British Standard 5252 12 E 51 Aerosol Spray Paint 400ml Cans

Before you start

Clean, dry, and lightly key the surface for better adhesion, then apply a suitable primer. Primer improves coverage, helps prevent reactions, and gives a smoother base for colour.

Choosing a primer

• Metal, use anti-corrosive or zinc rich primer
• Plastic, use an adhesion promoter or plastic primer
• Wood, use a stain blocking or sanding sealer primer

See our complete primer collection for options.

Finishing coats

For extra gloss and protection, finish with a clear lacquer. Pick matt, satin, or gloss to suit the look, allow colour to dry, then apply light coats with the correct flash times.

Safety while spraying

• Wear a suitable respirator, gloves, and eye protection
• Work in a ventilated area, avoid sparks and flames
• Read the can label for recoat times, cure times, and disposal

Browse our health and safety equipment for the right PPE.

Need advice

If you need help choosing a primer, lacquer, or safety gear, use our contact form, we are happy to help.

Sheen affects appearance, durability, and how easily a surface can be cleaned. Percentages are indicative and may vary by brand.

Full Gloss (about 90%)
Very shiny, highly reflective finish. Hard wearing and easiest to wipe clean. Best for doors, trims, kitchen units, and areas that need frequent cleaning. Highlights surface imperfections.

Semi-Gloss (about 60%)
Noticeable shine with strong durability. Good for skirting, banisters, bathrooms, and utility areas. Shows fewer flaws than full gloss while still resisting marks.

Satin (about 30%)
Soft sheen with balanced look. Versatile for furniture, interior doors, radiators, and walls that need some cleanability. Hides minor defects better than higher gloss levels.

Eggshell (about 15%)
Low sheen with a gentle glow. Suits living rooms and bedrooms, more washable than matte, more forgiving than satin.

Matte (0%)
Flat, non reflective finish. Excellent at disguising surface imperfections. Ideal for ceilings and low traffic walls. Least washable, touch ups blend more easily.

Quick tips

• Higher sheen, better durability and washability, more visible defects
• Lower sheen, better at hiding marks, less wipe resistance
• Always test a small area first to confirm colour and sheen

Need help selecting a sheen for your project, contact us via the contact form.

Additives can improve durability and appearance, choose the option that matches your environment and use.

High Resistance Additive
Enhances film strength and corrosion resistance, helps protect against moisture, road salt, acid rain, and tarnishing. Useful on metalwork, gates, railings, chassis parts, and coastal or high wear areas.

• Improves adhesion and barrier protection
• Helps reduce rust creep at chips and edges
• Supports longer service life in harsh weather

UV Protection Additive
Shields colour and clear coats from sunlight, helps slow fading, chalking, and yellowing. Ideal for outdoor furniture, doors, cladding, and vehicles exposed to direct sun.

• Maintains gloss and colour stability
• Recommended for bright and dark colours alike
• Helpful on south facing or coastal installations

Quick selection tips

• Use High Resistance for wet, salty, or industrial environments
• Use UV Protection for strong sunlight or long outdoor exposure
• Both additives can be combined when compatibility allows, check product data first

Match the paint to your substrate, drying time, and durability needs. Always clean, degrease, and key the surface first.

Cellulose Paint
Fast drying, easy to blend, suitable for metal panels, machinery, and frames. Good for quick turnarounds and spot repairs, lower chemical resistance than 2K systems.

• Best on prepared metal, use primer on bare steel or aluminium
• Easy to sand and polish, ideal for small refinishing tasks

Acrylic Enamel Paint, 1K or 2K
Versatile on plastics and metals, tidy balance of drying time and durability. 1K is simpler to use, 2K offers stronger hardness and chemical resistance.

• Use on doors, windows, trims, automotive panels
• Plastic parts need correct prep, adhesion promoter improves grip

Synthetic Enamel Paint
Smooth, long lasting finish for wood and metal, longer drying times, durable in outdoor settings such as vehicles and agricultural equipment.

• High build, good flow, forgiving on brush and roller
• Allow extended cure before heavy service or overcoating