Spray Paint Looks Clear?

I'm trying to spray paint phone books pages gray (for a school project), but when I sprayed the paint on, it turned out clear. Is this normal? About how long should I wait for it turn to its rightful color?Spray Paint Looks Clear?
Try shaking the can and make sure you are holding it upright. Spray cans have a marble inside to help mixing. shake until you can hear it rattling nicely everywhere, especially in the bottom of the can. If the spray is clear then you just have not got the pigments mixed into the lacquer.Spray Paint Looks Clear?
SHAKE the can until you hear a little ball bouncing around in it...then shake for 2 more minutes...spray for 2 secs...should be fine...if not, get another can
When used properly, the paint that emits from a spraypaint can should immediately give you the color results for which you are looking. There are a couple possibilities as to why it's coming out clear.





First, even though the lid on the can is a ';color';, in your case just because the lid is grey doesn't mean that the liquid inside is tinted grey. Most brands of spray paint not only manufacture colors, but primers and final clear topcoats as well. These cans also have colored lids, even though their lid color might not correspond with what's inside.





So, read the front of your can and check to see if it says anything about ';clear finish'; or ';top coat';. Even though your can's lid is grey (I'm assuming), the liquid inside is a clear coat meant for use after you've applied your color of choice.





The second possibility is as others have alluded to: either you've not shaken your can of paint properly OR you've attempted to use a can of paint that is so old, the pigment has separated out from the binding agent... (whether you decided to use a family member's ancient can of spray paint on the garage shelf or you bought a can new from a store that had the paint on their shelf for too long...). If you bought the can new, try shaking it and spraying it. If you've ruled out that it's top coat and it still comes out clear, you SHOULD be able to get a refund or do an exchange.





Good luck to you.
It should come out the can the color of the cap, immediately upon spraying on the surface you are painting. I agree with the answerer above, you need to shake the can to mix the propellant with the color.
Do shake the can well, and apply several light coats letting them dry in between.
You should see a color right away. Maybe try another coat after the first on drys.


Good luck.

pores