Pro Painters
Common Paint Problems
- Efforescence
- Roller Marks/Stipple
- Burnishing
- Frosting
- Blocking
- Surfactant Leaching
- Mildew
- Peeling
- Vinyl Siding Wrap
- Alligatoring
- Cracking/Flaking
- Blistering
- Nail Head Rusting
- Poor Hiding
- Poor Sheen Uniformity
- Exterior Color Fade
- Wrinkling
- Picture Framing
Efforescence
Description: White salt deposits typically found on exterior masonry surfaces
Cause(s)
- Salt is leached from masonry as water vapor passes through, and deposited on the paint film
Solution(s)
- Remove any prior trace of efflorescence before repainting
- Eliminate source of mosture
- Apply a masonry primer or sealer
Roller Marks/Excessive Stipple
Description: Textured pattern left in the paint by the roller
Cause(s)
- Incorrect roller cover
- Lower grades of paint
- Low quality roller
- Incorrect rolling technique
Solution(s)
- Always apply paint using recommended roller type and nap length
- Use premium or super-premium-level
- Utilize proper roller application technique, such as maintaining a wet edge during application
Burnishing
Description: Increase in gloss or sheen of paint film
Cause(s)
- Results from rubbing, scrubbing or having an object brush up against the paint film
Solution(s)
- Choose high-quality latex paints for areas that require regular cleaning
- Choose paints with higher quality sheens for high traffic areas
- Clean painted surfaces with a soft cloth or sponge and water
Frosting
Description: Mineral-based contaminate on surface of paint film, similar to efflorescence
Cause(s)
- Moisture slowly evaporating, typically in a protected area, leaving mineral-based deposits on the paint film
Solution(s)
- Wire brush masonry surfaces or sand wood surfaces, followed by alkyd priming
- Avoid using exterior latex paints containing calcium carbonate
Blocking
Description: Two painted surfaces sticking to each other
Cause(s)
- Moisture
Solution(s)
- Latex paints have better initial block resistance
- Alkyd paints have better long-term block resistance
- Allow for sufficient dry time
- Talcum powder may alleviate sticking
Surfactant Leaching
Description: Concentration of water-soluble soap-like agents on the paint film and it appears as brown or clear spots
Cause(s)
- Exposure of a paint film to moisture, such as rain, dew, humidity/low temperature early in the film’s curing cycle
Solution(s)
- Avoid painting in cool, humid conditions or just before they occur
- Use quality exterior latex paints with low temperature capabilities
Mildew
Description: Black, gray or brow areas on the surface of paint, caulk or other surfaces
Cause(s)
- Naturally occuring growths on the surface of paint films
Solution(s)
- Test for mildew using household bleach
- Properly treat and prime the surface before applying a paint or stain
- Avoid using flat paints and alkyd paints for exterior use
Peeling
Description: Loss of paint due to poor adhesion
Cause(s)
- Swelling of wood due to seepage or penetration of moisture into the home through uncaulked joints, deteriorated caulk, leaking roof, etc.
