| Problem |
Symptom |
Suggested Solution |
Other Notes |
| Blistering and Peeling |
Blistering and peeling can occur when moisture
gets trapped between the layer of paint and the material the paint is applied
to. Wood can hold incredible amounts of moisture and should be allowed
to cure before painting. Blistering also occurs when paint is applied
in direct sunlight. |
Scrap and/or sand down to bare wood. Wood
should be allowed to cure before using an alkyd primer or sealer. Surfaces
should be dry and clean. Prime prior to painting. Apply paint in shaded
areas - follow the shade around the house. |
Latex paints allow wood moisture to escape. Alkyd
(oil) paints seals wood completely |
| Paint Peeling |
Peeling is generally a result of a poor
bond between an old coat of paint and a new coat of paint. |
Clean surface thoroughly with TSP (Trisodium
Phosphate) or with bleach and soapy water. Apply fresh paint to thoroughly
cleaned weathered paint surface. Avoid priming and painting cold surfaces |
Test for good bond by applying tape to painted
surface and jerk off tape. If paint sticks to tape paint bond is poor |
| Paint Cracking |
Cross-grain cracking occurs when paint coatings
become too thick. This problem often occurs on older homes that have been
painted several times. Paint usually cracks in the direction it was brushed
onto the wood. |
Strip old paint down to bare wood and apply fresh
primer and paint. |
Chemicals, a heat gun and/or scraper should be
used to remove paint. |
| Mildew |
Mildew is a fungus that causes discoloration.
Ripe conditions for mildew growth includes, low light, moisture and poor
ventilation. |
Clean surface thoroughly with TSP (Trisodium
Phosphate) or with bleach and soapy water. Improve ventilation and, if possible
improve lighting conditions. Use a paint formulated with a fungicide additive. |
Trisodium Phosphate is available in most paint
stores. |
| Bleeding |
Rust colored stains on surfaces caused by rusting
nails. |
Replace rusted nail heads with rust resistant
nails or sand existing nail heads and cover with a rust inhibited primer
before painting |
Latex paints are formulated with water. The water
can promote rust. Surfaces with exposed nail heads should be primed with
a rust inhibitor prior to using latex paints. |
