Interior Paint Solution Center

Poor Print Resistance

• Use of a low quality semi-gloss or gloss paint.
• Putting a painted surface back into use before paint has fully dried.

• Use a high quality interior latex semi-gloss or gloss paint.  Fully cured alkyd-based paints also have excellent print resistance.  Low quality latex semi-gloss and gloss paints can be too soft and have poor print resistance, especially in warm, damp conditions.  Make sure the recommended dry and cure time is allowed for the paint before it is put into service.  Cool or humid weather conditions will require a longer curing time.

Poor Scrub Resistance

• Choosing the wrong paint product or finish.
• Use of a low quality paint.
• Use of an aggressive scrub medium (see Burnishing)
• Scrubbing the paint film before it has had an adequate time to dry.

• Areas that are subjected to frequent cleaning require a high quality paint formulated to provide scrub resistance.  High traffic areas should be coated with an eggshell, semi-gloss, or high gloss finish paint rather than with a flat finish paint.  Allow adequate dry time, (typically one week), as scrub resistance will not fully develop until the paint is thoroughly cured.  Try washing the painted surface with the least abrasive material and mildest detergent first.

Poor Sheen Uniformity

• Uneven film spread rate.
• Failure to prime a porous surface, or top coating a surface with varying degrees of porosity.
• Poor coating application technique, resulting in lapping (see Lapping).
• Application of coating at temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

• New substrates should be primed / sealed before applying the topcoat to ensure a uniformly sealed surface.  Without the use of a primer or sealer, a second coat of paint will more likely be needed.  Make sure to apply paint from "wet to dry" to prevent lapping.  Often, applying an additional coat will even out sheen irregularities.

Poor Stain Resistance

• Use of lower quality paint that is porous in nature.
• Application of paint to unprimed substrate.

• High quality latex paints contain more binder, which helps prevent stains from penetrating the painted surface, allowing for easy removal.  Priming new surfaces provides better hold out and results in the maximum film thickness of the topcoat.  This allows the film to resist and release stains easily.

Roller Marks / Stipple

• Use of low quality paint or roller.
• Incorrect roller nap size.
• Improper rolling technique.

• Higher quality paints tend to roll on more evenly due to their excellent flow and leveling properties.  Use the recommended nap size roller cover for the type of paint and substrate being coated.  Use quality roller covers to ensure optimal paint distribution and uniform film thickness.  Pre-dampen roller covers used with latex paint; shake out excess water.  Don't let paint build up at roller ends.  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.

Roller Spattering

• Use of exterior paint on an interior surface.
• Use of low quality grades of latex paint.

• High quality interior paints are formulated with special ingredients to minimize spattering .  Most exterior coatings do not have these ingredients because of more brush and spray application.  Use high quality rollers with the proper resiliency to reduce spattering.  Do not overload the roller with paint or overwork the paint once it is applied to a substrate.  Work in three-feet square sections, applying the paint in a zigzag "M" or "W" pattern and then fill in the pattern.