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Guides & Tips
Spray cans - Paint, varnish and other mediums

Spray cans - Paint, varnish and other mediums

In this guide, we will go through information and answers to questions about spray paint, technical spray paint, spray varnish and caps/nozzles. We at Highlights will be happy to help you if you have other questions that you cannot find the answer to here. Contact us and we will be in touch.

Spray paint

What is the difference between all your different spray can brands?

Whether you want to paint graffiti, repaint a piece of furniture or give your bike a new life with a new colour, we have the right color for you. We have a large range of spray paint for various purposes and you can find more detailed information on the product pages. Below we give some information on selected products from our range.

Montana Gold - Home DIY:s and graffiti
German Montana Cans Rolls Royce. High-quality matte spray paint developed for advanced graffiti painting but thanks to its versatility is also an obvious choice for all types of at "home projects"! The paint has an acrylic base that makes it flexible, which is an advantage when you paint on canvas and want to be able to roll up the canvas without the paint cracking. The can has a low pressure in it, which makes it very easy to handle, and is available in a whopping 214 different colours. Montana Gold's colors are also best compatible with Montana's Tech spray primers and spray paints. Which primer, base color, to use depends on which substrate is to be painted. The varnish is available as matt, semi-gloss or glossy, all provide good protection and you can vary the look to suit your taste.

Montana Black - Graffiti och murals
One of the best and most popular spray cans for graffiti, produced by the German Montana Cans. The color is matte, has high pressure and good coverage. It is also UV resistant (but not the fluorescent colors) and thus a good recommendation for murals.

Montana White - Graffiti
A budget variant with high pressure and glossy color produced by German Montana Cans. The paint cannot be varnished afterwards as it consists of a synthetic paint that already has varnish in it. Mainly adapted to paint graffiti with.

MTN Hardcore - Graffit
Glossy spray paint with high pressure in the can, from the Spanish Montana Colors (MTN). MTN Hardcore is best suited for painting graffiti.

MTN 94 - Graffiti and DIY:s
Matte paint with low pressure in the can, from Spanish Montana Colors (MTN). MTN 94 is perfect for details. A very well-liked and popular spray can that is perfect for painting graffiti as well as furniture etc. Compatible varnishes are available for purchase.

MTN Waterbased - Painting
A water-based spray paint with low odor containing pigments of the highest quality from the Spanish Montana Colors (MTN). Perfect for painting indoors and in studios. Can also be used to paint furniture and has compatible lacquers for extra protection. Please note, however, that even though this spray can is water-based, which of course makes it gentler than "regular" spray paint, it still contains propellant and spray dust always occurs. Don't forget the dust filter and/or gas-mask!

Molotow Premium - The DIY:ers choice!
A semi-matte spray paint with low pressure in the can, made by German Molotow. Molotow Premium is just as suitable for graffiti as it is for DIY projects. If you intend to respray something that you want to withstand wear and tear, don't forget their customized varnish, which you can find under the heading "Accessories" on the product page.

Tarblack and Coversall - Suitable for chrome paint that has not dried
Bitumen-based paint in the same style as classic undercarriage paint. These colors often have a slight shade of brown in them and are suitable for painting on wet chrome with, as it otherwise "eats up" ordinary colours. Not suitable for repainting furniture or smiliar items.

Liquitex spray - Painting
Water-based spray paint with really low odor. Matte color with slightly longer drying time than our other spray cans. Perfect for artistic painting on canvas. Please note that although this spray can is water-based, which makes it gentler than "regular" spray paint, it still contains propellant and that spray dust is always produced. Don't forget the dust filter and/ or gas-mask!

Loop 400ml - Graffiti
Spray paint from Italy. High coverage graffiti paint with a semi-matt finish, equipped with a soft arch that makes them suitable for most types of graffiti painting. Really good spray paint for a really good price.

What is the difference between the whites from Montana Gold?

The Montana Gold series, which is particularly good for those who are going to repaint a piece of furniture, a bicycle or any other DIY projects, offers three different white colours.

S9100 Shock White - A conventional white, so-called Stockholm white in the painting industry.
S9110 Shock White Cream - The most broken of these three. Eggshell white or cream white.
S9120 Shock White Pure - Chalk white.

Are your spray paints heat resistant?

The majority of our spray paints, like all ordinary spray paints, withstand up to approx. 60 - 80 degrees. We therefore recommend that you do not use them on elements, lamps and engine parts, which are heated to higher temperatures. The paint can then react, turn yellow and fall off.

See MTN Industrial Heat resistant for heat resistant spray paint.

What are the gloss levels of your spray products?

Different spray paint manufacturers use different units to measure gloss levels. Below we list some of the different manufacturers' gloss levels.

