Precautions & Repairs for Common Home Painting Defects


The newly painted home gives a sense of freshness, newness, cleanliness and sense of completion. Apart from that depending upon colours used, it helps generally in creating moods, providing coolness, excitement and creating such different feelings.
Though the painting work may be completed without any problem or defect but occasionally things go wrong, because of circumstances beyond the control of the painter, the paint manufacturer or due to certain changes in climate. Understanding the causes of some of these defects, we can make the repair of paint job easier.

Common Paint Defects and Their Solutions

Here are Some Common Paint Defects and Their Solutions:

01. Algae/Mould

Algae/mould can be visible as grey, black, or brown patches on the surface of the paint as fungal or algal growth.

Precautions to Avoid Defects

Repairs

  • If algae occur outdoor then remove plants or shrub from surrounding areas.

  • If there is any leakage from the concealed plumbing lines then find the source of it, as it increases moisture on the surface and algae/mould can occur.
  • Remove algae by high-pressure washing. Wash again to remove any residue and allow the wall to dry before applying with recommended paint.

02. Bleeding

It is observed as spots or patches of discoloration in the top coat (often in red or yellow colours).

Precautions to Avoid Defects

Repairs

  • Thoroughly clean the areas to be painted before and after sanding.
  • Apply two medium coats of primer, in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendation.
  • If possible, remove the old paint first. Seal the surface with wood primer.
  • Apply a sealer coat to remove the stained or contaminated layer.
  • After the film gets fully hardened, sand thoroughly till the surface of the putty. Apply a sealer and re-apply the final coat.

03. Blistering

It is a formation of dome-shaped projections in paint or varnish films.

Precautions to Avoid Defects

Repairs

  • Make sure that the surface to be painted is clean and dry.
  • Allow the paint to dry completely before exposing the surface to moisture.
  • Use appropriate solvent and apply appropriate film thickness.
  • Remove blisters by scraping then only sand the surface.
  • Prime any bare timber with a high quality water based primer, and repaint with high quality water based exterior paint.

04. Chalking

It is a formation of a white, chalky powder on the surface paint film.

Precautions to Avoid Defects

Repairs

  • Ensure proper surface preparation.
  • Don’t use an interior paint for an outdoor application.
  • Remove any unstable paint films.
  • Remove chalk by washing or power washing the surface with an appropriate cleaner. Allow the surface to dry thoroughly.
  • If noticeable chalk remains, use oil or alkyd based masonry primer as the first coat of paint.

05. Cracking/Flaking

It is chipping of paint film which is due to the cracks developing throughout the entire paint system and extending right down to the original surface.

Precautions to Avoid Defects

Repairs

  • Do not use low quality paint.
  • Do not paint in direct sunlight.
  • When you are applying a second coat of paint, make sure the first coat is completely dry.
  • Remove the loose paint with a scraper or wire brush, sand it to feather the edges, prime any bare spots and repaint it.
  • If the cracking occurs over plywood, apply latex based paints.

06. Bittiness

It is a condition in which small particles projects themselves out on the surfaces of the film of paint or varnish yielding a rough surface.

Precautions to Avoid Defects

Repairs

  • Stir the paint if necessary.
  • Use new uncontaminated paint.
  • Do not mix chalk or powder in paint.
  • Remove the paint using appropriate thinner.
  • Scrap or completely remove the contaminated layer and recoat.
  • Re-coat with fresh paint using clean equipment.

07. Blushing & Blooming

Blushing and Blooming are usually described as the appearance of a whitish substance on a surface of varnish or enamel.

Precautions to Avoid Defects

Repairs

  • Be aware of weather conditions that may occur later in the day or during the early evening.
  • Use correct paint application.
  • It is easily removed with warm soapy water.
  • Remove bloom with clean cloth or suitable solvent cleaners.

08. Brush Marks

It is caused due to poor application of the final coat of paint or due to poor quality brush, where the marks of brush are clearly visible.

Precautions to Avoid Defects

Repairs

  • Carefully prepare the surface, make sure the poor paint is rubbed down.
  • Skilled paint workers are required.
  • When painting, paint evenly and lightly in the same direction. Wait until the first coat is thoroughly dried before applying the second coat.
  • Allow the paint to harden for several days. Rub down the affected areas with sandpaper, wash with clean water, dry thoroughly and apply a new top coat.

09. Peeling

It is loss of adhesion where the paint film peels away from the surface like wall, wooden, metal, etc.

Precautions to Avoid Defects

Repairs

  • Ensure walls are dry before painting.
  • Check and repair water seepage.
  • Try to identify and eliminate the cause of moisture.
  • Scrap all the loose paint from the substrate.
  • Use the suitable primer.

10. Efflorescence

It is a white (powdery) substance on the substrate of concrete, brick, masonry and plaster surfaces.

Precautions to Avoid Defects

Repairs

  • Ensure that the surface is moisture free.
  • Ensure joints and cavities are properly sealed.
  • If moisture is coming from the walls from the outside, apply a waterproofing coating to the outside the surface.
  • Apply a suitable sealer and coating system which are formulated for concrete, masonry, etc.

11. Sagging

It is the downward movement of paint dropping after paint application.

Precautions to Avoid Defects

Repairs

  • Always sand and clean the surface before application
  • Avoid applying paint in cool or humid conditions.
  • If the sagging paint has dried, sand it and reapply a new coat of paint.
  • Apply more coats of a thinner paint film.

12. Wrinkling

Wrinkling is defined as surface of the paint which wrinkles and gathers together when thick coat of paint is applied.

Precautions to Avoid Defects

Repairs

  • Sand and clean surface before the application of paint.
  • Ensure that the paint film is completely dry before applying a second coat of paint.
  • Allow the paint to dry thoroughly.
  • Scrape or sand to remove the wrinkled coating.

13. Patchiness

It is an uneven finish or scratch like things appearing on the putty-applied surfaces.

Precautions to Avoid Defects

Repairs

  • Cracks in plaster should be filled with cement sand mixture.
  • Allow new walls to get cured for at least three months.
  •  Apply an extra coat of primer or use a good quality sealer.
  • Apply thin coats of putty.
  • Scrap the surface and repaint adopting the right surface preparation.

It is important to understand the causes of these defects and take the required precautions. It will give your painted surface defect free life.

Also Read:
Paint Sheens: Make a Big Impact on Your Home
Different Ways to Use Mirror in Home Décor
13 Tips to Design a Dining Area in Your Home

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