BITTINESS

WHY IS MY PAINTED SURFACE ROUGH, AND

HAS FOREIGN PARTICLES ON IT?
Paint film containing particles of paint, skin or foreign matter appearing above the
surface of the paint film gives it a rough appearance. This is also called as seeding of
paint.

What are the possible causes?

 Contaminated paint.
 Due to paint skin or gelled materials.
 Surface may be dusty with foreign matter.
 Contaminated roller, brush or spray gun.
 Dusty working environment.
 Poor quality of application tools (brush or roller).

What is the solution?

 Remove the paint using appropriate thinner.
 Make sure the surface is free from dust and foreign matters.
 Use new uncontaminated paint.
 Use cleaned or new brush/ roller.
BLUSHING

WHY DOES THE PAINT FILM LOOK DULL IN

COLOUR AND GLOSS?
Hazy appearance on the paint surface resembling a bloom, which shows as dull in
colour and low gloss.

What are the possible causes?

 Paint film may expose to moisture.
 Amine blush in epoxy coatings at low temperature.
 Incorrect solvent blending.
 Substrate may contaminate with moisture.
 High humidity environment condition.

What is the solution?

 Remove the bloom with suitable solvent cleaner.
 Apply suitable undercoat and finish coat.
 Use correct paint system recommended.
 Apply under the controlled environment condition.
BLISTERING

WHY DO I SEE BLISTERS ON THE WALL?

Dome shaped projections or blisters in the dry paint film appear as a result of local
loss of adhesion from the underlying surface. Blisters may contain liquid, gas or
crystals.

What are the possible causes?

 Localised loss of adhesion due to contamination with oil, trapped moisture,
rust or salt.
 Wet sanding operations (particularly with polyester based products) without
sufficient time to allow water to evaporate before application of top-coats.
 Blisters can occur in many sizes, patterns and frequency and can form between
individual layers or beneath the entire film build.

What is the solution?

 Thoroughly clean the areas to be painted with clean water.
 Consider changing to dry sand operations to avoid water absorption when
sanding.
 Allow sufficient time for water to evaporate while wet sanding.
CHALKING

WHY IS THERE A POWDERY SUBSTANCE ON THE

PAINT FILM WHICH RUBS OFF ON MY HAND?
Powdery layer on top of the paint film is disintegration of paint binder due
weathering/ UV light.

What are the possible causes?

 Decomposition of binding agent at the paint surface resulting in the release of
pigments.
 Poor repair work on the previously chalked paint surface.
 Wrong selection of paint system.
 Paint may be diluted too much.

What is the solution?

 Remove all powdery deposits by wiping, scrubbing, high pressure washing or
abrasion. Wipe loose material off and apply a chalk resistant topcoat.
 Always keep to the recommended film thickness and number of coats.
CRATERING

WHY ARE THERE SMALL HOLES ON THE PAINT

FILM?
Formation of small bowl shaped depressions in the paint film is called cratering. It is
not the same as cissing.

What are the possible causes?

 Shaking a partially filled can of paint will generate more foam.
 Applying paint too rapidly, especially with a roller.
 Paint has insufficient time to flow into a uniform film.
 Excessively rolling or brushing the paint.

What is the solution?

 Avoid air entrapment during mixing.
 For dilution, use the suitable thinner and recommended quantity.
 To repair, clean the surface by sanding and recoat.
EFFLORESCENCE

WHY IS THERE A WHITE OR POWDERY

SUBSTANCE ON SOME AREAS OF MY WALL?
White (powdery) substance on the substrate of concrete, brick, masonry and plaster.
The efflorescence, which comes from the migration of salts, can lift the paint from the
substrate.

What are the possible causes?

 Soluble salts within the substrate. Moisture brings the salts to the surface of
the substrate resulting in coating shows the efflorescence appearance and
adhesion failure.
 Excess moisture entrapped in the substrate will escape through the wall.
 Insufficient curing of new concrete cement wall.

What is the solution?

 Remove all powdery substances and thoroughly clean the surface.
 Ensure surface is moisture free, clean and suitable for application.
 Remove or eliminate the source of moisture.
 Apply a suitable sealer and coating system formulated for concrete, masonry,
etc.
FUNGUS (MILDEW)

WHY ARE THERE BLACK/GREEN SPOTS ON MY

WALLS?
Mildew is both an interior and an exterior problem found in damp areas receiving
little or no sunlight. It often grows in areas where condensation forms from water
vapour in the air meeting a cold surface which turns the vapour into a liquid.

What are the possible causes?

 Failure to treat existing mildew before painting.
 Failing to apply primer coat before top-coat.
 Painting over a substrate or coating from which mildew has not been removed.

What is the solution?

 Treat the surface with fungicidal wash.
 Use high pressure water wash to remove loose microbes, surface
contaminants, etc.
 Allow the surface to dry completely before repainting.
LOSS OF ADHESION

WHY IS THE PAINT FILM NOT STICKING TO THE

SURFACE?
Paint fails to adhere to substrate or underlying coats of paint. Loss of adhesion can
manifest itself in two different ways: i.) Total lack of adhesion occurs below the entire
paint film. ii.) Lack of adhesion occurs between coats.

