This section provides answers to some of the common problems involved with using aerosol paints.

Why does my paintwork get drips in it?

There are several reasons why this may be occurring. If you are holding the can in one spot - rather than using a sweeping motion -the paint tends to build up and form a drip. You may also be holding the can too close to the object you are painting. For best results hold the can about 20 – 25 cms from the object, and apply in several thin coats, rather than one heavy coat. The temperature of the can and the object should be roughly room temperature, any extremes can cause irregularities in the finished paintwork.

Why does my paint get cracks in it when it has dried?

This occurs for a number of reasons. If you apply a primer, (or a more highly pigmented paint) to a topcoat this can cause flaking and cracking. Cracks also appear from poor preparation. Always clean and degrease all surfaces to be painted. Apply a good quality primer to all surfaces for maximum adhesion and elasticity of your final coat. We also recommend using the same brand of product throughout the painting process. Different companies have differing chemicals in their paints and this can cause reactions between coats.

Why are there colour variations, from the one can, in my paintwork?

The most common cause of this is from not shaking the can for long enough. Shake the can until you hear the ball rattle and then for a further two minutes. This ensures the contents have completely mixed, as they may have settled and separated during transport. Colour variations can also occur when parts of a coat are missed or applied too lightly. Please ensure all areas are sprayed, in two coats, from a distance between 20 – 25 cms.

Why doesn’t my painted surface have a glossy look to it?

This generally occurs when the spray can has been held too far away from the object while spraying. The paint dries in the air before it hits the surface and forms a rough layer on the object. Always hold the can at a maximum of 25 cms from the object. If you have used a less than full gloss product then simply apply two layers of clear coat after the coloured paint has dried.