Feeling overwhelmed in the paint aisle? You’re not alone. Walking into an art store and seeing a wall of street paint cans is a lot. But choosing the right spray paint for street art is easy once you know one simple thing: what are you trying to do?
This quick guide will help you skip the confusion and get right to creating. We’ll cover the big differences so you can get an instant answer and buy the right can for your project.
Choosing Your Street Paint: Pro vs. Hardware Store
Short answer: Yes, 100% worth it to buy pro-grade.
It’s tempting to grab that cheap can from the local hardware store, but it’s designed for painting a lawn chair, not for art.
- Artist-Grade Street Paint: You get rich, vibrant colors that cover in one pass. The paint is designed for art, giving you way more control.
- Hardware Store Paint: Uses weaker pigments, meaning you’ll need multiple coats. The valves are basic (just on/off) and built for simple, flat coverage, not detail.
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High vs. Low Pressure Spray Can: A Key Street Paint Choice
This is the most important choice you’ll make. It’s all about speed and control.
| Type | Description | Best For | Great For |
| Low-Pressure Cans | “Detail” cans. Paint comes out slower and softer, giving you maximum control. | Details, sharp lines, smooth shading, realism, and intricate work. | Beginners. Easy to control and learn with. |
| High-Pressure Cans | “Speed” cans. Paint comes out fast and covers a big area. | Rapidly filling in large areas (“fills”) on big pieces. | Speed and power. |
Starter Pack Idea: Grab one can of high-pressure black for fills and one can of low-pressure white (or a color) for details. This is a great way to feel the difference.
Should I Choose Fast Drying Spray Paint?
Pro-grade artist paint is a fast drying spray paint by design. It’s made with special solvents that evaporate quickly, letting you layer new colors in minutes, not hours. This is essential for creating clean, multi-layered art.
But what if it’s cold or humid outside? The environment plays a huge role.
How to Make Paint Dry Faster
You can’t change the weather, but you can use these tricks:
- Work in Good Weather: The ideal conditions are warm, dry, and low-humidity (above 50°F / 10°C). Cold or damp weather will dramatically slow down drying time.
- Apply Thin Coats: This is the best trick. A thick, heavy coat will “skin” over, trapping wet paint underneath for hours. Multiple thin, even coats will dry much faster.
- Add Air or Heat (Carefully): Increasing airflow with a fan helps. On a small project (like a canvas, not a wall), you can carefully use a hair dryer or heat gun on a low setting. Keep it moving constantly, or you’ll bubble or peel the paint.
How to Use Spray Paint Caps for Graffiti
Here’s a pro tip: the cap (nozzle) is more important than the can.
Think of caps as your paintbrushes. You wouldn’t paint a whole house with a tiny watercolor brush, right? Same idea. Artists never use the “stock cap” that comes on the can. They swap it for one that does a specific job.
- : Your fine-liners. They create sharp, thin lines for outlines and tiny details.
- : A good all-around cap for filling in color while still having control.
- : Your “mop” brush. They spray a very thick, wide line, perfect for filling in huge areas fast.
A small bag of different caps is cheap and will completely change what you can do with a single can of paint.
3 Must-Know Graffiti Tips for Clean Lines
Got your paint? Great. Before you hit your main project, build your “can control” with these graffiti tips. Practice them on a piece of cardboard.
1. Master Your Distance: This is the #1 skill.
Move Closer (2-4 inches): The paint spray is concentrated, creating a sharp, thin line.
Pull Back (6-10 inches): The paint spreads out, creating a soft, wide, dusty line.
2. Paint from Your Shoulder
Don’t just move your wrist. It creates wobbly, arched lines. Lock your wrist and move your entire arm from the shoulder (and even your whole body) to get smooth, confident, straight lines.
3. Start/Stop Off-Surface
A beginner’s mistake is the messy “dot” of paint at the start and end of a line.
Position your can just off the edge of what you’re painting. Press the nozzle, move your hand in one smooth motion across the surface, and only release the nozzle after your hand has passed the other side. This leaves only a perfect, clean line.
Inspiration from Famous Street Artists & Famous Artist Graffiti
You don’t need to be an expert to start, but seeing work from famous street artists shows what’s possible. Famous artist graffiti ranges in style, proving that the tools are versatile.
- Banksy is known for his clever, political stencils.
- Eduardo Kobra creates massive, photorealistic murals that explode with geometric color.
- Lady Pink is a legend from the New York subway era, proving her mastery of complex lettering.
The one thing they all have in common? They started with the basics, just like you.
SANVO is Here for New Street Paint Artists
That’s it. You don’t need to know complex chemistry or the history of art to get started. All you need is the right tool for the job.
Focus on low-pressure cans for control, grab a few different caps, and practice your movements. The best way to learn is to start. Visit SANVO for the first step of mind-blowing piece of art.
