Being a mother of two young girls is one of the most beautiful things you’d experience unless they tell you they need to wear painted jeans to school for tomorrow. For the love of my daughters, I started looking in the garage to find some paint I could use on denim. All I could find was a couple of spray paints. It did wonders on jeans.
You can spray paint jeans to bring life to an old pair of jeans. Or upgrade your wardrobe with trendy bottoms. Even though regular spray paint works on denim, fabric spray paints are long-lasting. They come in plain, glitter, and glow in the dark.
My daughters came back with smiling faces, and that made my day. Listed below are all the dos and don’ts of spray painting jeans. Learn from my experience to get a solid outcome on your first attempt.
DIY spray paint your jeans- Steps to follow
In my first attempt, I, too, was confused about how to go about it. Here’s what I followed. I hope it helps you out! Each step is essential since it serves a specific purpose.
Step 1: Wash the jeans
The first thing that you need to do is wash your jeans. Washing the jeans beforehand ensures that no dirt particles are left behind. Spray paint adheres better on clean surfaces than dirty ones.
Step 2: Prepare the work surface
Lay down a tarp or an old cloth piece before you paint your jeans. Spraying can leave paint marks on surfaces around it, so it is better to take this precaution.
Step 3: Choose the colors
Next, choose which spray paint you are going to use. Fabric spray paints are the best for painting jeans and other clothing items.
Decide on the colors you want to paint and gather all material in front of you before you begin to paint.
Step 4: Use your denim canvas
Once you have gathered all your supplies, you can start spray painting. If you need to use any stencils, place them carefully on the jeans. Cover other exposed parts to prevent the paint from spreading in unwanted places.
Step 5: Leave it to dry
Lastly, let the paint dry for about 48 hours. Spray paint usually dries in about a day but leaving it for 2 days ensures no paint comes off when you wear it.
Things to keep in mind:
- Make sure the jeans are completely dry before you start painting them.
- Do not use spray paint other than the fabric paint on your jeans.
- Always use spray paint in a well-ventilated area.
- Hold the can 6-8 inches away from your jeans.
- Spray short, even strokes.
- Paint light colors first and then move on to dark colors.
- Fit cardboard strips inside the jeans to prevent paint from seeping to the other side.
- Wait for at least 30 minutes before applying a second layer.
Pros and cons of using spray paint
Spray can be a cheap alternative to getting a new pair of fancy pants, but it also comes with its cons. Let’s have a look at both sides.
| PROS | CONS |
| Spray painting offers more coverage than brush strokes | Spray paints contain toxins |
| They are more durable than water-based paints | Strenuous work (fingers can cramp) |
| Creates less mess than oil or water paints | |
| Spray paint is cheaper than other kinds of paints |
Best spray paints for jeans
If you’re a first-timer, having numerous questions in your mind is justified. The most common question I get is; what spray paint should I use?” Here are some top picks on which almost all fabric spray painters agree. They are easy to use, readily available in stores and online, and last permanently.
Dupli-Color Vinyl & Fabric Spray
The Dupli-Color Vinyl and Fabric spray does not chip or peel easily. Available in 13 colors, you can use it on multiple surfaces, including fabrics and vinyl automobile interiors. There is no need for a primer as the paint adheres well enough.
One disadvantage is that the paint is highly flammable and should only be used between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Krylon COLORmaxx
The Krylon spray paints are ideal to use on a variety of fabrics and has shown great results on jeans and demin outfits. Krylon COLORmaxx provides full coverage and is fast drying and durable.
Along with this, It also protects the surface as it is infused with a primer. It is also available is many different colors that would be just perfect for showing off your creative side.
Tulip Permanent Fabric Spray Paint
The fabric spray paint from Tulip Permanent is non-toxic and environmentally friendly. It comes in 7 brightly colored spray bottles and can be used on any fabric.
The nozzle provides precision in strokes, making it ideal for customizing jeans and other clothing items.
