Burnishing occurs if paint film is subject to rubbing or brushing. Repeated rubbing can cause paint burnishing. You can prevent it by using the proper paint (High Gloss Enamels or Matt Enamels) for high-traffic areas that require frequent cleaning.

​

What Causes Paint Burnishing?

​

• Frequent washing and spot cleaning painted walls and surfaces, especially with an abrasive cleanser

• Using flat paint or paint with low stain and scrub resistance in high-traffic areas

• Objects rubbing against the paint (furniture, for example)

​

How to Prevent Paint from Burnishing

​

• Paint heavy-wear areas that require regular cleaning (doors, window sills, and trim) with a top-quality semi-gloss or gloss latex paint, which is more durable and easier to clean. Choose a satin or semi-gloss rather than a flat sheen on walls in high-traffic areas

• Prevent furniture and other objects from rubbing against the painted surface

• For maximum durability, wait at least two weeks after painting before washing the surface

• Clean painted surfaces with a soft cloth or sponge and non-abrasive cleansers, and rinse with clean water

• To remove penetrating stains and marks, carefully use an abrasive cleaner and water, or wash with a diluted solution of household bleach, and then rinse with clean water

Dry paint sometimes cracks or flakes due to aging or improper application. Here's how to fix the problem. Cracks in paint can start off small, but will worsen over time if they're not fixed. In its early stages, the problem appears as hairline cracks. Later, the paint begins to flake off.

​

What Causes Paint Cracking or Flaking?

​

• The use of low-quality paint, resulting in inadequate adhesion and flexibility

• Oil-based paint applied over latex paint

• Paint was spread too thin during application

• Poor surface preparation, especially when the paint is applied to bare wood without priming

• Paint drying too fast due to environmental conditions

• Paint becoming brittle with age, failing to expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes

• Extreme cracking is caused when re-coating is done before the previous coat dries completely, or when the undercoat is incompatible with the finish coat

 

How to Fix Cracked or Flaking Paint

​

• If the cracking does not go down to the substrate, remove the loose or flaking paint with a scraper or wire brush, sand the area to feather the edges, prime any bare spots, and repaint the surface

• If the flaking occurs in multiple layers of paint, you may need to use a filler

• If the cracking goes down to the substrate, remove all of the paint by scraping or using a heat gun, sand the surface until smooth and even, prime, and repaint with a quality latex paint

Paint bubbles or foam can form during paint application, and when they break and dry out, they create paint cratering. Some formation of tiny bubbles (foaming) is normal during paint application. Higher-quality paints are formulated so that any bubbles that may form break while the paint is still wet.

​

What Causes Paint Foaming and Cratering?

​

• Shaking a partially filled can of paint

• Using low-quality latex paint, or paint that is old

• Applying (especially rolling) paint too rapidly

• Using a roller cover with the wrong nap length

• Excessively rolling or brushing the paint

• Applying a gloss or semi-gloss paint over a painted surface without first priming

 

How to Prevent Paint from Foaming and Cratering

​

• Avoid excessive rolling or brushing

• Avoid using paint that is more than a year old

• Prime porous surfaces before applying paint

• If applying gloss or semi-gloss paints, prime before painting and use a short nap roller

• Avoid vigorous shaking or the paint can or swirling the brush in the paint

• Sand problem areas before repainting

Lap marks appear as denser color or an increased gloss where wet and dry layers overlap during paint application. Keeping a wet edge is the key to avoiding lap marks. Paint quickly enough so the paint being applied can seamlessly flow in to the just-applied paint.

​

What Causes Lap Marks?

​

• Letting areas dry before the applying paint to adjacent areas, causing overlapping edges

• Using poor-quality paints that are high in solid pigments

• Painting a porous or warm wall that makes the paint dry too quickly

 

How to Prevent Lap Marks

​

• Paint in small enough sections to maintain a wet edge

• Apply paint toward the unpainted area and then back into the just-painted surface. This technique (brushing or rolling from "wet to dry" rather than vice versa) will produce a smooth, uniform appearance.

• Plan breaks at natural interruptions such as a window, door, or corner

• Using a top-quality acrylic latex paint

• If the substrate is very porous, apply a primer or sealer to prevent paint from drying too quickly

• Note: Alkyd paints generally have superior wet-edge properties.

Scrub resistance is the ability of a surface finish to resist wear and lift when rubbed.

Paint with poor scrub resistance will show worn spots, drabness, or a scratched appearance, primarily after being scrubbed with an abrasive brush, sponge or cleaning agent. You can take steps to prevent this problem before it happens.

​

What Causes Poor Paint Scrub Resistance?

​

• Choosing the wrong paint or sheen for the surface

• Using low-quality paint with bad adhesive or surface binders

• Overly-aggressive scrubbing or abrasive cleansers not recommended

• Washing painted surface before the paint has cured or dried completely

​

How to Prevent Poor Paint Scrub Resistance

​

• High-traffic areas or areas that need frequent cleaning require the higher-quality scrub resistance of a semi-gloss or gloss paint rather than a flat paint.

