How to Keep Automotive Paint From Running

If you plan on painting your own car, you will need to take care to prevent your automotive paint from running. This commonly happens when you apply your automotive paint too thick, or hold the paint too close to the surface of the body of the car where you are painting.

• Make sure that the tip of your spray gun is not clogged. If the tip becomes clogged it can alter the pressure in which the paint is applied, leading to your auto paint running when applied. It is best to clean your spray gun prior to painting your auto body for best results.


• Practice your painting technique on a large piece of paper or cardboard so that you can get a feel for how the paint comes out. This will help you to know the correct distance you need to stay from your car to apply a thin and even coat of paint. 


• Apply spray paint from at least twelve inches away from the surface of your car's body when using auto body spray paint to paint your car. If you hold the spray paint any closer than this distance it can accumulate in certain areas and cause the paint to run.


• Apply numerous thin coats of paint to the body of your car when painting it to prevent your paint from running. You may be tempted to add a couple of thick coats; however, it will more than likely cause your paint to run. It is best to apply numerous thin coats to the body of your car.


• Let the paint dry in between coats. You will need to apply numerous thin coats of paint to get even coverage. Make sure that you allow each coat to dry thoroughly in between coats so that the paint does not run when you apply the next coat. This is very important.