The Best Spray Paints for Canvas for 2023

Regardless of whether you’re working with sneakers, curtains, tote bags, or a stretched canvas, you can favorably complete the project with aerosol paint. Most of us associate aerosol paints with muralists and graffiti artists who create illustrations on concrete walls. We don’t typically picture canvases as a medium for spray paints. But, there is indeed a variety of roles for spray paints to play on canvas art. Read on to find my top picks for the best spray paint for canvas. Spending a bit of time to read through this as research can save you from all the potential pitfalls!

Best Spray Paint for Canvas Reviews

1. Apple Brand 13 Garde Repellent Protector Spray

The more we use them, the more our leather and fabric items wear off. But, with this protector spray, we can keep them in excellent condition. After all, no matter how good we are in planning our day, we can get caught in the rain or accidentally spill coffee on our bags.

Considering that accidents can happen anytime, I always keep a couple of these aerosol repellent protectors at home. Applying it on my leather shoes, canvas bags, car seats, and furniture ensures that they are stain-proof. I especially like to spray this product on the canvas tote bags I’ve spray painted for good measure.

Among the benefits of this spray is that it adds an invisible layer of protection, particularly on light-colored items where stains are more visible. Moreover, it does this without changing the color and texture of the material. Rest assured, the application is easy.

2. Aleene’s 26412 Acrylic Sealer Gloss Finish Spray

Sealing prolongs the life of your creative projects, especially if you intend to display them in outdoor spaces. Whether you’re working on the exterior or interior surfaces, preserving your art with Aleene’s acrylic sealer can go a long way.

Even if I use acid-free materials, I make it a habit to spray this acrylic sealer on a surface for added protection. Its high-quality formula guarantees long-lasting durability that retains my artwork’s quality. If I’m selling my pieces, the longevity adds value to my work and the glossy finish makes it look more refined.

More importantly, this spray paint works on a variety of surfaces like glass, ceramics, wood, metal, and canvas. I know painting in itself can be quite laborious but I assure you that applying this product on a canvas will not be a burden. Since its nozzle is easy to press, I can disperse a uniform layer of the sealer.

3. Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Sealer

Every crafter has a jar of Mod Podge in hand but this brand also offers an acrylic sealer that comes in a spray can. If you hate leaving visible brushstrokes on surfaces, this product will do the trick. Plus, it only takes about two coatings to produce a nice finish.

Featuring a glossy finish, this acrylic sealer is crystal clear and thus, makes any surface look polished. So far, I have used this on painted rocks, wood, fancy jewelry, decoupage, and canvases. Indeed, this product’s versatility allows any crafter to produce a plethora of DIY projects.

Besides helping me keep glitter from falling off the canvas, it prevents my artworks from turning yellow over time. Just by spraying this sealer on the surface, I can cover any object of any shape uniformly. Months have passed but I still don’t see the need to reapply the sealer thanks to its durable adhesion.

4. Krylon K01309 UV-Resistant Clear Aerosol Coating

While it is shelved in the home improvement section, this clear aerosol coating has found its way into the studio of many crafters and artists. Its long list of applications includes glass, wood, metal, plastic, dried flowers, and paper. Did you know that it works on canvases as well?

Yes, you heard me! Whenever I paint on large canvases, this clear matte finish becomes invisible. Yet the main highlight of this product is its archival properties. It helps me preserve the rich color of my paintings and protect them against harmful UV rays and moisture. Years have passed and my artworks never turned yellow thanks to it.

Another nifty feature of this product is that it is easy to apply. The nozzle sprays the clear coating evenly. As such, I can also apply this on non-flat surfaces and cover all the curves and edges. Formulated for indoor use, this clear coating is dry to touch in 15 minutes but it takes another 5 hours for the surface to be dry enough to handle.

5. Liquitex 4450337 Professional Spray Paint

Let’s indulge in some exciting matte colors that this spray paint for art has to offer. With a choice of 100 colors, Liquitex formulates its paints to allow artists to combine paints and mediums in an infinite number of ways. Perfect for mixed media artists, this artist-grade product works with canvas, wood, masonry, and glass.

As a water-based paint, the product’s smell is subtle. By the same token, its formula allows me to clean up the colors with water while the paint is wet. Creative experiments will need some room for mistakes but this innovative feature lets me undo and redo the application. Once it is dried, the color becomes permanent.

