Unlocking The: How Long Does Spray Paint Last
Spray paint is a quick solution to hide any rusty place on the car to get a higher gloss finish compared to regular paint and many other adjectives we have for it. Also, spray paint is useful for refurbishing furniture. However, I often get out of the spray can rather quickly than my expectations, or I fail to paint all the colors stored in the can. According to cleaning and spray specialist Andrea Jean, a well-known content creator, “We often put the cap on a spray can after finishing the spray. It clogs up the spray inside the nozzle, and the air gets trapped inside. So Andrea suggests holding the can upside down, putting a simple pressure on the can, and all the air will be cleared through the spray hole.” [1]
So now you know why doesn’t your spray paint last long, but do you know how long does spray paint last? Here, I researched for all spray lovers about different spray can’s expiration and many more. Let’s dive into the information now.
How Does a Spray Can Work?
Spray paint cans are similar to hairspray, spray deodorant, and insecticides; they use aerosol to dispense paint into a fine mist. Normally, an aerosol can have four things, a container, a trigger, a nozzle and a hose. So when the pressure is applied to the trigger, the paint is pushed through the straw because of the propellant and comes out through the nozzle.
What’s Inside the Spray Can?
To understand how long a spray paint lasts in a can, first, you must understand the chemical composition of spray paint. A few terms include pigments, solvents, propellants and blinders in a paint spray can.
Pigments
It helps to provide color and opacity to the spray paint. But pigments often affect viscosity. The improper dispersal may agglomerate the pigments, and they settle at the bottom of the spray can. This is one of the reasons pigments are not able to be sprayed out. [2]
Solvents
Solvents are ingredients that carry the rest of the pigments. Water is a good solvent, but it doesn’t dry quickly and may cause rust on metal. That’s why every paint spray contains a non-aqueous solvent.
Some solvents may have a negative effect on pigment dispersion. Thus the paint doesn’t come out through the nozzle perfectly. [3]
Propellants
We use them to spray out the color through nozzles. Propellants are gasses that come out through the nozzle when we press the valve. Most of the aerosol propellants are turned into the liquid inside the steel or aluminum can. Nowadays, Paint spray companies are using HFCs (hydroelectrically) as the propellant, though it reacts with other chemicals and is not stable. So, propellants may degrade and the spray won’t come out. [4]
Spray Paint’s Expiration
How long does a can of spray paint last?
It depends on the spray paint you are using. Every spray paint has a shelf life of 2-5 years. But the actual lifespan depends on the brands. Because good brands know the proper pigments, solvents and propellant’s combinations, and they do much research to make spray paint last longer.
Expiration for Sealed Can: Normally, the sealed spray can may have a shelf life of 2-5 years; however, some brands offer a 10-15 years shelf life. But definitely, they have a shelf life.
Expiration for Unsealed Can: If your spray paint expires four years, opening the lip and spray may make the lifespan half. So the remaining life span will be two years. But it depends on the environmental factors.
Environment Factors that don’t Allows Spray Paint Can Last Longer
The longevity of a paint spray can depend on some environmental factors. Exposing the unsealed or sealed can to those factors may shorten the lifespan of spray paint.
Extreme Temperature
Every paint spray can have instructions about the storage temperature. The temperature is quite good for where you are living. But if you are in freezing conditions or in a hot temperature like 120 degrees Fahrenheit, then the pigments may get separated from solvents. You’ll see the clear liquid is coming out from the nozzle.
Low Aerosol Pressure
A limited aerosol pressure is stored for your spray paint inside the can. The more you will spray, the more the aerosol pressure will go low. But the brands normally ensure adequate HFC liquid gas for better spraying.
Not Shaking the Spray Can
Another reason the spray paint gets separated with solvent. It happens if you keep the can in position for over the years. So you should shake the unopened spray can.
Dry Time for Different Spray Paints
As we use different spray paints for different surfaces, like cars, metal, wood, walls etc, they take different times to get dried. Here. I’ll show you how long spray paint take to dry for different spray paints.
| Types of Spray Paint | Objectives | Dry Time |
| Lacquer | Durable and suitable for harsh weather like too much moisture and hard snow. | It gives the surface a dry feeling within 3-5 minutes, however it takes 3 hours to dry up properly. |
| Epoxy | This Spray paint is easy to clean and apply. It uses epoxy resin and hardener to create a stronger finish. | It dries to touch within 2-4 hours. But we should wait 24 hours before touching. |
| Enamel | Typically an oil based spray paint. Suitable for outdoor projects and high traffic areas. | It gets dried within thirty minutes, but another layer of spray paint is required, so overall it takes 8 hours to dry. |
How Long Does Spray Paint Last on a Car
The average car spray paint lasts 3-5 years; on average, it means the color doesn’t show any wear and tear anytime soon. But proper maintenance and spraying on the faded area can extend the spray paint’s last.
SVT Vasquez, at YouTube, recorded a video about his car after 7 months of spray paint. He said, “People said the paint is not going to last, but even after 7 months, his car looked brand new. Even after 3 years, you can easily understand that the color may fade a little, but nothing more will happen. [5]. Here, I have attached the video link, just watch it and get your trust on spray paint.
How Long Does Spray Paint Last on Metal
Spray paint on metal lasts longer due to some factors,
- Spray paint on metal lasts 8-10 years if the color coating is thin.
- You must store the spray paint in a cool and dry place instead of a hot and humid place.
- Metal type depends; the spray paint lasts longer on aluminum than steel.
- Also, the environment plays a role in spray paint lasting. High humid and hot weather areas don’t suit thick-coated spray painting.
FAQ
How long does spray paint last on concrete?
Spray paint on concrete walls has a similar lifeline to other paints. If you apply on a clean concrete surface, the paint will last at least 5 years.
How long does spray paint last after using it for a few times?
The Mausoleum spray paint lasts 4-7 years after opening it, but most of the spray paint cannot last that long after opening. Some spray cans will spray colors too, but the color will fade away soon. That’s why if you get a spray can, try to use it all.
Conclusion
Spray paint will last longer on any surface; if you use a primer, it helps to stick the color to the surface. Use a thick coat on the primer for the car, and wait 20 minutes before applying another coat. And for the final coating, using a brand you spray can is better.