Can You Spray Paint Grass? (Everything You Need To Know!)

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Reviewed by
Eral Kadrija

Tony Adams

Maybe your grass lawn is starting to look faded and you want to paint over it to revive its look. So, can you spray paint over the grass?

You can spray paint over grass. But, you should only use 100% water-based paint or grass (lawn) paint. Using oil-based paint can ruin the grass or cause it to turn yellow due to the high level of oils.

Also, you shouldn’t apply thick coats or cover the entire blades because that can prevent the grass from getting nutrients, rainfall, and sunlight.

Does Spray Paint Ruin Grass?

Spray paint designed for use on grass will not ruin it. However, if you use spray paint with a high level of chemicals, solvents, and or oils, you will wither the grass.

The chemicals and thick nature of oil-based spray paints will prevent the grass from soaking up sunlight and other nutrients that are essential to its survival. So, you should only use spray paints that are specially made for grass or lawns. Several brands, such as Krylon, produce them. 

These lawn spray paints are water-based and they have a very low level of chemicals and oils. Most of them are made from fossil materials that don’t harm plants at all. So using them will not damage the lawn.

Wet Grass

Spray paint for grass or lawns will stick to wet grass because they are designed with good adhesive qualities.

Asides from that, the blades of grass in your garden or lawn always have a moist feel when you touch or feel them. As such, the paint designed for use on grass is made to stick to a wet texture.

Also, grass does not hold or retain much levels of water. After you wet the lawn or it rains, the water doesn’t stay on the blades of grass. Rather, the water goes into the soil where the roots of it can benefit from it and help the plant to grow.

Since the water doesn’t stay on the blades where the paint will be applied, and the spray paint is designed to stick to moist textures, there is no problem with adhesion. 

However, you shouldn’t spray them while it’s raining or when it just rained. This is because, during this period, the moisture content on the blades of grass will still be much as not all the water will have entered the soil yet.

This can pose a few adhesion problems. Also, you shouldn’t spray when rain is expected to fall in a few hours as that can wash off the coating before it dries (cures) completely.

Durability

How Long Does Spray Paint Last On Grass

On average, lawn spray paint lasts about 7 weeks on grass. This is because grass grows an average of 3 centimeters per week.

At this rate, the grass will grow about 21 centimeters in 7 weeks. At a 21 centimeters increase in length, the sprayed paint will be almost invisible between 7 weeks to 2 months after it was applied.

Its durability also depends on how fast the grass frown, weather temperature, rainfall, and how often you cut or mow the lawn. 

Also, most lawn spray paints are water-based, and they aren’t durable, so the finish will wear off after a couple of weeks because of the rain and sunlight. However, using water-based paint is mandatory because if you use paint that is designed to be thick, durable, or strong, it can ruin the grass by blocking it from vital nutrients.

But, you can re-paint grass whenever the finish wears off. However, if your lawn keeps looking brown, yellow, or faded, you should fertilize the soil rather than dousing the lawn with paint every week. 

Can You Spray Green Paint On Grass?

Spraying grass with a green color is a very common practice. It is used by landscapers, gardeners, and pitch builders. Most times, when lawns get brown or yellowish due to weathering effects, pest infestation, or any other reason, it is usually covered with a green color. 

Also, grasses like bermudagrass tend to lose chlorophyll as the weather tilts toward the cold winter months. This can cause it to turn yellowish or brownish. A slight green color will turn it back to green. 

Asides from tinting the color of the lawn, the green spray paint also help with protection in extreme weather conditions. The green coat serves as a shield that reduces the effects of harsh weather conditions on the grass and soil too.

It also adds beauty to your lawns and it’s rumored to repel pests that can eat or damage it. So in addition to making your lawn more attractive, it also adds an extra bit of protection against harsh weather and can be a source of pest control.

Tips:

  1. Grass Blade – If you cover both sides of the blade of grass, you will block its ability to photosynthesize which is how plants get their food and grow.
  2. Light Coats – If you spray heavy coats, there will be too much paint on the lawn and this can also cause yellowing later.
  3. Type – Only use spray paints designed for grass. Other types can contain a high level of oils that can damage the lawn.
  4. Prep Work – If you’ll like to spray sections of the lawn probably for the 4th of July or Christmas decoration, you should demarcate the lawn using a moisture-resistant sheet or liner. You should also clear the lawn if you just mowed it. When the lawn is neat and well-prepped, your spray paint will come out fine.

Related Read: Can You Paint Over Spray Paint?

Things To Know

Rust-Oleum Spray Paint

You should only use the rust oleum renovator grass color refresh. This product from rust oleum is designed to be used on grass, lawns, and plants. It also has a fade resistance that lasts longer than most spray paints.

Other types of rust oleum will harm and possibly ruin the lawn. That’s because they contain a high level of additives and chemicals. So, the paint can be used on various surfaces to prevent the harsh effects of weathering.

Wash Off

Lawn spray paint will not wash off on grass as long as it has cured (dried). It will last up to 3 months and won’t be washed off when you wet the lawn or during rainfall.

Does It Cause Grass To Grow?

Spray paint is not designed as a fertilizer and as such can’t improve the growth of your lawn.

Do You Need To Seal It?

Grass paint doesn’t need to be sealed. It is designed to be used directly and without a top coat.

Can You Use Regular Spray Paint?

You can only use water-based regular spray paint on the grass. You shouldn’t use oil-based or spray paint designed for other surfaces as it can damage the lawn.

Turf

Yes, you can spray paint turf– but you need to use spray paint specially made for fake grass. Those sprayers have the quality to adhere to the synthetic fibers of fake grass and provide durability. You can change the color of the turf too.

Final Words

In summary, you can spray paint grass, but you must use a sprayer designed for lawn. Other types can ruin it. Also, don’t spray too much paint, and ensure to leave enough dry time.

Tony Adams

Tony Adams

Woodworker, Interior and Exterior Painter, Flooring Specialist

Tony is a professional painter and an author of DIY Geeks. Tony has completed over 1,000 painting projects for his clients. It's safe to say he knows what he Is talking about.

Eral Kadrija

Eral Kadrija

Lead Editor, Home Renovator

Eral has a passion for home renovation and repair. Over the years, he has bought, renovated, and sold 7 old homes. Using his experience from different DIY projects he created DIY Geeks.

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