Help With Paint Problems

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:

• Please read instructions on the product packaging and ensure correct preparation of the surface.

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Blistering

Causes:

• 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.

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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.

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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.

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Orange Peel

Causes:

• Application of top coat paint in highly viscous form.
• Use of improper thinner.

Prevention:

• Ensure sufficient drying time between coats.
• Use recommended painting system.

Remedy:

• Scrape out orange peel and repaint.

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Sags and Runs

Causes:

• Application of excessively thick coat.
• Use of a wrong thinner.

Prevention:

• Apply finish coat using recommended thinner.
• Do not apply thick coats.

Remedy:

• Sand surface to smoothen the sagged areas and repaint.

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Brush Marks

Causes:

• Applying paint using poor quality brushes.
• Highly viscous paint.
• Careless application.

Prevention:

• Use proper brushes and thin paint to desired proportion.
• Use quality brushes.

Remedy:

• Sand surface to a smooth finish and apply paint (after thinning to the desired proportion).

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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.

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Microbial Growth

Causes:

• Painting over a surface affected with microbial growth.
• Water seepage or damp in walls.
• Contamination of paint by materials used in putty preparation.

Prevention:

• Before painting, area should be checked for damp and the problem should be rectified appropriately. We recommend getting a contractor to survey the extent of the problem.
• Use clear water for thinning and putty preparation.
• Keep doors and windows open during and after painting.

Remedy:

• Clean with bleach solution and repaint.

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Patchiness

Causes:

• Application of finish coat over spot puttied surfaces.
• High alkalinity of surface (evident in new walls).
• Incomplete drying of walls.

Prevention:

• Allow new walls to get cured for at least three months.
• Always apply a primer coat after applying spot putty.
• Cracks in plaster should be filled with Medal crack filler.

Remedy:

• Scrape the surface and repaint adopting the right surface preparation.

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