Can You Spray Paint A Christmas Tree? (DIY Guide + Ideas!)

In short, yes! You can spray paint a Christmas tree, so long as you do it in a well-ventilated area. However, it is tricky depending on what type of tree you're painting. 

So, can you spray a fake Christmas tree? If you are painting an artificial or plastic tree, any all-purpose water-based spray paint will work just fine on plastic. 

Aside from plastic trees, you can also spray paint on pre-lit and flocked trees. Of course, cover the lightbulbs and parts you don't want to be painted before applying the paint. This can be a time-consuming task, but trust me when I say it is not one you want to skip.  

If you’re looking at how to flock a Christmas tree with spray paint, you must ensure that the kind you use is water-based latex paint other than regular latex or oil-based paint. Oil-based paints are harmful to real trees as they can potentially damage the life system of a tree by killing tree tissue. 

If you spray paint a real tree, although the paint lasts for a while, the real tree does not. You can paint onto the leaves of the real tree as long as it's water-based spray paint. 

A real tree lasts about six weeks indoors before it starts to dry out. Spray painting a real tree does hurt it a bit as it traps in damaging bacteria and fungi, as well as seals in excess moisture. 

So, now that you have an idea of what type of tree to paint, you might be wondering what color to paint it. Can you spray paint a Christmas tree pink? Yes, but most people follow a holiday season palette, so white is a primary staple. There are other colors you can paint your tree to make it your own. 

Another way you can paint it is by showing your equal admiration for all things Christmas and Halloween and spray painting it black. Luckily, you can even have matching decorations for your gothic Christmas tree. 

You can complement the paint’s color with ornaments. For instance, if your favorite set of colors ranges from green, purple, or red, you can spray paint your tree green and match it with red or purple ornaments or other decorations. 

Now we get to the exciting part: spray painting your Christmas tree!  

Before starting, make sure that your spray paint is the right kind for use on a tree. A water-based latex product is one of the better choices. This type will effectively adhere to the tree's surface and branches. However, some Rust-Oleum products and craft spray paint will also provide sufficient coverage and stick to the tree.  

Any other type of regular spray paint, especially oil-based, will not adhere to the tree effectively. In addition, using traditional paint on a living tree can clog its lenticels and stop growth.  

Materials Needed 

Before you get started, it is essential to prepare your tree. First, ensure you clean any dust, debris, or items off the tree. Using a vacuum with a soft bristle hand attachment can simplify this task.  

Some artificial trees will have pre-strung lights. If you cannot remove these before painting, use small pieces of painter's tape to cover each light bulb so you do not paint over them.

The spray paint will still cover and coat the strings of lights, but it will blend in with the tree. This effect gives it an even more magical look once complete, and only the lights stand out.  

Painting an artificial Christmas tree will require you to separate and space out all the branches as much as possible. You do not want the branches to clump together, or you will have uneven areas on your tree when it is complete.  

If your tree comes apart in pieces, you can ensure better coverage by separating these sections and painting them one at a time.  

If you are painting a real tree, make sure to straighten it onto the tree stand. You want it upright, so you get an even coat throughout the tree.   

Once you finish preparing your tree, assigning the workspace is vital.  

Spread a drop sheet or tarp out in the space you will be painting. This sheet should protect the surrounding area and items. This sheet is necessary for working inside or out. It will help prevent the paint from splattering onto the floor, your driveway, or grass.  

If you paint indoors, it should be in a well-ventilated room. Open any doors or windows nearby to encourage airflow before you begin. The temperature in the room should be between 70 to 75°F for it to dry correctly.  

Wear protective eyewear, a respirator mask, gloves, and footwear or socks you can get paint on as you move around the tree.  

Moving outside can be better if you want to avoid any overspray indoors. However, spray painting a Christmas tree outdoors should be done in mild weather. Painting in extreme humidity and winds can unintentionally turn your new project into a disaster. 

Areas like an outdoor shop or garage work great for this task. Remember to move any items out of the spray zone before starting on your tree.  

Apply water-based primer onto your tree to strengthen the adhesion and smoothness. Once dry, you can start painting! However, if working with a real tree, you do not have to prime it because it will dry out. 

Spray the tree at all angles to create an even coating. Use light coats of paint rather than spraying heavily at the beginning. More lightweight coats of paint will dry quicker and minimize any paint dripping off the tree onto the drop sheet.  

Start with the top-down method, then the sides, and finally underneath the branches. Once you finish the first coat, you should take a closer look with different angles to see if you missed any areas or require touch-ups.  

The tree will need time to dry and cure before you can put it out for display. Allow for 72 hours from painting the Christmas tree to the time you add decorations or move it around.  

So, to review, can you spray paint a Christmas tree? Luckily, you can, and typically water-based spray paint is best. However, only use spray paint on artificial trees rather than real ones.