Festivities make the perfect excuse to add some color all over the place. Whether decorating windows for Christmas or painting Halloween props, a few cans of spray paint always come in handy.
Spray paint is a convenient option for most people, as it is easily accessible and offers excellent coverage quickly. Unfortunately, after the celebration is the Herculean task of removing all this paint.
But is spray paint removable? Removing permanent spray paint is extremely difficult. Washable spray paints would be preferable for such temporary beautification or marking purposes.
Washable spray paint is specially formulated for seasonal paint projects. It is not waterproof and can be washed off easily, making it ideal for surfaces you would want to paint on temporarily.
If you’d like to spray paint something just for the festivities, a party, self-expression, or other temporary marking, and can’t think of any washable products, we’ve got you covered.
Choosing Washable Spray Paints
Buying washable spray paint is not just about looking for the term washable or removable on the label. You must consider a whole list of other aspects; not just any washable spray paint will suit the purpose you need it for.
Here’s what to look for.
1. Application
There are many different types of washable spray paints. Some are general-purpose, while others are specific for concrete, metal, automotive, glass, skin, etc.
You’ll have a hassle-free time washing off the paint if you use the product for the intended surface or application. When you are doing graffiti, for example, on a wall or painting the sidewalk with kids, check that the washable paint is designed for concrete and will wash off of it.
Washable spray paint will generally wash off much easier from a non-permeable surface than from a semi-permeable one.
2. Safety
When it comes to safety, you must consider the users and the environment as well. It is not uncommon to find kids helping out with decorative painting, and this is one of the primary reasons people go for washable paint.
Since most washable paint is water-soluble or water-based, it is often assumed to be non-toxic. But do not take anyone’s word for it. Ensure you carry out your research on ingredients. Check the label or website that the contents are non-toxic and conform to the acceptable safety standards for paint.
Not all spray particles end up on the targeted surface. We inhale these particles, and so do pets and plants.
At the end of the day, you will also be washing off these paints down the drain or in your garden or backyard. Sometimes the rain does the job for you.
This wastewater with colorants ends up in water bodies or soil. Therefore, it helps if the paint maintains the environment’s health too. It would be prudent to opt for biodegradable products.
Chalk spray paints are among the best non-toxic washable spray paints.
3. Ease Of Removal
The next thing you want to consider is how to remove the spray paint from the surface. Even though the paint is labeled as washable, it doesn’t mean that they all clean up easily with the swipe of a wet cloth.
Some require a little more effort than others and may involve power washing, soap, cleaning agents, or solvents. So make sure you read through the instructions on removing the paint and see if it is convenient for you.
You also need to know whether the paint washes off entirely or leaves a shadow of the color behind. You may encounter formulas that are washable but staining, so you need to be aware before using them.
4. Color Options
Some washable spray paints come as a set where you get two or more paint cans in different colors per purchase. Others are sold as individual colors, which is one can per buy.
A set offers you more color options at a lower rate compared to buying individual cans of the same. Contrarily, buying individual cans gives you the power to select the exact color you need.
5. Capacity
Another critical consideration is the paint capacity. Most washable paint is believed to be sought after for kids, but this is not always the case.
Consequently, many manufacturers make them in mini cans such that if you want to do a serious project, you’ll have to buy tons of them. When in need of adequate paint for things like marking a field for a sporting event or a race track, beware of the can size.
You’ll get more value from a can of not less than 12oz of paint; it goes a long way and saves you multiple trips to the store. But for one time kiddie adventures, it’s ok to go for 2,3,4, or 6 oz cans.
7 Of the Best Washable Spray Paints
Without further ado, let’s explore the best the market has to offer in washable spray paints.
| Rank | Brand | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Rust-Oleum Chalked Spray Paint | Best for metal |
| 2. | Boley Spray Chalk Paint | Best for kids |
| 3. | Montana Cans Montana Chalk Color Spray Paint | Best for graffiti artists |
| 4. | Testors Spray Chalks - Teams | Best for marking grass fields |
| 5. | Pintyplus Aqua Spray Paint | Best low odor formula |
| 6. | Washable Glow-in-the-Dark Spray Paint | Best glow in the dark |
| 7. | Rust-Oleum Testors Assorted Spray Chalk Set | Best for non-porous surfaces |
1. Rust-Oleum Chalked Spray Paint
Rust-oleum chalk spray paint is hands-down the best washable spray paint you can find for professional-looking work. It ticks all the right boxes from the quantity you get to its classic colors and ease of use and removal.
Each can contains 12 oz of product, which goes a long way. You can expect extensive linear coverage.
Its classic colors include farmhouse red, country grey, cocoa, charcoal, blush pink, among others. The tone is true to the picture and cap. Each paint is, however, sold individually, so the price is for one can.
The nozzle is of high-quality construction with a very comfy to use trigger that is easy on the fingers. It sprays from any angle, which minimizes hand fatigue caused by pointing in one direction.
The paint itself washes off very easily on smooth, non-porous surfaces and is ideal for metal. You can wipe it down with a damp sponge, and it will come off as long as no topcoat or sealer is applied.
