35yoSeeking... gold spray paint

Word Count: 324

I’m pretty crafty—but I’m also pretty lazy about being crafty. I’m consistently drawn to low-investment (time and money), high-yield projects that offer more-or-less immediate gratification. For this reason, spray paint has become my medium of choice—specifically, gold or other metallic spray paint. When I first discovered metallic gold spray paint, my mom and I spent an afternoon going through our houses for anything and everything not bolted down that could use some sprucing up. Over the past few years, we have spray-painted furniture, frames, wall hangings, vases, and a variety of tchotchkes and miscellany. We have an absolute blast every time we pull out the drop-cloths in my parents’ basement. And for the cost of a few bucks and a fun afternoon together, we end up with a bunch of “like new” items to freshen up our living spaces. Now THAT’S immediate gratification!

We’ve also experimented with different brands of spray paint over the years, and we always come back to Krylon Metallics. And now Krylon has made all my spray paint dreams come true with a “gold leaf” metallic that is the best gold formulation I have ever seen. (And remember, there are no ads here—I buy and use this project myself and am IN LOVE.) You can use this stuff on almost any surface, and I rarely (if ever) use a primer first.

Now there is an art to spray painting successfully. My tips are the same as those you’ll find on the can or online. Always spray paint outside, and never in extreme temperatures (too hot or too cold). Shake the can well both before AND during use (in between sprays). Multiple thin coats are better than fewer thick ones. Let items dry to the touch before you handle them or turn them upside down. Let them dry completely before use. And always, always turn the can upside down and spray out the excess before storing. Happy crafting!