It is worth noting that this particular paint is opaque. To create different effects, the manufacturer offers semi-transparent and transparent variants that I can mix with this product. Despite applying multiple layers, the paint does not smudge, run, or snag. Moreover, the paint’s lightfastness keeps the colors vibrant for a long time.

6. Grumbacher 541 Final Varnish Spray

It is not uncommon to hear people complain about how much varnishes stink. Well, this varnish spray has a smell that does not make your head throb in pain. Even so, I love this product for several other reasons, one of which is its artist-grade quality.

Once I’m done painting, I would need to wait for the oil or acrylic paint to completely dry before I can apply this varnish spray. While this product is known for its longevity, I still have the option to remove it using an odorless paint thinner or mild solvent. In any case, this varnish dries pretty quickly, so I can move on to work on other things.

I can attest to its performance considering that it has effectively preserved the quality of my paintings. Besides its promising abilities, I assure you that it applies uniformly on the surface regardless of the texture or shape. Apart from stretched canvases, I also like using this on painted canvas sneakers.

7. Krylon K01303007 Acrylic Coating Spray Paint

Creative folks like working with different materials. Rather than buying various products to seal surfaces, I rely on this multipurpose clear acrylic spray to do the job. Ceramics, dried flowers, glass, wood, metal, and canvas are just some of the surfaces that you can work with using this product.

What I love about this transparent coating is that the gloss finish emphasizes the vibrant hues of my paintings. There is nothing more beautiful than colors that shine as the light touches them. I’m impressed by how it enhances the contrast of my artworks. On that note, let me add that this clear spray does not smudge my painting!

Aside from that, this acrylic coating serves as a strong protective layer against moisture and other impurities. Even better, it helps retain the vibrant colors and textures of my paintings. Based on experience, it applies uniformly on the surface. Usually, the object dries within 15 minutes but it takes another 2 hours for it to be dry enough to handle.

8. Montana Cans MXE-GCSILV Glitter Effect Spray

Glitter can make DIY projects look more eye-catching. The only problem is that they can be hard to apply and clean up. Luckily, Montana Cans crafted this glitter effect spray. While this particular product has a silver color, the manufacturer also offers a handful of metallic color options to match the motif of any project.

By pressing the nozzle, I can spread the glitter on an object without making a mess.

Its clear, glossy coating lets the color of the surface come through. With more coatings, I can increase the density of the glitter and intensify the shimmer. On the other hand, using stencils allows me to create shapes and letters.

If you’re wondering if the glitter clogs the nozzle, I’m happy to report that it never happened. It gives me good control as I disperse the metallic particles uniformly. The lacquer clear does not run so glitter sticks where I want them to. No doubt, this glitter spray has a quality that can endure the test of time.

9. Krylon K05591007 Colormaxx Paint and Primer Spray

Applying this Krylon spray paint on canvas is almost unheard of. Besides, this paint-and-primer is more popular among the home improvement communities. However, a quick look at the list of paintable surfaces recommended by the manufacturer confirms that it works on canvas.

From home decors to furniture, this aerosol paint lets me skip priming without compromising the coverage. Even better, this white spray paint can conceal dark-colored surfaces in a few coatings, while the matte finish appears smooth and soft to the touch. Speaking of colors and finishes, this variant comes in a variety of options that are suitable for both outdoor and indoor items.

Alongside the aesthetically pleasing colors, I use this spray paint on metal surfaces due to its superb rust prevention. Moreover, it protects outdoor objects against impurities. When it comes to application, the spray nozzle still works even if I tilt or hold the can upside down.

10. Delta Creative CS200306 Clear Acrylic Sealer Spray

From the makers of Mod Podge, this acrylic sealer spray is best paired with canvas spray paint. It is a must-have for artists who work with water-based and oil-based mediums, as well as glazes, varnishes, and lacquers. Apart from paints, I also use this to seal pastels, charcoal, and sketches.

Regardless of the medium I choose, the sealer does not change color or cause any smearing for artworks. Usually, the colors I apply on canvas are already vivid but this clear acrylic sealer spray helps maintain it. This way, I don’t accidentally smudge my charcoal and pastels when framing them. None of my artworks turn yellow as they age as well.

