"Buying Spray Paint at Walmart" Topic

Well, my local Walmart has put all the spray paint in locked cabinets now. Not sure why, as this is a suburban location without a shoplifting problem as far as I know.

So, now I have to figure out what I need, then find a worker to unlock the cabinet(s) to get my paints. And by the time he's done helping, someone else comes along to ask for paint, so I think he gets "trapped there" for quite a while!

Oddly enough, while I was getting my paint, someone came over and said 'hi' – it was the cashier from Taco Bell who had taken our order earlier in the evening! Nice kid. Small world.

When it comes to primer, I'm typically buying flat white spray paint that works on both metal and plastic. Might as well be ready with something that bonds well.

For matte clearcoat, I'm using Chalked brand these days. It costs double what other spray paint costs, but does a good job and a lot easier to find than Dullcote.

My work around for locked cabinets is to order the items via the store online system for either store pickup or delivery. It does two things which I favor.
1). Makes it more convenient for me.
2). Involves the use of more labor on the part of the store thereby pushing back just a little on the contraction of hours for store employees.

The chalked stuff is really good!

I assumed that the spray cans at my WalMart were locked up because of the shameless scum vandals who pop open a can and tag the floors or shelves, no so much shoplifters.

I did stop buying spray paint at WalMart though. Home Depot tends to have a much better selection anyway.

I will buy my primer at Walmart after every game shop and art supply shop closes its doors. Walmart isn't going away.

When my wife was in retail they locked up spray paint, it was a favorite item of shoplifters. Huffers and taggers, and that was 20 years ago.

Probably a corporate directive. Many retail stores are locking items behind glass, of course, they all have reduced staff as well, so I usually walk away when what I want is locked up.

+1 doubleones

I use Amazon….

We will not go to Target, and seldom go to Walmart. My wife loves Hobby Lobby and their paints are still unlocked.

My wife also uses Hobby Lobby. So I tag along…

I like getting my spray paint at the box stores – just about the last place that will still card me at the check-out.

Striker has it. Huffers and taggers. Even in a suburb there are brats who think they're "street" and whose parents are completely disengaged from the lives of their offspring.

I asked them why they locked up the spray paint and the person pointed to one of the shelves where people have sprayed various different colors, etc. trying out the cans to see if the sprayers on the cans work.

I bought most of my spray paint at Walmart until the local stores stopped carrying the "flat" colors that I wanted. It seems everything went to gloss or satin. I found the Walmart sprays to be just as good or better than the $10 USD hobby store cans.

Some are locked some are not. As I understand it they don't want to support the tagged and huffers.

I'm a big fan of the Rust-oleum automotive primer in gray from Walmart. It good news bad news. Sometimes I ran out of figures to prime and the can sat for awhile. I would go to use it and even though it was half full – no joy.

Walmart alway gave a full refund without receipt.

John the OFM recommended buying spray cans at Wal-Mart many years ago and I have used their 2X flat gray and 2X white primer ever since. I also use their camouflage colors and a few others. Much cheaper than hobby paints and Rust-Oleum owns Testors now anyway.

Huffers and taggers and "testing" inside the stores are a big problem in some areas. Some areas also require paint be locked up, that's why there is no graffiti in Los Angeles. HA HA.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek

I use sandable auto primer, which is awesome, so I buy my spray paint at Autozone.

I use Dupli-color white sandable primer. Also Windsor newton flat varnish. Better than dullcote and actually cheeper (larger can).

In many places local ordnances require spray paint be locked up and you need to show ID to buy it. I suppose this is to prevent vandalism, since people under 18 tend to spray paint their names everywhere while those over 18 are always responsible. Certainly the places with those laws have more graffiti than other places, so clearly the laws work.

Meanwhile, I read Dollar Tree is starting to put some of their merchandise behind lock and key because of shoplifting, which boggles one's mind, but there it is.

Dupli-color is my choice. I couldn't remember it's brand name in my earlier post.

My Wal-Mart has not locked up their spray paint cans, yet. I, too, use gray automotive, sandable primer.

I find that if I use my cordless drill, with a PVC Pipe attachment, to spin-mix the cans, it works amazingly well. I also turn the cans upside down, and spray a little bit, to clear out the nozzle of paint, before I store them again. I've had cans sit for 2+ years, without issue, when I use them again.

The gray automotive primer is one of the lowest priced primer paints available, at Wal-Mart. It works, superbly, and it does the least gouging of any spray paints, in my wallet. Cheers!

My walmart locks up spray cans in paint, BUT does not lock up the few basic primer colors in the Auto section. I have never been able to get anyone to come open it up for me, so just don't buy there.

I just found that the local Michaels locks up their sprays, but they have a little button on the locked cabinet to call a staff member. Can't tell you if it works, but it is a good idea.

I was almost out of flat black, so I sent SOM and DOM to WalMart to grab a couple cans. Came back, empty handed. Apparently he was only 17, and couldn't buy spray paint. Grumble, grumble, grumble. So I went myself, and asked SWMBO if she needed anything else while I was out. So there I am, a responsible adult, checking out with spray paint, a giant sized pack of toilet paper, and two dozen eggs.

I've passed 6990 levels in Candy Crush

Don't be subjective because bob the robber is everywhere, including suburbs or remote places.

Even in suburban areas, spray paint can be a target for shoplifters. It's relatively inexpensive and can be used for vandalism or creating graffiti. Locking it up might be a preventative measure. Maybe there have been some recent incidents of theft or misuse of spray paint in your particular store. wow classic ctm gold

Nice read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing a little research on basement waterproofing Pittsburgh.

Walmart spray paints seemed to have really been hit by inflation. What was 98 cents a can a few years ago is now $3. USD Still cheaper than the alternatives. They lock them up because the floor in my middle class suburban neighborhood looks like a rainbow from idiots using it on the floor to test colors.

I find the Color Place flat primers are fine for plastic, but does not adhere well to metal figures and rubs off very easily.

One of my favorites is Duplicolor Sandable Primer which is found at Pep Boys. Its an automotive primer so its tough, but goes on quite thin with short quick passes.

However, I've moved to airbrush priming unless I'm doing a huge batch of figures.

Locking the rice purity test paint cabinet may be to prevent theft, which is a necessary security measure. I'm glad you met the Taco Bell staff again, it was a happy coincidence. Regarding primers and topcoats, your advice on paints that are suitable and easy to find are very helpful. Thanks a lot.