What is overspray?

• A. Paint that lands outside the intended area
• B. Paint that dries too fast
• C. Paint that adheres poorly
• D. Paint that has an uneven color

Answer: (A)

Overspray is paint that lands outside the area you intend to coat. It shows up as a fine mist or specks on adjacent panels, trim, glass, or surroundings because the spray droplets drift beyond the target surface. This usually happens when the spray pattern is too wide, the gun is held too far away, the air pressure is too high, or masking isn’t complete. Understanding this helps you see why masking well and dialing in the gun to produce a controlled, narrow pattern are essential. To prevent overspray, mask thoroughly, set the gun for the correct distance and pattern, use appropriate passes with even overlap, and maintain proper ventilation to keep the work area clean. If overspray occurs, rework or patch the affected areas and preserve clean edges with proper masking and technique.