The Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Painting With Spray Paint

Hey guys! I’m Brad, and I make how-to videos. I do custom painting projects, guitar painting, airbrushing, spray can painting, wood working, and a variety of other finishing work and tutorials. Please subscribe and check out my channel for more!
In this video we discuss 5 of the most common mistakes that I hear about people making when spray painting. These are spray painting errors that amateur painters make regularly, and they lead to a wide variety of problems. Simply avoiding these few key things can save you a lot of time and trouble on your paint jobs, and keep you from having to repeat parts of them.
Don't forget to ask your questions in the comment section.
Thanks for watching.
To get in touch with me with your questions, photos, etc. use the links below!
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[@RustyNickels]

#1 - Getting caught.

[@BradAngove]

Haha good point. That is a mistake for sure.

[@rambam69]

Don't do drugs

[@RustyNickels]

@@rambam69 I

[@onlyasithdealsinabsolutesd6526]

#2 don't drink the spray

[@aidenpearce5275]

@@onlyasithdealsinabsolutesd6526 you're not suppose to drink it?

[@dardobartoli]

Thanks for taking the time to discuss every single mistake I have ever made (and still struggle to avoid). One day I will get it right.

[@BradAngove]

Well, they are very common mistakes haha.

[@ExhaustedPenguin]

The tip about practicing on something you don't care about saved me.

[@errcoche]

It's a universal Froken. Lay some tile and plan to rip it up to get the hang of tiling ( buy some cheap stuff ). Learn to solder copper with scrap pieces. Weld scrap before trying it on valuable pieces. Practice your free kicks on the training ground before trying it in the Champion's League finals.

[@mollypitcher9380]

@@errcoche GREAT!!!!!

[@mikejohn0088]

Ya, but it took my ex wife 2 hours to get the paint off her arm.

[@BradAngove]

@mikejohn0088 just don’t get it in her hair…

[@jasonmercier6510]

Stumbled across this and you ANSWERED a question about my current job that I've searched and searched for with no answer regarding metallic paint and sanding....THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

[@BradAngove]

Glad I could help. I just did a video on metallic spray paint jobs that you may find quite helpful.

[@johnmeeker1751]

Watched this mid project and applied the tips here, completely changed the results! Thank you!!

[@zdcyclops1lickley190]

Light and heavy are a function of two main variables speed of your hand and distance. The slower your passes the thicker the coat. The closer your passes are the thicker the coat. The most important thing you need to do is read and follow the directions on the can. I tried a brand I had never used before. The paints I was used to said 10 to 12 inches from the surface to be painted. The new paint said 6 to eight inches. It is a rapid cure paint dries to touch in 15 minutes, handle in one hour, recoat anytime. I sprayed too far from the surface, ended up with paint acne, thousands of tiny bumps. Paint partially cured in flight, too thick to lay down. Currently waiting for paint to cure completely so I can sand it smooth and repaint. You channel is a great resource for people that are willing to learn. Keep up the good work.

[@BradAngove]

Sounds like a transcription from my video on how to get an even coat of paint with spray cans haha. Thanks for watching.

[@Pangyao78]

I like how you make effort to reply to those comments and questions regarding your videos... seems you're genuine to help others regarding these matter... respect to you and looking forward fof your more videos

[@BradAngove]

Thank you. That was the whole purpose haha. Help others get this information more easily than I got it.

[@davidziff2591]

I like it that you get to the point quickly. It makes it much easier to use the information!

[@shanebuckles9134]

dude I love the way you actually answer people that is rare in a channel thanks for the videos

[@BradAngove]

Thanks for watching.

[@BradAngove]

+MrPolicekarim What about it?

[@BradAngove]

+MrPolicekarim it should. Smaller surfaces will require you to spray carefully and lightly. If you're spraying plastic, start with adhesion promoter. There's nothing exclusive to models that changes how the paint works.

[@sohailzaki3036]

impressive

[@azerskon5061]

+Brad Angove i wanna know whay spray is not last it can be easily combed plz answr

[@Frco03]

Simple stuff you just explained...great for anyone who's first time spraying..great video!

[@wolflahti412]

#6: Not waiting long enough for the paint to dry/cure before sanding

[@declanosbourne62]

I was thinking it’s cold causing it to wrinkled.

[@mezican8641]

Hey i am gonna paint a cross for a friends mom who passed away. Im going to use spray cans the cross is already painted black should i sand it down before adding the metal silver or just paint over the black? Also should i put the primer on top of the black or over the sanded part before adding the silver/gold? Please help me out long time subscriber here.

[@BradAngove]

If it’s already painted you can sand that paint (not sand it off, just sand it) with 400 or 600 grit paper, clean it, and then go ahead and spray your silver.

[@mezican8641]

@@BradAngove and do i spray the clear primer after im done? Im sorry its my first project.

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

All excellent tips, Brad. I find, in my experience, that the biggest mistake most people make, me included, is getting into a hurry and trying to rush things. I had to basically train myself to slow down and take my time. We (I) often forget that the last 5% of your work will get 95% of the attention. We get a project to the point of finishing it (which is the first thing people notice) and start taking shortcuts, trying to hurry the process along. I have to force myself to remember that the finish, no matter what type it is, is going to do what it's designed to do in the amount of time it needs to do it, and there's not a lot I can do to change that. I have to constantly keep in mind that a week is going to pass whether I'm waiting on a finish to cure, or I'm trying to fix something I should have just left alone to begin with. READ and FOLLOW the directions - you don't know more than the people who made the finish you're using. You can't know more than they do - they made it. They've done the R&D. Take their advice. Still, I have to force myself to wait the 72 hours needed to let a coat cure before I can sand and recoat. I don't have to like it, but I do have to do it. Thanks for the video!