What are the possible causes?

 Surface contamination or condensation, incompatibility between coating
systems.
 Poor surface preparation and poor drying condition.
 For 2-pack products, wrong mixing ratio of base qnd hardener.
 Diluting the primer thereby weakening its ability to stick to the surface.

What is the solution?

 Depends upon the extent of adhesion failure. Removal of defective areas will
be necessary prior to adequate preparation and application of correct coating
system.
 Ensure that the surface is clean, dry and free from contaminants before
painting.
 Always use suitable primer followed by top coat as recommended.
 Do not apply the paint too thick.
MUD-CRACKING

WHY DOES THE PAINTED SURFACE HAVE

MULTIPLE CRACKS RESEMBLING DRIED MUD?
Irregular deep cracks found on the dried paint film resembles as mud cracks.

What are the possible causes?

 Paint applied too thick.
 Building up thickness of paint to cover poor hiding.
 Adhesion of the coating is insufficient to bear the stress.

What is the solution?

 Remove the paint by scrap.
 Sand the surface to smooth before repainting.
 Use correct paint system recommended.
ORANGE PEEL

WHY DOES THE PAINTED SURFACE HAVE

WRINKLES SIMILAR TO AN ORANGE PEEL?
On a sprayed paint film, when the surface of the paint film resembles the skin of an
orange.

What are the possible causes?

 Failure of paint film to flow-out due to incorrect pressure or wrong solvent
blend, and poor application technique.
 High Viscosity, wrong spray nozzle selection low pressure (poor atomization).
 Spray gun is too far away from the object.

What is the solution?

 Adjust the paint viscosity with the recommended thinner.
 Keep the spray gun within the recommended distance.
 Use the recommended pressure and nozzle type.
PATCHINESS

WHY DOES THE COLOUR ON THE PAINTED

SURFACE LOOK UNEVEN?
Patchiness generally occurs when insufficient paint has been applied or when paint is
applied unevenly, resulting in a variation of the film build leading to patches.

What are the possible causes?

 Variations in surface gloss can cause applied paint to appear patchy.
 Paint applied over joint compound (putty) not fully dried.
 Primer coat may not applied on puttied surface.

What is the solution?

 Increase the amount of paint on the roller or brush to allow better distribution.
 Allow the joint compound (putty) to dry, before primer application.
 Apply the paint in a grid fashion to ensure an even finish.
PEELING

WHY IS THE PAINT PEELING OFF FROM THE

SURFACE?
Peeling tends to be associated with soft and pliable fresh coatings which can be
pulled away from or spontaneously flake away from the substrate or from between
coats, due to loss of adhesion.

What are the possible causes?

 Peeling is the reduction in bond strength of the paint film due to
contamination or incompatibility of coats.
 Condensation of substrate due to temperature changes.
 Excessive moisture due to high humidity.

What is the solution?

 Scrap all the loose paint from the substrate.
 Clean and degrease the substrate and make sure it is free from contamination.
 Use the suitable primer followed by recommended top coat.
POOR OPACITY

WHY DIDN’T THE PAINT FILM HIDE THE

SURFACE BENEATH?
Poor hiding occurs when substrate shows through the top-coat, and old paintwork,
spot primer, etc. are visible through the top-coat.

What are the possible causes?

 Paint diluted beyond the recommendation.
 Base coat has a darker shade than top coat.
 Painting on absorbent substrate also shows poor hiding.
 Paint may not stir uniformly before application.

What is the solution?

 Stir sample thoroughly before application.
 Apply primer coat followed by top coat, if the base colour is darker.
 Use thinner recommended by paint supplier (don’t over dilute it).
 Apply recommended film thickness with correct tools.
SAGGING (PAINT CRY)

WHY DOES IT LOOK LIKE THE PAINT ON THE

SURFACE IS SAGGING?
Downward movement and tears of paint which appear soon after application to
vertical surfaces. In severe situations it may be described as curtains.

What are the possible causes?

 Excessive application of paint.
 Too much dilution of paint.
 Poor application technique or poor workmanship.
 Airless spray with gun too close to the substrate.

What is the solution?

 If sagging paint has dried, sand the surface, clean it and repaint.
 Do not dilute the paint more than the recommendation.
 Use correct application technique.
SPOTS OF CORROSSION

WHY ARE THERE SPOTS OF RUST ON A NEWLY

PAINTED SURFACE?
Spots of corrosion on the surface of a newly painted surface due to industrial fall
outs.

What are the possible causes?

 Iron particles may fall on top of the surface which oxide and attack the paint
film.
 Industrial fallout which damages the paint film can cause the corrosion spots.
 Spark damages due to welding or grinding operations.

What is the solution?

 Immediate removal of metal particles.
 During welding or grinding work ensure that the painted area is covered and
protected.