Glidden Brushups

How To Avoid Common Paint Problems

Painting can be a rewarding and transformative process, whether you're refreshing the walls of your home or adding a splash of color to a piece of furniture. However, it's not uncommon to encounter certain challenges along the way. From blistering and poor adhesion to tannin stains and cracking, these common painting problems can affect the overall quality and longevity of your paint job. Understanding the causes and solutions to these issues is essential for achieving a smooth and professional finish. In this article, we will explore some of the most common problems people face while painting, providing insights into their causes and offering practical tips to overcome them. By addressing these challenges head-on, you can ensure a successful painting project that will stand the test of time.
 

Common Problems:

Alligatoring    Blistering    Burnishing     Chalking    Cracking    Peeling    Poor Alkali    Roller Marks    Tannin Stain    Yellowing
Glidden Brushups


 


Alligatoring is cracking of your exterior paint finish.  It may look something like the photo on the side.

To fix, follow these three steps:
  1. Pressure-wash or clean the surface well.
  2. Sand* and scrape away all loose or flaking paint.
  3. Apply a high-quality latex exterior paint.
See More How To Tips

As always, please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet and Safety Data Sheet for safety and detailed application instructions.
How do I fix alligatoring?

How do I fix alligatoring?

Alligatoring is cracking of your exterior paint finish.  It may look something like the photo on the side.

To fix, follow these three steps:
  1. Pressure-wash or clean the surface well.
  2. Sand* and scrape away all loose or flaking paint.
  3. Apply a high-quality latex exterior paint.
See More How To Tips

As always, please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet and Safety Data Sheet for safety and detailed application instructions.


*WARNING! If you scrape, sand, or remove old paint, you may release lead dust. LEAD IS TOXIC. EXPOSURE TO LEAD DUST CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS, SUCH AS BRAIN DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN. PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD ALSO AVOID EXPOSURE. Wear a NIOSH-approved respirator to control lead exposure. Clean up carefully with a HEPA vacuum and a wet mop. Before you start, find out how to protect yourself and your family by contacting the National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or log on to www.epa.gov/lead. 
 


Follow these steps:
  1. Investigate the source of the problem before preparation to ensure it won't spread.
  2. Scrape* away all loose or flaking paint, and then sand* smooth.
  3. Seal the surface with a high-quality primer.
  4. In high-traffic areas, use premium latex interior paint.

As always, please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet and Safety Data Sheet for safety and detailed application instructions.

Find Your Favorite Paint Colors
 
How do I fix Blistering?

How do I fix Blistering?

Follow these steps:
  1. Investigate the source of the problem before preparation to ensure it won't spread.
  2. Scrape* away all loose or flaking paint, and then sand* smooth.
  3. Seal the surface with a high-quality primer.
  4. In high-traffic areas, use premium latex interior paint.

As always, please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet and Safety Data Sheet for safety and detailed application instructions.

Find Your Favorite Paint Colors
 


*WARNING! If you scrape, sand, or remove old paint, you may release lead dust. LEAD IS TOXIC. EXPOSURE TO LEAD DUST CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS, SUCH AS BRAIN DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN. PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD ALSO AVOID EXPOSURE. Wear a NIOSH-approved respirator to control lead exposure. Clean up carefully with a HEPA vacuum and a wet mop. Before you start, find out how to protect yourself and your family by contacting the National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or log on to www.epa.gov/lead. 

 


Increase in gloss or sheen of paint film when subjected to rubbing, scrubbing or having an object brush up against it. Typically seen on interior surfaces. It may look something like this:

Follow these steps:

  1. Paint heavy-wear areas that require regular cleaning, e.g., doors, window sills and trim, with a top-quality latex paint. This type of paint offers both durability and easier cleaning capability.
  2. In high-traffic areas, choose a semi-gloss or gloss interior paint color, rather than a flat sheen.
  3. Clean painted surfaces with a soft cloth or sponge and non-abrasive cleansers, then wipe with clean water.
As always, please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet and Safety Data Sheet for safety and detailed application instructions.

See More How To Tips
What is burnishing?

What is burnishing?

Increase in gloss or sheen of paint film when subjected to rubbing, scrubbing or having an object brush up against it. Typically seen on interior surfaces. It may look something like this:

Follow these steps:

  1. Paint heavy-wear areas that require regular cleaning, e.g., doors, window sills and trim, with a top-quality latex paint. This type of paint offers both durability and easier cleaning capability.
  2. In high-traffic areas, choose a semi-gloss or gloss interior paint color, rather than a flat sheen.
  3. Clean painted surfaces with a soft cloth or sponge and non-abrasive cleansers, then wipe with clean water.
As always, please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet and Safety Data Sheet for safety and detailed application instructions.