[@1337million]

I'm new to spray painting and I definitely rush things

[@BradAngove]

All too true Mark. It can make for a tough learning experience when people try to circumvent the usual techniques and waiting times.

[@FriedBacon88]

is 72 hours an end all be all spray paint curing time? Some I hear 5-7 days to gas out, others it's 30 days with "The new type spray cans," whatever that means. My wheels had to go back on the car 16 hours after I "finished" painting yesterday; was going to wait until after the weekend to wash the car and wheels, polish and then seal them, no clearcoat.

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

EhK47 Follow the tech sheet for the paint. If you're using spray cans, follow the directions. If you get no help there, call or email the paint company. They should have a tech line

[@BradAngove]

72 hours is not a hard and fast rule. Some spray paints cure quickly, others technically don't cure at all. I can't say for sure with the information I've been given, but likely I would avoid pressure washing your wheels for the next 2 weeks. You should probably be able to polish by now unless you used lacquer.

[@Aberod155]

Simple question. If you sand between coats, are you doing anything to clean off whatever came up from sanding? I realize you just want to scuff but my guess is something comes up. Thank you

[@BradAngove]

Yes, I clean it off in between. Usually with wax and grease remover.

[@myhobbyjournal8899]

Your videos are very helpful! Mixing differnt paint types with compatible clear coats is my weak point in my learning process. When I look at a spray paint can (Krylon, Rustoleum, etc) , often it will not clearly state what type of paint that it is (enamel?). That is one difficulty I face. I wish there were a visual chart which showed the dos and don'ts regarding compatibility of paints/clear coats, in detail. It would be good to print it out and hang it near my work stations. Once I learn more, maybe I'll make one.

[@BradAngove]

I’m planning on doing a video on paint compatibility at some point. Hopefully I can make it reasonably comprehensive.

[@154Jamesp]

Great vid, Brad! The number 1 thing that's helped me with enamels is curing time. Enamel sprays sometimes get a bad rap concerning durability. When I called Rustoleum to "complain" I was told enamels typically take 6 to 8 weeks to cure to full hard. I tested this on a toolbox restoration, waiting a full 8 weeks before putting it in service. I have to say I can't chip the paint even if I try. It's also super resistant to cleaners and most solvents. I used Rustoleum Hammered spray in case anyone is wondering. Primed the bare steel substrate with acid etch primer, followed by filling primer and wet block sand to 800 grit and finished with 3 wet coats of the Hammered finish. All Rustoleum products. (I have a Rustoleum factory a few miles from me).

[@BradAngove]

+James Pelosi Thanks James. That hammered stuff is pretty damn solid.

[@toniwade4204]

Great video! And I really love that you posted key times along the video for those wanting to get to the point! Much appreciated!!

[@project_rc]

Dude, I mess up every time when I spray paint. But now I am going to attempt to paint my new Unlimited Desert Racer body, and I am so thankful I watched this video! I have no patience and have never ever thought about sanding! Thanks soo soooo much!

[@BradAngove]

Glad I could help

[@thehvachacker]

I always over sand not sure why I go bare metal then prime, sand, paint and runs. Whenever I tried sipping a run I wish I didn’t. Always looked horrible and then trying to sand it smooth. I believe I shouldn’t be allowed near tools.

[@demboyz808]

Dude you reply to so much comments and that’s cool...I appreciate the time you take cause it must take a while.

[@BradAngove]

+A.J. Mccabe Thank you. I like being able to help.

[@aussiecrypto2733]

What do you reckon the right distance to spray from is in most cases? I spray from about 30cm and because I have to paint outside i loose half my paint in the breeze. Be good to have a well ventilated area to paint in..

[@BradAngove]

Check out my video on how to get an even coat of paint with spray cans. I think you’ll find it useful. You can adjust spray distance, but you need to adjust your technique with it.

[@CN-kf1me]

5:54 “Don’t sand it when it’s wet” - Anyone that needs that advice has no business ever going near a spray job 😂

[@BradAngove]

Fair point, but also you would be surprised what some people have done...

[@Excalibur2]

I've never tried while it was wet, but I've tried sanding and found that it never fully dried / cured, where it is basically gummy. What a PITA. I thought spray paint was supposed to dry fast, but I've had thick spots never fully cure a week later and not sand properly.

[@heritagecollectionswest9953]

Very informative video! Straight forward and best of all!? No Bull! Thank you for getting to the point and NOT slamming the viewers with all your tricks in video editing, terrible HIPHOP music in the background and forcing us the viewers to sit through 10 minutes of your history and background. THANK YOU Brad!! :)

[@BradAngove]

Glad I could help

[@MrThegreybe]

sick tips solved a bunch of problems ive been having for to long in 6 minutes

[@BradAngove]

Thanks. I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@robert1408]

Very informative and clearly stated. I am using Rustoleum appliance epoxy gloss white in a rattle can. Would it be a good idea to lightly sand and apply a clear coat once dry? What kind if so? Thanks

[@BradAngove]

I doubt that you will need a clear coat for appliance epoxy. It’s not really designed to have a clear as far as I know.

[@Grummanjet]

Great advice, I have found all to be true... Thank you for posting the info 🖌️

[@BradAngove]

Thanks for watching. I’m glad you agree with it.

[@alicekim5086]

Thanks. This is super helpful, I am spray-painting for the first time at work today.

[@BradAngove]

+Will Chen I hope it goes well for you. Thanks for watching.

[@philipatoz]

Hello, Brad, I have learned a ton from your videos about the art of spraypainting and really appreciate it! Related to this, I have a question. Sometimes, when I am spraypainting, particularly a plastic object which I desire to paint different parts of it using different colors, it will require me to tape over the first color I've already sprayed on, so I can subsequently spray on an additional color without getting any of the second color spray on the one already painted (I'm painting some outdoor porch chairs that has fabric seating for the first color) and a heavy plastic framing for the second color. The question involves the best tape to use over the first / just sprayed color - as I will only leave the tape on long enough for the second color's coats to dry to the touch. Is Frog Tape "Delicate Surface" the best option - or is there a better option? I realize I could learn to be more patient (wife says, "yeah, right!" LOL) and wait until the first color has truly hardened several days. Thanks so much!

