"Yow - dusted!" Topic

Seems to be my month for strange painting experiences.

Was spray painting with olive drab matte. First two items went normally. On the third item (later in the day), I noticed no problem at the time, but when it dried:

* 'orange peel' lumpy/bumpy finish
* the bottom of the painting box is coated with olive drab 'powder' – comes off if you touch it

Don't know about the orange peel…

But paint powder on the base of your spray booth is pretty normal, even when using an airbrush.

I'm assuming you're using a spray can?
After spraying the first items, did you invert the can and clear the nozzle?

Orange peel can be too thick a second paint coat on top of your tack coat.

The powder is paint that dried in mid-air and then fell to the ground. When you spray from too far away the paint dries before it hits the surface to be painted. If you try real hard you can get air-dried paint to fall on a still tacky surface and get a fuzzy paint job.

Yes, spray can, and I always clear the nozzle. First coat.

Yes, I think it's fuzzy paint job, not 'orange peel'.

Fortunately, I lucked out, it's on something that a fuzzy/grimy look is appropriate.

Bad paint elves, they're all over. In fact I think they built a condo in my shop.