Can You Paint Over Spray Paint? (Here Is The Answer)

Spray Paint is a very common type of paint that can be used to coat almost any surface, including wood, metal and plastic. However, after spray painting when we want to repaint the surface again, many of us wonder if we can paint over the old spray paint. So, can you paint over spray paint?

The answer is “Yes.” You can paint over spray paint. However, it is recommended to remove the old spray paint by sanding the surface. If you’re going to do this, make sure you use high-quality primer after removing the old spray paint. Then apply 2 or 3 coats of your new paint. This way, you’ll get the best results possible.

In this article, we will show you how to paint over spray paint. We will also discuss what kind of paint and primer you should use for this project. So, let’s start!

Can You Paint Over Spray Paint?

You can paint over spray paint. But the spray paint should have completely cured before applying any other paint. If the spray paint has not dried completely, applying another paint over it will only result in a mess. The paint will not adhere to the spray paint, and you may also face issues like bubbles or crackles.

Though many different types of spray paints are available in the market today, they can broadly be divided into two types: Oil-based spray paints and Water-based spray paints. If the spray paint that you had applied on the surface was oil-based, then you should paint over it with oil-based paint only.

The same thing applies to water-based spray paints as well. If you used water-based spray paint, you should apply only water-based paint over it. The reason is that both oil-based and water-based spray paints contain different kinds of solvents.

What if you don’t know which type of spray paint you applied earlier?

If you don’t know which type of spray paint you had applied on the surface, then the best thing to do would be to remove the entire spray paint by sanding it off. Then you can apply a good-quality primer over the surface. After that, apply any type of paint over the primed surface you want.

Also read: Can you spray paint any surface?

How To Paint Over Spray Paint (A step-by-step guide)

If the spray paint you applied on the surface is fresh and has completely cured. Then you can directly paint over it with a similar type of paint. Here you don’t need to sand down the surface because you know exactly the type of spray paint you applied earlier on the surface.

But in case the spray paint is very old, and you don’t exactly remember the type of the spray paint, then follow these steps to paint over the spray paint:

Step 1: Remove Old Spray Paint

To remove the old spray paint from the surface, first clean the surface using an appropriate cleaning agent. You can also use a sponge or rag soaked in soap and water. Make sure that you scrub the surface thoroughly until all the dirt and dust are removed. 

After cleaning the surface, remove the old spray paint by sanding the entire surface. You can use 100-grit sandpaper or even 120-grit sandpaper depending upon the thickness of the old spray paint.

Sand the surface till the entire surface is smooth.

Step 2: Apply Primer

Apply a suitable primer on the surface so that the new paint adheres properly to the surface. Use a brush or roller to apply the primer evenly across the surface. Let the primer dry for at least 30 minutes.

Using the same brand primer as that of the paint you plan to use is recommended. So make sure that you choose the right primer for your job.

Step 3: Apply the New Paint

Now comes the final step. Apply the new paint over the primed surface using a brush or roller.  Again, make sure that you select the right type of paint for this project.

It is better to apply the same color as before. But if you want to change the color then you must ensure that you remove the old spray paint completely and apply the primer well.

Once you complete one coat of paint, wait for about 15 minutes before applying the second coat. Apply 3 to 4 coats of paint total. It is always advisable to let each coat dry for at least 15 minutes before applying the next coat. This will help you achieve a smooth finish.

Conclusion

The above-mentioned tips will definitely help you in removing the old spray paint and applying the new one without any trouble. Painting over spray paint is very easy once you get some basic knowledge about how to do it.

If you are unaware of what kind of spray paint you used previously, then you should follow the steps mentioned above. Once you remove the old spray paint and apply the primer, you can easily apply the new paint. So try out these methods and get rid of those ugly marks left behind.

Hope you find this article helpful!

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