[@BradAngove]

Yes, that is a good option or the blue painters tape from 3M which is designed to be left on longer than the green and doesn’t stick as hard.

[@philipatoz]

Thanks much, Brad!

[@michaelneufeld2649]

Old thread but a shot in the dark on the hopes you can help me out. I just about finished a custom guitar for a Christmas present. I already had the headstock stained, sealed and clear gloss. Today I applied the fender decal on headstock. I then put on a real lite coat of same clear goat. Now it was raining earlier and probably high humidity but was raining at time: I figured it was going to be quick and simple. Anyways after the lite coat I brought inside and it immediately went from glossy to hazy. Was it too lite goat like you mentioned in this video or the humidity a factor? I’m Hoping a nice normal coat will bring it back to a glass like finish. Or do I have to start over? Any advice would be appreciated. I put my heart into this thing and was so close to putting a bow on it: Thanks in advance

[@BradAngove]

Sounds like blushing from the humidity. Try using some blush remover from Mohawk.

[@dennisgoodson6825]

Good information! I look forward to seeing your other videos on spray painting and just painting in general.

[@BradAngove]

Cheers man.

[@stephanieaplasca9280]

Thanks, very good tips. I am planning to spray paint an old stainless steel cabinet and it is my first time to use spray paint. Do I have to sand it? Thanks a lot

[@tombrooks8665]

To my dismay, I've made a couple of these mistakes. But those weren't the worst mistakes. The absolute worst mistake I've made is... impressively bad. Doing rally stripes on a guitar, offset and going onto the front bevel. Took me (more than ) a few tries to get the angle just right, get the lines parallel, and straight. Had the guitar looking sweet! Clear coat, polish, nice. Went to assemble and... I probably had about 1/16" of paint on the guitar body. Which chipped (nasty chips!), and the p'ups had to be tapped into their cavities (yay more chips!). Now I've disassembled (was only partially assembled), and I'm back at square one. My lesson learned is - sand it down, sand off the mistake, don't just paint over and build up. My laziness before caused more work and grief later. (it's worth mentioning that the sanding starts tomorrow, buying the rotary sander today)

[@BradAngove]

I'm sorry to hear that Tom. Painting over mistakes is a risky game unfortunately, and the more paint that goes on, the more that can go wrong in many cases.

[@palmbaymick]

If it is a cold day, is it a good idea to warm your paint up in a bucket of warm water first? Also is there a rough guide when using spray tins, of an application speed per foot and a distance eg. At 6 inches away from the workpiece, you need to cover 1 foot per 2 seconds. I go back and forth several times to get a light layer first, leave a few minutes, then repeat. This can take a while, but I still get the odd run. Good tip, not to mess with when wet, I fell foul of this on may occasions to stop runs. turning work upside down if small enough does help reduce the damage though.

[@BradAngove]

I like to warm my paint up, but I don’t spray in cold conditions. That causes all sorts of problems. Have a look at my video on how to get an even coat of paint with spray cans to see application speed etc.

[@samdorsey4590]

Thanks Brad! Very informative "how to", "what not to do" on painting!!👍

[@BradAngove]

Thanks for watching.

[@declanosbourne62]

Hey, I’m using rust oleum enamel paint and clear. It’s cold here in Texas and I’m trying to paint my valve cover in a back room and as I applied the clear I realized it wrinkles instantly. What causes the clear to rinkles?

[@BradAngove]

Could be surface contamination or temperature. Have a look at my video on why your paint is crazing.

[@declanosbourne62]

@@BradAngove ok

[@brads215]

When sanding between coats, do you wet sand or dry sand? Thanks!

[@BradAngove]

Dry.

[@ikaros21]

@@BradAngove I had a run on my last coat and I sand it.Then i put clear on it and the scratches were visible after the clear dried lol

[@BradAngove]

What grit did you use?

[@ikaros21]

@@BradAngove 500 wet sand!

[@bobjohnson5218]

Another great video. Early on you mentioned if only waiting between coats of lacquer 15 min, should only do 3 coats a day. Is there an amount of time to wait between coats so you could do more than 3 coats in a day ie. building up a few layers in a low area? Thanks!!

[@BradAngove]

It depends on the temperature and humidity conditions, but with nitro lacquer you can sometimes get away with 4 coats spaced out throughout the day.

[@bobjohnson5218]

@@BradAngove Brad, thanks for the quick reply!!

[@sunnydelight2170]

I'm spray painting all my old furniture to save money and this was definitely what I needed! My gloss kept looking uneven.

[@kristenjustkristen9462]

Same thing I'm doing!! And when I googled my question, his video was one of the ones recommended to me. And I'm very glad I clicked. Extremely helpful. 😊

[@BradAngove]

Glad I could help.

[@kristenjustkristen9462]

@@BradAngove Very much so indeed! Ty!

[@Nashieka]

Thank you for this informative video,👍👍Ive been thinking about spray painting my work table. As a Nail Technician i may spill some acetone or monomer on my table, will these chemicals remove or strip the spray paint from the wood? Just wanted to know how durable spray paints are because ive never used them before.

[@BradAngove]

Yes those chemicals will remove most paints. If you want to avoid that you need a catalyzed paint or clear coat (which are somewhat dangerous).

[@mdurst2009]

The other day I was trying to spray a guitar but instead of the paint getting on the guitar it got on the palm of my hand. Where did I go wrong?

