Why does my spray painted item feel tacky to the touch?

There are a couple of factors that could delay the dry and cure time. If you applied the paint with a heavy spray coat or you live in a humid area, the dry time may be affected. If you’re working in these conditions, wait at least one hour in between applying each coat to allow the paint to fully dry.

Make sure you’re holding the can 6-10 inches away from the surface while spraying; holding the can closer than that can cause heavier paint application and pooling. If it has been more than 72 hours since the last coat of paint was applied, you can try rubbing talcum powder over the painted area, and then wipe off the excess with a damp cloth.