Spray painting is fast, allowing you to cover a lot of space in a short amount of time. It can all be done without paintbrushes, too. But just because spray painting is quick and easy, doesn't mean it always leads to a beautiful finish. 

Many things can go wrong when you use spray paint — and one of the biggest culprits is dripping. 

So, how can you fix paint drips from spray painting? Let's take a look at how you can yield the best results. 

What Causes Spray Painting to Drip? 

There are a couple of reasons why spray paint drips, with the most common being the result of too much paint. This often stems from not understanding what too much paint means based on what is being painted. 

For instance, if you are painting wood, the paint is going to soak into the surface as you apply it. You will then need to apply more or heavier coats of spray paint to achieve the best results.  However, when it comes to plastic, heavy coats of spray paint will be too much and cause the excess to drip. Lighter coats are necessary for these non-porous surfaces. 

Knowing just how much paint a surface requires can be vital in getting the project done without resulting in dripping paint. 

Another reason that causes spray painting to drip is the surrounding environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity levels. These need to be taken into account as they can lead to drippage. 

High temperature and high humidity increase the risk of dripping when spray painting. You can avoid this by sticking to thin layers of paint – especially when it is hot and humid. Of course, having a spray booth with ideal conditions will always lead to the best outcome. 

Proper Techniques for Spray Painting

Whatever you are spray painting should be lying flat on a horizontal surface. It can be tempting to handle your project by spraying everything while it is standing vertically, maybe even leaning up against a wall. But this will have ineffective results. 

You want to make sure you are not spraying too close to the item as this will add too much paint too fast — and it will drip. Instead, hold your hand (and the spray can) back about 10 to 12 inches from the surface. 

Go back and forth across with quick bursts of paint. Doing so will give you a thin layer of color, making it much less likely to drip. Keep in mind for certain surfaces, such as wood, you will have to apply more of these thin layers than you will for glass, plastic, or metal. 

Finally, invest in a good drying rack. It will allow your paint to dry while being held horizontally for the most effective drying. 

Fixing Paint Drips From Spray Painting

It does not matter how careful you are when spray painting, there is always a risk that it may drip. The good news is that all is not lost. There are ways to fix paint drips when they happen so they are no longer visible. 

  • Wipe the drip away. If you pay attention while you are spray painting and you see any paint drips, simply take a cloth or towel and wipe away the drip. Just be sure it is lint-free so it doesn't leave anything behind. Let the paint dry, then add another coat. 
  • Scrape it with a razor blade. For drips that have dried or other imperfections, you can carefully use a razor blade or paint scraper to remove them. Do this slowly and gently so you are only removing the drip. 
  • Sand down drips. Using light sandpaper, you can sand down drips until they blend evenly. Make sure the surface is completely dry to avoid the sanding dust from sticking to the wet paint. Sanding should be your last attempt at removing drips before removing all the paint and starting again. 

One last pro tip before we go? Should you find yourself needing to fix paint drips from spray painting, make it easy on yourself and take care of them while they are still wet. 

ThePaintLine saves you time, effort, and space with its drying racks and spray stands— two very vital tools for professional painters, cabinet makers, millwork shops, renovators, and more.