How To Fix Uneven Spray Paint – Easy 7 Ways

Dealing with uneven spray paint can be a bit frustrating, but the good news is that fixing it is totally doable. Whether you are new to the art of spray painting or a seasoned pro, it is very important to get a perfectly rich and uniform finish.

In this guide, we’ll show you easy steps to fix spray paint that isn’t even and make your projects look great. Let’s jump in and learn how to turn those uneven patches into a flawless finish.

Why Is Spray Paint Uneven?

Uneven spray paint can be caused by a number of reasons:

1. One reason could be that the area you are painting is not properly cleaned, or there might have been residue left behind from other cleaning products used. There might also be oils on the surface that you are trying to paint over, causing it to take unevenly.

This will make the paint peel much faster. If the surface is not properly sanded then areas that are sanded less will have much better adhesion allowing them to take more layers of paint, while the other areas that are not sanded evenly will deteriorate after just one layer of paint because they won’t have a good base to build on.

2. Another reason for uneven spray paint is the quality of the can itself. Spray paint cans sometimes just don’t function as well as they should. Maybe it has been shaken too much, or you’re using a different type than what’s recommended on the can.

You might also have to use multiple coats in order to get proper coverage depending on the surface that you are painting. The reason for this is that spray paint does not give you solid coverage unless multiple coats are used.

However, the most common reason for uneven spray paint is user error. Even if your surface has already been cleaned and sanded correctly, you could still mess up the application of the paint with some simple mistakes like shaking or tilting the can while spraying, not letting it dry between coats, or trying to spray too close causing an uneven finish.

Materials you will need – When Fix Uneven Spray Paint

When fixing uneven spray paint, you’ll need a few supplies:

Fine-grit sandpaper	Degreaser
Primer (if needed)	Spray paint
Clear coat (optional)	Masking tape (optional)
Safety glasses	Gloves & Drop cloth

7 Step By Step Ways To Fix Uneven Spray Paint?

Here are a few simple steps to fix uneven spray paint!

Step 1: Surface prep work

Spray paint often looks uneven because the surface wasn’t ready for it well enough. If we don’t clean and prepare the area well enough before painting, the paint won’t stick well. Oil, dirt, and dust make it hard for the paint to stick. It peels and looks patchy because of this. Under the paint, any bumps or rough spots on the surface become more noticeable.

So, to fix spray paint that isn’t even, you need to clean the surface well. Also, you should make sure the surface is smooth before you paint it.

Step 2: Set up your spray gun

To fix spray paint that isn’t even, you need to make sure your spray gun is set up right. If you don’t get the air pressure, paint flow, and tip size just right, the paint won’t go on equally. In some places, it might drip or be too thin. If you get these settings right, the paint will go on smoothly and evenly, and the results won’t be patchy or sloppy. 

Step 3: Test the spraying pressure and make adjustments 

To fix spray paint that isn’t even, you need to try out the pressure and make changes. How much paint comes out of the gun depends on how hard the pressure is. If you put it too high, it might splash or spread out. If it’s too low, it can look thin and patchy. Check the pressure on a piece of scrap material and make changes until it feels right. This makes sure that the paint goes on easily and covers everything evenly. It also fixes any spots where the paint didn’t go on evenly. 

Step 4: Find and maintain the correct spraying distance and angle

Getting the right spraying distance and angle is key to fixing uneven spray paint. How you hold the spray gun and position it matters. If you’re too close, the paint can be too thick and cause drips. If you’re too far, it might be too thin and uneven. Holding the gun at the right angle makes the coat even – keep it straight and move steadily to avoid issues. When you nail the distance and angle, the paint goes on smooth and even, making the final result look better. 

Step 5: Begin painting

A big step in fixing spray paint that isn’t even is to start painting. After you’ve cleaned the surface, set up your spray gun, and found the right distance and angle, it’s time to add the paint. Start by moving the spray gun slowly and evenly across the area. By slightly overlapping each pass, the paint goes on more evenly, hides any odd spots, and makes the surface look smooth. If you do this right and keep a steady pace, the paint will stick evenly, and the end result will look neat and even. 

Step 6: Final touches

Putting on the finishing touches is like giving your painting one last look over. After you spray the paint, look closely to see if there are any spots that still look odd or like they were missed. Add a little more paint or smooth out the drips to fix these spots. With these small touches, you can make sure that your paint looks neat and even everywhere. 

Step 7: Clean up

Cleaning up is like the last step in repairing spray paint that isn’t even. When you’re done painting, clean up your tools and the area. This keeps things neat for the next time and makes your paint look smooth and even. 

How To Fix Uneven Spray Paint On Metal?

Sure, Here’s a step-by-step guide to fixing uneven spray paint on metal:

Materials You’ll Need:

• Sandpaper Clean cloth or rag
• Primer Spray paint (matching the color of the original paint)
• Clear coat 
• Masking tape 
• Drop cloth or newspaper

Step 1: Prepare the Area

• Choose a place to work with good airflow and no dust.
• Put down a drop cloth or newspaper to keep the paint from getting on other things.

Step 2: Assess the Paint Job

• Find the spots where the spray paint isn’t even. This could be because of drips, lines, or uneven covering.
• Find out if you just need to fix the bumps or if you need to paint the whole surface.

Step 3: Sanding

• Start by using 220-grit sandpaper to lightly smooth out the rough spots. Sand the surface in a circle or back and forth until it is smooth and the lumpy paint is gone.
• Use a clean cloth to get rid of the dust.

Step 4: Apply Primer

• If there is visible metal where you scraped, put a thin coat of paint on those places. This will help the paint stick well and keep rust from happening.
• Follow the guidelines from the maker for how long to let the paint dry.

