Written by Chad Robinson, Service & Hire Manager at SprayPlant
When it comes to painting, most people think about surface preparation, the right tools, or choosing the perfect colour. But one of the most overlooked but critical steps is mixing your paint correctly! Whether you’re tackling a large exterior wall or sprucing up your home interior, poor mixing can completely undermine the results.
Understanding Your Paint
Not all paints are created equal. Let’s take Sandtex Smooth Masonry Paint as an example. This is a high-build, high-solid-content paint, designed to provide durability and weather resistance. Unlike a typical domestic emulsion, which is water-based and flows more easily, masonry paints like this are water-borne but not truly “watery.”
They contain additional binders, pigments, and performance-enhancing additives (such as acrylic resins, dispersants, and thickeners). These ingredients are what give masonry paint its protective qualities. However, because of this, the heavier solids tend to sink to the bottom of the can during storage.
That’s why opening a tin and giving it a quick stir with a wooden spoon or stick - yes do know customers who have done this…just won’t cut it. You’re only disturbing the top layer of paint, while the real “muscle” of the paint, the solids, stay stuck at the bottom. The result? Uneven application, potential damage to your machine, tip blockages, uneven (at best) application. Wasted time and money.
We’ve even experienced customers watering down the high-quality, solid-rich paint with water or apply it inconsistently? Paying premium prices for subpar results. It’s madness, just mix your paint properly!
Mixing the Right Way
For high-solid paints like Sandtex, you need more than elbow grease. These paints must be mixed thoroughly with a mechanical agitator. A paddle mixer attachment on a drill works well In fact, if you’re thinking about purchasing a new machine that comes to the value of over £1,000 we’ll give you a Dewalt Drill and paddle mixer FOR FREE until the end of the year! With a mechanical agitator, the solids at the bottom of the can are fully re-incorporated into the paint, giving you the product you actually paid for, delivering consistent, reliable, and high-quality coverage.
What Happens If You Don’t Mix Your Paint Properly?
Skipping this step or cutting corners can cause a range of problems:
- Uneven colour – lighter shades at the top, darker at the bottom.
- Streaks and patchiness – especially visible on large walls.
- Poor coverage – you’ll need more coats than necessary.
- Reduced durability – the paint won’t protect surfaces as it should.
- Flaking or peeling – because the binder-to-pigment ratio is off.
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Spray machine and tip blockages
In short: the job will take longer, cost more, and look worse.
What to Do If You Experience These Issues
If you’ve already started painting and notice problems like streaking, patchy coverage, or colour differences, don’t panic. Here’s what to do:
- Stop applying immediately – don’t make the problem worse.
- Empty your machine of paint. Squirt the paint back into the tin of paint, clean & flush your machine. To clear any leftover paint.
- Mix the paint properly – use a mechanical mixer to restore balance in the tin.
- Check your surface – if it looks uneven, allow it to dry, then apply a new, well-mixed coat.
- Don’t dilute – adding water won’t solve the problem with high-solid paints and will only weaken performance.
- For severe issues (like flaking or peeling), you may need to sand back and repaint with properly mixed paint.
- Call us for advice!
Conclusion
Paint mixing isn’t just a minor step, it’s essential for achieving a professional finish. If you’re investing in quality, high-solid paints, give them the respect they deserve. Mix them properly with the right equipment, and you’ll save yourself time, money, and frustration. For any spray paint questions, contact our team or contact us via chatbot or e-mail.
Chad Robinson is the Service & Hire Manager at SprayPlant, with deep expertise in spray gun systems, maintenance, and equipment rental. He works closely with customers to ensure they get the best performance from their kit—whether buying or hiring.