(Client Name)

Paint Film Defects and Solutions

by Anthony T. Manuel TSD Senior Coating Advisor
Hempel Paints (Saudi Arabia)
(Training Location)
(Training Date)

PAINT FILM DEFECTS

AND
SOLUTIONS

BLEEDING

BLEEDING
BLEEDING - Shows as a surface discoloration.
Caused by an underlying colour or stain which
gradually migrates through a newly painted
surface. This can be caused by Bitumen,
Creosote,
Water-staining,
Nicotine,
and
Pigmentation in previous coatings, especially
when recoating Water-based paints with strong
Solvent-based paint/lacquer.
SOLUTION: All affected paint should be strippedoff, and/or in the case of bleeding, sealed-off with
an appropriate sealer. After effective sealing, repaint according to the appropriate specification.

WRINKLING

WRINKLING

WRINKLING

WRINKLING
WRINKLING - Wrinkling of a paint is often
caused by applying the paint too thickly. The
surface of the paint dries to form a skin and
the under surface remains soft and in a semidry state for a considerable time. This results
in movement within the paint film and
resulting stresses cause the top skin to
wrinkle. Can also occur during very rapid
drying in hot weather.
SOLUTION: Remove the defective coating,
abrade, clean , and recoat.

FLAKING / PEELING

FLAKING
FLAKING - This results from the splitting and lifting of a paint coat or paint
system due to loss of adhesion. This can be due to one or more causes, such as:
1. Paint being applied on top of a chalking substrate or other powdery surface.
2. Using a primer which is not suited to the surface, such as underbound, overthinned primer or one liable to degrade on cement/alkaline surfaces.
3. Painting on old, poor quality paint, which can become brittle & fail rapidly once
disruptions occurs.
4. Moisture penetrating into wood causing movement which cannot be tolerated by
the paint system.
SOLUTION: Flaking paint & adjacent areas of suspected weakly adhering paint
should be removed completely. When repainting, care should be taken to provide
a dry surface free from powdery particles and that the surface is well sealed.
Ensure correct sealers/primers are used.

CRACKING

CRACKING

CRACKING

CRACKING
CRACKING - Rupture or breaking of the paint
film typically non-directional and caused by
the application of excessively high film
thickness or the over-coating of a soft paint
with a hard one (ex. Physical-drying overcoated with chemically-curing paint). Can also
be caused by the stresses in the substrate
transferred to the paint.
SOLUTION: Abrade to remove the cracked
paint and re-apply the coating system or use a
more flexible system that is not prone to
cracking.

CHALKING

CHALKING
CHALKING - This is a powdery residue formed on a paint
finish when the surface begins to erode from exposure to
the weather. Chalking is not usually considered a defect
unless it occurs prematurely. A good gloss paint may
soon begin to chalk if used over a porous surface, e.g.
caused by the non-use of a primer or sealer over-thinning
of previous coats resulting in insufficient sealing of the
substrate. Chalking of surfaces can also be evident where
a saponifiable coating has been used and has degraded,
i.e., by chemical attack.
SOLUTION: Light chalking can be removed by washing
with water and detergent, and then repainted normally.
Heavy surface chalking must be brushed-off and a sealer
applied to bind the surface before painting.

BLISTERS

BLISTERS

BLISTERING
BLISTERING - Takes place due to poor adhesion
between the paint and the surface. It may be caused by
surface dampness or excessive atmospheric moisture
when painting. Blisters are often caused by vapour
pressure which builds up under a relatively impervious
paint film when moisture in the surface is subject to
heat, such as exposure to the sun. Dampness in the
surface may be due to moisture retained in the plaster
or wood, or moisture migrating from an adjacent
structure.
SOLUTION: All defective paint (blistered film) must be
removed. Surfaces must be cleaned, made sound, then
treated as new and painted according to specification.

CRATERING / BLISTERING

SAPONIFICATION

SAPONIFICATION
SAPONIFICATION - Formation of a soft,
cheesy (greasy-feel) film under the coating
due to the reaction between the oil (in alkyd)
and the alkaline substance in the substrate
forming a soap.
SOLUTION: Remove the saponified paint,
abrade, clean and re-apply a more suitable
coating system that is non-saponifiable.

SAGGING

SAGGING

TEAR

SAGGING WITH TEARS

SAGGING / RUNS

RUNS / SAGS

SAGGING
SAGGING - The downtrend movement of a coat of
paint, usually caused by uneven application or the
wet edge being left too long, or sometimes the use
of too slow a thinner. On a plain surface this may
not produce individual runs but a thick lower edge,
which is sometimes referred to as curtaining.
SOLUTION: Rectifying this defect is not possible
until the thicker paint runs and sags have dried.
The surface should be flattened using wet and dry
abrasive paper. To avoid the effect ensure even
application, cross-brushing and lay-off evenly.

ORANGE PEEL

ORANGE PEEL
ORANGE PEEL - Similar appearance of the
paint film to a citrus fruit skin. Caused by
paint viscosity problems or applicator
technique. Cosmetic in nature and does not
have any effect on the paint performance.
SOLUTION: The surface should be made
even by sandpapering and then applied with
another coat after dusting-off to make an
even finish.

PINHOLES / HOLIDAYS

PINHOLES / HOLIDAYS
PINHOLES / HOLIDAYS - Tiny holes, deep
down in the paint film caused by the bursting
of entrapped solvent or air within the paint
film. Can also be caused by incorrect spray
application and solvent blend.
SOLUTION: Abrade affected area, clean and
apply suitable tie-coat/undercoat and topcoat
as necessary.

ORANGE PEEL WITH PINHOLES

BLOOM

BLOOM

BLOOMING
BLOOMING - Hazy deposit on the paint film
caused by the migration of the free-amine in the
curing agent of the epoxy with the condensing
water on the surface (due to low substrate
temperature).
SOLUTION: Abrade to remove the paint and reapply the coating system.

CONCRETE

BLISTERS

EFFLORESCENSE

EFFLORESCENCE
EFFLORESCENCE - It is recognisable as a white crystalline
deposit of water soluble salts which may form on new
plaster, cement render and brick caused by drying out of the
structure. Efflorescence may also form blisters in a paint film
with no visible salts. Also, efflorescence salt may be
attached to the back of the paint film, causing no visible
disruption, but weakening adhesion and remaining a threat
to future decoration.
SOLUTION:
Remove by bushing down, DO NOT WASHOFF. Repair any damage which may be causing water
ingress. Surfaces should not be sealed or painted in alkyd or
solvent based systems until efflorescence ceases. Whilst
efflorescence is present, porous emulsion paints are
recommended.

MOULD GROWTH

MOULD GROWTH
MOULD GROWTH - Usually occurs in damp or
humid conditions and can be seen as Fungal
(Black Growth) or Algae (Green Growth) both
internally and externally.
SOLUTION: Correct ventilation and removal of
condensation will solve many mould related
problems internally. In extreme cases
treatment of growth with household bleach is
advisable before application of a fungicidal
treatment. For persistent problem areas,
repaint with paint products with anti-fungicidal
properties.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR

ATTENTION