If you enjoy repurposing old furniture and home decor items, then spray paint is likely a staple in your creative arsenal. However, concerns about harmful solvents and air pollution have made it a necessary evil. But fear not, because Krylon has introduced an innovative water-based latex spray paint that aims to solve these issues. Intrigued, I couldn’t resist giving it a try!
Key Features of Krylon H20 Spray Paint
Here are some noteworthy features that I discovered on the Krylon website:
- Provides protection against nicks and chips, both indoor and outdoor.
- Significantly reduces smog pollution by 55% compared to most solvent-based spray paints.
- Non-toxic, emits a low odor, and can be easily cleaned up with soap and water.
- Available in a vibrant palette of 21 colors.
Additional Information:
- Dries to the touch in just 15 minutes.
- Ready to handle after 1 hour (although I found that it took longer due to the cold weather).
- Suitable for use on various surfaces including wood, metal, wicker, glass, craft foam, plaster, ceramic, fabric, paper, paper mache, and dried/silk flowers.
Putting Krylon H20 to the Test
To evaluate its performance, I decided to try out the paint on a variety of surfaces commonly used in crafting and home decor projects. First up was a wood-toned (plastic?) frame that I had lying around. Without any extensive surface preparation, I simply gave it a quick wipe. I must admit, I tend to be a bit impulsive when it comes to grabbing a can of spray paint and diving right in.
Right away, I noticed that the Krylon H20 paint lacked the typical strong smell associated with regular spray paint. Instead, it had a lighter odor reminiscent of the latex paint I use for painting walls. Since I worked outside, the odor was hardly noticeable at all.
However, what did catch my attention was how thin the paint appeared. As I sprayed the frame, I observed some expected bubbles, as indicated in the instructions. But then, it quickly pooled and ran, much faster than traditional spray paint, in my opinion.
Next, I tried it on a slightly glossy matte inside the frame. I hoped the paint would adhere well to the paper surface, but once again, I noticed some puddling and pooling.
By this point, my hands were quite messy, prompting me to wash up. As advertised, the paint washed off easily. Even the drips on the floor were a breeze to clean!
I continued my experiment by moving on to a gesso-coated paper mache letter. I anticipated that the gesso would enhance the colors. However, I encountered more paint pooling instead of even coverage.
After applying a second coat of paint on my “D” monogram, I was pleased with the resulting color and coverage. The second coat on the frame was decent, but it ended up too glossy to adhere properly. Lesson learned—prepping surfaces, including a light sanding, is essential for better results. I can’t cut corners on everything, it seems!
Next, I tried the paint on a slightly glossy niche, and once again, I noticed muddling and pooling.
It dawned on me that this paint behaves similarly to when I dilute my craft paint with water. There’s a lot of water in the mix, which dilutes the pigment. As a result, multiple coats are necessary for good coverage, unless the surface is highly porous, like this unfinished birdhouse.
I must say, I was ecstatic with the results on unfinished wood! With just one coat, the paint quickly absorbed, leaving a touch of exposed wood grain, akin to a stain. Adding a second coat rendered the finish completely opaque, with no visible brush strokes. I’ll never go back to using a brush on unfinished wood again!
To sum up my experience with Krylon H20 spray paint, I absolutely love it for wood and paper mache—materials I wouldn’t typically use spray paint on. It’s perfect for those porous surfaces, allowing for exceptional performance. However, when it comes to glossy surfaces like glass and metal, I’ll stick with the traditional, more toxic options that require outdoor use or proper ventilation. While they may not be as environmentally friendly, they serve those specific purposes better.
At just $4 per can, Krylon H20 paint offers excellent value for money, with a minimal upcharge compared to regular Krylon spray paints, which typically range from $2 to $3. The added flexibility of water clean-up and its nearly odorless nature make it a worthwhile investment.
Overall, I believe Krylon H20 spray paint will be a fabulous addition to my studio, allowing me to easily transform items I wouldn’t typically spray paint, such as silk flowers and paper mache. Moreover, I’m delighted that I can now spray paint these items indoors without the need to venture outside. I can already tell that I’ll be using it more often than traditional spray paint.
That being said, I’ll still keep my Decorator’s Enamel close at hand, just in case. You never know when it might come in handy!
How about you? Have you had the chance to try out Krylon H20 spray paint? Do you agree with my assessment? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Note: Samples were generously provided by Krylon for the purpose of this review. A special thank you to Krylon for their contribution!
