The most durable spray paint for metal is the crucial element of many DIYs and home improvement projects, but it can be hard to find one that actually works. If you've been in the market for a while to find the right one for your projects, look no more.
To help you out, in this article we've put together a list of all the best spray paint for metal and a buying guide. Keep reading!
Here are the most durable spray paints for metal you can buy in 2025:
- Fast Drying (Matte Spray Paint): Rust-Oleum 245221
- Best For Bronze (Matte Spray Paint): Rust-Oleum 285093
- Fade Resistant (Matte Spray Paint): Seymour Paint 16-50
- Spray Paint & Primer (Gloss Spray Paint): Krylon K05505007
- Moisture Shedding (Gloss Spray Paint): POR-15 46318
- Evenly Spraying (Gloss Spray Paint): Samurai 2-Part Polyurethane Spray Paint
| 6 Most Durable Spray Paints For Metal | ||
|---|---|---|
Fast Drying | Rust-Oleum 245221
| |
Best For Bronze | Rust-Oleum 285093
| |
Fade Resistant | Seymour Paint 16-50
| |
Spray Paint & Primer | Krylon K05505007
| |
Moisture Shedding | POR-15 46318
| |
Evenly Spraying | Samurai 2-Part Polyurethane Spray Paint
| |
Fast Drying: Rust-Oleum 245221
- Dry in 30 minutes – advanced fast-drying formula
- Easy to apply on tight spots - 360° spray beam
- Expensive
In a hurry?
The Rust-Oleum 245221, by using an advanced fast-drying formula, dries in just 30 minutes. It always gets the job done faster than they could with any other paint so that you don't have to wait weeks for dry pigment to harden.
Rust-Oleum 245221 is an all-in-one paint and primer product to get the job done even faster and more efficiently.
With the decent UV protection and 360° spray beam, this product can be applied on any surface and any material you want, whether indoors or outdoors.
| Rust-Oleum 245221 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 11 oz. |
Coverage | up to 15 sq ft per can |
Dry Time | 30 minutes |
Highlight Features | advanced fast-drying formula 360° spray beam |
As one of the fastest drying spray paints for metal, the Rust-Oleum 245221 helps you accomplish your projects in less time.
Best For Bronze: Rust-Oleum 285093
- Leave a clear finish on the surface
- Excellent weather resistance and rust prevention - oil-based formula
- Superior coverage - a 360-degree spray tip
- It takes longer to dry
- Not heat-resistant
While helping touch up surface imperfections, the Rust-Oleum 285093 leaves a clear matte finish on bronze objects without losing their signature antique look.
This oil-based metal spray paint creates a durable protective finish with decent weather resistance and rust prevention. It also prevents chips, cracks, and peels effectively.
Offering superior coverage and featuring a 360-degree spray tip, the Rust-Oleum 285093 is ideal for use on a variety of exterior and interior surfaces.
| Rust-Oleum 285093 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 12 Oz |
Coverage | up to 15 sq. ft. |
Dry Time | 2 to 4 hours |
Highlight Features | Leave a clear finish on the surface oil-based formula a 360-degree spray tip |
For bronze objects, the Rust-Oleum 285093 is hard to beat.
Fade Resistant: Seymour Paint 16-50
- Decent fade resistance – high-solids content
- Safe - lead-free and VOC-compliant
- Best for most aluminum objects
- No complaint
The Seymour Paint 16-50 is a professional grade touchup paint that easily covers up scratches or abrasions on aluminum building structures.
From there, it offers unmatched performance across a wide range of climates - all at a fraction of the cost and with as little odor as possible. (This spray paint is proudly 100% lead-free and VOC-compliant for safety.)
Besides, it matches perfectly the color of most aluminum structures, except anodized aluminum.
But the best part is, its high-solids content resists fading for long lasting protection against scratches and abrasions.
| Seymour Paint 16-50 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 12 Ounces |
Highlight Features | high-solids content lead-free and VOC-compliant |
For people who are seeking the most durable and fade-resistant spray paint for metal, we highly recommend the Seymour Paint 16-50
Spray Paint & Primer: Krylon K05505007
- Easy to spray – big spray button
- Dry fast - fast-spraying formula
- Smell bad
The Krylon K05505007 is an excellent 2-in-1 spray paint and primer.
Offers superior coverage with rust protection, durability, and adhesion, this product can restore, refresh, and recolor any metal surface and any project, both indoor and outdoor.
And thanks to the fast-spraying formula, it bone-dries just twenty minutes or less after applying, meaning that you’ll accomplish your jobs faster and be more productive.
As a great plus, the easy-to-push spray button helps you spray in all directions, even upside down, without numbness.
| Krylon K05505007 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 12 oz. |
Coverage | 20 minutes |
Dry Time | up to 25 sq. feet. |
Highlight Features | big spray button fast-spraying formula |
The Krylon K05505007 is the best spray paint and primer product on the market to protect your metal surfaces from weather, rust, and corrosion.
Moisture Shedding: POR-15 46318
- Formulated to shed moisture
- Exceptional long-term sheen & color retention
- Simple to use – the direct-to-metal coating
- Big and heavy
- The paint is a little thin
The high-performance POR-15 46318 is specially formulated to form a permanent barrier that sheds moisture and resists UV light, making it perfect for all kinds of applications where long-term protection is needed.
This spray paint is also considered an industry standard for high performance protection against corrosion and rust.
