When trying to chip paint with the hairspray method can anyone tell me sometimes I scrub the paint layer and it flakes off but then I also having instances where I will use my brush and water but instead of the paint chipping off it instead the paint becomes reconstituted and all I get is the water mixing with the layer of paint and I can just wipe it right off with a napkin...please help

It would help if we know what type of paint your using.
Tamiya I believe is the best for chipped paint whilst Vallejo has it's problems.

I've never had a problem with the paint dissolving, although with some acrylics I've had issues with the paint peeling away instead of chipping. I find that doing a couple of layers of hairspray helps solve that.

Do you remember if you did anything differently between working/not-working?
Different types of paint?
Different colours, as in dark gray vs desert yellow?
Different drying/hardening times for hairspray or paint?
Different hairspray?
Primer or base coat under the hairspray?
Any oil/fat residues on the model before the paintjob?
Different thinners or mixing ratio used when painting?

I don't have the answers but the questions above could possibly assist others to come up with an answer ...
/ Robin