Blocking

The sticking together of two painted surfaces. Occurs more often with latex paints on trim work such as windows and doors.

possible causes

• Not allowing proper dry time before closing windows or doors.
• Use of a latex semi-gloss or gloss paint that lacks block resistant properties.
• Hot, humid or damp conditions.
• Lack of good ventilation.

Burnishing

Shiny spots on a paint film caused by objects rubbing against the surface.

Possible Causes

• Use of a paint with a poor scrub rating or soft film.
• Inappropriate cleaning methods such as using on abrasive cloth or cleaner.
• Objects frequently rubbing against the walls.

Cracking/Flaking

Initially may appear as a hairline crack but often results in complete flaking of paint chips.

Possible Causes

• Use of a paint that lacks proper adhesion and flexibility.
• The failure to apply coating at recommended spread rates.
• Inadequate surface preparation.
• Aging oil-based paint that has become too brittle.

Foaming/Cratering

The formation of bubbles that may break and result in craters during the application and drying process.

Possible Causes

• Over application of product (rolling too rapidly).
• The use of a low-grade or old paint.
• Over shaking the paint prior to painting.
• Applicator did not use the recommended roller cover nap length.
• Finish coat was applied over an unprimed, porous surface.

Lapping

Appearance of a color variance or increased gloss where wet and dry layers overlap during paint application.

Possible Causes

• Failure to maintain a "wet edge" during application.
• The use of a paint with a low solids content.
• Applying finish coat to an unprimed, porous surface.

Mildew

Black, gray or brown spots occassionally found on the surface of paint, or other surfaces in damp, shaded areas.

Possible Causes

• Tends to grow in areas that are damp, and receive little or no direct sunlight (basements).
• Use of a paint in high moisture areas, such as bathrooms or kitchens, that lacks mildewcide additives or a smooth, hard finish.
• Use of an alkyd or oil-based coating, which tend to be more susceptible to mildew growth.
• Failure to use the appropriate primer before painting.
• Painting over existing mildew.

Mud Cracking

Heavy sags with irregular cracks that resemble dried mud in the paint film.

Possible Causes

• The main reason mud cracking occurs is because the paint is applied too heavily, or at more than the recommended wet film thickness. The most common cause is the applicator trying to apply one heavy coat of paint instead of two recommended coats.
• Paint buildup in certain areas such as corners.
• Applying paint before underlying coat has dried.

Picture Framing

The visual effect on a wall surface that resembles a frame of a picture. This often occurs when a wall is painted with a roller, and is brushed at the corners. Due to texture differences, the brushed areas generally appear different than the rolled areas.

Possible Causes

• The applicator uses paint from a five-gallon bucket to roll the walls and paint from a single gallon can to brush them. There may be a slight color variance between the different batches of paint.
• Due to texture differences, the brushed areas may appear different from the rolled areas.
• A hide or coverage issue due to the different spread rates of brushing and rolling.
• Applicator cut-in too much in at one time, and did not maintain a wet edge. Best results are achieved by cutting in one wall at a time and rolling before those areas have dried.

Poor Flow/Leveling

Failure of paint to form a smooth film without brush marks or roller stipple appearing.

Possible Causes

• The use of a paint with poor flow and leveling characteristics.
• Applying paint before underlying coat has dried.
• Paint applied too heavily, or more than the recommended wet film thickness.
• The use of a poor quality or the wrong type of brush or roller cover.

Poor Hiding

Paint lacking the ability to hide or obscure a surface when it has been uniformly applied.

Possible Causes

• The use of a paint with a low solids content.
• The use of a poor quality or wrong type of brush or roller cover.
• Paint was spread too thin, and not applied at recommended wet film thickness.
• Paint was over reduced before application.
• Color containing organic colorants, like bright yellows or reds, was used and naturally does not hide as well as muted colors.
• Painting over a porous, unprimed surface

Poor Scrub Resistance

Being able to remove some of the paint film when properly scrubbing with a brush, sponge or cloth.

Possible Causes

• Use of a low-grade paint not designed for scrub resistance.
• Use of an abrasive cloth, or over-scrubbing the surface.
• Use of an abrasive cleaner.
• Not allowing proper cure time before scrubbing.

Poor Sheen Uniformity

An uneven gloss or sheen on a painted surface ("flashing").

Possible Causes

• Paint was not applied at an even spread rate.
• Painting over an unprimed surface with various degrees of porosity.
• Poor application methods resulting in lapping (see Lapping).

Poor Stain Resistance

The failure to effectively remove contaminants and stains from the surface of a coating.

Possible Causes

• The use of a paint that is porous in nature.
• Applying paint to a substrate that has not been properly prepared or primed.
• Stain absorbs into paint film prior to full cure.

Poor Touch Up

A noticeable difference in appearance with the original finish versus the touched-up areas.

Possible Causes

• A different batch of product was used when touching up.
• A different applicator was used when touching up (for instance - original was rolled, touch-ups were brushed, thus a different texture was created).
• Touch-ups were performed in much different temperatures than original paint job.
• Poor touch-up techniques were used.

Sagging

The downward movement of the paint film immediately after application, resulting in an uneven appearance.

Possible Causes

• Paint applied too heavily, or oat more than the recommended wet film thickness.
• Product applied during, or prior to, excessive humidity or cool conditions.
• Paint was over-reduced prior to application.
• Poor application techniques.
• Applying finish coat to a slick, glossy surface.

Alkali Resistance

The loss of color and paint film integrity on fresh masonry.

Possible Causes

• The masonry substrate has not fully cured.
• A primer, which tolerates a high pH level, was not applied.
• Improper surface preparation.

