Ah, washable spray paints: What better way to make memories with creative projects and games, or play good old-fashioned pranks? Washable spray paints are a fun and fast way to add bursts of color to anything you use them on.
The best overall removable or washable spray paint is Testors Spray Chalk. It is easy to use and washes off multiple surfaces with water or a wet cloth. Testors Spray Chalk does not harm grass, is safe to use on fabrics, will not ruin a car’s paint, and will not stain concrete.
Aside from the above, I’ve also rounded up a few other options specifically rated for grass, fabric, cars, and concrete. Read on to learn more about them!
The 5 Best Washable Spray Paints (by Use)
Best Overall Spray Paint
Testors Spray Chalk, 4 Count
When you want to do a spray painting job — whether for fun or a commission — you want it to be fuss-free. You don’t want to spend hours in the store agonizing over whether this or that brand suits this or that job. The only thing you should think about is whether the shade you’re going to use is just right.
Luckily, Testors Spray Chalk is here to save the day.
If you’re just going off by the product description, you’d almost think it’s too good to be true. Works on hard, non-porous surfaces like concrete? Check. Washable and eco-friendly? Check. Lasts at least a week wherever you use it? Check and check. (I used a second “check,” because you can use it on almost any surface.)
It’s going to take a while to use up too, as the whole pack covers about 80 linear feet (24 meters).
I bought a pack from Amazon the other day, and what do you know: It lives up to the hype! So far, I have not had anyone complain about strange smells from the paint or anything like that. If anything (at the risk of sounding immodest), my neighbors were pretty happy about me putting a little more color into their lives.
Best Grass Spray Paint
Seymour Stripe Athletic Field Marker
Are you looking to set up a soccer field, hopscotch path, or marking arrows on the field for directions? Maybe you’re having a party and want your lawn to look greener. Either way, you probably want something fun to use while staying eco-friendly.
Before I get to the product proper, let’s talk about spray painting grass. It’s not a new concept: Stetson University posted an article after receiving inquiries about why their maintenance staff was spray painting the grass (source: Stetson Today).
As it turns out, spray painting the grass doesn’t damage it. Instead, the paint:
- Provides UV protection from the sun
- Saves water during a drought
- Makes the grass more aesthetic to the eye
The best spray paint for grass is the Seymour Stripe Athletic Field Marker. It comes in various colors and lasts up to five days. Also, it dries within a quarter of an hour, and it doesn’t have VOCs (volatile organic compounds), meaning you don’t have to worry about harming the environment.
Testors Spray Chalk is also available in various colors but washes away with a spray hose or rain, whereas the Seymour Stripe Athletic Field Marker is semi-permanent. Both will fade and disappear as the grass grows and experiences natural weather or regular maintenance.
Best Washable Fabric Spray Paint
Crayola Marker Airbrush Set
If you have kids over six years old, this is a great product to use. The product description sums it up beautifully: “Kid Powered No Batteries needed.” All they have to do is grab a marker straight out of the box and let their kiddie imaginations go wild!
(Of course, you’ll want to supervise anything your young child does. The last thing you want is those colors ending up in places they shouldn’t!)
Even if you’re not planning to do a craft with the kids, no rule says adults can’t play with Crayola. The Crayola Marker Airbrush Set comes with bright colors, an easy-to-use point-and-shoot spray gun, and regular and fabric-specific markers.
The standard markers are washable (although you may want to use a stain remover on clothing), whereas the fabric markers are specifically for art designs you want to stay permanently. The standard versions are perfect for cosplayers and Halloween partygoers, who’ll only need one evening max to “look the part.”
If you’re not quite sure what to do with your fabric spray paint, don’t worry: This airbrush set comes with premade stencils and instructions. Pay attention to the instruction sheets in particular, because they’ll tell you how to make the most of this fun coloring tool.
Best Washable Car Spray Paint
Boley Spray Chalk Paint
There’s a trend on the web where people “decorate” the cars of unsuspecting victims with spray paint. Thankfully, this prank is nearly harmless — except to the car owner’s heart which probably skipped a few beats. If you’d like to indulge your inner prankster, you can try out the Boley Spray Chalk Paint. It’s vibrant, easy to use, and washes off with water.
In case you’re worried about the chalk’s interaction with the car’s paint, don’t fret. Chalk paint doesn’t interfere with your car’s paint, so it won’t cause fading, chipping, or other damage. (But if you’re concerned, you can always ask your friendly neighborhood car mechanic.)
You can also use the Boley Spray Chalk Paint for things like ads and celebrations. Need to promote a yard sale, business, or other events? Or what about “Just Married” or “Honk because I’m 21 Today!”? This brand has you covered. It works on a variety of surfaces, including but not limited to grass, concrete, and even sand.
It’s pretty kid-friendly too! As long as your little one is above the age of eight, this chalk spray paint should be safe to use. After all, it complies with standards set by the likes of ASTM, ICTI Care, etc.
Best Washable Concrete Spray Paint
Montana Cans Spray Chalk Paint
Spray painting is an art form. Whether you want to immortalize your art is up to you. However, if you want a one-and-done masterpiece on the driveway, sidewalk, or tarmac, you’ll need something that washes off with a hose. You don’t want to be down on your hands and knees scrubbing the concrete.
Montana Cans Spray Chalk Paint works like a regular type of spray paint, with the bonus of washing away with a hose or rain like regular chalk. Its vibrant colors help you knock out incredible creations.
If you’re worried about this spray paint’s potentially harmful effects on the environment, don’t worry. Even if you get a splash or two on some leaves, you can rest assured those leaves won’t wither under the weight of the paint. That said, it wouldn’t hurt to maybe put some kind of protective cover on the surrounding greenery if you don’t want to worry about extra cleanup duty afterward.
Due to its absorbent properties, concrete holds onto spray paint for a long time. While spray paint will fade and wear over time, you can remove it from your driveway, but you may have to put in a lot of work and use harmful chemicals such as trisodium phosphate (TSP) to clean it off. (source: Bob Villa).
Are Spray Paints Usually Washable?
Spray paints are not usually washable. Most of them are acrylic-based, meaning they will not easily come off if you pour water on them. That said, there are spray paints that you can easily wash off, ensuring that the environment stays safe when you use them.
No matter what surface you want to spray paint on, there’s bound to be a product for you. I prefer the Testors Spray Chalk for all surface conditions, but if you think it’s not for you, no worries: You can always pick one or two out of the stuff I just recommended above.