Spray paint is easy to use and manufactured in many different colors, shades and textures. It also works for a versatile array of projects, making it one of the most popular forms of paint available for artists, designers and anyone else with a painting project.
History
Edward Seymour made the first "spray paint" in 1940 when he added paint to an aerosol spray for use with his aluminum paint. While Seymour Inc. still manufactures spray paint to this day, they were not the only company to begin releasing spray paint in the 1940s. Krylon released spray paint that came in a "push button" spray and the two companies have been in market competition ever since.
Function
Spray paint is popular for use in marking streets, sidewalks and signs for utility work as they require no messy brushes or cans and are easy to carry around. Spray paint is also popular with graffiti and street artists because it is portable, inexpensive to purchase and easy to use. Painting can also be done with a form of spray paint used in airbrushes to create both large and small pieces of artwork on buildings, automobiles, motorcycles and trailers.
Types
Popular brands of spray paint include Champion-Sprayon, Krylon, Rust-Oleum, Plasti-kote, Dupli-color and Valspar. There are also many different popular types of spray paint that include fast drying, interior paint, paint for chalk boards and plastic, glitter or metallic colors, outdoor use, all purpose use, matte finish, primer and a clear finish.
Geography
Regulation spray paint is found throughout the world and so is a specialized version made almost exclusively for street artists. Though graffiti art is illegal in most places, there are countries that are home to specialized brands of spray paint made for graffiti art. Aside from the U.S., these countries include Germany (home of the Belton Molotow brand), Spain (Montana Colors), the UK (Monster Colors) and even Greece (Sabotaz).
Features
Spray paint is a form of paint sealed in a pressurized container. It is released as a fine spray when the valve button is depressed. Spray paint leaves a smooth and evenly coated surface most times, which is one reason it can be preferred to regular paint that must be applied with a brush or roller and can have an uneven finish. Most spray paint containers have a metal or glass ball inside the can to mix the paint before it is released.
Warning
Spray paint vapors can be used as an inhalant by teenagers and young adults looking for a cheap and legal means to get high (though in some states it is illegal for anyone under a certain age to buy spray paint). Inhaling these vapors from a spray paint can lead to hypoxia (lack of oxygen), pneumonia, cardiac failure, hearing loss, and may even do damage to the nervous system.