Montana Gold: 15 GE matte
Montana White: 81 GE glossy
Montana Night Glow: 3 GE matte
Montana UV Effect: 9 GE matte
Montana Tar Black: 4 GE matte
Montana Ultra Wide: 77 GE gloss
Montana Black: 5 GE matte
Montana Glass Paint: 13 GU matte
Montana Metallic: 60 GE Gloss
MTN 94: in 60º 15-25% Gloss
MTN Hardcore: in 60º 60-85% Gloss
MTN Water Based: in 60º less than 10% Gloss
MTN MEGA: in 60º 60-90% Gloss.

Technical spray paint - Effect paint

What is the difference between chrome effect and metallic spray paint?

Spray with chrome effect is usually called Chrome, Goldchrome or Copperchrome by most brands.

Chrome effect paint consists of an 'open' color with bits of pigment that are hit by the light, which gives a shiny effect. This type of color is best suited for ornaments as it gives a very nice shine. The spray paint discolours if you touch them and does not stand up to wear, weather and wind particularly well either. We do not recommend painting with chrome colors because it is a 'living' color and varnish seals and dampens the effect significantly, and reactions can occur. When painting is required, use a pure metallic spray paint such as Montana Metallic.

Metallic spray, such as Montana Metallic, is specifically developed for e.g. furniture, bicycles and the like. This spray paint consists of a 'closed' paint which means that it resists wear well but instead does not get the same shine as e.g. goldchrome. These can also be clear coated for extra protection after curing for 24 hours.

Do you have brass spray paint?

No, but Gold Chrome is very, very similar to brass. If the color is to be used on a piece of furniture that must withstand wear and tear, you should bear in mind that chrome colors wear very easily and cannot be spray painted afterwards. Please see "What is the difference between chrome effect and metallic spray paint?" above.

What's different about Montana's fluorescent colors?

Many people have questions about which brand to choose when they are looking for fluorescent colors. The answer is that it depends on what you want to get out of the color. The fluorescent Montana Gold night glow colors are more suitable for long-term or permanent use, but have slightly less coverage. Montana Black Flour has the better coverage, but fades faster. So, in short, Montana Gold for murals, at home improvements and other permanent uses, and Montana Black Flour for graffiti painting. Also keep in mind that fluorine colors absorb light, i.e. the more light, the faster the color fades.

What effect colors are available?

In addition to metallic, gold and fluorescent paint, we also have, among other things, glitter paint, reflective paint, paint with rust effect, holographic paint and paint with UV effect. In the category Technical spray paint you will find all our effect paints. You can find complete information about the products on the product pages.

Primer

Primers are used when you prepare the surface you are going to paint on. Primers ensure that the paint adheres properly and prevents the paint from flaking. Different materials need different primers. We always recommend that you choose a primer from the same brand as the color you used. On all product pages, the associated primer is listed under the heading "Accessories".

Can you spray paint metal?

Yes, you can spray paint metal, but remember to prepare the surface with a primer before you start painting. We have, among other things, primers for metal, plastic and aluminium. In our guide for DIY projects, we list what applies when spraying on different materials.

How do I store my spray cans?

Store your spray cans, with lids on, together in a ventilated cupboard. Never store spray cans in the same space as flammable liquids. Never keep spray cans within the reach of children. Be extra careful when picking up a spray can to use.

When storing more than 100 litres, a permit is required. Be careful not to expose your spray cans to heat as there is a risk of them exploding. This also applies to an empty container.

Spray varnish

Spray varnish is used to provide a protective layer and gives a nice finish to what you have painted. you can choose whether you want a glossy or matte finish. We always recommend that you choose varnish from the same brand as the color you used. On all product pages, the associated varnish is listed under the heading "Accessories". We also have varnishes that protect against UV radiation and two-component varnishes that protect against petrol and other chemical liquids.

Caps/ Nozzles

Which Cap / Nozzle should I use for my spray can, and what is the difference?

We have a large selection of nozzles, everything from slim skinny-caps to large fat-caps, and of course it all depends on what you are going to paint with the spray paint. The original nozzles that come with Montana Gold and Molotow Premium provide a narrow soft jet suitable for smaller parts and details, while Montana Black has a wider variant.

Should you repaint a larger surface, e.g. a table, cabinet doors, wall or the like, we recommend that you buy nozzles with a larger spread, e.g. Level 4 or Level 5, or the calligraphy pen Flat Jet Wide, as it is easier to get a smooth and nice surface with these. It is worth considering that there is always more color in a higher pressure with wide caps compared to narrow ones, so always test on a piece of cardboard or a plank so you get a feel for it before tackling the object you intend to spray.

The distance between the can and your object to be painted is regulated by which nozzle you use, the smaller the closer and vice versa. Normally between 5-20 cm.

If you want to test yourself and find your favorite, Montana has put together a good mixed bag with the entire level system and also includes a small information sheet about the different caps and their spread/rays - Montana Level caps 6-set. Caps are personal and it may take some experimentation before you find your favorites.