- Excess humidity or other moisture escaping from within the home through the exterior walls
- Inadequate surface preperation
- Applying latex paint under conditions that hinder good film formation, e.g., on a very hot or cold day; in windy weather
- Applying an oil-based paint over a damp or wet surface
Solution(s)
- Caulk or re-caulk open joints, check for roof leaks
- Adequate surface preparation
- Apply paint within recommended enviormental ranges
Vinyl Siding Warp
Description: Warping or buckling of vinyl siding panels that have been repainted
Cause(s)
- Most likely cause is that vinyl siding was repainted with a darker color paint than the original color
- Dark paint tends to absorb the beat of the sun, transferring it to the substrate
- When vinyl siding expands dramatically, it is not able to contract its original dimensions
Solution(s)
- Paint vinyl siding in a shade no darker than the original
Alligatoring
Description: Patterned cracking in the surface of a paint film resembling the scales of an alligator
Cause(s)
- Application of an extremely rigid coating, like an alkyd enamel, over a more flexible coating, like a latex primer
- Application of a top coat before the undercoat is dry
- Natural aging of oil-based paints as temperatures fluctuate
Solution(s)
- Old paint should be completely removed, and the surface should be primed with a high-quality primer before painting
Cracking/Flaking
Description: The splitting of a dry paint film through at least one coat, which will lead to complete failure of the paint
Cause(s)
- Over-thinning paint or spreading it too thin
- Poor surface preparation, especially when the paint is applied to bare wood without priming
- Painting under cool or windy conditions that make latex paint dry too quickly
Solution(s)
- Remove all of the paint by scraping, sanding and/or use of a heat gun, then prime and repaint with a quality exterior latex paint
Blistering
Description: The formation of bubbles resulting from localized loss of adhesion and lifting of the paint film from the underlying surface
Cause(s)
- Painting in direct sunlight or on a surface that is too warm, especially when applying a dark-colored solvent-based coating
- Applying an oil-based or alkyd paint over a damp or wet surface
- Excess moisture escaping from inside through the exterior walls
- Exposure of a latex paint film to excessive moisture in the form of dew, high humidity or rain shortly after the paint has dried
Solution(s)
- Caulk or re-caulk open joints, check for roof leaks
- Apply paint only within recommended environmental ranges
Nail Head Rusting
Description: Reddish-brown stains on the paint surface
Cause(s)
- Non-galvanized iron nails have begun to rust, causing bleed-through to the top coat
- Non-galvanized iron nails have not been countersunk and filled over
- Galvanized nail heads have begun to rust after sanding or excessive weathering
Solution(s)
- Countersink nail heads and prime with a rust inhibitive primer
- Caulk them with a top quality, water-based all-acrylic or siliconized acrylic caulk prior to priming and painting
Poor Hiding
Description: Failure of dried paint to adequately obscure the substrate or previous coat
Cause(s)
- Poor application practices, such as over-thinning and overspreading
- Overly porous substrates resulting in over-penetration of topcoat
Solution(s)
- Maintain good application practices to avoid overspreading
- Seal porous substrates with a high-quality primer
Poor Sheen Uniformity
Description: Shiny spots or dull spots on a freshly painted surface also referred to as flashing or joint flashing
Cause(s)
- Poor application practices such as over-thinning and overspreading
- Overly porous substrates resulting in over penetration of topcoat
Solution(s)
- Maintain good application practices to avoid overspreading
- Seal porous substrates with a high quality primer
Exterior Color Fade
Description: UV breakdown of certain colorants, typically synthetic, resulting is a color shift in the paint film
Cause(s)
- Use of a lower quality paint, leading to rapid degradation (chalking) of the paint film
- Use of a paint color that is vulnerable to UV radiation (most notably certain bright reds blues, and yellows)
- Over-tinting a base
Solution(s)
- Use a quality exterior house paint in durable colors (natural pigments)
Wrinkling
Description: A rough, crinkled paint surface occurring when paint forms a "skin"
Cause(s)
- Paint applied too thickly
- Painting a hot surface or in very hot weather
- Exposure of uncured paint to rain, dew, fog or high humidity levels
- Applying top coat of paint to insufficiently dried first coat, Painting over contaminated surface
Solution(s)
- Make sure the first coat or primer is dry before applying the top coat
- Apply paints at recommended spread rate
- Avoid painting during extremely hot, cool or damp weather
Picture Framing
Description: Non-uniform color and sheen in the overlapped regions of a painted area
Cause(s)
- Brushed areas generally appear darker than rolled areas
- Sprayed areas generally appear lighter than brushed and rolled areas
Solution(s)
- Usually a hiding (coverage) effect
- Multiple “cut-ins” may be required
- Maintain a wet edge when painting
For more paint problem expertise, visit your local retailer.
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