• Allow adequate drying time, as scrub resistance will not fully develop until the paint is thoroughly cured. Typically, this takes about a week.

• Test the surface by washing with the least abrasive material and mildest detergent first.

Poor sheen uniformity leads to shiny spots or dull spots (also known as "Bloching") on a painted surface. Use the following preparation and painting techniques to avoid dull or shiny wall spots and patches.

​

What Causes Poor Paint Sheen Uniformity?

​

• Unevenly spreading the paint as you apply it

• Failing to maintain a wet edge, which can lead to lapping

• Not properly priming a porous surface, or a surface with variable porosity

 

How to Prevent Poor Paint Sheen Uniformity

​

• New substrates should be primed and sealed before applying the top coat to ensure a uniformly smooth surface. Without the use of a primer or sealer, a second coat of paint will more likely be needed to produce a uniform sheen.

• Make sure to apply paint from "wet to dry" to prevent lapping.

• Applying an additional coat of paint will even out sheen irregularities.

Roller marks or "stipple" is an unintentional textured pattern left in the paint by the roller.

​

What Causes It?

​

• Roller marks can result if the paint is applied using an incorrect or low-quality roller cover. Using an incorrect technique can also lead to this condition.

• Finally, lower grades of paint are more prone to having roller marks appear.

 

How to Solve It

​

• When applying paint, make sure you use the proper roller cover. Avoid too long a nap for the paint and substrate. Use quality rollers to ensure adequate film thickness and uniformity.

• High-quality paints tend to roll on more evenly due to their higher solids' content and leveling properties.

• Pre-dampen roller covers used with latex paint and shake out any excess water. Begin rolling at a corner near the ceiling and work down the wall in three-foot-square sections. Spread the paint in a zigzag "M" or "W" pattern, beginning with an upward stroke to minimize spatter. Then, without lifting the roller from the surface, fill in the zigzag pattern with even, parallel strokes.

• Do not let paint build up at roller ends.

Roller spattering occurs when a roller throws off small droplets of paint during application.

​

What Causes It?

​

• One obvious cause of roller spattering is overloading the roller or overworking the paint once it is applied.

• Roller spattering also tends to occur when an exterior paint is used on an interior surface or if lower grades of latex paint are used.

 

How to Solve It

​

• Higher-quality paints are formulated to minimize spattering. Using high-quality rollers that have proper resiliency further reduces spattering.

• In some cases, a quality wall paint may be preferred for ceiling work, to ensure maximum spattering resistance.

• Working in three-foot-square sections, apply the paint in a zigzag "M" or "W" pattern and then fill in the pattern, which will also lessen the likelihood of spattering.

Sagging is a downward "drooping" movement of the paint that occurs immediately after application. Paint that sags leaves a runny, filmy, drippy appearance on the surface. A paint sagging problem can be avoided if you are mindful of these factors:

 

What Causes Paint Sagging?

​

• Applying paint too thickly

• Applying paint in cold or humid weather

• Paint that is over-thinned

• Airless spray painting with the wrong tip or the gun held too close to the surface

 

How to Avoid Paint Sagging

​

• Sand glossy surfaces before application

• If you notice thick patches of paint while it is still wet, brush or roll it out to distribute it evenly

• If the sagging paint has dried, sand the surface and repaint

• Do not thin the paint

• Avoid applying paint in cool or humid conditions

• Two coats of paint at the recommended spread rate are better than one heavy coat

• If you plan on painting doors, consider removing them so you can paint horizontally

Surfactant leaching appears as tan or brown spots or areas, and can sometimes be glossy, soapy, or sticky.

 

What Causes It?

 

• All latex paint formulas will exhibit this tendency to some extent if applied in areas that become humid (bathrooms, for example), especially in ceiling areas.

 

How to Solve It

 

• To solve surfactant leaching, wash the affected area with soap and water, and rinse. The problem may recur once or twice before the leachable material is completely removed.

• When the paint is applied in a bathroom, allowing it to dry thoroughly before using the shower may be helpful.

• Remove all staining before repainting.

When uncured paint forms a skin, it can wrinkle, making the surface appear rough and crinkled paint.

 

What Causes It?

​

• Wrinkling can occur is you apply paint too thickly (more likely when using alkyd or oil-based paints). 

• Painting during extremely hot weather or cool damp weather causes the paint film to dry faster on top than on the bottom, which can lead to wrinkling. Uncured paint that is exposed to high humidity levels is also susceptible to wrinkling.

• Another possible cause of wrinkling is applying a top coat of paint to insufficiently cured primer.

• Finally, painting over contaminated surface (e.g., dirt or wax) may also lead to this condition.

 

How to Solve It

​

• Scrape or sand substrate to remove wrinkled coating.

• If using a primer, allow it to dry completely before applying top coat.

• Repaint the area (avoiding temperature or humidity extremes), applying an even coat of top-quality exterior paint.

When Peeling occurs, top paint film breaks away and lose adhesion from the surface and starts peeling off like a thin skin.

​

What Causes it?

