The Scottish-born ship captain Robert Fergusson founded the Rust-Oleum Corporation in 1921. According to Rust-Oleum (See Reference 1), Fergusson specifically formulated his line of paints to prevent the rusting and corroding of underlying materials. He got the idea after spilling raw fishing oil on the rusted metal deck of his ship and noticed that it helped prevent further oxidation in the areas affected. After completing a paint formula using the oil that prevented rust, left no unpleasant lingering odor and dried overnight, Fergusson started his business. Today, Rust-Oleum sells a wide variety of spray paint products, including decorative paints, specialized roofing paints and the flagship rust-busting paints that launched the corporation.
According to Krylon (See Reference 2), the manufacturer Foster & Kester began producing Krylon brand aerosol clear coatings in 1947, which the advertising and art industries used for protecting paintings, drawings and other visual media. In the early 1950s, the brand began mixing pigments into its formula, and soon its sales began to climb. Today, Krylon is one of the most well-known and largest makers of spray paints on the market and sells a variety of different products. These include all-purpose spray paints, rust-fighting spray paints and specialized spray paints for plastic.
Montana Colors specializes in producing inexpensive, high-quality spray paints for artists; however, the company also makes spray paints for domestic and industrial use. According to Montana Colors (See Reference 3), a group of individuals working in the paint industry developed the spray paints in 1994, under the brand name Hardcore.
According to Krylon (See Reference 4), it is best to spray paint in well-ventilated areas, preferably outdoors. But if this is not an option, try using fans and keeping doors and windows open. Before you start spraying, cover underlying surfaces with a drop cloth or newspapers to protect them from accidental staining. Also, for optimal results, make sure the surfaces of the object you are about to paint are clean, smooth and dry.
The best times to spray paint are when the wind is calm, the air is free of dust and pollen, and the temperature is between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Ask The Builder (See Reference 5). Excessive heat, cold and wind, as well as the presence particulate matter, can all disrupt the smooth application of paint.
When spraying, make sure to keep the stream flowing continuously, and to cover all of your surfaces with thin coats, using consistent, side-to-side movements.