Helpful Videos
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What are the advantages of Spray Paints?
Spray painting is significantly faster than brush painting and allows you to reach areas that a brush cannot. It provides more even coverage and a smoother, higher-quality finish, free from brush marks, bubbles, or cracks.
When surfaces are properly primed and prepared beforehand, spray painting also results in a more durable, longer-lasting finish.
How to mix a customed filled Aerosol
These are professional-grade products, so it’s essential that each aerosol is mixed thoroughly to ensure accurate colour results.
Mixing Instructions:
- Remove the aerosol from the box and place it upside down for 5–10 minutes.
- Keeping the can upside down, shake continuously for 1–2 minutes after you hear the mixing ball rattle (use a timer to ensure accuracy).
- Turn the aerosol upright and shake again for a further 1–2 minutes without stopping.
- Remove the cap and carry out a spray test on a paint check panel or a piece of white paper/card to confirm colour accuracy.
If you experience any issues, please contact Customer Services immediately on 0800 530 0375.
Which delivery options are available?
We offer Standard and Express delivery within UK Mainland.
Please see our delivery page for more details.
Why is Free Delivery not available?
Custom-filled aerosol spray paints are flammable, pressurised products, so it’s essential they are shipped using a fully insured, track-and-trace delivery service.
By choosing a reliable delivery option, customers help safeguard their well-being while ensuring their solvent-based paint products arrive in optimal condition and remain fully usable.
Can I collect my order?
All aerosol orders are delivered directly to our customers, as we do not offer a collection service.
For larger bulk orders, collection can be arranged by prior agreement—please contact our Customer Services team for further details.
Can I make an order over the weekend?
Our website is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for placing orders and submitting enquiries. However, our paint mixing team operates during standard business hours only.
Orders placed over the weekend will be processed on the next working day (Monday). For more information, please refer to our delivery page.
Please note that deliveries are made Monday to Friday only. We do not deliver on weekends or bank holidays.
Do you only sell 400ml aerosols?
We offer 500ml aerosol primers and lacquers.
All custom-mixed colours are available in 400ml aerosols, as well as 1 litre, 2.5 litre, and 5 litre paint tins.
For any products not listed on our website, please contact our Customer Services team by phone to place your order.
Do you sell touch up paints?
Due to rising costs across the paint industry, we have discontinued our 60ml touch-up bottles, as they had become more expensive than our 400ml aerosols.
As an alternative, we now offer aerosols as a cost-effective touch-up solution. When stored correctly, these provide a shelf life of up to 24 months.
How do I recycle my aerosols?
Once an Aerosol has been used, it needs to be disposed of correctly – many people have shown concern about this over the years.
Most local councils collect aerosols via household collection; otherwise, they can be taken to your local recycling facility and put into the right banks. Aerosol cans that are either partially or completely full must be separated from your other recyclables and general waste, as they are considered hazardous.
Your Spray Paints offers a Safe Aerosol Disposal Service by disposing of any used aerosols in the correct manner, free of charge. You will however need to pay for the postage to our factory. Please speak to customer services for more details.
Technical Questions
What surfaces are aerosols used on?
Spray paint can be applied to a wide range of surfaces, provided they are properly prepared and correctly primed beforehand.
Our four main paint types are suitable for materials including metal, wood, plastic, fibreglass, cement, and glass. It’s important to select the appropriate primer for your specific surface and ensure it is fully prepared before spraying for the best results.
What's the difference between 1K and 2K aerosol spray paints?
Understanding 1K and 2K Paint Systems
Single-pack (1K) paints do not require an activator to cure, meaning they typically dry more quickly. However, the finished coating is generally less durable and resistant than a two-pack (2K) system.
Two-pack (2K) paints require an activator (hardener) to cure. While they take longer to dry, they produce a significantly tougher, more resilient finish, making them the preferred choice for demanding or exterior applications.
Important Safety Considerations
Many traditional 2K paints use isocyanate-based hardeners. These substances can pose serious health risks to both humans and animals, including respiratory issues and long-term illnesses. As a result, they should only be used under strict health and safety conditions.
Products containing isocyanates are typically labelled “for professional use only” and carry appropriate hazard warnings. Proper training and the correct protective equipment—such as respirators, gloves, and protective clothing—are essential when using these materials.
Isocyanate vs Non-Isocyanate Hardeners
Traditional 2K aerosols with isocyanate hardeners are usually activated via a button or ring pull mechanism on the base of the can. Once activated, the hardener mixes with the paint inside the can.
After activation, these products have a limited working life—typically between 4 to 8 hours. This can be restrictive for larger or multi-day projects and may affect finish quality if the hardener is not fully released or the mechanism fails.
Even before activation, isocyanate-based cans have a maximum shelf life of around 12 months. Beyond this, the hardener can degrade, potentially compromising performance—especially if the manufacturing date is unclear.
A Safer Alternative: Non-Isocyanate 2K Systems
With increasing awareness around health, environmental impact, and cost efficiency, many professionals and homeowners are turning to non-isocyanate alternatives.
Our 2K aerosols use a Non-Isocyanate Activator, often referred to as 2K ADC (Air Dry Converter). This technology converts traditional force-dry 2K coatings into air-drying systems—delivering the same high-performance finish without the associated health risks of isocyanates.
