Spray paint is a versatile type of paint that creates smooth, evenly coated surfaces, making it a popular choice for many projects across various industries. From touch-ups to stenciling and marking, here are some common uses of spray paint:
What Is Spray Paint Used For?
Learn essential information on spray paint, including common applications, usage tips, limitations, and color coding, all in one comprehensive guide.
Touch-ups
Structured steel, handrails, and piping
Equipment and machinery
Doors, bolts, and seams
Vehicle refinishing
Playground equipment and utility locating
Stenciling and signage
Golf course and athletic field marking
Lockers and conduits
Application Tips:
For optimal results, shake the spray paint can for at least one minute after hearing the marble. This helps prevent the spray tip from clogging and ensures even coverage.
Limitations of Spray Paint
Material Constraints: Primarily available in alkyd formulations, which may not perform well in severe outdoor conditions.
Size Restrictions: Limited to small package sizes, making it less ideal for large projects.
Overspray Risks: Requires careful handling to avoid unintentional coverage on adjacent surfaces.
APWA Uniform Color Guide
Spray paint is widely used for temporary marking of underground utilities. This guide provides an understanding of temporary marking to prevent accidents and damage when working near underground facilities.
YELLOW: Gas, oil, steam, petroleum, gaseous materials
RED: Electric power lines, cables, conduit, lighting cables
PURPLE: Reclaimed water, irrigation, slurry lines
BLUE: Potable water
GREEN: Sewers and drain lines
WHITE: Proposed excavation
PINK: Temporary surveying markings
ORANGE: Communication, alarm/signal lines, cables, conduit
ANSI Pipe Marking Color Code
Spray paint colors are used to classify materials in piping systems, as per ANSI standards:
RED: Fire-quenching fluids
ORANGE: Toxic and corrosive fluids
YELLOW: Flammable and oxidizing fluids
BROWN: Combustible fluids
GREEN: Potable, cooling, boiler feed, and other water
BLUE: Compressed air
Guide to Safety Color Coding
Colors | Designation | Recommended Applications |
|---|---|---|
SAFETY YELLOW (OSHA YELLOW) | Used for the designation of caution, marking physical hazards | Construction equipment, material handling equipment, suspended fixtures, caution signs, piping systems containing dangerous material, lower pulley blocks and cranes and railings, pillars, and posts |
SAFETY ORANGE (OSHA ORANGE) | Used for designating dangerous parts of machines that may cut, crush, or otherwise injure when guards around moving equipment are open or removed | Inside movable guards, inside transmission guards, safety starting buttons, and exposed edges of pulleys, gears, rollers, cutting devices, and power jaws |
SAFETY RED (OSHA RED) | Used for designating fire protection equipment and apparatus, danger, and stop | Fire alarm boxes, buckets, pails, exit signs, extinguishers, hose locations, hydrants, pumps, sirens, sprinkler piping, post indicator valves for sprinkler systems, danger signs, flammable liquid containers, emergency stop bars on hazardous machines, and electrical switches used to stop machinery |
SAFETY GREEN (OSHA GREEN) | Used for designating the location of first-aid equipment | Safety bulletin boards, stretchers, gas masks, safety deluge showers, and first aid kits |
SAFETY BLUE (OSHA BLUE) | Used for designating caution and warnings about starting/using/ moving equipment under repair | Signs are located at the starting point of the equipment under repair |
BLACK OR WHITE COMBINATIONS | Used for designating traffic and housekeeping markings | Dead ends, location refuse cans, location/width of aisles, drinking fountains, stairways, food dispersion equipment locations, directional signs, and clear floor areas |