Common Paint Defects and Solutions
Uploaded by
corazon phil- Module 10: Paints
Module 10: Paints depressions (cratering) when bubbles
Paints – high amount of pigment break
Stains – little to no amount or pigment, Cause: shakingly partially filled can of
contains mostly solvent paint, excessive brushing, use of roller,
Varnishes – clear coating, solvent or water- applying gloss or semi-gloss paint over a
based porous or unsealed surface,
Lacquers – clear coating, solvent-based, thinner/reducer that is inappropriate
nitrocellulose Burnishing (Shiny Area)
Sealers – seals the substrate Area that shows an
unwanted increase
Paint Problems: in gloss or sheen,
Adhesion (Blocking) rubbing
Paint sticks to itself or to the weather Cause: use of flat
stripping when a window or door is paint in high-traffic
opened areas, frequent
Cause: Not sufficient drying time between washing and spot cleaning, heavy objects
paints, low block resistance paint rubbing against wall, low resistance paint
Alligatoring Caulk Failure
Patterned cracking in Loss of caulk’s
the paint film initial adhesion and
flexibility, causing
Cause: natural aging
painted caulk to
of oil-based paints,
crack and pull away
rigid coating like oil
from the surfaces to
enamel, topcoat
which it is applied
before primer, coating over glossy finish
Cause: lower-quality caulk, wrong type
Blistering
of caulk, not priming the surface, too thin
Bubbles caused from
application, or caulk
loss of adhesion and
Chalking (Powdering)
lifting of the paint
Formation of
Cause: Heat
fine white
blistering, moisture
powder on the
blistering, oil-based
surface due to
or alkyd paint over a damp or wet surface,
weathering,
exposure of latex paint film to dew, damp
color fading, excessive paint film erosion
basements, moisture in the interior walls,
insufficient surface preparation Cause: oil-based paints tend to chalk more
than latex formulations, use of low-grade
Brush or Roller Marks
highly pigmented paint, over thinning
Failure of paint to
Cracking
dry to a smooth film,
unsightly brush Splitting of a dry paint film, through at
marks least one coat. May appear first as hairline
cracks, flaking occurs later
Cause: additional
paint or re-brushing, Cause: use of a paint that has lower
working paint too adhesion and flexibility properties, over-
much, wrong nap size of roller, thin paint, thinning, over-spreading the paint,
hot surface painting, porous surface embrittlement paint, inadequate surface
preparation
Bubbling
Darkening
Formation of air
bubbles (foaming) Wood with appearance of severe mildew
and resulting small, but will not lighten when tested with
round concave bleach.
Cause: caused by ultraviolet radiation, Cause: Touch-up with a different tool,
occur on wood with no protective coating, different batch of paint, repair has a
occur under varnishes different texture, touch-up at a different
Dirty/Soiled temperature
Accumulation of dirt, dust particles, other Peeling
debris on the paint film Loss of adhesion of a coating to the
Cause: soil splashing onto sliding, air substrate or an earlier coating
pollution, and car exhaust Cause: seepage of moisture, leaks in
Efflorescence roof/walls, painting over a dirty surface,
Crusty, white salt painting over a coating that already has a
deposits, leached marginal adhesion
to the surface of Peeling (Metal)
mortar or Has lost its adhesion to a galvanized metal
masonry substrate
Cause: interior Cause: alkyd/oil paint, zinc of galvanized
moisture, exterior metal, unpainted galvanized metal, cold or
moisture, basement walls that are not humid conditions
sealed, insufficient curing Peeling (Plaster)
Flaking Loss of a coating’s adhesion from plaster,
Lifting of paint from the underlying which can occur in spots or larger areas
surface in the form of flakes, preceded by Cause: peeling from plaster, hard plaster,
cracking or checking high PH, old plaster that is powdery, poor
Cause: cracking of exterior wood, poor surface preparation
paint penetration, hard grain pattern, poor Poor Print Resistance
surface preparation Paint film to take on the imprint of an
Poor Hiding (Transparent) object that is placed on it
Failure of dried paint to obscure or hide Cause: not waiting until the coating has
the underlying color dried, poor print resistance, cool or humid
Cause: too thin of a paint film, paint with considerations, low quality latex semi-
low hiding characteristics, paint that is gloss
much lighter, painting over a porous Roller Marks/Stippling
surface, thinning/reducing the coating Unintentional textured pattern left in the
Lapping paint by the roller
Appearance of a darker/denser color or Cause: incorrect roller cover, incorrect
higher sheen rolling technique
Cause: Failure Roller Splattering
to maintain a Tendency of a roller to throw off small
wet edge, paint droplets of paint during application
on unsealed Cause: applying the coating too fast, using
surface, paint a roller cover with wrong nap,
under high overloading the roller cover, overworking
temperatures the paint once it is applied to a substrate,
Mudcracking thinning of a product
Deep, irregular, cracks resembling dried Rust
mud in the dry paint film Reddish-brown stains on the paint surface
Cause: applied too thick, build-up in Cause: steel in contact with air and
corners, surface was not prepared moisture will rust, steel nails may develop
Obvious Repair (Touch-Up) black discoloration when in contact with
A repaired or repainted area that is damp wood that possesses high amount of
noticeably different than the surrounding tannic acid
space Sagging
Dropping of the paint to rain, insufficient curing,
paint film contaminated surface
immediately after
application
Cause: too heavy a
coat of paint,
application in
excessively humid
conditions, over-thinned paint, painting
over a glossy surface, over a surface
contaminant
Staining (Tanning)
Brownish or tan discoloration on the paint
surface due to migration of tannins from
the substrate
Cause: occurs in staining woods,
redwood, cedar, mahogany
Uneven Color
Non-uniform appearance of color that
occurs when a wall is painted with a roller
and the edges are cut in with a brush
Cause: paint at different film builds, not
keeping a wet edge while painting,
incomplete mixing of the paint
Uneven Gloss (Flashing)
Deterioration of the paint film, resulting
in excessive or rapid loss or gloss/luster
of the topcoat
Cause: use of gloss alkyd/oil-based paint
or solvent-based epoxy, heavy dew,
moisture, temperature fluctuations,
coating over a porous surface, paint
applied at uneven film
Wax Bleed (Hardboard Siding)
Splotchy dirt
collection,
resemble mildew
growth
Cause: stains from
waxy substance,
staining
substances bleed through the primer, oily
or waxy feeling
Wrinkling
Rough, crinkled
paint surface,
forms a skin
Cause: paint
applied too
heavily, paint
under extreme hot conditions, uncured
Common questions
Powered by AIPeeling occurs due to loss of adhesion between the paint and substrate, often caused by seepage of moisture or painting on a dirty or damp surface. Specifically, on plaster, poor surface preparation such as high pH or powdery plaster can cause peeling. In the case of metal surfaces, failure to correctly apply a suitable primer over galvanized metal can result in peeling due to factors like cold or humid conditions . Preventative strategies include thorough cleaning and drying of surfaces, utilizing appropriate primers, and ensuring moisture levels are controlled before painting.
