8 Causes of Paint Failure and How To Fix Them

Paint failure is a common phenomenon and if a paint job is not done correctly, it can occur on a large scale. A paint job is not a permanent job. The 2-3 layers of color coating usually measure about 40-50 mm in thickness after drying. Even the best paint job requires renewal after a certain period of time. However, a poor paint job can cause the breakdown of paint after just a short time. To prevent this, proper preparation is key.

A paint job’s durability will depend on several factors that should be taken into consideration before beginning a paint job. Read on to discover the most common reasons for paint failure and how to fix them.

Poor Surface preparation

This is the most common reason for paint failure. Poor surface preparation causes poor adhesion of the paint on the surface. Lack of proper sticking of the paint to the surface results in the paint coming off early.

Chalking

Paint Chalking is the formation of fine, white, chalky powder on the surface of the paint. It occurs due to weathering of paint. The paint binders slowly degrade due to moisture which results in the easing of the hold of the binder on paint pigments, causing the paint to fail.

Flaking

The phenomenon of the paint film lifting from the underlying surface in the form of flakes is called flaking. This occurs due to inadequate adhesion and lack of flexibility. Flaking can also occur due to overspreading or under-spreading of the paint.

Alkali

When the lime in a wall reacts with carbon dioxide from the air the alkalinity of the wall increases and it attacks the integrity of paint film which results in color loss and paint fading.

Moisture

Water that gathers on the wall surface due to rain or dew can penetrate the paint film, resulting in discoloration or peeling.

Cracking

Low-quality paint and a thin application can cause cracking. Lower quality paints lack flexibility and a thin coat of paint is less adhesive. The splitting of dry films through one coat leads to the failure of the whole painting job.

Dirt Pickup

Dust particles and dirt usually accumulate on paint surfaces by air pollution, soil splashing, and other physical factors. If you don’t power wash the dirt off, the dirt will accumulate reducing the paint’s ability to stick to the surface properly. Poor adhesion can result in paint failure.

Fading

Harsh weather or extreme sunlight results in fading. The freezing cold winters and hot, humid summers in New York leave paint susceptible to fading.

Looking for a beautiful, professional paint job for your home? Call the experts at Korth & Shannahan Painting and Carpentry. Voted Best General Contractor by Westchester Magazine. 914-238-5388