Besides canvases, I’ve sprayed this on surfaces like wood and other craft materials. The acrylic sealer settles uniformly on the textures, as well as the nooks and crannies of objects. Unlike other nozzles, this one never clogs even after more than a year has passed, and thus, it is always ready to use.

11. Grumbacher 547 Gloss Acrylic Painting Varnish Spray

One major difference between the two Grumbacher products that I’ve featured is that this varnish spray is made for acrylic paintings. Acrylic paints can look somewhat dry on canvas. But, with its stellar glossy finish, this product tends to look favorably “glassy”.

In addition to improving the appearance of my artworks, this varnish provides durable protection against scuffing, dirt, and other harmful contaminants. Applying this to my commissioned pieces becomes imperative since I don’t want my paintings to degrade over time. While this varnish is permanent, I still have the option to remove it using a paint thinner or mild solvent.

Spraying this protective coating is easy and it dries up in a matter of minutes. For good measure, I would wait for another hour before applying another coating. I’m amazed that the varnish does not drip or slide down the canvas when placed on an easel. It goes to show that the product has strong adhesion.

12. Rust-Oleum 302591 Chalked Spray Paint

If you are looking for an alternative to glossy acrylic spray paint, check out this awesome product crafted by Rust-Oleum! One of its notable features is the ultra-matte finish. Available in different trendy colors, I can choose between warm, cool, and neutral hues to match the style that I’m going for.

Some paints can turn old items into modern decorative pieces but this chalked spray paint gives a vintage vibe to ordinary objects. With furniture and home accessories, I use it to create a “distressed” look by lightly sanding the painted surface. The whole process of “distressing” is not as hard as it seems.

Besides furniture and ornaments, this product is suitable for canvases. If I need to produce a smooth and velvety finish, I apply two coatings on the surface. However, some surfaces may need up to five coatings, while the prep work varies depending on the material. Still, I like that the paint adheres to the surface uniformly and does not chip off as it ages.

What to Look for When Buying Spray Paint for Canvas

If you are still wondering which product to buy, read these spray paint on canvas tips to guide you in your decision.

Usage

Some of the products I recommended are actual paints, while others are varnishes, sealers, and glitter sprays. This means, before you go into a store looking for canvas spray paints, you need to know what it will be used for. Do you need to seal a finished painting? Do you need spray paint to color a canvas material? There’s a product for every style and technique that you need!

Color and finish

Spray paints come in a variety of colors and opacity levels that let painters render creative effects. You can also choose different types of finish, such as gloss, matte, and satin. Products like chalked spray paint allow you to sand and add a “distressed” texture to a surface.

Surfaces

Generally, spray paints are suitable for multiple surfaces. What you need to take note of is that the canvas is absorbent. Too much paint in one area may cause it to leak through the canvas. Since manufacturers formulate their paints differently, make sure to test the product first.

Durability

You’ve encountered the word “protection” in this article several times. Apart from their decorative function, spray paints effectively safeguard surfaces against impurities and moisture. However, this won’t mean anything if the paint, varnish, or sealer is not durable.

Drying time

Certain paint formulations do take time but this does not mean that the product is inferior. Seasoned painters know how much time they need to complete a project. When you’re planning a project, be sure to factor in the drying time of the spray paint you’re going to use.

How Do You Do Spray Paint on Canvas

For professional-quality results, I recommend priming the canvas with gesso. Each product comes with specific instructions so read and follow them carefully.

Can You Use Rust-Oleum on Canvas

It depends on the variant of spray paint. Rust-Oleum has crafted several multi-surface and highly specialized aerosol paints. Be sure to check the label of the product or the company’s website to learn more about their spray paints and correct application.

Conclusion

In this review, I hope I cleared everything up for those who asked, “Can you spray paint canvas fabric?” Like any medium, aerosol paints offer loads of color options and finishes that allow creative individuals to express their ideas. Although it may take some time before you can get the hang of it, you can use spray paints to render different effects that may not be possible with brushes.

If you ask me, the best spray paint for canvas helps artists achieve smooth coverage, especially when filling large spaces with color. Not only does it spread the color faster, it applies the color uniformly on a surface. When done correctly, aerosol paints can produce wonderful results.

Robert S. Brown

I am a former art teacher, so it is evident to me the importance of art in educating the new generation. We also want to help parents who plan to teach their children and desire the best tools and tips for them.