[@BradAngove]

Probably right at the beginning...

[@mikejohn0088]

You had the can upside down.

[@vsjtool1985]

Hi I did all 5 of these mistakes lol and my laminate counter is too dark with so many mistakes on it. Advise? Can I just spray paint over it? Or take of the coat and start from scratch? If so best advise for each option. Your help is greatly appreciated! Memo to me no more DIY

[@BradAngove]

If it has dried properly you can just sand it smooth and paint over it.

[@monadamus42]

Great video, thanks for sharing Brad.

[@BradAngove]

+Adan Walsh Thanks for watching.

[@johnc1280]

I’m spray painting cabinet hinges from a bronze to a satin nickel by ‘rust oleum universal metallic paint + primer in one’ ....any tips? I soaked the hinges in ammonia and warm water and used a toothbrush to thoroughly clean then let dry before applying first coat. So far so good! But any tips are welcome. Graciassss

[@t4oomf442]

LED ZEP YEAH

[@JimmyWestra]

My primed surface grabs my microfiber clothe and literally pulls the fibers out of the clothe so no wiping down without full g350 sanding and cleaning in between each coat creating scratches that need be worked out up to g1000 again before a new coat can be applied with the same results again. Rust oleum primer can't go on heavier than extremely light creating a sandpaper feeling surface coat or without running like water on overlapping spray coats or both. What do I do before clear on the finish base color coat painted surface? and do I need to keep resanding the clear coats to get a smooth non clothe catching semi gloss finish over a mirrored clean smooth surface paint job?

[@Moremusic-less-war]

plz wear a mask fam x

[@Moremusic-less-war]

Also im getting small droplets coming out of my blue gloss paint i warmed it up and shook it :(

[@KillianDeaton]

Nowadays they ask us to do that for other reasons lol this threw me off for a minute

[@j.morrison73]

Not what I was looking for . But I must say you are about the best tutorial speaker I've seen on youtube. To the point, concise and great relaxed mannerism. Too bad the information I often go for has speakers who cannot get their point across. Either poor video, WRONG answers, garbled speech (often from recording) or just become redundant. Very Good job Brad. I'm impressed.

[@BradAngove]

Thank you sir. Just out of curiosity, what information are you looking for?

[@j.morrison73]

I am planning on repainting a wrought iron porch railing with posts. It has lots of, but somewhat light, rust spots all about. It's 'leaf / ivy' design is too attractive to give up, but hand cleaning these rust spots with steel wool/vinegar wash or wire brushes on its very intricate design will be very time extensive. I had used a 'rust reformer' about 10 years ago which worked but left it black. Which I don't mind since I'm repainting it anyway (It's white now & I like it as such) That said, the new rust reformer they have now doesn't turn black, but also doesn't work. I was hoping to find some ideas to get this project to a good start with a years to come equally good results. Sand blasting may be a good idea for the very few 'bigger' spots (1/4" at largest) but hardly the way to go on the whole porch (60' x 8'). Think if I sprayed on the newer rust reformer and paint over it with quality oil based paint will suffice? How would you do it?

[@BradAngove]

I think you would need to worry about it spreading under the paint if you tried that. Have you considered a wire brush or soft wire wheel on a drill for generally scuffing and removal? Then an anti-rust primer etc.

[@j.morrison73]

Wire brushing combined with a dremel wire wheel is still at my most foremost thought. But as I said, it's a long and fairly tall iron porch surround. Making it very time consuming regardless of how light the dots of rust. The seven 'support' posts are 8" hollow squares each with an intricate leaf and ivy design. Getting inside the square would take an extension on either brush or wire wheel. In fact, I started a small section to time myself. It took (me) 45 min to hand wire a 2' X 42" section. And that was a straight away section with full both side access. I dread the 'hollow' four sided posts. Time is one thing. To do a redundant task ever so slowly while squatting, standing, kneeling kind of makes me shiver in thoughts of extreme muscle & joint stiffness. Where are the groups of boy scouts wanting to do fund raising tasks when you need them. Last option is to hire a painter (of sorts). Have them dismantle the entire unit, place supports while they sand blast, prime and paint before reinstalling. Those are the options I've danced with. Question... Do you feel my pain,LOL

[@BradAngove]

That’s brutal. I would have thought quickly running a wire brush over it would be minimally time consuming. Sounds like you’ve got quite the project on your hands.

[@kijob4833]

that changed my life

[@BradAngove]

Hopefully in a good way.

[@quepasacalabasaa]

Has anyone ever told you that you look like Jake Gyllenhaal?

[@BradAngove]

Actually, many people have told me that.

[@helookalikaman79]

why? He is HOT and has a lot of gay fans! it doesn't actually matter what he does in his personal life, dude is talented and helps a lot of people!

[@BradAngove]

Well that escalated quickly.

[@BradAngove]

Calling homosexuality immoral is as much a display of ignorance as devaluing a person’s life on the basis of their opinions. It’s time for people to stop commenting on this thread. I would prefer not to lose faith in my viewers from an intellectual and humanitarian perspective if it’s all the same to you guys.

[@joeg1211]

He does not that U mention it that's funny he resembles him for sure

[@Meleny95]

Hey, I have a question, I never seem to find an answer to, how do I avoid or fix the spray paint becoming sticky after it dries? I used different types of spray paint, but mostly 'rust oleum', and I always get a sticky finish more or less depending or brand/type (when choosing a shiny finish rather than matt)

[@BradAngove]

Sticky as in it doesn’t dry hard?

[@Sroor90010]

So you mean after painting and drying of paint you have to sand again so what's the benefit of painting !!!!!!

[@Sroor90010]

So is it ok 1000-1500 wet sanding paint then clear coat spraying

[@BradAngove]

+Sroor9001 I can't tell if that's a serious question or not, so I'll answer it haha. The painting part is to create a coating and likely add a colour of some description.

