Drills will not stick to the canvas
Cause: the adhesive has dried out or got dirty – usually because the film was open too long or dust and fingerprints got on it. Sometimes it is weak from the factory.
Fix: only uncover a small section at a time. On weak spots, dab a tiny amount of clear craft glue or an acid-free glue stick, let it get tacky and then place the drills. For larger areas, cut thin double-sided tape to size. If a brand-new canvas does not stick at all, contact the seller.
Drills will not stay on the pen
Cause: the wax in the pen tip is used up or dried out.
Fix: press the tip into fresh wax until it is lightly filled. Scrape out old, dirty wax with a toothpick first. Replacement wax is cheap; in a pinch, a bit of poster putty works too.
Drills jump around in the tray
Cause: static electricity – especially in winter with dry heating air.
Fix: wipe the tray and pen with a dryer sheet or a slightly damp cloth. That removes the charge for a while.
The canvas is wavy or creased
Cause: the canvas arrived rolled up or folded.
Fix: lay it flat with the film on and put heavy books on it for one or two days. For creases, gently roll the canvas against the fold first. Do not iron it – heat damages the adhesive. Small creases usually disappear once the drills are on.
The protective film is crumpled or no longer sticks
Fix: use baking paper instead. It does not stick to the adhesive, comes off easily and protects open areas just as well. You can cut it into handy pieces.
A color is missing or runs out
Cause: a packing mistake, a spilled bag or simply too few drills.
Fix: contact the seller first – many send missing drills free of charge if you include a photo of the legend and the DMC number. Otherwise reorder the color by its number; a similar color can be found in the DMC color chart. The drill calculator shows how many you need. Tip: keep leftover drills labeled so you have spares next time.
💎 In the free Diamond Painting Manager you add your leftover drills to the drill stash. Before you reorder, you can see at a glance whether the color is already at home.
I can hardly see the symbols
Fix: a light pad under the canvas, a bright daylight lamp, a magnifier or magnifying glasses. With similar-looking symbols, tick off finished colors on the legend.
A drill is in the wrong spot
Fix: lift it with tweezers or the pen tip and place the right one. The adhesive usually still holds; if not, see drills will not stick.
The rows are getting crooked
Cause: mostly with square drills – a small offset carries on row after row.
Fix: while the adhesive is fresh, line up a ruler and gently push the row into place. Fill large single-color areas with the checkerboard method and look at the painting from a distance now and then.
Drills are misshapen or different sizes
Fix: sort them out and do not use them – they will show in the finished painting. That is what the 10 to 20% extra drills in most kits are for. Collect the rejects in a separate little box.
The canvas smells strongly
Fix: new canvases often smell of adhesive and ink. Leave it rolled out with the film on in a well-ventilated place for a few days – the smell usually fades on its own.
The painting looks cloudy or dull after sealing
Cause: the sealer was applied too thick or not wiped off, or it does not suit AB drills.
Fix: while it is still wet, wipe the drills with a slightly damp cloth. Once dry it is very hard to undo – so always test on spare drills first. More in How to seal and frame.
Keep track of projects and colors
Many problems can be avoided if you know what you have: in the free Diamond Painting Manager you note the DMC colors, the seller and the progress for every painting. The shopping list shows which colors your active projects need.