See More How To Tips


 


Chalking is a fine powder on the paint's surface associated with old or poor-quality exterior paints. It may look something like this photo.

To fix chalking, follow these steps:
  1. Pressure-wash and clean the surface well.
  2. Pressure washing alone will not likely remove all of the chalk, so using a rag or soft brush is recommended, in addition to washing.
  3. After washing, run your hand over the surface to check for additional chalking.
  4. If it still exists, you'll need to prime the surface with a high-quality, specialty primer.
  5. Finally, apply a high-quality latex exterior paint.

As always, please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet and Safety Data Sheet for safety and detailed application instructions.

See All Primers
How do I fix chalking?

How do I fix chalking?

Chalking is a fine powder on the paint's surface associated with old or poor-quality exterior paints. It may look something like this photo.

To fix chalking, follow these steps:
  1. Pressure-wash and clean the surface well.
  2. Pressure washing alone will not likely remove all of the chalk, so using a rag or soft brush is recommended, in addition to washing.
  3. After washing, run your hand over the surface to check for additional chalking.
  4. If it still exists, you'll need to prime the surface with a high-quality, specialty primer.
  5. Finally, apply a high-quality latex exterior paint.

As always, please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet and Safety Data Sheet for safety and detailed application instructions.

See All Primers


 


Cracking is where flecks of paint flake from a surface. It may look something like the picture on the side.

To fix, follow these steps:
  1. Scrape away all loose or flaking paint.
  2. Sand* it smooth.
  3. Seal the surface with a high-quality primer.
  4. In high-traffic areas, use premium latex interior paint.
As always, please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet and Safety Data Sheet for safety and detailed application instructions.

See More Helpful How-To Articles
How do I fix cracking?

How do I fix cracking?

Cracking is where flecks of paint flake from a surface. It may look something like the picture on the side.

To fix, follow these steps:
  1. Scrape away all loose or flaking paint.
  2. Sand* it smooth.
  3. Seal the surface with a high-quality primer.
  4. In high-traffic areas, use premium latex interior paint.
As always, please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet and Safety Data Sheet for safety and detailed application instructions.

See More Helpful How-To Articles


*WARNING! If you scrape, sand, or remove old paint, you may release lead dust. LEAD IS TOXIC. EXPOSURE TO LEAD DUST CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS, SUCH AS BRAIN DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN. PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD ALSO AVOID EXPOSURE. Wear a NIOSH-approved respirator to control lead exposure. Clean up carefully with a HEPA vacuum and a wet mop. Before you start, find out how to protect yourself and your family by contacting the National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or log on to www.epa.gov/lead.   


Peeling is where large sections of exterior paint peels away from the surface, usually caused when moisture seeps through the exterior walls from inside the house or a result of poor surface preparation.

The steps to fix peeling are:
  1. Pressure-wash or clean the surface well.
  2. Sand* and scrape away all loose or flaking paint.
  3. Caulk all cracks and gaps around windows.
  4. Apply a high-quality, latex exterior paint.

As always, please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet and Safety Data Sheet for safety and detailed application instructions.

Find Your Favorite Paint Colors
 How do I fix Peeling?

How to fix Peeling

How do I fix Peeling?

Peeling is where large sections of exterior paint peels away from the surface, usually caused when moisture seeps through the exterior walls from inside the house or a result of poor surface preparation.

The steps to fix peeling are:
  1. Pressure-wash or clean the surface well.
  2. Sand* and scrape away all loose or flaking paint.
  3. Caulk all cracks and gaps around windows.
  4. Apply a high-quality, latex exterior paint.

As always, please refer to the Product Label, Technical Data Sheet and Safety Data Sheet for safety and detailed application instructions.

Find Your Favorite Paint Colors


*WARNING! If you scrape, sand, or remove old paint, you may release lead dust. LEAD IS TOXIC. EXPOSURE TO LEAD DUST CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ILLNESS, SUCH AS BRAIN DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN. PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD ALSO AVOID EXPOSURE. Wear a NIOSH-approved respirator to control lead exposure. Clean up carefully with a HEPA vacuum and a wet mop. Before you start, find out how to protect yourself and your family by contacting the National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or log on to www.epa.gov/lead.   


