How To Touch Up Paint That Was Sprayed On – Detailed Guide

People often struggle with withering colors on spray-painted surfaces and ask for my guidance on how to touch up paint that was sprayed on. Unfortunately, there is not a single answer to this question. In fact, you will have to take care of multiple factors while you are at it. But don’t worry, the process is quite simple and the things that I am about to share with you will seem like the natural flow to it in this process.

Before we get started, you have to understand why the spray-on paint fades away with time. These spray cans have aerosol ChloroFluoroCarbons that are highly volatile. When these chemicals evaporate, the layer of paint that is left behind becomes exposed to direct sunlight and other weathering agents in our environment. Hence, over time, this layer of paint will fade away. Now, let’s move on to the ways you can remedy this problem.

How To Touch Up Paint That Was Sprayed On

How To Touch Up Paint That Was Sprayed On

Over time, the colors of spray paint start to fade no matter the surface type. This is a normal process called wearing off in more sophisticated terms. This process can further be aggravated if you have toddlers or pets at home.

Little kids like to touch and hold colorful things and pets scratch everything they come across. This will act as a catalyst in deteriorating the sprayed surfaces. The only way to fix this problem is by touching up such surfaces again and again. Following are some steps that will ensure a perfect finish even if you do it yourself!

Steps to Touch up Paint that was Sprayed On

How To Touch Up Paint That Was Sprayed On

1. Use a High-Quality Spray Paint

There is no doubt that a good quality product will save you from low-quality experiences. The same applies here. If you get good quality spray paint, it will give you a neater finish and will last much longer as compared to low-quality spray paint. It also means that you will not have to touch it up too often.

However, the only drawback to this solution is that a good quality spray paint comes with a larger price tag. Roughly speaking, a good quality spray might cost you double or even triple that of a low-quality spray in the short run but the results will last ten times longer.

2. Clear Away The Debris

Before you spray paint a surface to touch up the previous shade, it is always a good idea to clean up the surface for any dust debris, or rust. For this, spray the surface with tap water and then wipe it clean with a cotton rag.

However, if the spray has rusted very badly or if the paint is peeling, then you must scrub away all that peel and grime using a rough sponge such as scotch bright. Just make sure that you use the sponge on the targeted surface otherwise, it will ruin the other perfectly normal parts. Be careful to use it in a gentle circular motion.

3. Test Spray On Another Surface

Before you get started, make sure that you shake the spray bottle thoroughly. This little step will ensure that the paint contents inside the spray bottle are mixed up well and do not throw any inconsistent color residue.

Moreover, you must test spray the bottle on any other surface before getting started on the main surface just to make sure that the nozzle is spray painted properly. Once you are completely satisfied, you can get started on the actual intended surface.

4. Let Each Layer Dry Out Before Spraying Another One

The key to getting a perfect finish while working with a spray can is to be very patient and very precise. One wrong step on your part will ruin your entire work and you will have to start all over again. However, that does not mean that it is too hard to be done on your own. All I’m saying is that you must be careful.

Take fifteen-minute breaks after spraying each coat. This will allow the first one to dry out completely and the other one to settle down in its place. A little pro tip: Always wipe a small wet towel on the surface after each layer dries to ensure a clean finish.

Can I touch up spray paint with a brush?

Yes, you can definitely touch up spray paint with a brush., In fact, you can touch up spray paint with any one of the three options i.e., spray can, paintbrush, and paint pens. All of these alternatives are highly effective however, you will have to choose amongst them very carefully. It all depends upon the size of the surface you are about to spray paint. For a large/expansive surface, you should use a spray can for better coverage. However, if you want to target paint only a small area then a paintbrush or a paint pen would be an ideal option.

Final Thoughts

Summing it all, it is safe to conclude that touching up spray-painted surfaces is a job that requires an expert level of patience and precision. You have to take note when the paint dries out so that you can wipe out any dust particles that might have settled on it and then spray paint another layer only after the previous one is completely dried out.

Moreover, you must do this activity on an open surface. If those surfaces can not be taken out of the house then open up all the windows and doors to let plenty of fresh air in. If you take care of all these steps, you will end up just fine.


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