Key benefits include:
No isocyanate-related health hazards
Comparable durability and finish quality
Improved usability and convenience
In addition, these products offer a significantly longer usable life—up to 12 months once opened, provided the can is properly cleaned and stored. This makes them a far more economical solution, particularly for ongoing or large-scale projects.
Summary: Choosing the Right 2K Aerosol
When selecting a 2K aerosol, you have two main options:
Isocyanate-based 2K: Faster drying, but limited working time (4–8 hours) and significant health risks
Non-isocyanate 2K (ADC): Slightly longer drying time, no associated health hazards, and extended usability (up to 12 months)
Health & Safety Guidance
Regardless of the system used, proper safety precautions are essential. Always use appropriate protective equipment, including gloves, masks, and suitable respiratory protection, and ensure all health and safety guidelines are followed.
Why Choose 2K Paint?
2K coatings are widely recommended for professional use, particularly on exterior surfaces. They provide a harder-wearing, smoother finish with excellent resistance to weathering, oil, petrol, scuffs, and scratches.
Our Approach
We supply both types of 2K aerosol systems. However, we prioritise offering the safer non-isocyanate option as standard.
Traditional isocyanate-based 2K products are not available to purchase via our website due to safety considerations. If you require these products, please contact our Customer Services team directly at customerservice@yourspraypaints.com.
How can I choose the right paint type?
Choosing the Right Paint for Your Project
When helping customers select the correct product, we always begin with two key questions:
What surface are you spraying onto?
What type of finish do you require?
It’s also important to consider the environment. Will the surface be exposed to weather, UV light, or other demanding conditions? If so, the coating may need to be particularly durable, protective, or resistant.
Understanding Paint “Finish” vs Sheen
When people think about paint finishes, they often focus on gloss levels—such as matt, satin, or gloss. While these are important, they actually describe the sheen, not the true finish.
In practical terms, the “finish” refers to the performance of the final coating—its durability, resistance to weather, chemicals, or heat, and its overall longevity. Depending on the application, you may require additional protection, such as a lacquer, or a coating designed to withstand high temperatures or harsh conditions.
1K vs 2K Paint Systems
Also known as 1-pack and 2-pack paints, the key difference between 1K and 2K systems lies in how they cure and how durable they are.
1K (1 Pack) Paints
These do not require an activator, making them faster drying and easier to use. However, they are generally less durable than 2K systems.2K (2 Pack) Paints
These require an activator (hardener) to cure. While they take longer to dry, they produce a tougher, more resilient finish—ideal for demanding or exterior applications.
Our range includes both options with enhanced performance:
1K QAD Enamel features a quick air-dry system for faster turnaround times.
2K ADC (Air Dry Converter) is a full 2K system using a non-isocyanate activator, offering a safer alternative to traditional hardeners while maintaining excellent durability and extending shelf life.
Health & Safety Considerations
This is an important factor when choosing 2K products. Traditional 2-pack paints often contain isocyanate-based hardeners, which can pose serious health risks if not handled under strict safety conditions.
For this reason, we strongly recommend understanding the differences between 1K and 2K systems—and the implications of isocyanate-based products—before making a purchase. More information is available in our Q&A section.
Our Paint Types Explained
2K Acrylic ADC (Air Dry Converted)
A high-performance, full 2K paint and one of the most versatile options available. Once cured, it offers excellent resistance to weather, petrol, oil, and general wear. It can often be applied over existing coatings without a sealer and is suitable for use on metal, wood, and some plastics, both indoors and outdoors. Uses a safer non-isocyanate activator.
1K QAD Enamel
An industrial-grade, quick air-dry coating designed for projects requiring fast drying and a tough finish. Suitable for indoor use on surfaces such as metal, wood, and some plastics.
1K Polyurethane Synthetic
A durable industrial coating widely used across multiple sectors. It provides a smooth, long-lasting finish with strong resistance to corrosion, abrasion, and chemicals. Ideal for indoor applications on metal, wood, and some plastics.
1K Cellulose
A traditional paint commonly used on vehicles prior to 1978. Known for its fast drying time, ease of use, and ability to be polished to a high-gloss finish. Suitable for a variety of surfaces, including wood, metal, and some plastics.
By understanding your surface, environment, and performance requirements, you can select the most suitable paint system for a professional, long-lasting result.
Which gloss level should I choose?
Our aerosol spray paints follow industry standards:
- Full Gloss – 90% gloss
- Semi Gloss – 50% gloss
- Satin – around 30% gloss
- Matt – 15% gloss.
If you require a bespoke gloss level, please contact us prior to placing your order to discuss your requirements.
We can tailor gloss levels across all of our paints and lacquers to suit your specific needs.
What is the coverage area of a 400ml spray paint aerosol?
Coverage can vary depending on the user’s technique and experience, but as a general guide, a 400ml aerosol typically covers around 2m² per coat.
As a minimum of two coats is recommended, this equates to approximately 1m² of coverage per completed project per 400ml can.
The recommended film thickness is 30–40 microns per coat, although this may vary depending on the application and specification.
Care should be taken to achieve the specified DFT (Dry Film Thickness), avoiding areas that are either too thin or excessively thick to ensure a consistent, high-quality finish.