Neon Nights Glow in the Dark Paint
This Glow in the Dark Spray Paint will make your jeans stand out everywhere. It gives off a bright neon glow in the dark. Moreover, the high-quality pigments are visible during the day as well.
Neon Nights Glow in the Dark Paint can be used on any shirt, pants, canvas, or shoe. Also,it is resistant to washing and does not peel off too soon.
Montana Cans Hologram Glitter Effect Spray
Last on our list is the Montana Cans Hologram Glitter Effect Spray. Its holographic particles glitter under the sun giving off different rainbow colors at different angles. It is an excellent choice for customizing party-wear clothes. You can use it both as a base coat and a top coat.
The paint does not contain any CFCs and is 100% lead-free.
What to do if spray painting goes wrong?
Since this could be your first time using fabric spray paints, there is a high chance that the results of your painting are not what you expected. No need to panic as I’ve worked my way around a fix to that too. You can clean your jeans and redo them the way you like.
Spray paints are wash-resistant, but here are a few ways to remove the color marks altogether.
Using alcohol swabs
Alcohol swabs are found in first aid boxes at home easily. If you mess up your paint or a few strokes, go in another direction to what you intended them to be on. You can easily remove them by using an alcohol swab. Make sure to rub over the desired area gently until it has faded enough to be repainted.
Hair spray
Hair sprays contain solvents like ethanol that work great in dissolving oil-based paints. Since spray paints are oil-based paints, hairspray can help you fix what went wrong. We’re sure you have a spray paint can lying on your dressing table. It’s time to make use of it more than just hair.
Nail paint remover
To remove spray paint from jeans, another household item you could bring to use is a nail paint remover. Nail Paint contains acetone that effectively works on oil-based spray paints. Dab a cotton swab dipped in nail paint remover over the pants. We suggest you stay patient as the process takes time.
Turpentine
Turpentine makes stronger bonds with oil than paint pigment. This way, dubbing turpentine will help remove the paint from your jeans. However, Ensure that the space you are working in is well-ventilated. You must be wearing gloves. Ensure to rinse the pants multiple times before working on them.
Dishwashing liquid
Dishwashing liquid can do wonders on jeans. Even when detergents give up on removing the permanent spray paint, a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid goes a long way. Pour it on the affected area, add a couple of drops of water and rub in circular motions. Rinse the pants with water, let them dry, and you can begin painting.
Industrial spray paint remover
Going to a hardware store and asking for an industrial spray paint remover is what most people would do. Industrial spray paint remover has been designed to remove spray paint from jeans and other surfaces so you can clean the canvas again.
If you do not want to go through the hassle of removing the spray paint, you can get your jeans dyed to their original color. You also have a choice to use any other fabric dye and customize the jeans to the color of your choice. You can spray paint on it again or wear it just like that.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of paint can I use on the jeans?
Both acrylic paint and fabric spray paint can be used on jeans. But the best kind of paint is fabric spray paint. It is explicitly designed for clothes because it adheres well to the fabric without causing any damage.
How can I permanently paint my jeans?
After completely drying the paint on your jeans, use an iron to heat the painted area. Heat therapy locks in the spray paint in the denim fabric, letting you paint your jeans permanently. The paint will now stay on the jeans longer without fading.
How do you spray paint jeans?
Spray painting jeans is quite simple. All you need to do is place your stencil on the jeans, cover any exposed parts, and start painting. Make sure your jeans completely dry after being washed, and you’re painting in a well-ventilated area.
How to bleach paint jeans?
Take water and liquid bleach in equal parts. Mix them. Now fill it up in a spray bottle if you want to bleach-paint your jeans in a freestyle pattern. You can even splash the water and bleach mixture. Submerge the jeans in a tub of water containing equal parts of water and bleach; if you would like to bleach-paint it all.
Considering All Of The Above – Never Be Afraid To Be Creative!
Customizing jeans using spray paints is a great DIY way to upgrade your denim wardrobe. It is cheaper and more durable than regular water-based paint. However, you must be careful while using spray paints as they contain toxins that can harm your health.
