Spray Paint Not Sticking (3 Reasons and 4 Easy Solutions)

Last Updated on June 28, 2022

One of the main reasons for spray paint’s popularity is its ability to stick to almost any surface with immediate effect and longevity. It dries off quickly and allows you to get a perfect and impressive finish for indoor and outdoor surfaces. 

However, you may get worried when you see spray paint not sticking to the painted surfaces. It can be frustrating when the paint starts peeling off from the painted wall sooner than you expect. 

The reasons for spray paint peeling off quickly include applying too thin or thick paint, choosing the wrong spray paint for a specific surface, etc. The solutions of these non-sticky spray paints vary depending on the reason itself. 

If you want to know the reasons and solutions for non-sticky spray paint, this discussion will be your best companion for the next few minutes. 

So, let’s start. 

The Reasons of Spray Paint Not Sticking On Surfaces

When you spray paint a surface, you might want the paint to dry fast and last for a long period. So, you will naturally get disappointed when the paint doesn’t stick on the surface and starts coming out soon. Then, you might be overwhelmed with the problem and want a solution to it. 

And here we go with it. 

1. Not preparing the painted surface:

Many people forget to prepare the surface before applying the spray paint. And it could be detrimental to the paint. 

In general, the surface will have dust and debris deposits. These particles block the paint from sticking to the surface with adequate cohesion. Also, when you apply the paint on a dirty surface, the dirt reduces the strong adhesiveness of the paint. Therefore, the paint loses its durability and won’t stick on the painted surface for long. 

2. Applying too thin or thick paint:

It is another spray paint mistake that many people often commit. Many people would apply thicker paint on the surfaces thinking that more paint means better stickiness and durability. And others will apply too thin paint, often unknowingly. 

Both situations aren’t good for the stickiness and durability of the spray paint. The reasons are:

  • When you apply too thick paint on the surfaces, the exterior portion dries out quickly. But the interior portion of the thick painting remains wet. So, it won’t stick on the wall and starts peeling off quickly. You will see wrinkles on the painted wall when it happens. 
  • Applying too thin paint on the walls lacks adhesive power to stick to the wall. Thus, you will see a transparent painting, and the paint may even come out in the worst scenarios. 

Hence, you should maintain the recommended ratio of the spray paint. Or else, be prepared for the frustrating consequence. 

3. Choosing the wrong paint and paint surface

Not all paint will stick to all paint surfaces. Hence, your choice of paint and the surface must match. Otherwise, you will see the paint coming out of the surface quicker than your expected. Plus, the paint finish will be inferior too. 

Surfaces such as vinyl-coated or contact paper are hard to catch paint due to their coating. Thus, you need to find a proper way to allow the paint to stick on such surfaces. Also, depending on the surface material, you should choose the paint accordingly.

For instance, latex paint might not be a good option if you decide to paint a wooden surface. 

The Solutions of Non-sticky Spray Paint 

We now understand why the spray paint lacks stickiness and starts peeling off from the painted surface. But what are the solutions to these problems?

The solutions include:

  1. When you spray paint a surface, always clean it beforehand. Make sure it doesn’t have any residue at all. Also, you should prepare the surface with a primer. The primer helps the spray paint to stick to the surface better with prolonged durability. 
  2. Next, you must maintain the recommended ratio for thinning or thickening the spray paint. If your paint is too thin or thick, it will come out of the surface much sooner. Also, thicker paint may cause wrinkles on the surface to make it look not pleasant. 
  3. You should also choose the right match for the spray paint and the surface. If you are unsure about the stickiness of the spray paint, priming it would be the best solution.
  4. When you apply primer on the painted surface, it increases the adhesiveness of the applied paint. So, it will stick better with the surface. 

Thankfully, these solutions don’t need any painting expertise. All you need is to be attentive while painting and prepare the surface properly. 

fix sticky spray paint

Tips for the Better Stickiness of the Spray Paint 

When you spray paint a surface, you want an impressive finish with a quick project completion facility. And for this, you should follow these tips. 

  1. Don’t apply spray paint when the outside temperature is too high or low. The optimal spray paint temperature is around 65° to 85°F. If the outdoor temperature is too high, it might thin the paint and dry quickly without sticking to the surface. Similarly, in the cold, the spray paint nozzle will get clogged soon, resulting in an inferior finish. 
  2. You shouldn’t apply spray paint on contact paper. This kind of paper has cervices, and the paint will easily seep into these hollow points. So, you will need more paint, and also, the finish won’t be pretty good. 
  3. The spray paint remains for a long time in the container. Thus, it may get thickened, so you should apply the paint thinner to it. It makes the paint ready for spray. 
  4. When you start spray painting, don’t forget to shake the paint. It helps the paint to mix all particles properly for a durable finish. 
  5. Finally, make sure the sprayer is at an optimal distance from the surface. Ideally, you should maintain 3-inch to 6-inch distance from the surface for the best results. 

Final Words 

The reasons for spray paint not sticking to the surface are pretty common. So, you can solve them with ease without any hardship. This guideline should help you in solving the non-sticky paint problem for the perfect finish. 

Also, when you spray paint, always apply a second coat. It hides the imperfections you will see during the first coat. Also, finally, use the paintbrush to finish off the project with style.