What Are the Most Common Painting Issues and How to Avoid Them

Giving your rooms a fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to improve the appearance of an aging home. It also seems like a fun and pretty straightforward thing to do with your loved ones, rather than hiring professional painters. However, there are some issues that can reduce the quality of the final result, leading to wasted time, effort, and money.

Here are some of the challenges you’re likely to encounter when applying renovation paint and how to avoid them:

Foaming or Cratering

Foaming refers to the structure of bubbles that may cause small concave craters when they break. This problem arises due to the use of very old latex paint or low-quality paint. Other causes include:

• Applying paint too fast when using a roller
• Excessive brushing or rolling
• Using a roller cover with the improper nap length

While all paints tend to foam when applying, using high-quality paints that are formulated to let the bubbles pop when the paint is still wet will allow for good covering and appearance. Using fresh paint and avoiding excessive brushing/rolling with the right tool can also prevent this problem.

Blistering

This is caused by the loss of adhesion, resulting in the paint film lifting from the underlying surface. Blistering can be caused by painting a warm surface in direct sunlight or simply applying paint over a wet or damp surface or during a period of high humidity. It can also be caused by insufficient surface preparation.

To prevent this, make sure that the surface is completely dry before you apply paint. You should also avoid painting when the humidity or dew point is high. In addition, make sure to allow enough time for each coat to dry before reapplying. Using the right Primer Undercoat for the affected surfaces can help solve the problem, in addition to installing vents and exhaust fans.

Chalking

This involves the formation of fine powder on the surface of the paint during weathering, causing the colour to fade. While chalking tends to occur naturally as the paint film wears, it can result in excessive film erosion. Chalking can be caused by thinning the paint excessively or using low-quality paints with excess pigment extenders or excess tint or brightness.

This can be prevented by applying high-quality paints using the recommended thinning and spreading rate. When it occurs, you’ll need to scrape off the loose paint, prime bare spots, and then repaint the affected areas.

Flaking or Cracking

This occurs when a dry paint film splits through at least one coat. It starts with the appearance of hairline cracks that later cause flaking. This problem is caused by over-thinning or spreading the paint too thinly, or applying a second coat before the first coat completely dries. It can also be caused by using low-quality paint with poor adhesion, combined with poor surface preparation.

Cracking can be fixed by removing the loose paint with a wire brush or scraper, sanding the edges, priming the bare spots, and then repainting using high-quality paint.

Mottling or Efflorescence

This refers to the formation of crusty, white deposits of salt that are leached from the masonry as water seeps through. They are caused by poor surface preparation and moisture on the surface.

Since the problem is caused by damp conditions, you should eliminate the problem by sealing any cracks in the masonry, repairing roof leaks, clearing out gutters, as well as installing vents or exhaust fans to get rid of indoor moist air.

Also, make sure to remove all efflorescence and other loose material on the surface using a power brush or wire brush. You can also use a power washer and then thoroughly rinse the surface, followed by applying a premium water or solvent-based masonry sealer. But remember to give it time to dry before applying any high-quality paint.

Most painting issues can be prevented by ensuring proper preparation of the surface and using high-quality interior or exterior renovation paint. Follow the direction for thinning and application, and choose the right days to do the paint job. The weather shouldn’t be too sunny or windy or with high humidity, as all these conditions can cause paint problems.

To learn more about how to paint or decorate your home, call Avonlea Renovations at (416) 907-4764 or contact us here.