[@BradAngove]

+Sroor9001 Technically it depends on the paint type. Most paint harden in layers, so in order to get the layers to stick properly you'd want to go a bit rougher than that. Usually around 800 grit.

[@j.morrison73]

You might find your statement rather parochial if you ever ask that of a professional. (That is, from a quality professional)

[@adambosick3137]

I am purchasing a 55 gallon drum to make a smoker. At what grit would I sand the outside of the drum to paint the drum a different color? Just use primer and spray paint? Use a cleaner before hand? Acrylic or enamel? What spray paint do you think works best for something like a 55 gallon drum? Thanks for the video.

[@BradAngove]

That would get pretty hot right?

[@adambosick3137]

@@BradAngove Yes sir...

[@BradAngove]

I think you’re going to need heat resistant paint. Powder coating would be better, but something like engine enamel or caliper paint should work I think.

[@adambosick3137]

@@BradAngove Sounds good! I appreciate your time. :)

[@meadish]

I needed to go abroad in the middle of an acrylic lacquer rattle can candy apple red paint job on a guitar.* It has been left to dry for a month, and the drying has been successful with no problems detected. However, I need more translucent red, as the two coats I applied before leaving, still do not cover the gold base evenly. Now, the dilemma (I think) I am facing is this: - If I just clean the surface with Windex, let dry and spray another 1 or 2 translucent red coats, I am likely to get peeling of the final layer due to poor adhesion, is that correct? - However, if I sand the surface before the next two coats, won't I lose the translucent effect? Do I need to sand everything down to the primer again, sand and build up both gold and translucent and clear coat without sanding in between, or can I get away with a light sanding of the translucent red (if so, what grit do you recommend), spray 2 more red coats before clear, and still get acceptable results? *I know you took up the difficulties with CAR before Brad - I am sorry for not heeding the advice, but I just needed to try for myself...

[@BradAngove]

You’re in luck; this is a very easy “fix” as you haven’t done anything wrong. Give it a very light sanding with some 600 or 800 grit paper and clean it. Then go ahead and spray again. The finish will haze up when you sand, but that will be rectified immediately when you spray again.

[@bombthesystemsnl]

Very informative.I mostly use belton cans to spray paint objects and i had a few of them chipping(small chip in corner). My first question is whether rustoleum for example or other brands of spray cans that are specifically designed to paint objects(i believe) are stronger than spray cans that are designed to use for art(e.g. belton or sabotage). My second question is if you prefer a specific grid for sanding aluminium enclosures(i guess that would be different for other materials),before you spray the primer.Would 400 grit be good? Thank you in advance

[@BradAngove]

400 or 600 grit is good for prep. Belton and sabotaz are fine for spraying stuff that isn’t being handled, but they’re not really part of a multi-coat system. Something with a primer and clear coat would generally be more durable.

[@alip9683]

Hi Brad, I want to spray paint a metal lamp. If I understood correctly, should I lightly sand it and then spray paint it with the desired color and then after the two coats, I lightly sand it and put a clear coat on it? Is the clear coat necessary if I’m going to have it inside my house? Thanks so much :)

[@BradAngove]

If it’s metal you’ll need to use a primer first to get the paint to stick properly.

[@McGuinness89]

Good advice 😎 Once I’ve done my final coat do you recommend throwing the piece in a dedicated toaster oven at 170 degrees for 30 minutes to harden? If so, is that a good temperature and time, and how long should I wait before I put it in the oven? I’m spraying Rustoleum 2X . Thanks!

[@BradAngove]

That sounds dangerous haha

[@jimmymo278]

Great info! I have a bicycle carbon fork that's painted gloss black. I'd like to paint it a dark gray to match the frame. Can I just scuff the clear coat off the fork and then spray over. Or do I need to sand it down to expose the carbon weave?

[@BradAngove]

Yes, just scuff at 600 grit and paint.

[@StopaskingformynameYouTube]

I know this is really old, but i'll ask anyway because i hope to clear something up. I've got an alu bike frame, i've sanded it down to bare aluminium and here's my thought process for what to do, please correct me if i'm wrong. I sand it to 400 to remove the rougher grooves Apply etch primer scuff it up with 800 wipe it down with motip degreaser apply my black basecoat scuff it up again, wipe it down, apply masking tape apply my blue metallic in the area i want then wipe it down and apply clear. This is correct? Or, do i need something else than a black basecoat for the blue metallic? Should i lay down some silver or other bright color and mask slightly inside this to create a barrier between the black and blue? Am i on the right path? I'm so scared to start.

[@BradAngove]

In terms of colors that process is fine. Have a look at my video on how to get an even coat of paint with spray cans to see how cobalt looks over black.

[@StopaskingformynameYouTube]

@@BradAngove thanks man, i will have a look :-)

[@StopaskingformynameYouTube]

@@BradAngove I saw your video and that actually looks really good, so i could just mask out a pattern, or use a stencil and lay down a coat, then take it off and lay down another and i'll have a slight difference in the color. Thanks for the great tip!

[@philiptong1018]

Thank you for your very informative videos! Can you tell me if light sanding is still recommended for matte paint before a 2K clear coat?

[@BradAngove]

It is, yes.

[@philiptong1018]

Thank you for the quick reply. Your videos have really helped me a lot!

[@clbcl5]

I used BEHR Aerosol Enamel Paint on my car rims. Painted with rustoleum 2 years ago. Painting in my basement. First 2 coats went on fine. 2 rims in 1 afternoon. Went to put 3rd coat on the next morning, it alligatored with in seconds on 100% of each rim. It looks amazing and I want to recreate it on the other 2 but I do not know what I did nor how to recreate it. The paint on the 2nd and 3rd coats came from the same spray can.