It has exceptional long-term sheen and color retention, and dries to touch in 30-60 minutes.
Additionally, it provides excellent adhesion to be sprayed directly onto the bare surface or previously painted surfaces with no need for undercoat or primer.
| POR-15 46318 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 16 Fluid Ounces |
Dry Time | 30-60 minutes |
Highlight Features | Formulated to shed moisture the direct-to-metal coating |
Looking for the most durable metal spray paint with decent moisture shedding ability? Our suggestion is the POR-15 46318
Evenly Spraying: Samurai 2-Part Polyurethane Spray Paint
- Ideal for boat – the 2k spray paint for 100% UV protection
- Apply smoothly – high-quality nozzle
- Versatile – a wide range of color choices
- A bit pricey
Our testers love Samurai 2-Part Polyurethane Spray Paint because it applies evenly and provides great coverage with no run or sag.
With the decent rust resistance and UV protection ability compared to 1K paint, it is perfect for repairing and protecting yacht boats, sailboat hulls, and more. Durable polyurethane finish is easy to clean; won't fade, crack or peel.
It is also available in a variety of colors to match the color of your boat.
| Samurai 2-Part Polyurethane Spray Paint Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 11.3 Ounces |
Coverage | 10 to 12 ft² |
Dry Time | 30 minutes |
Highlight Features | the 2k spray paint for 100% UV protection high-quality nozzle a wide range of color choices |
Looking to add a pop of color to your boat? Or maybe you need to touch up some areas that are looking worn down. Whatever the case, you’ll love the Samurai 2-Part Polyurethane Spray Paint because of its adhesion, durability, and evenly spraying.
How To Choose The Most Durable Spray Paint For Metal?
Dry Time
There are a few things to consider when choosing the most durable spray paint for metal. The first is dry time.
The time it takes paint to dry can be affected by a number of factors, including the type of paint, the temperature and humidity, and the surface being painted. Some paints may take only a few minutes to dry while others may take several hours or even days.
The best way to know how long your paint will take to dry is to consult the manufacturer's instructions or ask the seller.
However, here are some general guidelines:
- Oil-based paints: These usually take about 6-8 hours to dry.
- Latex paints: These typically take about 2-4 hours to dry.
- Enamel paints: These can take anywhere from 12 hours to a few days to dry.
Type of Finish
There are three main types of finishes: glossy, semi-gloss, and matte. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks.
Glossy finishes are very durable and easy to clean, but they can show fingerprints and smudges more easily than other finishes.
Semi-gloss finishes are less durable than glossy finishes, but they're easier to clean and don't show fingerprints as easily.
Matte finishes are the least durable but most forgiving when it comes to imperfections.
Type of Metal
Different metals require different types of paint.
For example, aluminum needs an oil-based paint, while steel can use either an oil-based or latex-based paint.
Other Factors
Environment
If you're painting something that will be exposed to the elements, like a mailbox, you'll want to choose a paint that can withstand weathering and fading.
If the metal will be indoors, you don't need to worry about weather resistance as much.
Consider the finish you want
If you want a high-gloss finish, there are paints designed specifically for that.
Compatibility to the existing primer
Third, make sure you choose a paint that's compatible with the primer you're using.
Which Brands Make The Most Durable Spray Paint For Metal?
Rust-Oleum
Rust-Oleum was established in 1921 by Fergusson, who invented the first rust-preventive paint in the world.
This company started with just 24 colors and has now grown to be a global leader in producing innovative spray paints that empower professional painters and do-it-yourselfers.
Seymour
Established in 1949 by Leo Seymour, Seymour is the favorite of many professionals and DIYers who demand excellence from a paint brand. They're proud of their long history of innovation, and keep on serving the communities around the country.
Their premium-quality paints and stains are unsurpassed in selection, quality, and value. In brief, Seymour is a name you can rely on.
Krylon
In 1947, Howard E. Kester founded Krylon, Inc., which was the first company to sell aerosol paints in the U.S. Since then, it has become the largest supplier of aerosols in the world.
Krylon now is an industry leader who provide customers with high-quality products, innovative packaging design and color-inspired project ideas
FAQs
Is it better to paint or spray paint metal?
It’s up to your needs and preference.
Spray paint is faster, perfect for people who don’t want to wait for so long. Paint, on the other hand, creates a hard finish.
What kind of spray paint will stick to metal?
Rust-proof, adhesive, and standing up to cleaning, hard-wearing enamel is the best kind of spray paint for metal.
How can I make spray paint last longer on metal?
To make spray paint last longer on metal, apply a high-quality metal-compatible primer before spraying the paint.
How can I keep spray paint from chipping on metal?
To keep spray paint from chipping on metal, try these tips:
- Apply thin coats and repeat
- Shake the spray paint bottle well before use
- Apply primer
- Get rid of any rust and flaking paint
- Clean the metal surface
- Use drop cloths to protect surrounding surfaces
Does Rustoleum need a primer on metal?
No, it doesn’t.
Rustoleum manufactures primer and spray paint and even produces a product line for metal that can be applied directly on the surface.
You just need to make sure the surface is prepared so that the primer or paint will adhere properly.
Conclusion
Picking the most durable spray paint for metal is important if you want your projects to have a lasting finish. With so many great products on the market, it might be overwhelming for you in finding the right one for your specific needs.
We hope our guide has helped you understand the different types of spray paints available and what their advantages are. Thanks for reading!