While most washable paint is associated with kids, Rust-Oleum spray chalk paint is not recommended for that, probably due to toxic components. There is a warning label at the back of the can.
2. Boley Spray Chalk Paint
If you are looking for the best washable spray paints for kids and are absolutely safe, then go with Boley Spray Chalk paint.
The paint is marketed as kids paints and conforms to the safety standards of children’s products, including ASTM and ICTI, among others.
It is fantastic spray paint for a little family fun, not only because it is kid-friendly, but you also get eight different colors.
Boley’s paint goes on concrete sidewalks, walls, grass, and pretty much anywhere you’d like to mark for a game like hopscotch, signage, or artwork.
The product washes out with ease, too, when constantly exposed to water.
If safety is at the top of your concern list and you’re looking for a pack of several colors, then this is the set for you.
3. Montana Cans Montana Chalk Color Spray Paint
Montana is a German-made spray paint brand with widespread popularity in the US, particularly among graffiti artists.
Their chalk color spray paints are perfect for both porous and non-porous surfaces like concrete, grass, glass, plastic, and metal. But if you want it to wash out in a breeze, stick with a smooth, non-porous surface.
Although the paint is sold in single cans, there is a great color selection to choose from. They have spray paint in every color of the rainbow, from red to purple to pink, you name it.
The exciting part is that the paint bursts with pigment, making it the best washable spray paint for highly visible marking. The colors are so vivid, and the bright caps are an accurate representation of what the product will look like.
If you have some plants around, you may appreciate the fact that the Montana spray paint is eco-friendly to plant life.
You get 13 oz of product in each can that provides plenty of coverage.
4. Testors Spray Chalks – Teams
Next are the Testors spray chalk teams by Rust-Oleum. This is a 2-piece spray paint set.
You get a black and white chalk spray paint can ideal for competitive events to separate teams. Each one is 12 oz enabling you enjoy 160 feet linear coverage from each can.
This is a multi-surface paint. It goes on concrete, asphalt, grass, sandglass, and even on cars. It is perfect for marking fields, the sidewalk, or your garden patch and shows really well.
We love that it is made from non-toxic ingredients and the colorants used are not harmful to the user, pets, or plant life.
The Testors teams paint is labeled as temporary and washable in water. However, the ease of removal depends on several factors, such as the type of surface and also the thickness of the application.
Many users reported it as difficult to wash off concrete. Therefore, if you are considering this product, you may need more than a sponge and hose pipe. Be prepared with a pressure wash and some cleaning agents.
5. Pintyplus Aqua Spray Paint
Another wonderful product to make it to our 7 best washable spray paints list is the Pintyplus aqua spray paint.
The set consists of 8 cans of paint with a nice color selection. There’s orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, white, black and pink. There are other options too with a different color combination.
Each can is 4.2 oz by volume. Multiply that by eight, and you have adequate paint for most projects. The formula is water-based, low on odor, and low on VOCs. Therefore it is relatively safe to use at home.
You can expect high performance from the Pintyplus aqua spray paint. They adhere well to most surfaces and show beautifully.
Moving on to washability and how easy it is to remove depends on the application. If temporarily coloring fabric like clothes or canvas items like shoes, all added color will wash off the instant you put it in water.
It requires little effort to remove from smooth, non-porous surfaces like glass but may require more muscle work for wood, concrete, and other porous surfaces.
However, you can choose to leave it on its own if painted outdoors, like on a wall or driveway, where rain will have access to it. The paint will wash off and fade gradually until nothing’s left
6. Washable Glow-in-the-Dark Spray Paint
There are instances when you want the night just as lit up and beautiful as the day. Glow in the dark paint is the go-to for a bright night party or even room decoration.
If you want a washable version for that, we present the glow decor spray. It goes on white, and when it’s dark, produces a bright white glow.
This is after exposure to bright light, and the paint is rechargeable. It also glows with black lights. The can is 3 oz which is not much, so you might need a couple of them if you’re going to cover a wide area.
It is sufficient for creating beautiful effects, artwork, or messages on windows, glass walls and doors, and mirrors.
Cleanup is a breeze after the party, and you’ll just need soap and water.
7. Rust-Oleum Testors Assorted Spray Chalk Set
Our seventh choice is the Testors assorted spray chalk set again by Rust-Oleum. It is the colorful brother of the black and white teams set discussed previously.
Unlike the black and white teams set, you will receive four cans instead of two; pastel pink, pastel blue, pastel yellow, and white.
Also, these cans have a smaller capacity of 6 oz of paint. But you get four cans which still totals to 24 oz. The formula is non-toxic.
The paint can be applied on a variety of surfaces, and it’s pretty visible. However, we recommend usage on non-porous surfaces for easier clean-up with water. As stated earlier, it appears to be tough to deal with on concrete.
So, the next time you have a marking project or want to engage kids in some outdoor fun splashing colors, you know what washable spray paints to bring along.
Whether it’s window decor, wall graffiti or pavement marking, ensure you are painting within your property and have fun with it.
Up Next: Is Spray Paint Toxic When Dry?
