Practical hardware and DIY essentials — spray paint, primers, finishing supplies, and the everyday gear that pulls a project together. Stocked from our Morningside, Auckland warehouse and shipped NZ-wide within 1–2 business days.

Handy Mandy is best known for art and craft supplies, but the same warehouse stocks a growing range of DIY and hardware items — mostly the products that overlap with creative work. Spray paint for upcycle projects, primers for furniture refurbishment, masking and finishing supplies for home renovation. If you're somewhere in the middle of "I'm a hobbyist with a Saturday" and "I need 12 cans of black spray paint to refresh my garden chairs", you're in the right place.

What's in the Hardware range

• Spray paint — 17 colours of Max Brand 100g aerosol. Gloss, matte, satin, metallic, blackboard finish, plus Grey Primer and clear lacquer topcoat
• Primers & finishing — Grey Primer (use before colour on bare wood, metal or plastic), Gloss Clear lacquer (UV-protective topcoat)
• Specialty finishes — Blackboard Black for DIY chalkboards, metallic Gold / Silver / Copper for accent work

Popular DIY use cases

Bulk & trade pricing

Stocked in inner-packs of 12 and full cartons of 24. If you're buying full inners or cartons — e.g. a school art department, a paint-and-sip venue, a property maintenance team, or a craft market vendor — email info@handymandy.co.nz with what you need and we'll put together a quote.

Shipping notes for hardware aerosols

Aerosols ship by NZ ground freight only — no air freight per NZ Civil Aviation Authority rules. We use NZ Post ground and CourierPost ground for everything in this category. Standard transit times: Auckland metro 1–2 days, North Island main centres 2–3 days, South Island main centres 3–4 days. Free NZ shipping over $75. Afterpay available over $35.

Frequently asked questions

Is your spray paint suitable for outdoor furniture?
Yes — the standard range gives 12–24 months outdoor durability. For longer life on weather-exposed pieces, finish with 2 coats of Gloss Clear (UV-protective lacquer). Reapply Gloss Clear every 18–24 months for sustained UV protection.

Do I need to sand before spraying?
Smooth glossy surfaces (sealed wood, plastic, glazed ceramic, metal) need a light sand with 240-grit to give the paint something to grip. Rough or porous surfaces (raw wood, MDF, terracotta) just need a wipe-down with a dry cloth before primer.

Can I spray paint over existing paint?
Yes, if the existing paint is dry, clean and not flaking. Light sand to dull the shine, wipe down, then spray. If the original surface is peeling or rough, strip first or it'll come off with the old paint.

What's the difference between primer and paint?
Primer is designed to bond to surfaces that paint won't grip on its own (bare metal, plastic, raw wood). It dries to a matt grey that's intentionally textured at the microscopic level so the colour coat can stick. Skip primer on canvas, sealed wood, or anything already painted — it's only needed for bare or non-stick surfaces.

How long should I wait between coats?
5–10 minutes between thin coats. 24 hours full cure before handling, overpainting with brush acrylics, or topcoating with Gloss Clear.

Will spray paint damage my lawn / driveway / garage floor?
Yes if you spray directly onto unprotected ground. Always lay a drop sheet, large kraft paper, or old cardboard. Overspray travels further than you think — lay a sheet at least 1m wider than your project on each side.

Stocked at 3 Morningside Drive, Auckland 1025. Free NZ shipping over $75. Schools, trades and craft venues — email info@handymandy.co.nz for bulk quotes.