A paint collar is provided that provides a spray shield for a surface around a work piece while painting, coating, or spraying the work piece. The paint collar has a first member and a second member that form around the work piece, thereby forming a contiguous paint shield surface. The first member and the second member abut against one another along aligned inner edges when the paint collar is in a working state. Along the inner edges of each member is a notch, which forms an aperture to allow the work piece to extend through the paint collar when the paint collar is placed around the base thereof. The first and second members are connected via one or more connectors, which allow hinged movement or complete separation. In one embodiment, the aperture formed by the notches is sized for work piece that comprises an upstanding, four-by-four post.