​

• Seepage of moisture through uncaulked joints, worn our caulk or leaks in the roof or walls

• Excess moisture escaping through exterior walls (this is more likely if paint used is solvent-based)

• Inadequate surface preparation

• Use of inferior quality paint

• Applying a solvent-based paint over a wet surface

• Previous blistering of paint (see Blistering)

 

 How to Solve It

​

• First, try to identify and eliminate the cause of moisture (see Efflorescence and Mottling). Then, prepare the surface by removing all loose paint with scraper or wire brush. Sand rough surfaces and prepare surface as per label instructions prior to painting.

Chalking is the formation of fine powder on the surface of the paint film during weathering, which can cause Color fading. Although some degree of chalking is a normal, and is the expected way for a paint film to wear, excessive film erosion can result in heavy chalking which is never a good look.

​

What Causes it?

​

• Paint quality is poor and does not have good quality binder

• Paint not applied at recommended spreading rate

• The use of low-grade, highly pigmented paint or,

• Use of an interior paint for an outdoor application.

 

 How to Solve It

​

• To eliminate the effect completely, the entire surface will need to be pressure washed and/or scrubbed with a non-metallic scouring pad to remove all surface contaminants and chalking prior to repainting.

• The use of a water based 100% acrylic latex topcoat provide superior exterior durability and gloss retention relative to many alternative coatings systems, especially oil-based enamels. A number of Homex® decorative paint products could be considered but for maximum gloss and color retention, the Homex Weather Resist range provides the best performance.

The accumulation of dirt, dust particles and/or other debris on your paint film may resemble mildew and isn’t the best look.

​

What Causes it?

​

• It can be caused by the use of low-quality paint lacking dirt or dust repellent

• Soil splashing onto the substrate

• General air pollutants like dust and exhaust fumes collecting on your house body and horizontal trim

 

How to Solve It

​

• If you’re unsure whether the problem is dirt or mould, conduct a simple spot-test.

• Simply wash away all surface with clean water and ensure total dry state before priming and re-painting. If the dirt is heavy, you may need to use a power washer.

• Dirt pickup can't be eliminated entirely but top-quality exterior latex paints offer superior dirt pickup resistance and washability to minimize its impact. Higher gloss paints are also more resistant to dirt pickup than flat paints, which are more porous and can more easily entrap dirt. Homex Weather Resist is recommended.

Fading & poor Color retention paint causes paint work looking dull Premature fading often occurs on surfaces with a sunny exposure. It can also be due to chalking of the coating and can be caused by any of the following:

 

What Causes it?

​

• Using an interior grade of paint for an outdoor application

• Using inferior quality paint

• Using a paint color that is particularly vulnerable to UV rays (most notably bright reds, blues and yellows)

• Tinting a white paint not intended for tinting, or over tinting a light or medium paint base

• Lower than prescribed dry film builds application

 

How to Solve It

​

• Color fading is irreversible once it begins to occur and the color can often become quite irregular or patchy in appearance.

• Pressure wash and/or scrub with a non-metallic scouring pad to remove all surface contaminants and chalking prior to repainting.

• Homex Weather Resist is recommended as it exhibits UV protection and high-performance color durability

• Select lighter colors as they absorb less heat and UV radiation

• Ensure paint is applied at the recommended spreading rate (correct dry film build)

Crusty, white salt deposits, leached from mortar or masonry as water passes through is known as mottling.

​

What Causes it?

​

• Generally mottling occurs when you fail to adequately prepare a surface by removing all previous efflorescence. This leads to moisture escaping through the exterior masonry from the outside leaving the unsightly, white salt deposits.

 

How to Solve It

​

• Paint application substrate must return well under 10% moisture content; any moisture ingress must be isolated. Eliminate the source of the excess moisture by repairing the roof, cleaning out gutters and downspouts, and sealing any masonry cracks with a high quality, water-based all-acrylic caulk.

• If moist air is originating inside the building, consider installing vents or exhaust fans, especially in kitchen, bathroom and laundry areas. Remove the efflorescence and all other loose material with a wire brush, power brush or power washer, then thoroughly rinse the surface.

• Apply a quality water-based or solvent-based masonry sealer and allow it to dry completely. Then, apply a coat of top-quality exterior house paint, masonry paint or elastomeric wall coating. Homex Weather Resist is recommended.

Poor alkali resistance is the loss of color and overall deterioration of paint film on fresh masonry.

​

What Causes it?

​

• Poor alkali resistance is the loss of colour and overall deterioration of paint film on fresh masonry.

• It occurs when oil-based paint is applied to new masonry that has not fully cured (at least one year). Fresh masonry contains lime and cement, which are very alkaline. Until the lime has a chance to react with carbon dioxide from the air, the alkalinity of the masonry remains so high that it can compromise of the paint film performance.

 

How to Solve It

​

• Always allow fresh masonry surfaces to cure for a minimum of 30 days, ideally for a full year, before painting. If this is not possible, apply a quality, alkali-resistant sealer or water-based primer. Using Homex Acrylic Primer, Sealer and Undercoat followed by Homex Weather Resist is recommended.