Common Problems in Painting

Low Coverage
Causes
Improper thinning and application.
Highly absorbent surface.
Rough texture of plaster.
Top coat application directly over putty without application of primer
Prevention :
Follow recommended instructions on application procedures and thinning.

Blistering/Swelling of Paint
Causes
Caused by trapped moisture or gases in paint film (More likely in enamels).
Prevention :
Follow the specified recoating time interval.
Top coat application should not result in too thick a film at a time.
Remedy :
Smooth sand the surface and then repaint it.

Poor Adhesion
Causes
Application of paint over oily, greasy or very smooth surface.
Application over loose particles like dust or rust
Not sanding previous coat of gloss paint
Application over partially dried coat.
Prevention
Ensure proper surface preparation.
Remedy
Surface should be repainted

Chalking
Causes
Application of paint over oily, greasy or very smooth surface.
Application over loose particles like dust or rust.
Not sanding previous coat of gloss paint.
Application over partially dried coat.
Prevention
Ensure proper surface preparation.
Remedy:

 Surface should be repainted

Orange Peel
Causes:
Application of top coat paint in highly viscous form.
Use of improper thinner
Prevention:
Sufficient drying time between coats.
Use recommended painting system
Remedy:
Scrape out Orange peel and repaint.

Sags and Run

Causes:
Application of excessive thick coat.
Use of a wrong thinner.
Prevention:
Apply finish coat using recommended thinner.
Do not apply thick coats.
Remedy

 Sand surface to smooth the sagged areas and repaint.

Brush Marks
Causes :
Applying paint using poor quality brushes.
Highly viscous paint.
Careless Application.
Prevention :
Use proper brushes and thin paint to desired proportion.
Remedy :
Sand surface to a smooth finish and apply paint (after thinning to desired
proportion ).
Use good quality brushes.

Checking and Chalking

Causes:
Cracking of plaster.
Application of matt finish over glossy undercoat finish
Application of finish coat before drying of the under coat.
Applying quick hard dry coats over a soft one.
Prevention:
Undercoat and top coat of paint should have identical physical properties.

 Allow drying time between two coats.

Remedy:
Entire coat must be completely removed.
Exposed base should be then rubbed down to a smooth face and primed before
repainting.

Cissing/Tiny Craters
Causes:
Small impurities in paint (oil, grease), visible in centre of hole.
Caused by oily or greasy surface/due to water based paints being applied over
gloosy or smooth enamel paints.
Prevention:
Clean surfaces prior to sanding and remove all sanding dust.
Remedy:
Remove paint completely from affected areas and repaint.
Clean the surface thoroughly with soap solution and water. Roughen enamel
paint with Sandpaper or use a barrier coat of matt primer.

Yellowing
Causes:
Paint Film is deprived of natural sunlight. (Especially in case of Enamels)
Paint film subjected to too much sunlight.

Prevention:
Use good paints
Improved daylight and ventilation for inside work.
Remedy:
Surface should be cleaned and repainted.
Use recommended system

Microbial Growth
Causes:
Painting over a surface affected with microbial growth.
Seepage or dampness in buildings.
Contamination of paint by materials used in putty preparation.
Prevention:
Before painting, area should be cleaned with 5-10 % bleach solution.
Use clear water for thinning and putty preparation.
Keep doors and windows open during and after painting.
Remedy:
Clean with bleach solution and repaint.

Patchiness/Unveven Finish
Causes:

 Application of finish coat over spot puttied surfaces.

High alkalinity of surface (evident in new walls).
Incomplete drying of putty.
Application of thick coat of putty.
Due to highly absorbent nature of surface
Prevention:
Allow new walls to get cured for at least three months.
Apply thin coats of putty.
Always apply a primer coat after applying spot putty.
Always sandwich coats of putty with primer.
Cracks in plaster should be filled with cement sand mixture.
Remedy:
Scrape the surface and repaint adopting the right surface preparation.

Efforescence
Causes
Formation of white powdery deposit on walls after painting due to salts present
in building material like brick and mortar, which surface later on.
Remedies
Give a long time gap between plastering and painting (about 6
months including one monsoon) use paint with a porous film like emulsions
and distempers.

Non-drying or slow drying of paint film

Causes
Due to humidity, poor air circulation, low temperature or presence of oil or
grease on the surface/due to alkalinity of the surface.
Remedies
Reduce the impact of atmospheric conditions to the extent possible; scrub oil or
grease offwith a rag soacked in white spirit and wash with water and soap.

Bittiness
Causes
Caused by dirt from atmosphere on the surface or from brushes that are
inadequately cleaned/due to bits of dried-up part that gets stirred in.
Remedies
Use clean brushes and paint on clean surface; stain the paint through a cloth
before use.