Temperature and humidity significantly influence the drying and curing processes of paint. High humidity can slow down drying times, increase the risk of moisture entrapment, and cause blistering and efflorescence. High temperatures or low humidity can cause paint to dry too quickly, leading to surface defects like flashing, roller marks, or sagging . Best practices to mitigate these issues include painting during optimal environmental conditions (typically between 50-85°F and medium humidity), using dehumidifiers or heaters if necessary, and following manufacturer instructions regarding environmental suitability for specific paint types to ensure even and proper curing.
Inadequate surface preparation leads to several consequences, such as poor paint adhesion, increased incidence of peeling, blistering, and other defects. This is because contaminants like dirt, grease, or moisture hinder the bond between the paint and substrate, leading to compromised performance. Proper surface preparation involves cleaning, sanding, priming, and moisture level management, which ensures a stable substrate, thereby enhancing adhesion and longevity of the paint application . Failure to prepare surfaces adequately can dramatically decrease the expected life and appearance of the paint finish.
Improper thinning, such as over-thinning paint, and poor rolling techniques contribute significantly to defects like roller marks or splattering. Roller marks occur when incorrect roller covers are used or the paint is applied under unsuitable conditions like hot surfaces, while splattering results from fast application, the wrong nap size, or overworking the paint on the surface. These defects can be mitigated by selecting appropriate roller covers for the surface texture, using paint at the recommended viscosity, and employing steady, even rolling techniques .
The natural aging of oil-based paints contributes to 'alligatoring,' which manifests as patterned cracking in the paint film. This occurs when rigid coatings like oil enamel are applied, or when a topcoat is applied before a primer, especially over glossy finishes . Preventive measures include ensuring proper surface preparation such as sanding glossy finishes before application, applying a flexible primer before the topcoat, and avoiding the use of overly rigid coatings in areas susceptible to expansion and contraction due to environmental conditions.
Using low-grade highly pigmented paint leads to chalking due to excessive paint film erosion, resulting in a fine white powder on the surface. This not only affects the aesthetics by causing color fading but also reduces the paint's longevity. As chalking accelerates, the paint layer becomes thinner, thereby exposing the underlying substrate to environmental damage more quickly . To enhance longevity, higher quality paints with balanced pigmentation and binder ratios should be used, ensuring better film integrity and resistance to environmental wear.
Alkyd/oil paints contribute to issues on metal surfaces, particularly galvanized metal, by reacting with the zinc layer, leading to peeling and poor adhesion . Best practices for painting galvanized metal include using specialized primers formulated for zinc, ensuring the surface is clean and free of oxidation or oils, and avoiding alkyd/oil-based topcoats. These preparation steps ensure long-lasting adhesion and protection against environmental factors.
Achieving uniform gloss, or preventing flashing, involves several challenges such as differential absorption due to substrate porosity, uneven film thickness, and variation in the coating environment. Flashing often occurs when gloss alkyd/oil-based paints are applied over porous surfaces without proper priming, or when large temperature and humidity fluctuations exist during application . Techniques to address these challenges include ensuring uniform surface preparation and priming, maintaining a wet edge by working section by section, using appropriate application tools, and managing environmental conditions to avoid rapid drying or curing inconsistencies.
Efflorescence, characterized by crusty white salt deposits, arises when moisture migrates through masonry and evaporates, leaving salts on the surface. The choice of paint type impacts this process significantly; for example, oil-based paints can trap moisture within the masonry, exacerbating efflorescence. To mitigate this, it's critical to use breathable paint systems like latex or specifically formulated masonry paints that allow moisture to escape while preventing water penetration . Adequate sealing of masonry surfaces and proper waterproofing measures are also crucial in preventing this defect.
Blistering in paint films occurs due to the formation of bubbles from loss of adhesion and lifting of the paint. The primary causes include heat blistering, moisture blistering, oil-based or alkyd paint over a damp or wet surface, and exposure of latex paint film to dew. These causes are highly interrelated with environmental factors. For instance, moisture blistering often results from painting in environments with high humidity or moisture content, such as damp basements or walls with insufficient surface preparation .
