Common Paint Problems

How-To

Detailed solutions from Porter® to the most common paint problems faced by both painting professionals and do-it-yourselfers.

Exterior

Cracking/Flaking:

The splitting of a dry paint film through at least one coat, which will lead to complete failure of the paint. Early on, the problem appears as hairline cracks. Later, flaking of paint chips occurs.

Possible Causes

  • * Use of a lower quality paint that has inadequate adhesion and flexibility
  • * Overthinning the paint/spreading it too thin
  • * Poor surface preparation, especially when the paint is applied to bare wood without priming
  • * Painting under cool or windy conditions, which make latex paint dry too fast

Solutions

Correct cracking that does not go down to the substrate by removing the loose paint with a scraper or wire brush, sanding to feather the edges, priming any bare spots, and repainting.

If the cracking goes down to the substrate, remove all of the paint by scraping, sanding or using a heat gun. Then prime and repaint with a quality exterior latex paint.

Porter® System Recommendations

  • Primer: One Coat of ACRI-SHIELD Acrylic Bonding Primer No. 515
  • Finish: One or more coats of Super Premium ACRI-SHIELD Acrylic Finish No. 519 Flat, 739 Satin, 619 Gloss
  • Or:
  • One or more coats of ACRI-PRO 100 Acrylic Finish No. 929 Flat, 3729 Satin, or 6029 Semi-Gloss