Expert Advice

Definition: Bubbles resulting from loss of paint adhesion to the surface.

Possible causes

• Applying oil-based paint over a damp or wet surface.

• Moisture trapped beneath the surface of the paint.

• Exposure of paint to high humidity or moisture shortly after paint has dried, especially if there was inadequate surface preparation.

• Surface contamination such as dirt, oil, or grease.

Solution

• If blisters do not go all the way down to the base layer; remove blisters by scraping and sanding, then repaint with water-based paint.

• If blisters go down to the base layer; remove the source of moisture first. Repair loose caulking; consider installing vents or fans. Remove blisters as above, remembering to prime before applying the paint.

Definition: Undesirable sticking together of two painted surfaces when pressed together.

Possible causes

• Not allowing sufficient dry time for the coating.

Solution

Use Jotech Paints acrylic emulsion for optimum results. Follow our paint label instructions regarding dry times to ensure you don’t face any issues.

Definition: Paint burnishing happens when a painted surface is subjected to friction usually caused by repeated rubbing and scrubbing using cleaning products.

Possible causes

• Lack of appropriate paint product used.

• Frequent washing and spot cleaning.

• Objects (furniture for example) rubbing against the walls.

• Use of lower grades of paint with poor stain and scrub resistance.

Solution

Paint heavy wear areas that require regular cleaning with a top quality latex paint, as this type of paint offers both durability and easier cleaning capability. In high traffic areas, choose a semi-gloss or gloss rather than a flat sheen level.

Clean painted surfaces with a soft cloth or sponge and non-abrasive cleansers; then rinse with water.

Definition: The splitting of dry paint as a result of aging. In its early stages, the problem appears as hairline cracks; and later on flaking occurs.

Possible causes

• Use of lower quality paint that has inadequate adhesion and flexibility.
• Overthinning or overspreading the paint.
• Inadequate surface preparation, or applying the paint to bare wood without applying a primer first.

Solution

Remove loose and flaking paint with a scraper or wire brush, sanding the surface and feathering the edges. If the flaking occurs in multiple layers of paint, use of a filler may be necessary. Use a top quality primer and top coat in order to prevent a recurrence of the problem.

Definition: Formation of bubbles (foaming) during paint application and drying.

Possible causes

• Shaking a partially filled can of paint.

• Use of low quality or old paints.

• Applying paint too rapidly.

• Excessive rolling or brushing of the paint.

• Applying a gloss or semi-gloss paint over a porous surface.

Solution

• All paints will foam to some degree during application; however, higher quality paints are formulated so the bubbles break while the paint is still wet, allowing for good flow and appearance. Avoid excessive rolling or brushing of the paint. Apply gloss and semi-gloss paints with a short nap roller, and apply an appropriate sealer or primer before using such paint over a porous surface. And remember, areas should be sanded before repainting!

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

Possible causes

• Failure to maintain a “wet edge” when painting.

Solution

• Maintain a wet edge when painting by applying 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. If the surface is very porous, it may need a primer/sealer to prevent paint from drying too quickly and reducing wet edge time.

Definition: Black, grey or brown spots or areas on the surface of paint.

Possible causes

• Area was damp or receives little or no direct sunlight (e.g., bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms).
• Painting over a surface or coating on which mold was not removed or treated.

Solution

Test for mold by applying a few drops of household bleach to the area; if it is bleached away, the discolorant is probably mold. Remove all mold from the surface by scrubbing with a diluted household bleach solution (one part bleach, three parts water), while wearing rubber gloves and eye protection. Rinse thoroughly.

To protect against mold in the future, use Jotech Paints top quality latex paint, and clean when necessary with bleach/detergent solution. Consider installing an exhaust fan in high moisture areas.

Definition: Deep, irregular cracks resembling dried mud.

Possible causes

The most likely cause of mud cracking is applying a thick, heavy, unthinned coat of paint to a textured or glossy surface. Cracking can also occur when matte paint is applied over silk-finish paint if the sheen is not removed from the silk coating.

Solution

One or two thinned coats of paints may fill in the cracks. For internal walls, a glossy paint is the most suitable product to use after scraping and sanding the surface.

Definition: Shiny spots or dull spots (also known as “flashing”) on a painted surface; uneven gloss.

Possible causes

• Uneven spread rate.
• Failure to properly prime a porous surface, or surface with varying degrees of porosity.
• Poor application resulting in lapping (see Lapping).

Solution

• New substrates should be primed/sealed before applying the top coat to ensure a uniformly porous surface. Without the use of a primer or sealer, a second coat of paint will more likely be needed. Make sure to apply paint from “wet to dry” to prevent lapping. Often, applying an additional coat will even out sheen irregularities.

Definition: Failure of the paint to resist absorption of dirt and stains.

Possible causes

• Use of lower quality paint that is porous in nature.
• Application of paint to surface that has not been primed.

Solution

• Higher quality paints contain more binder, which helps prevent stains from penetrating the painted surface, allowing for easy removal. Priming new surfaces provides maximum film thickness of a premium top coat, providing very good stain removability.

Definition: Downward “drooping” of the paint film immediately after application, resulting in uneven coating.

Possible causes

• Application of a heavy coat of paint.
• Application in excessively humid and/or cool conditions.
• Application of overthinned paint.

Solution

• If the paint is still wet, immediately brush out or re-roll to redistribute the excess evenly. If the paint has dried; sand, and reapply a new coat of paint.
• Do not thin the paint, avoid cool or humid conditions, and make sure to sand glossy surfaces.
• Two coats of paint at the recommended spread rate are better than one heavy coat, which can also lead to sagging.

Definition: A rough, crinkled paint surface, which occurs when uncured paint forms a “skin.”

Possible causes

Wrinkling occurs when the surface of the paint dries too quickly, therefore forming a skin before the paint underneath could dry. It is likely to be worse if a thick coat of paint is applied, or if painting is done during extremely hot/humid weather.

Solution

Scrape or sand the surface to remove wrinkled coating, then clean with water and detergent. If using a primer, allow it to dry completely before applying top coat. Repaint (avoiding temperature/humidity extremes), applying an even coat of one of our top-quality interior paints.

Definition: Development of a yellow cast in aging paint; most noticeable in white paints or clear varnishes.

Possible causes

• Oxidation of alkyd or oil-based paint or varnish.
• Heat from stoves, radiators and heating ducts.
• Lack of light (e.g., behind pictures or appliances, inside closets, etc.).

Solution

• Top quality latex paints do not tend to yellow, nor does non-yellowing varnish. Alkyd paints, because of their curing mechanism, do tend to yellow, particularly in areas that are protected from sunlight.