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Why Is My Spray Paint Cracking

Spray painting makes it fast and easy to paint or make over almost any item in and around your home to give it a new life.

I know this as I learned the right way to spray paint all sorts of items after working for years in retail display where we had to paint the store props to reuse so the color would fit with a brand promotion as well as the seasons of the year. I was nicknamed the “Spray Painting Queen” and know all the in’s and out’s when using spray paint.

Spray paint can be tricky to apply if you don’t follow a few basic application tips. In this post you will learn the right way to spray paint and how to get all your spray paint problems solved so that you have success when you want to change the color of an item.

This spray painting guide is one of a few Paint Tutorials & Tips posts I have shared. Be sure not to miss my others that include, What Paint Application Process to Use, Paint Recommendations, Painting Tips for Decorators, and How to Clean Up After Painting. After reading these, you will be a pro painter.

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The two great things about using spray paint to give a fresh coat of paint to just about anything is that the finish will be smooth and even with not a brush stroke in sight.

The other good thing about using spray paint over brush-on paint is the ease of use on textured items, like wicker where there are a lot of nooks and crannies in the surface where paint needs to get into are much easier to paint with no paint build-up from trying to push a brush loaded with paint into.

Spray paint is not latex paint so it cannot be cleaned up with soap and water like latex.

Spray Paint FAQ’s Answered

The Most Important Spray Painting Tips Not to Overlook:

  • Setup a Good Painting Environment first to guarantee painting success. Lay a drop cloth down and use lifts to hold objects off the work surface. Painting lifts can be purchased at the paint store, but you can use any type of can or jar from your recycling bin or blocks of Styrofoam from packaging to hold your item off the ground.
  • Sand the surface using a fine-grit sanding block to rough up the surface a little so the spray paint has something to stick to.
  • Always spray outside or in a well-ventilated area like a garage with the door wide open. Wear a protective mask when you spray.
  • Shake, shake, shake the can for a minute, then shake it again for another minute and also while you are spraying.
  • For optimal paint adhesion and drying, try to spray when the temp is between 65 – 85 degrees. Cooler is better. 75 degrees and no humidity – perfect. If you spray when it is very hot and humid out, it can dry to a grainy texture.
  • Use more thin coats than fewer heavier coats. Thin coats dry faster and adhere better. Continue this until you have the desired coverage.
  • Before adding another coat, if you see overspray on the item which can happen when you are spraying when it is very hot out. Use a clean soft rag to wipe the surface from any overspray, dust or debris that may have gotten on the surface between the coats. You can also use very fine steel wool, or even a super fine sandpaper to lightly knock down any dried overspray in between applying thin layers.
  • Long, light fluid strokes are the way to spray – and don’t forget to shake the can a few times while you are spraying. Keep the can vertical, if you spray the paint with the can horizontally the paint may spatter or come out blotchy.
  • You must get all the coats needed on the piece you are spraying within an hour. If you can’t get this done, wait 48 hours to apply a new coat. If you add a coat before this waiting period, you run the risk of the paint wrinkling.
  • Let the piece dry longer than the directions on the can state. Weather conditions greatly effect the drying time and the piece may feel dry to the touch, but may not have cured yet. When placing the piece back in your home to use, be gentle with it for a few days while it cures.
  • When spraying smaller items, place them on a drop cloth covered Lazy Susan. Turning the Lazy Susan as you spray will get an even coat on all sides.
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How To Spray Paint FAQ’s Answered

In this post I am also going to answer all your spray painting questions. If you have a spray painting problem and it is not addressed here, please leave a comment and will try to help you figure out what went wrong.

How to Make a DIY Spray Painting Booth

  • Get a box to accommodate the item to be sprayed. If you spray paint a lot, get a big box that will accommodate all sizes. Use Duct tape to tape a few together to use when spraying larger items.
  • If you have an extra box or two – flatten them to make a large liner for the floor.

Small objects only need a small box.

I also like to use a box top to place items in. You can find these in the box stacks by the check out lines at Costco or when you buy cans of dog food in bulk.

This allows you to carry the item inside to dry where the temps are better. Then you can collapse the spray booth right after using and pull the car back into the garage.

No need to have to wait for it to dry before moving it.

To Store Your Instant Spray Booth: Simply open the bottom to make the box flat and store it vertically against a wall and out of the way until you need it again.

When you need it – just fold up the bottom of the box by tucking every other flap under each other so the box becomes an opened top box again.

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How to Spray Painting Large Items:

  • See this post for the tutorial on how to easily make a spray booth.
  • With bigger spray paint projects I use a tent shelter.

You May Like These Spray Painted Decor Projects

  • How to Update a Brass Light With Spray Paint
  • How to Spray Paint Wood Chairs
  • How to Spray Paint Ceramic Items

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