Asked on May 30, 2016

Rough/sandpapery feel to spray paint

I thoroughly cleaned, sanded, and wiped down my old metal lawn chairs. I primed them with Rustoleum primer then painted with Rustoleum gloss spray paint. They felt rough/sandpapery. I did this outdoors, so I sanded, washed, and tack rag wiped them down, brought them indoors, let them dry thoroughly, and gave another coat of spray paint (Rustoleum gloss...Seaside --lid says "new color"). No primer this time. First coat looked great. I went back in an hour like the can says to do and gave a 2nd coat. The second coat went on rough, just like what I had sanded off. What's going on here? I've never had this problem before!
  5 answers
  • Sally-Charles Evans Sally-Charles Evans on May 31, 2016
    I suggest calling the company. They will let you speak with someone that can tell you in a minute what happened.
  • Jcw Jcw on May 31, 2016
    i have run into two different problems that have caused me to have a rough finish. 1} some light colors (yellow and aqua) that cause rough finish {maybe lower pigment] 2} bad spray tip that sent little droplets instead of fine spray. Speaking with rep from Co is certainly a good suggestion.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on May 31, 2016
    I agree you should contact Rustoleum, Seems like all the necessary steps were taken.
  • TipTopHouse TipTopHouse on May 31, 2016
    If the 2nd coat sprayed on rough, it was not wet enough when applied. Keeping spray can to far away will cause dry spray, not applying enough paint when re-coating will also cause dry rough surface. Also temp has a lot to do with it. If the metal is cool when starting and after while it warm up during 2nd coat it will dry the finish to fast not allowing it to flow and become shiny and smooth. I suggest you wet sand finish to remove rough without removal of to much finish and spray again when cool and apply wet coat when you apply it. that should solve your issue
    • See 1 previous
    • Emily Emily on Aug 07, 2018

      Hello! I’ve had the same issue with my spray painting job. I have just followed your advice and wetsanded to remove the rough finish. I am wondering what the best technique is to spray paint now? What do you mean by “apply wet coat”? I don’t want to end up with the same issue again and would appreciate your help!

  • William William on Jun 01, 2016
    Possible reasons. Spraying when its too hot or dry. 65 to 85 degrees is optimal. Evaporation begins before the paint can spread and settle on the item. Spraying too thick coats. Several light coats are better than two or three coats thick coats. Spraying too far a distance from the item. Paint not properly shaken or not shaken during painting.