A: Color loss on fresh masonry caused by applying paint to masonry that has not cured for at least a month.    

Steps to fix poor alkali:

  1. Before painting, allow masonry to cure for one to two months.
  2. Apply an alkali-resistant primer.
  3. Finally, apply a high-quality, 100% latex exterior paint.
Find Your Favorite Paint Colors
What is Poor Alkali?

What is Poor Alkali?

A: Color loss on fresh masonry caused by applying paint to masonry that has not cured for at least a month.    

Steps to fix poor alkali:

  1. Before painting, allow masonry to cure for one to two months.
  2. Apply an alkali-resistant primer.
  3. Finally, apply a high-quality, 100% latex exterior paint.
Find Your Favorite Paint Colors


 


There are many ways to prevent roller marks. Here are a few suggestions:
  1. Use the proper roller cover - avoid too long a nap for the paint and the substrate.
  2. Use a quality roller to ensure adequate film thickness and uniformity.
  3. High-quality paints tend to roll on more evenly due to their higher solids content and leveling properties.
  4. Pre-dampen roller covers used with latex paint; shake out excess water.
  5. Don't let paint build up on the roller end.
  6. Avoid overspreading or trying to stretch the paint too far with every roller load.
  7. Begin rolling at a corner near the ceiling and work down the wall in three-foot square sections. Spread the paint in a zigzag "M" or "W" pattern, beginning with an upward stroke to minimize spatter. Then, without lifting the roller from the surface, fill in the zigzag pattern with even, parallel strokes.
  8. After rolling a 4" by 8' section (about the size of a wall panel), gently roll the roller down the wall, starting on the right and moving to your left. This removes any blobs or marks and takes care of any uneven application.
Find Your Favorite Paint Colors
How Can I Prevent Roller Marks?

How Can I Prevent Roller Marks?

There are many ways to prevent roller marks. Here are a few suggestions:
  1. Use the proper roller cover - avoid too long a nap for the paint and the substrate.
  2. Use a quality roller to ensure adequate film thickness and uniformity.
  3. High-quality paints tend to roll on more evenly due to their higher solids content and leveling properties.
  4. Pre-dampen roller covers used with latex paint; shake out excess water.
  5. Don't let paint build up on the roller end.
  6. Avoid overspreading or trying to stretch the paint too far with every roller load.
  7. Begin rolling at a corner near the ceiling and work down the wall in three-foot square sections. Spread the paint in a zigzag "M" or "W" pattern, beginning with an upward stroke to minimize spatter. Then, without lifting the roller from the surface, fill in the zigzag pattern with even, parallel strokes.
  8. After rolling a 4" by 8' section (about the size of a wall panel), gently roll the roller down the wall, starting on the right and moving to your left. This removes any blobs or marks and takes care of any uneven application.
Find Your Favorite Paint Colors


 


Brown/tan discoloration that typically occurs on woods such as redwood, cedar and mahogany. 

Follow these steps to fix:

  1. Investigate the source of the problem before preparation, to ensure it won't spread.
  2. Wash or clean the surface well.
  3. Use an oil-based primer for severe staining.
Find Your Favorite Paint Colors
What are tannin stains?

What are tannin stains?

Brown/tan discoloration that typically occurs on woods such as redwood, cedar and mahogany. 

Follow these steps to fix:

  1. Investigate the source of the problem before preparation, to ensure it won't spread.
  2. Wash or clean the surface well.
  3. Use an oil-based primer for severe staining.
Find Your Favorite Paint Colors


 


Development of a yellow cast in aging paint; most noticeable in the dried films of white paints or clear varnishes. 

Choose the right type of paint. Alkyd paints, because of their curing mechanism, do tend to yellow, particularly in areas that are protected from sunlight. Top-quality latex paints do not tend to yellow. In high-traffic areas, use premium latex interior paint.

Find Your Favorite Paint Colors
What is yellowing and how do I avoid it?

What is yellowing and how do I avoid it?

Development of a yellow cast in aging paint; most noticeable in the dried films of white paints or clear varnishes. 

Choose the right type of paint. Alkyd paints, because of their curing mechanism, do tend to yellow, particularly in areas that are protected from sunlight. Top-quality latex paints do not tend to yellow. In high-traffic areas, use premium latex interior paint.

Find Your Favorite Paint Colors