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THE POSSIBLE REASONS FOR YOUR HOUSE PAINT FAILURE

It is important for one to find out and understand  the primary causes of paint failures because it  will help to prevent future paint problems. The

primary causes of paint failures are moisture, inadequate surface preparation, the improper application of

paints, the Sun, and weathering. You should be aware that most paint failures are related to

moisture and inadequate surface preparation. Some of the more common paint failures are listed

below in alphabetical order with recommendations for their prevention.

is cracked paint that resembles alligator skin, and is generally found on wood

surfaces.

 ALLIGATORING occurs when paint can not adhere to a glossy surface, when a second coat of

paint is applied over an inadequately dried first coat of paint, weather aging, excessive coats of

paint, or when the finish coat expands and contracts at a greater extent that any underlying coats.

Paint must be completely removed when alligatoring has occurred to ensure an even and uniform

finish. Wood surfaces should be primed with a top quality alkyd primer and acrylic latex finish.

BLEEDING,

is an unsightly surface discolouration commonly found on exterior wood surfaces and

hardboard siding, ceilings, repainted wallpaper, or when light coloured paint is applied over dark

coloured paint. The causes of bleeding are moisture and water soluble dyes located within wood

surfaces and wallpaper, and inadequate priming of surfaces. Bleeding on hardboard siding is

caused by wax. The removal of any excessive water source is essential before any surface

preparation can be completed. Exterior wood surfaces should be primed with top quality alkyd

based primers and finished with top quality acrylic latex paints. Interior surfaces should be primed

with either a top quality alkyd based or acrylic latex based stain blocking primer, and finished with a

top quality acrylic latex finish paint.

BLISTERING

Fresh paint applied in direct sunlight, and moisture, causes paint to blister. Surfaces

that are heated by the Sun and become hot can prematurely dry new paint, causing blistering. This

is more common with dark or dramatic colours because they, in addition to surfaces, absorb heat.

Heat blistering will have a layer of paint under the blister if the surface is being repainted. Trapped

moisture in walls or behind surfaces will eventually try to escape through painted surfaces, also

causing blistering. Moisture blistering will reveal a bare surface under the blister. Blistering

surfaces should be scraped and sanded smooth, primed with a top quality alkyd or acrylic latex

primer, and finished with a top quality acrylic latex finish paint. If moisture blistering occurs on a

repainted surface, spot priming of bare spots will be necessary to ensure a uniform and even finish

before the final priming and painting is completed.

CHALKING

is the weathered powder found on exterior painted surfaces and is a normal way for

paint to weather away. However, untimely  chalking can be caused by inadequate priming or thin

paint. House owners should be aware that chalking on siding located above masonry will run during

rainy weather causing the masonry to stain. Once a chalked surfaced is pressured washed clean

and prepared for painting, one coat of a top quality alkyd primer and one coat of a top quality acrylic

latex finish paint is highly recommended for the prevention of future excess chalking.

CHECKING AND CRACKING

Checking is an early form of cracking and occurs when paint begins

to loose elasticity, forming narrow breaks on the painted surface. These breaks later swell and

become cracks. Checking and cracking are found on wood surfaces with multiple layers of paint, or

plywood. Checked or cracked paint should be completely removed from surfaces before

repainting. Properly prepared wood surfaces should be primed with a top quality alkyd primer and

finished with a top quality acrylic latex finish paint.

EFFLORESCENCE

is a white salty substance that forms on masonry and plaster due to moisture

migrating through the surface. If left untreated for long periods of time, it will become hard and

crusty. Any source of excessive moisture must be eliminated and the surface must be cleaned by

scraping or wire brushing, and surfaces must be repaired where applicable before priming and

painting. Surfaces can be painted with top quality alkyd or acrylic latex based primers and paints

that are alkaline resistant.

FADING

is caused by the natural weathering due to the ultraviolet rays of the Sun. Chalking

pigment, alkali from masonry, and tint intended for interior based paints but used on exterior

surfaces, will cause paint to fade prematurely.

HATBANDING

is caused by the over cutting in of interior walls, ceilings , and trim corners, and the

use of excessively long roller naps. It occurs when wet paint is applied over dry paint. Hatbanding is

very noticeable with dark and dramatic interior colours and sheens. Using small nap rollers and

applying a thin brush coat of paint will help eliminate hatbanding.

LAP MARKS

are due to the inadequate application of coatings. They are mostly seen on exterior

surfaces. If a homeowner or contractor is brush painting siding, the paint must be applied

horizontally from one end to the other without stopping. If the homeowner or contractor stops in the

middle or the paint dries to fast, when the application of the paint to the surface is continued, a lap

mark forms where the paint overlapped. This is a major reason why coatings should never be

applied in direct sunlight. Coatings should be applied in shady area's in warm months and

homeowners and contractors should stay ahead of the Sun in cooler months. Staying ahead of the

Sun will allow it to come around and dry the area most recently painted.

MILDEW

is a fungus that grows best in a warm humid climate and is often found in shaded area's,

but not limited to shaded area's. Mildew can appear in a variety of colours and prefers painted

surfaces because of the nutrients that paints provide. These same nutrients float through the air

and land on painted surfaces and become food. Mildew grows faster on flat surfaces than on glossy

surfaces, and is attracted to linseed oil based products that contain no mildewcide. Most paints and

stains come already made with mildewcide included. However, mildewcide can be added to paints

and stains that do not contain one. Mildew can be effectively cleaned with a 3 to 1 ratio of water to

bleach. A much stronger solution maybe  necessary in extreme cases of neglect. Proper surface

preparation and cleaning are crucial for mildew prevention, in addition to using a top quality primer

and acrylic latex finish paint. Acrylic latex finish paints are the most mildew resistant. Painting

contractors who perform quality surface preparation and painting are a homeowners best ally in

preventing the growth of mildew.

PEELING

occurs on a variety of surfaces and is directly linked to moisture and inadequate surface

preparation. Understanding different surfaces and how they react to moisture and coatings will

greatly reduce the risk of this common paint problem.

RUSTING

occurs when metal is exposed to moisture and oxygen. Any metal surfaces should be

completely sealed with a rust inhibited primer. If rust appears through painted surfaces, it should be

wire brushed to bare metal, or treated with a coating that will harden it. Two coats of a top quality rust

inhibited alkyd or acrylic latex primer should be applied to metal surfaces once the rust is treated or

wire brushed away. Rusty nails that bleed through surfaces should be reset, coated with a top

quality rust inhibited primer, caulked, primed, and painted with top quality coatings.

SAGGING AND RUNNING

can occur when paint is applied over glossy surfaces, excessive

thinning, too much paint, or paint being applied to a dirty surface. Proper application of paints and

surface preparation will eliminate sags and runs.

WRINKLING

is caused when thick paint is not brushed out and the under part remains wet, but the

surface layer dries. Avoid covering surfaces with one thick coat when two are required.