SKINNY CAPS - Makes a thin jet and are suitable for narrow lines and details

Level 1 - Ultra skinny cap, for extra slim lines. About 0.5 - 2 cm.
Level 2 - Skinny cap. The width of the beam will be approx. 0.6 - 2.5cm.
Level 3 - Soft skinny cap with a beam of approx. 1-4 cm.
Needle Cap - Hard unsharp beam, approx. 0.4-1.2 cm wide. Lets a lot of paint through and sprays much longer than normal caps, you can hold the spray can up to 50-70 cm from the wall.
Pipe Skinny - The little brother of the classic Needle Cap. The tube is both shorter and narrower, which affects the beam in the same way.
Needle Fine Liner Cap - Hard unsharp beam, approx. 0.2-1 cm wide. A thinner variant of the Needle Cap.
Cream Skinny Cap - Specially developed to provide a narrow and sharp beam. Gives approx. 1-2 cm wide, sharp lines.
Flame Skinny - A super slim skinny cap, delivers a thin, soft jet of about 0.4-1.5 cm depending on the can's arch and pressure.
Pro Cap - Ultra skinny cap, perfect for making thin, very sharp lines 0.4-1.5 cm.
Maclaim Cap - Extra narrow skinny cap, the width of the beam is approx. 1 cm. Perfect for tinting and detail work.
Skinny Beige - Skinny cap with a soft approx. 1 cm wide beam.
Black Skinny - A good all-in-all skinny cap, about 1-1.5 cm wide beam.
Original Cap - Classic skinny cap with a beam of approximately 1-1.5 cm. The beam becomes relatively hard and slightly fuzzy, nice cap to get an "old school" look with. Also called Belton OG or Stock cap
Universal Yellow - A.k.a. "Banana cap" a great all-round cap that is suitable both for filling smaller areas and for outlines, gives approx. 2-3 cm wide, sharp lines.
Montana Outline Cap - Skinny cap, with a beam from about 1-4cm. Excellent for outlines and seconds.

MEDIUM CAPS - Medium wide and often with a soft beam

Gray Skinny - Medium wide beam, about 1-4.5 cm. Good cap for filling and creating fades with etc.
Hardcore Cap Medium - Medium cap to fill surfaces with.
Level 4 - Soft and wide beam from 3-10 cm.
Blue Soft - Intermediate beam of approx. 2-4.5 cm. Soft and good for fades.
Smooth Soft - Soft beam from 1 -4 cm.
Lego Cap - Sharp medium cap that is perfect for filling in as well as for lines & details. In terms of size, between New York Fatcap and Universal Yellow, a ray of about 1-5cm.
Flat Jet Medium Cap - with calligraphic effect, gives an approx. 5 cm wide jet.

FAT CAPS - Wide beam and delivers a lot of color

New York Fat Cap - An immortal classic and one of the world's most popular caps among graffiti artists. Delivers a sharp medium wide beam of approx. 4-6 cm.
Orange Fat Cap - Fatcap with a thick beam of approx. 8 cm. Perfect for filling and broad lines.
Level 5 - A very wide barrel cap, with a beam from about 4-15 cm.
Flux Cap - Like an "Original cap" with high pressure. The beam becomes relatively hard and slightly fuzzy, nice cap to get an "old school" look with.
Astro Fat Cap - Perhaps the widest fat cap on the market, with a beam from approx. 5-25cm it is possible to go from narrow to wide in one move.
Pink Fat Cap - Classic fat cap with high pressure and a thick beam of approx. 12 cm. Perfect for filling and broad lines.
Super Fat Yellow Cap - Developed to give the best possible performance on Loop spray, when an extra fat, round jet is desired, 1-10 cm. Designed for fast assignments.
Super Fat Cap - With a beam from approx. 5-20cm.
Gold Fat Cap - A so-called ultra-wide fat cap, with a beam from approx. 5-25 cm.
Level 6 - A very wide barrel cap, with a beam from about 5-25 cm.
Hardcore Fat Cap - Popular and mega fat, perfect for filling larger areas quickly.
Flat Jet Wide Cap - with calligraphic effect, gives an approx. 9 cm wide jet.

SPECIAL CAPS - Caps that give a different spray pattern. On calligraphy caps, the outer part can be turned so that they produce a horizontal or vertical beam.

Flat Jet Medium Cap - Calligraphic effect, gives an approx. 5 cm wide jet.
Flat Jet Wide Cap - Calligraphic effect, gives an approx. 9 cm wide jet.
Calligraphy Cap - Calligraphic effect, with an approx. 1.5-8 cm wide beam.
Super Booster - Unique cap that gives a really wide calligraphy beam. *Please note that it only works on 600ml spray cans with cross vaults.

2022-06-13