How to Fix Common Paint Faults

There's nothing more frustrating than spending a weekend painting at home, and finding the end result to be less than desirable or, worse yet, completely unacceptable. Not only will the work need to be redone, but it will be costly and time consuming to repair. In regards to a paint fault, the unattractive result is not due to poor application, but poor preparation of an imperfect surface or use of incompatible materials. Paint that flakes, bubbles, blisters, or stains are examples of paint faults that can be repaired with a little know how. Here we'll show you how to identify and fix common paint faults.

Blistering - Blistering is one of the most common paint faults, and is easily identified by small to medium size 'blisters' of paint. It is caused by moisture or air that has expanded beneath the paint. To repair, the paint will need to be completely stripped from the surface. Allow the area to dry completely and prime before repainting to lock out moisture.

Alligatoring - Alligatoring occurs when one painted surface is covered with an incompatible paint type. For example, if an oil-based paint is covered with a latex paint, you will likely see alligatoring of the finished surface. This paint fault is recognizable as it will very literally resemble an alligator's skin, with hard cracked lines traveling the entire length of the surface. To repair, sand the area smooth and repaint with a compatible paint type.

Flaking - We have all seen old surfaces with flaking paint, which is an indicator that it needs to be stripped and repainted. However, when flaking occurs immediately after application, it signals that the surface was not properly prepared. It can also be the result of a latex paint being applied over a high-gloss surface, without a primer used in between. To repair, strip off the flaking paint and properly prep the surface before repainting.

Staining - If you notice areas in your finished paint job that are darker than others, it is a result of staining. Staining typically affects latex paint, and is normally caused by water present in the paint tray, paint brush, or paint roller. To repair, allow the paint to completely dry and repaint with clean, dry tools.

Wrinkling - Wrinkling is not as common of a paint fault as the others we've listed, however it can show itself when an oil-based paint is applied to a still-wet first coat. Always give the first coat of paint time to dry completely before applying the second.

As you can see, you can save yourself a great deal of time and effort by learning how to properly prepare surfaces before painting, and by knowing what type of paint you are working with. If you are unsure of what type of paint exists, remove a small chip from the wall and take it to a paint specialist for review. They can help determine the finish and assist in choosing the best paint to apply over it.