[@denina9]

Your video was very informative.... My question is... I made a wood box to hold flowers indoors, the color I spray painted it I don't like... Can I just use another color? What can I do?

[@BradAngove]

+denina9 Let it dry fully, sand it lightly with 600 grit, then go ahead and spray it with a coat or two of the new colour.

[@angelaread234]

Hi, Can you explain the difference between 'Emulsion' & 'Acrylic' paints. I'm only painting newspapers & when I did a test piece, it was very dull & I could still see the brush marks, so I was thinking about using Emulsion instead of my acrylic ... What do you think? Kindest Regards. x

[@BradAngove]

I’m not really familiar with emulsion paints. I don’t use them.

[@brads215]

Brad thanks for the quick response. I'm fixing a mistake tomorrow morning that I attempted to fix while wet. A big no-no as you pointed out. I plan to sand it back smooth again. Do you recommend dry sanding for that too? Thanks again! (I subscribed today by the way, and I don't subscribe to just any channel! )

[@BradAngove]

The only time I wet sand is when I’m going through the polishing process, and even then it’s only on metals and plastics. I dry sand 90% of the time.

[@rayrussell9162]

cant thank you enough for these videos. im in the middle of painting a guitar for the first time..got a run on the side and wasent sure what to do about it. now i know its not the end of the world i can breathe again lol keep making videos. extremely helpful.

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Ray. I'm glad you're finding them useful.

[@markfoley7704]

I just want to try it during quarantine and I don’t really understand the primer part lol. Is it needed? and if it is needed does it go on before or after the paint?

[@BradAngove]

Primer goes on before the paint. The necessity of it depends on the substrate.

[@markfoley7704]

Brad Angove ok thanks

[@kriskris4552]

Hi Brad.Thanks for great instructional videos! In the movie How to paint your guitar with spray cans part 1-4 after you finished paint in part 2 you did not say really clear about sanding or not sanding before clear coat. In this video you recommending sanding before clear applied due to optional scuffs/imperfections etc and better stick of clear coat to painted surface. Could you then recommend:after Ive sprayed guitar body with paint-do I need sanding surface-even if it looks good,or not necessery? If yes what paper grit should I usually use?Also do you recommend wet or dry sanding(of paint coats and of clear coats?? Kind regards!

[@BradAngove]

I'm pretty sure I scuffed the surface before clear coating in that video series as well. I like to gently dry sand my paint with 800 grit before clear coating if I'm not re-coating within the appropriate flash times.

[@nicoleeman2257]

Hi Brad,I wanted to ask you if I could better use a matte or semi gloss paint if I wanted the color layer sealed with a transparent coating. Would that solve the problem of sticking the clear coat layer to the color paint layer without having to sand the high gloss to matte before spraying on the clear coat layer for matter of binding/sticking? If there is wood grain with depth differences you even can’t sand the lower surfaces to matte …. That is the reason for asking this question.Thanks in advance, Nico

[@BradAngove]

It will help, but won’t fully solve the issue. Scuff what you can and the next coat should bridge the grain.

[@nicoleeman2257]

Thanks for the speedy info :)

[@triman95]

Before I painted my first guitar, (A kit) I went and bought a 4ft length of 2x12 from home depot. I then cut it into 4 equal sections (Making each section approximately the size of a typical Strat or tele) and treated each section as if it were my "guitar", sealing, sanding, spraying, etc. as if I were painting my guitar. When I got a section that looked like I wanted my guitar to look, I knew I was ready.

[@Ibanezish]

Hi, What do you recommend? Letting the base coat harden before clear coat? Or should I add clear coat after 10-15 mins? If i wait for paint to harden, should I sand it before clear coat? And if I sand, how do I make sure surface is clean before clear? Should I wipe it with rubbing alcohol? Is that even safe on 1k base coats ? Any tips would be greatly appreciated

[@BradAngove]

Let the base coat harden fully and then sand lightly with 800 grit and clean with wax and grease remover before spraying the clear.

[@Ibanezish]

@@BradAngove Thank's man, you're a life saviour :) Another question, which might be more important. I was so brilliant to use a 1k primer, and i've bought a wheel paint that is acryl, and ordered 2k spraymax clear coat, can this work together after hardening?

[@BradAngove]

Yes, it can work.

[@homienat3374]

Thanks for ya advice mate made the mistakes you just mentioned 1😐 will take on board thanks

[@BradAngove]

I hope it helps.

[@neftalilomeli847]

I used semi gloss enamel and clear coat right after and got lots of eye fish...What kind of clear coat can I use for that kind of paint? Amazing info!

[@BradAngove]

Sand your enamel lightly and make sure you clean it well. Then add a clear enamel. Fish eye is generally from surface contamination.

[@brisergonzalez7461]

Hello Brad, 1st of all thanks for this video, I have a question tho and I dont seem to be able to find any info anywhere about this issue, I recently painted the surface of a turntable, did the all prep such a ripped the old colour, sand in btw coats and let the coats dry for a day in between , I even polished and waxed the surface but i keep running into this issue which is everytime I put something on top of the surface , in this case a dust cover for the turntable the dust cover sticked to it leaving marks when I removed it, so im wondering what is causing this issue, I gotta say I didnt use a clear coat on this project, is this the reason why this is happening? thanks in advance Brad.

[@BradAngove]

What’s kind of paint did you use? Some don’t work properly on plastic, or require a particular type of preparation.

[@mmarie294]

Brad, just opening the can for Rust-oleum it has a safety feature, it would help to demo. This video makes sense that's for sharing this information

[@BradAngove]

What feature are you referring to?

[@Nancy........]

Thank You. I'm about to paint my bamboo patio blinds and save myself money for new ones... this will help with the endless choices..