Step 5: Spray Painting

• Shake the spray paint can for at least one minute to mix the paint well.
• Hold the can of spray paint about 6 to 8 inches away from the surface and use light, even coats. Use long, smooth strokes.
• Let each coat dry for the amount of time suggested on the can. If you need to, add more coats, but don’t use too much paint so it doesn’t drip.

Step 6: Blending the Paint

• You can smooth the lines to make the new paint mix in with the old paint. This means spraying a light coat of paint just outside the area you just painted, with the spray getting weaker as you move away from the centre

Step 7: Apply Clear Coat (Optional)

• If you want extra security and a shiny finish, wait until the paint is dry to the touch and then apply a clear coat in the same way as the spray paint. Follow the guidelines from the manufacturer for how long it should dry.

Step 8: Final Inspection

• Once the paint and (if you used it) clear coat are completely dry, check the surface to make sure it is even and that the colours match.
• If you need to, you can repeat the steps above until you get the effect you want.

Step 9: Clean Up

• Throw away used materials like sandpaper and empty spray paint cans in the right way.
• Clean up your workspace and your tools.

Remember that it may take some time to get a skilled finish. If the painting job is hard or you aren’t sure of your skills, you might want to think about hiring an expert.

How Do You Fix Blotchy Paint?

• You should spray the whole thing again to even it out. If you only sprayed the top coat then that’s why it looks uneven. You can completely repaint an item you are working on if this happens, but it will take at least 2 coats of paint no matter what to look normal.
• Pour some paint into a small cup or bowl to use as touch-up paint. When you are done spraying the whole thing, dip a small brush in the paint and use it to fill in any spots that didn’t get painted. Use the brush you used for this at a later time when painting something else or just buy a new one.
• Wait for it to dry. If you try to touch it before it’s dry, or if you used paint that was too wet, then the blotches will be even worse. The best time to fix uneven spray paint is right after it dries.
• Dip a small brush in some white spirit and use this to remove the paint from the places that are too dark.
• Allow the paint to dry for a day, then clear coat it with some more spray paint. This will even out any blotches that are left on the item that you are painting.
• Wait until the item is fully dry before trying to fix it. If it isn’t fully dry then you risk ruining the layers of paint you already applied.
• You can repeat the first few steps on this list if you have to, but keep in mind that it will take a lot of time and patience. If the second coat doesn’t work then there really isn’t any way to fix uneven spray paint unless you repaint the entire thing.
• If your paint is too wet, you can let it dry for a few minutes and then try spraying again. This doesn’t give the spray paint as much time to blend together, so there may still be little drips and unevenness in your coat of paint.
• You should always use a primer before applying any kind of paint to any surface. If you don’t use a spray primer, then you should at least brush some on and allow it to dry for about an hour. This helps the paint stick better and prevents blotching.
• Use a paint that is made specifically for outdoor surfaces if you will be using your item outside. These kinds of paints are usually matte, meaning that they won’t reflect light as much as other paint. This also means that they won’t show any dirt, dust, or water spots either.
• If you find that your finished project has some streaks in it after the paint dries, you can fix this by brushing some more spray paint across the areas with streaks in them.
• To avoid ever having to fix uneven spray paint, you may want to practice spraying things on a piece of cardboard. This way you can see what kind of results you will get from your paint before putting it on something that you don’t want to have to repaint every time.
• A heat gun can be used to smooth down any areas that are too bumpy after you paint them. This is only recommended if the heat will not reach where you are working since it can ruin most kinds of paints.
• The hotter your spray paint is, the less likely it is to give uneven coats or blotches. Read the instructions for whatever kind of paint you are using to see what temperature works best with this type of paint.
• If you are using a paint sprayer, the chances of getting uneven coats or blotches are almost impossible. These things can function as simply as an aerosol can while giving you professional results every time. If your goal is to get rid of this problem once and for all, then it’s probably best to go with one of these.
• The most important thing to remember is to avoid rushing through this whole process. Quality takes time and patience, and you will be happy with your finished product if you put the effort into making it good from the start.

How To Flatten Spray Paint?

Spray paint is easily found at department stores, home improvement centers, and auto supply shops.

It is used to paint cars or other goods. However, even the best spray paints can make a noticeable drip or leave uneven color spots. This problem can be solved by spraying a transparent topcoat onto the original paint and letting it dry thoroughly.

Things you need: Paint Thinner or Turpentine, a few cotton balls, and a shirt. And a paintbrush and some water to thin the topcoat if necessary.

You can also fix uneven spray paint by doing this at home by yourself.

FAQ

Why Does Spray Paint Look Uneven?

Uneven spray paint happens because of these things:

• Not cleaning well
• Spraying too close or far
• Strange weather
• Not shaking enough, and bad paint.

To make it even, clean, spray from the right distance, mind the weather, shake a lot, and use good paint.

What Is The Key To Achieving Even Spray Paint Coverage?

To get an even coat of spray paint, you need to be ready, use the right method, and use the right tools. It’s important to make sure the surface is clean and smooth, to use the right kind of paint, and to spread the paint properly.

How Should I Prepare The Surface Before Spray Painting?

First things first, give the surface a good cleaning to get rid of any dirt, grease, and old paint that could be on there. Sanding is a process that may be used to help generate a smooth surface, and it can be quite helpful in doing so. If you do not already have a base to which the paint may adhere, you can create one using primer if you do not already have one.

Conclusion

By following these simple steps, you will be able to quickly and easily fix any uneven spray paint that you may have on your own. Remember that when fixing spray paint, patience is key.

Hope this helps! Thanks for reading and I’ll see you soon again with another article! Bye! 🙂