Alligatoring

Cracking in the paint film that resembles the scales of an alligator.

Possible Causes

• An alkyd, or other rigid coating, was applied over a flexible, acrylic coating.
• The recommended recoat time was not followed.
• Normal aging of an oil-based paint has resulted in a loss of paint film elasticity. The coating can no longer expand and contract.

Blistering

The appearance of bubbling, which is often the result of trapped moisture and/or a lack of adhesion.

Possible Causes

• Trapped moistrue or solvent underneathe the coating.
• Painting in direct sunlight.
• The use of a solvent based coating prior to the proper cure of the paint film.
• Dew, high humidity or rain prior to the proper cure of the paint film.
• Painting over a contaminated surface or other bond breaker.

Chalking

The formation of powder on the surface of the paint film.

Possible Causes

• The natural film erosion of an alkyd coating.
• The use of a low-grade exteriour paint or inappropriate interior paint.
• The failure to apply the coating at recommended spread rates.
• Erosion of factory finished aluminum/metal siding.

Cracking/Flaking

Initially may appear as a hairline crack but often results in complete flaking of paint chips.

Possible Causes

• Inadequate surface preparataion.
• Use of a paint that lacks proper adhesion and flexibility attributes.
• The failure to apply coating at recommended spread rates.
• Wood delamination, which often appears as flaking. Inspect underneathe paint chips to see if wood fibers are present.

Efflorescence

Salt deposits found on the surface of coatings caused from moisture passing through mortar or masonry.

Possible Causes

• Excessive moisture present.
• PH Level too high or lack of appropriate cure time.

Fading

Lightening of the paint's color, usually caused by exposure to light or heat.

Possible Causes

• The use of a low-grade exterior paint or inappropriate interior paint.
• Applying colorant to a white paint not intended to be tinted.
• Deep colors and bright reds and yellows are moer vulnerable to fading.

Frosting

A white, crystalline deposit on a coating's surface normally consisting of sodium and calcium salts. Tends to occur in the spring and fall months when the weather is cooler with higher humidity. These conditions tend to draw the salts in the paint film onto the surface. It is most visible on dark colors and is often mistaken for efflorescence on masonry.

Possible Causes

• Tends to form in protected areas (such as under eaves) that do not receive the cleansing action of rain and dew.
• Cool, damp conditions within 24 hours of application.
• Excessive extender pigments in the paint or primer.

Mildew

Black, gray or brown spots occasionally found on the surface of paint or other surfaces in damp, shaded areas.

Possible Causes

• Tends to grow in areas that are damp, and receive little or no direct sunlight.
• Use of a poor quality or an interior grade paint, which has an insufficient amount of mildewcide.
• Use of an alkyd or oil-based coating, which tend to be more susceptible to mildew growth.
• Failure to use the appropriate primer before painting.
• Painting over existing mildew.

Nail Head Rusting

The stains from nail heads bleed through on to the paint surface.

Possible Causes

• Non-galvanized iron nails were not countersunk and filled over and have begun to rust.
• Galvanized nail heads have begun to rust after excessive weathering.

Peeling

The detachment of paint from the surface in ribbons or sheets, often the result of poor adhesion.

Possible Causes

• Moisture - seepage through uncaulked openings, leaks in roof or walls, excessive interior moisture, etc.
• Improper surface preparation.
• Use of a paint that lacks proper adhesion and flexibility attributes.
• The use of a latex paint over several layers of old alkyd or oil paints. The expansion and contraction of the latex coating may put added stress on the old coats of alkyd causing a loss of adhesion to the substrate.

Poor Gloss Retention

A rapid loss of the finished luster of a paint film.

Possible Causes

• Incorrect use af an interior paint.
• Use of an exterior paint lacking the appropriate resin package.
• Use of an alkyd or oil-based paint in areas of direct sunlight (oil based paints tend to chalk and loose their luster more rapidly than acrylics).
• Moisture condenses on the surface before paint has completely dried.

Surfactant Leaching

All latex paints contain surfactants, which will slowly leach out of the flim and wash from the surface undetected. Under certain curing conditions, such as low temperatures or condensing moisture, the leaching process may occur more rapidly and result in a surfactant build-up on the surface.

Possible Causes

• Cool, humid conditions occur during or shortly after painting. The result is a longer drying time, which allows the paint's water-soluble ingredients to rise to the surface before the paint thoroughly dries.
• Moisture, such as dew, settles on the paint film shortly after it has dried.

Tannin Staining

Discoloration (staining) found on the paint surface due to moisture carrying the natural tannins from the wood through the paint film. Most commonly occurs with Cedar and Redwood.

Possible Causes

• Failure to prime and seal the surface before applying the finish coat.
• Failure to use a primer that is stain-resistant and blocks tannin.
• Substantial amounts of moisture present in the substrate, which will carry the stain to the paint surface.

Wax Bleed

The wax used in the manufacturing of hardboard siding migrates to the surface of the paint.

Possible Causes

• Failure to apply a proper primer/sealer prior to painting.
• The use of a dark color, which absorbs heat. The waxes found in hardboard tend to be more active at higher temperatures.
• Allowing hardboard siding to remain uncoated for several months.

Wrinkling

Paint film appears creased or rough.

Possible Causes

• Paint applied too thick, thus causing the surface film to dry before the underlying layers. This may cause the dry film to move and wrinkle.
• Painting of a hot substrate.
• Rain, dew, fog or high humidity levels occur during or shortly after painting.
• Not following recommended recoat times.
• Improper surface preparation.