8 Most Spray Paint Mistakes (& Fixes)

Spray paint is a paint type applied from a pressurized container. It’s known for its ease of application, fast dry time, and uniform coatings.

While applying spray paint you can face different problems and make different mistakes.

How To Fix If You Sprayed The Wrong Surface Side?

To fix if you sprayed the wrong surface side, do the following things.

1. Wipe the spray paint with a damp rag if it’s still wet.
2. Use solvent-based paint remover if the coating is dry.
3. Pour warm soapy water over the surface to remove leftover paint.

How To Fix Spray Paint Bubbles?

To fix spray paint bubbles do the following things.

1. Pop the bubbles. 
2. Sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper (220-grit).
3. Apply one primer coat.
4. Apply more spray paint coats.

Spray paint bubbles form if you shake the spray paint too much before application or if the surface has air trapped inside the pores. The trapped air in the pores causes the spray finish to develop bubbles as it dries.

How To Fix Cracking Spray Paint?

To fix cracking spray paint, do the following things.

1. Sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper (220-grit).
2. Apply one (1) primer coat.
3. Apply more spray paint coats.

If the spray finish crack is too deep, remove the entire finish, fix the surface issues, and re-apply the spray paint.

A spray paint finish cracks if it dries too fast, if it’s applied when the temperature is too high or low, or if you don’t leave enough dry time between coats.

If the spray paint finish dries too fast, the particles don’t have enough time to hard and compact, creating a weak finish that tends to crack. If the temperature is too high or lower than 50°F (10°C), the paint won’t dry properly and can crack.

If you don’t leave enough dry time between coats, the existing paint coating solvent prevents a new coating from adhering properly, creating a cracked finish.

To prevent a spray paint finish from cracking, allow enough dry time between coats, apply the paint in the right conditions, and properly prep the surface.

How To Fix Dripping Spray Paint?

To fix dripping spray paint, do the following things.

1. Allow the existing spray paint coating to dry.
2. Scrape the excess paint from the surface.
3. Sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper (220-grit).
4. Re-touch the finish with 1-2 extra paint coats.

A spray paint finish drips if you apply too many coats, if the wooden pores are already filled, or if the coating doesn’t adhere properly.

If you apply too many coats or if the wood pores are already filled, the spray paint coating can’t adhere or penetrate the surface and won’t dry properly, creating a dripped finish.

If the spray paint coating doesn’t adhere properly, it will drip because it can’t penetrate the surface pores to create a strong and durable film over it.

How To Fix Sticky Spray Paint?

To fix sticky spray paint, do the following things.

1. Remove the excess spray paint
2. Use a hairdryer to accelerate paint drying time.
3. Sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper (220-grit).
4. Apply one spray paint coat.

The spray paint finish turns sticky for the following reasons.

1. You apply too many paint coats.
2. The paint didn’t dry properly.
3. You didn’t leave enough dry time between coats.
4. The surface wasn’t properly prepared.
5. The temperature is too low.
6. Low-quality paint.

How To Fix Blotchy Spray Paint?

To fix blotchy spray paint, do the following things.

1. Damp a rag with mineral spirits.
2. Use a rag to wipe the blotches spots.
3. Wait for the paint to dry.
4. Sand the finish if it’s not smooth or even.
5. Apply one spray paint coat if needed.

The spray paint finish turns blotchy for the following reasons.

1. If you apply too much paint in the same spot.
2. If you use different paint types (or brands) for the same surface.
3. If you keep the spray paint nozzle too close to the surface.
4. If the spray paint wasn’t properly prepped before application.

A blotched spray paint finish looks uneven, some finish parts have a lighter shade while others have a darker (or deeper) shade.

To prevent blotchy spray paint, spray the entire surface evenly, don’t apply more than 4 coats, and keep the spray nozzle 8 inches away from the surface.

How To Fix Wrinkled Spray Paint?

To fix wrinkled spray paint, do the following things.

1. Remove the entire paint finish.
2. Sand the Surface.
3. Fix surface imperfections.
4. Re-apply the spray paint finish.

The spray paint’s wrinkled finish is caused by improper surface preparation, rough surfaces, and if the temperature is too low.

If the surface isn’t properly prepped by cleaning or sanding it, the surface filth or dirt can make the finish wrinkle. Rought surfaces can also cause the finish to wrinkle.

To prevent spray paint from wrinkling, prep the surface before painting properly, leave enough dry time between coats, and apply the paint only if the temperature is higher than 50°F (10°C).

How To Fix Spray Paint That Looks Like Orange Peel?

To fix spray paint that looks like orange peel, do the following things.

1. Dip a waterproof sandpaper into the water.
2. Use the waterproof sandpaper to wet sand the orange-looking spray paint areas.
3. Wait for the finish to dry.
4. Re-apply spray paint over the sanded areas.

Spray paint turns orange if it dries too fast or if you use improper painting techniques. If the paint dries too fast, the solvent (water or oil) evaporates from the coating too fast, causing the finish to get an orange-like color shade, amongst other issues.