially ones in brighter areas of your space.
UV protective spray paints work by preventing the UV rays from penetrating fully into the paint layers. This means it cannot get down inside of the paint and degrade it, resulting in it simply being absorbed then released as a different type of energy.
How Long Does UV Protective Paint Last?
Generally, most UV protective paints are permanent. This might be a bit shocking or outright unbelievable but due to the nature of the formulas, most protective paints act as a durable coating that will not come off. For cars, the UV paint or wax often must be reapplied due to the nature of their usage and contact with other things but for general spray paint, one processing is all that is necessary.
Is UV Protective Paint Harmful?
UV protective paint is not believed to be any more harmful to humans than traditional spray paint. This of course may not be true for all formulas but for the most popular, there are no additional concerns associated with contact with UV protective paint coated surfaces. Just use precautions as you would with regular spray paint or follow safety directions on the packaging if you are unsure of the safety of your specific product.
When you are looking for something that is to act as a protective coating, there are quite a few things you have to consider. First off, you want something that will actually do the job it claims to be able to. This is the overall goal but there are also some other things you need to consider when approaching selecting a good, long-lasting spray paint for UV protection purposes. Let’s explore what makes for a good UV protective spray paint and get a little closer to finding the perfect product for all of your protective spray needs.
Consider Your Materials
Perhaps one of the most important things to consider when purchasing a UV protection spray paint product is the material you are intending to use it on. Not all spray products are created equally and some may be too intensive for some materials. Others may do amazing for a surface like glass but provide little to no protection for metal or wood. Reading the product specifications is key to ensure you get the protection you need without potentially damaging the product underneath.
UV resistant spray paint products can be a bit finicky to use. Many brands make several different items to cater to different surfaces to ensure proper adhesion and protective capabilities. This means that using the incorrect product can really ruin the finish or appearance of a piece of art or furniture, resulting in a detrimental scenario to the overall integrity and enjoyability of the piece. Always check the labelling and make sure you are getting the right thing to prevent any potential mishaps!
Spray Paint Safety
As with any product, you have to be safe while using spray paints. Spray paint, especially, is a bit more dangerous since it is a pressurized aerosol that gives off fumes and is flammable. These factors make it potentially risky to use if you are not careful. While most people experience absolutely no issues using spray paint, there are some who are unlucky or careless, resulting in serious injury or property damage. Let’s go over the basic safety tips to ensure you know exactly how to handle most spray paint products!
The first and perhaps most important thing to keep in mind is that spray paint is flammable. Keep it away from the heat when using or storing to prevent accidental explosions or combustion. Additionally, avoid heat when spraying the product, as it is still very much flammable when in the air and can turn into a literal flamethrower. Never puncture or break a spray paint can, as it can explode due to the contents being under extreme pressure, even when empty.
Ventilation is key, as well. The fumes that come from a spray paint can be very harmful, so be sure to wear a mask and have proper ventilation available to help keep your airways clear. Inhaling too much can cause a lot of issues and can even be fatal. For this reason, it is recommended pregnant women and children do not use products like spray paint and anyone else use caution and treat the products carefully.
Lastly, spray paint is an irritant so be sure to keep it away from your eyes, nose, and skin. It can cause chemical burns and irritation, resulting in scarring and permanent damage. In the eyes, it has been known to cause blindness. Be sure to wear protective eye goggles when using the product, especially if using it outside, as wind and other factors can make the direction of the spraying unpredictable.
Check the Details
Aside from making sure you are safe and using a product suitable for your surface, you also need to check the details of your product, as well. Some products may have extra instructions or require a little more work aside from just spraying it on and letting it dry. Some UV protective spray paints, for example, request you keep the item out of direct light while it cures.
Other products recommend placing it in a cool, dry area to ensure no air bubbles form and no moisture gets under the sealant. Reading the extra information for your product can make a really big difference, especially with UV protection clear coat spray paint for metal and UV protection spray paint for plastic, as both of these can be a bit tricky.
Some brands tend to not cater to metal since it is prone to rust, which can degrade the finish of the final product. If they do include metal, it is often in products with a shiny or glossy finish, which is not optimal for a lot of outdoor furniture and similar items. Always check the labeling to ensure your metal UV protection spray paint product has a matte finish if you want to retain such a non-metallic or glossed coating on your items.
Plastic items, too, are subject to a glossy finish. Since plastic can be melted by certain chemicals, it is important to make sure you know what type of plastic you are looking to coat if your spray paint makes mention of any concerns around melting or eroding some surfaces. Plastic is not as durable as many other surfaces, meaning it may interact with the UV protection spray paint negatively, creating a chemical reaction that can destroy the item it is meant to protect.
Understanding exactly what your product of choice does and what you can expect from it is key in having a successful UV coating venture.
Now that we have discussed what to consider when buying a UV protection spray paint, let’s take a look at some of the best products you can find right now!
Manual of Spraying Poly Fiber Poly-Spray UV Protection is in this video:
Spray Paint for UV Protection: FAQs
Can You Use UV Spray Paint on Eyeglasses?
Can You Buy Buckets of UV Protective Paint?
Krylon K01305 Gallery Series Artist and Clear Coatings Aerosol
As a whole, if you want a product that will get the job done on a budget, this is a fantastic option. It provides a clear, comprehensive coating for a wide range of surfaces, including softer ones like silk, making it easy to protect a multitude of different projects and products. You cannot go wrong with this classic, high-quality, and affordable product. For the price, it simply cannot be beaten!
Conclusion
Clear-coating your products and projects to protect them against UV exposure and the elements is a good way to extend the usage of your purchases and art, keeping it around for years to come. These products will help you achieve this goal easily and affordably, providing you with the means to ensure you can count on these items for years to come! Regardless of which you pick, you are sure to receive a quality, easy to use product.
