Paint problems? No problem

A paint job that has been well-prepared and applied should last up to seven years under normal circumstances. If it starts to deteriorate sooner, then there is probably a reason which could be avoidable.

Most paint problems show up outdoors rather than inside because exterior surfaces are subject to extremes in temperature such as the harsh Australian sun. However, moisture seepage behind paint, a common cause of flaking, can also happen indoors, along with problems associated with incompatible primers and paint, poor surface preparation or inferior paint.

Here are some common problems and their solutions:

Blistering, or bubbles forming under the paint: if raw wood is revealed when a blister is opened, moisture has worked its way under the paint. When a blister reveals paint, the temperature was too high when the topcoat was applied.

- The solution is to check for sources of water such as missing caulking, and fix the problem before reapplying paint. If the blister showed paint underneath, then sand the affected area and repaint the surface.

Tackiness: if you notice the paint is still sticky to the touch long after it should have dried, thus collection lint and dust. This is sometimes caused by painting over a coat of paint that has not dried, but more often just through the use of poor quality paint.

- The solution is to strip the paint with a heat gun or chemical remover and re-paint the surface with a better grade of paint.

Flaking and peeling, when the paint simply doesn’t stick to the surface: the surface may be dirty, it may have too many layers of paint already applied, or the wrong type of paint may have been applied. On masonry, flaking can be caused by alkalis leaching into the paint.

- The solution is to strip the surface, clean it carefully and reapply an appropriate coating. Masonry cleaning is best left to a professional contractor.

Wrinkling, running and sagging: when the paint puckers, drops or lumps it is often the result of applying too thick a coat of paint or using a poor painting technique. Another cause is painting over undercoat that is not yet dry.

- The solution is to strip the surface and repaint. Use a thinner paint and brush it thoroughly as you apply the paint. Let the paint dry completely between coats

Mildew, or when paint appears dirty or sooty but cleans up quickly with a bleach solution: this problem is usually found in shady, protected areas that don’t get enough sun or air to prevent fungal growth.

- The solution is to scrape down the area, scrub it with a 3:1 chlorine bleach solution with water or a commercial fungicide and then let the surface dry thoroughly. Paint the surface with a mildew-resistant coating and then re-paint.

Cracking and scaling when fissures open up in the painted surface, allowing moisture to enter which lifts off the paint: this is usually caused when paint ages and has lost its elasticity that had allowed it to cope with temperature and humidity changes. It can also result from moisture seepage or air pollution.

- The solution is to fix the moisture problem, strip the surface and then repaint. Wash newly painted surfaces periodically.

Each paint product is a unique blend of raw materials with specific characteristics. Understanding these characteristics is important when selecting the right paint for the right application. As a general rule, good surface preparation is the key to coating performance. Proper application techniques under the correct conditions are essential to preventing coating failures.