[@BradAngove]

Glad I could help

[@gabemfuranna6946]

I Have a question, does the spray paint cause irritation on the skin? if you can please help me out I would greatly appreciate it thank you!! Love your video

[@BradAngove]

I imagine It depends on the person. It hasn’t for me, but it’s certainly not good for you, so avoid getting it on your skin.

[@gabemfuranna6946]

Brad Angove thnks for the quick reply man, i didnt specify but what spray painting jewelry?

[@BradAngove]

Oh, you mean dried spray paint? It will probably come off with the repeated abrasion and contact of being used on jewelry.

[@rodneygreenwaymusic]

I'm refinishing my old racing bike to give to my daugher. I brought down to bare metal, used self-etch primer, wet sanded, then primer filler, wet sanded, then primer sealer. Following primer sealer, I used rustoleum 2x base coat, wet sanded w/1000 grit. Applied 2nd coat that was almost perfect, and wet sanded with 1500 grit, and now I'm about to apply the last coat, but need to make sure it's perfect because automotive clear coat will go on next. Any advice? Should I wet sand the 3rd and final color coat before putting the clear coat? An issue is I'm doing it outside without any other options of where to do it. The spray pattern alone is challenging enough...but then you factor in little gnats, bugs, and dust. Either way, it's turning out pretty good, but could always be better. I planned on doing 3 coats of the automotive clear coat and lightly wet sand between coats and hopefully get the perfect top coat with it and wet sand to polish. Should I wet sand the clear coat between coats and the final coat? The biggest issue I am having is with rustoleum's high gloss protective enamel. Can it be wet sanded? I didn't realize the different drying times. Some of the paint started peeling on the parts I painted with the gloss protective enamel and I want to try to fix it. Another question is, should I put the automotive clear coat over the gloss protective enamel? It's already super shiny, but I was using the clear coat for protection and glossy finish. My goal is to give the bike sleek automotive type paint job. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[@BradAngove]

You should take a look at my video on whether you need to sand between coats. I think it will assist you here. If you want to clear coat over a gloss finish you will need to sand it. New paint won’t stick properly to a gloss finish. Creating a cross-flow of air over your project may assist you in dealing with the bugs. There are also videos on here (not mine) about how to create a small booth from pvc and poly for outdoor spraying.

[@blues4jesus]

So Im using rattle can Nitro, still spraying my color coat used up the paint thought great all done,,, looked today Ugghhhh a really nasty run, So other than spending another 24.00 for another can any fix tips to get the run either out or passable that its not so noticeable? Thank you for all these video'a

[@BradAngove]

Yeah, just sand it down so it’s even with the rest of the finish and smooth it out with 800 grit sandpaper. Then you can clear coat and it should look fine.

[@fireteammichael1777]

Great info! I'm just wondering how long do I wait to apply my clearcoat after sanding. I let my color layers fully cure, and now just need to sand a bit.. And then do I lightly wash it obviously to get any dust/residue off? Then spray on clear coat once clean and dry? Lol I'm racing against temps.. getting too cold here to paint and don't have heated garage.. though can provide some heat in my makeshift "paint booth" complete with air exchange system.. 🤣

[@BradAngove]

Right after you’ve sanded you can go ahead and clean in, and when it’s dry you should be fine to put on the clear.

[@TravisInCanada1]

@Brad Angove the first mistake you mention regarding the under coat not drying in time and I am left with soft paint. Would you recommend scraping it back down to bare metal and starting over or is there a way to dry it with heat and than sanding it down and starting over? What would be the solution with that specific example?

[@BradAngove]

You can try baking it a bit or heating it to try to get it to harden, but generally the solution is simply to strip it back and reapply.

[@felinekaiju4517]

I'm finally getting around to trying the crackle over Candy Apple Red, with them being different types I'll do a test piece first.

[@joeg1211]

Some of the best painters out there and I mean the best seem to have they're own unique style trust me on that got it

[@christinaanyfantaki1747]

About to start my company with spray painting (all women team yay) Do you recommend 2 costs of paint? In houses? Or 3?

[@BradAngove]

I’m housed? Are we talking interior home painting here? I haven’t done much of that, and it depends on how heavy you’re spraying. I did two coats when I painted a warehouse the one time...

[@TM4rtin17]

What would you reccomend for fixing paint runs? High grit sandpaper? And after i sand it should i spray another coat of the same color? Or can i move on to the next color?

[@BradAngove]

You can sand out a run with 320 or 400 grit. Then sand the whole coat lightly with 600 before moving on to your next coat. Unless it’s metallic, in which case you will need that extra light coat after.

[@TM4rtin17]

@@BradAngove Thanks!!!

[@Iceman_2007]

Hey Brad, awesome video. Just a quick question, i am spray painting acrylic canisters, i was just curious with one of the problems I'm facing, whenever I recoat it with my rustoleum, there are paint bubbles all over my sprayed section of the acrylic pottery.

[@BradAngove]

I’m never tried painting acrylic pottery. Could it be trapping air?

[@deannededemariehampton768]

Hi Brad, I just watched this video and I found it very helpful, thank you. I do have a question, a couple of times I had this happen while spray painting on glass, a weblike effect appears while I’m spray painting??? Can you tell me why that happens? Thank you so much.

[@BradAngove]

Have a look at my video on how to paint glass. That should clear things up. If you still have questions after that, let me know.

[@onpsxmember]

What about keeping the can at the same temperature by using a water bath? I've seen someone using it before so the can won't get too cold. I hope I remember it correctly. What is your take on that? I'm interested to paint my own guitars in the future and since I won't do a lot guitars i thought about airbrushing and different needles. I don't just want to paint in one colour but do some fine detail work. Time isn't the problem so would it be helpful to spray the whole guitar only with an airbrush gun with different needles? (Instead of getting a regular spraygun + airbrush for details) What would you recommend buying if I don't want to buy another airbrush gun after 2-3 years but be well prepared for future projects? Thx for the video.

[@BradAngove]

You're on the right track with the water. That's a trick where you heat up the can in warm water to help build up pressure in the can and keep the paint relatively thin. It helps it spray a bit easier. You should be able to get most or all of your airbrushing done with a standard 0.35mm nozzle airbrush. You won't be able to get an even coat of paint on the whole guitar with it though. If you don't want to get a paint gun, consider combining airbrushing and spray can techniques.

[@onpsxmember]

Brad Angove Thx for answering that quickly. I'm gonna check out your airbrush videos later.

[@Demon-Knight]

Hey Brad, I was wondering if you could help me. I just finished painting and clear coating my guitar. I've had this issue several times, The sanding part is no problem. However after I use the compound, and get it looking great, as soon as I sit and play the guitar I get some kinda reaction on parts of the finish. It kinda blisters and cracks and goes kinda rough. I thought maybe I didn't wash the remains of the compound off or something. This is very unclear to me. What could be causing this? Any help or advice you could give me would be very much appreciated.

[@BradAngove]

That’s very odd. What kind of paint are you using?

[@joepedroza503]

Painting sounds like an art. I never liked art. But i can see the logic behind his teachings. good video.

[@BradAngove]

Thanks. Some types of painting are artistic, others are more process based.

[@Mr2pint]

Paint splatter from cans is a problem I don't seem to avoid - some say it's not shaking the can enough and it's often cold where I live like well below the recommended painting temp.. Nice tips..

[@BradAngove]

If you warm it up in warm water and make sure you clear out the nozzle after you use it, you may be able to get around that problem.

[@AGMoneys]

Stumbled upon you... I learned so much in this short video! Thanks 🏆

[@BradAngove]

Thanks for watching.

[@louisetalbot3981]

Hey, thanks so much! Great tips. What spray paint/ primer would you recommend for painting glass and avoiding peeling. Thanks

[@BradAngove]

I have a specific video on how to paint glass that you should consider taking a look at.

[@rogerboler4351]

Okay I just sprayed a guitar body high gloss black. I had an event come up and I had to quit spraying. It needs more coats. I'm into the next day so should I scuff the existing or wet sand the existing coats from yesterday before I add more? Thank you

[@BradAngove]

Yes, you should sand (doesn’t have to be wet) with 600 grit before continuing.

[@markinnam6991]

Hey Brad, I'm having issues, my paint is cracking like fissures. Down to the plastic, looking into the fissures the plastic appears wet or at best the abs has developed a gloss finish. I've made a baking booth using a room fan heater and suspect that the can was at room temp and fairings were warmed up. I used plastic primer filler, over sprayed with primer filler not having reached top coat yet due to problems. Thanks in advance

[@BradAngove]

Temperature changes from surfaces cooling etc. can cause that crazing and cracking because of paint shrinking. Have you seen my video on paint crazing?

[@jonlawrence7866]

for some strange reason ive been binge watching spray painting tips and such, this is the only one i havent been mad at! just good basic tips for anybody, nothing that could lead people wrong like "only use white base" though i will say, experiment using "non-compatible" paints together, it can lead to very cool things!

[@BradAngove]

+jon lawrence Thanks Jon. You can definitely get some interesting effects with non-compatible paints, but the durability of those finishes is suspect.

[@jonlawrence7866]

one i really love, i go with Rustolium hammered base with a metallic automotive top applied cold (sub 40F) and extra heavy while the base is wet so it all flows, a great bio-mech feel to it and hardens up very well but cure time is weeks due to the thickness of the paint, and TY for the reply!

[@BradAngove]

+jon lawrence thanks for the tip. I like doing that technique but with a light coat of metallic black over hammered silver. It gets little pin holes in it. Looks pretty cool. I actually was going to have a video coming out in it soon.

[@jonlawrence7866]

maybe we'll have to compare! ;)

[@BradAngove]

+jon lawrence Sounds good to me haha.

[@millieatr]

A problem i just had twice in two day , grabbing a can of spray paint (not new cans ) and spraying fine for 10sec then clogs . This is a little off subject but do you ever take small items youve sprayed and let them dry in the oven on like 170 degrees ?

[@BradAngove]

If I put something painted in my oven the wife would absolutely murder me.

[@millieatr]

@@BradAngove Got ya 😁

[@eugenestrader1891]

Hey Brad. Thanks for the videos. Great job. My question is, I spray painted a bass I just got. I used a red Dupicolor metalflake. I have a couple of runs in it. Is it okay to sand and re-shoot it?

[@BradAngove]

Yup.

[@PauloSilva-gr5tz]

Hey Brad, thank you for your Videos, very competent and usefull! I have a Question, is the Acrylic Lack the best for Guitar Painting or Water Basis Lack? Thanks!

[@BradAngove]

The best in what sense?

[@thomasotero7066]

I'm doing a replica NFL team helmet. I sanded it down clean it primer it, painted it with lacquer Rust-Oleum. Then I sprayed clear coat on it. I noticed that the paint didn't dry all the way. If I let it sit for long amount of time will it ever dry?

[@BradAngove]

It may. How long has it been and how wet is it?

[@richdiorio3650]

I have to paint a picture window blind which is pretty wide, 80", what is the best way to paint this? Can it be done in sections instead of trying to go from one side to the other which is long! Thanks

[@BradAngove]

Are you spray painting it? Are you doing the pieces individually? If so, how “tall” are they?

[@albertifergan6506]

Brad, how long do you wait before wet sanding a plastic part painted and cleared with rustoleum paint. I painted a metallic paint and put a clear on it. Did not scuff before the clear. Some orange peel but not much.

[@BradAngove]

At least a day or two. Better off waiting two weeks though.